Page 79 of Redeeming Harmony

Hal shook his head. “She must be beside herself. Tiko is her baby.”

“I just had a very unpleasant conversation with her,” Nathan said. “But we’re doing a no-charge exam on Tiko tomorrow, so I’m hoping that will stop her from telling the entire town what a horrible person I am.”

“It won’t,” Hal said bluntly before grimacing. “Sorry, but it’s better that you know the truth.”

“Yeah.” Nathan leaned back in his chair. “Mrs. Rathbone keeps telling everyone who’ll listen that Lady Nakia is this fragile, sweet soul who’s probably on the verge of dying, and meanwhile, the damn cat is terrorizing the town. She’s hit two outdoor patios today and stolen food right off of people’s plates. She knocked over a toddler on Main Street. Just bowled him over ass over teakettle.”

Hal did a remarkable job keeping a straight face, but Nathan could practically see the laughter trying to bust free. “Go ahead,” he sighed. “Laugh. A demonic cat terrorizing the town is hilarious, I get it.”

Any trace of laughter disappeared from Hal’s face. “Sure, there’s some humour in it, but I’m also painfully aware of what it’s doing to the clinic.”

Guilt washed over Nathan. Hal and everyone else who worked at the clinic were relying on him to fix his fuck up. As it stood right now, before forced to lay off employees because he couldn’t afford to pay them was a genuine possibility.

Afraid that Hal might be tactfully trying to tell him he was going to quit, Nathan said, “Your job is still secure, Hal. If I have to, I’ll sell the clinic back to Warren before it gets to the point where an employee loses their job because of my fuck up.”

Just saying the words made him nauseous. The loss of his dream would be a bitter blow, but what choice did he have?

Hal shook his head. “That’s not going to happen, Nathan. You know how small towns are. Something else will happen, and people will move on from this. You won’t be the topic of discussion forever.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean the clients we’ve lost will return,” Nathan said.

“Maybe not,” Hal said. “But new people are moving here, and you know what it’s like in tourist season. The tourists bring their pets with them, and the clinic doubles in business during the season.”

“Tourist season is a long way off,” Nathan said. “Anyway, it’s past five. Go home, Hal. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Hal nodded. “Have a good night.”

“You too,” Nathan said. His night would consist of staring miserably at nothing and contemplating how bad of an idea it would be to get plastered on a Monday night.

Hal turned to leave before hesitating. “You should offer a reward.”

“A reward?” Nathan echoed.

“For Lady Nakia. Create a flyer and post it around town,” Hal said. “Even the offer of five hundred bucks would get plenty of people fired up over catching her.”

Nathan stared at him. “That’s a brilliant idea.”

Hal grinned. “You’re welcome. See you tomorrow, Nathan.”

“Good night, Hal.”

Chapter 19

It was almost eight when there was a knock on the door of his rented townhouse. Nathan added another book to the box and walked past the boxes scattered in the small living room. He checked the peephole, grunting in surprise before opening the door. “Harper, hey.”

“Hi, Nathan.” Harper smiled tentatively at him. “How are you?”

“Good. Come in.”

He stepped back, and she joined him in the hallway. “I probably should have texted first.”

“No, it’s fine.” He took her jacket and had to stop himself from leaning down and kissing the back of her exposed neck as she took off her shoes and lined them up neatly next to his.

He hung her jacket on the hook. “Do you want a drink?”

“Sure.” She followed him to the kitchen.

“Sorry about the mess. I’m trying to finish packing.” He moved a half-full box of plasticware off a chair.

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