The View from Coral Cove, page 2
“I believe I found her,” Maya called. “We’re on aisle four—with the Barbie dolls.”
A little girl Maya guessed was about eight or nine years old—dressed in pink shorts, a pink shirt featuring a black cat and the words Bea’s Cat Rescue, pink socks, and a pair of pink Converse low-top sneakers—appeared at the end of the aisle. Her long, dark brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail adorned with a pink ribbon. Maya couldn’t decide who was cuter—the kitten or the kitten’s seeker.
The little girl pointed at the kitten. “She likes you.”
Maya opened her mouth to respond, but her words were cut off by a man’s hollering.
“Ashlyn!” He sounded frantic. “Ashlyn Beatrice Tanner! Where are you?”
“Over here, Dad! In the Barbie aisle.”
A tall man with short brown hair a shade darker than the girl’s came to the same end of the aisle. Maya guessed he was in his midthirties, and she couldn’t help but notice his striking pearl-blue eyes, perfectly proportioned nose, and strong jaw. His blue shirt, sporting a black-and-white cat and the same Bea’s Cat Rescue, fit him well over his wide chest, and his khaki shorts boasted muscular legs and a trim waist.
“Pardon the intrusion,” he told Maya before he looked at the girl. “You nearly scared the life out of me when you ran across the street. Didn’t you see those cars coming?”
The girl’s brow pinched. “I was trying to find the kitten.” Then she smiled and nodded toward Maya. “But look, Dad. I think she’s found her new owner.”
“What do you mean?” Maya asked.
The dad’s face lit up with a handsome smile, and a dimple appeared on his chin. “I see that. She seems to have adopted you, miss.”
“Me?” Maya shook her head. “Oh no, no, no. I’m not looking for a pet. I just moved in here, and I have so much to do. I can’t possibly add caring for a kitten to my list.”
The girl walked over to Maya and leaned down. When she rubbed the kitten’s chin, she purred louder in approval. “But cats are easy. You don’t have to walk them like you do dogs. They pretty much take care of themselves. You just have to feed them, give them water, and scoop out their litter box. Right, Dad?”
“That’s true.” The man joined his daughter. He had to be at least six feet tall.
Considering their similar T-shirts, Maya recalled the tent and crowd outside the pet store, and the pieces came together for her. “Are you running a cat adoption day at the pet store?” she asked him.
“Yes, we are.” He held out his hand. “I’m Brody Tanner, and this is my daughter, Ashlyn.”
Maya shook his hand. “Maya Reynolds.”
“My dad’s a vet, and he runs the Coral Cove Veterinary Clinic and Bea’s Cat Rescue.” Ashlyn pointed to her shirt. “Bea was my nana, but she passed away four years ago. I was only four then.”
Maya picked up the kitten, who continued to purr in her arms as if she belonged there, and stood. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
“Did you know Miss CeCe?” Ashlyn gestured around the aisle.
“She was my great-aunt.”
Ashlyn’s nose wrinkled. “What’s a great-aunt?”
“She was my grandmother’s sister. So if your nana had a sister, she would be your great-aunt.”
“Oh.” Ashlyn nodded.
“We heard Miss CeCe passed away. I’m sorry for your loss,” Dr. Tanner said.
“Thank you.”
Ashlyn turned toward the display of Barbie accessories and began sifting through them. “We come here all the time, don’t we, Dad?”
“We do.” Dr. Tanner’s expression warmed as he watched his daughter.
Ashlyn spun to face Maya, her expression full of worry. “You’re going to keep the store open, aren’t you?”
“Yes. We’ll be open bright and early Monday morning. Miss Gayle and I will run it together.”
“That’s great,” Dr. Tanner said as he folded his arms over that wide chest.
Ashlyn pointed toward the ceiling. “So now you live in Miss CeCe’s apartment upstairs?”
“I do.”
“Where are you from?” Dr. Tanner asked.
“Charlotte.” The cat shifted in Maya’s arms, and she tried to readjust her without being sliced by her tiny claws. She held the cat out toward the little girl. “She’s obviously had enough of me. I think you should take her.”
Ashlyn took the cat with a frown. “But I really think she likes you. You should adopt her. She was found behind the supermarket with her mama and three brothers and sisters. The rest found homes, but she still needs one.”
“Like I said earlier, I really have too much going on right now. I’m trying to get a handle on running the store, and I have to get the apartment organized too.”
“She’ll help you. My kitties like to play with my pencil while I do my homework. Right, Dad?”
Dr. Tanner chuckled. “Yes. But you know it’s Miss Reynolds’s decision whether to adopt this cat. We never nag the people who come to the rescue shelter, and we won’t nag her either.”
“I know, but this kitty loves her.”
Ashlyn’s voice held a hint of concern, and Maya found her resolve fading a bit. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a pet. Is she already litter trained?”
“Yes,” Dr. Tanner said, chiming in.
Ashlyn nodded with emphasis. “All your customers will like her too.” She pointed toward the display window. “You could put up a big sign that says Don’t let the cat out so they won’t let her escape.”
Maya glanced at Dr. Tanner, and he grinned. He certainly was handsome, but she scolded herself for even thinking about that. He was a married man with a child! She ought to be ashamed.
“I bet you’ll even get more customers because of the cat,” Ashlyn continued. “Stores with cats are the best ones.”
Maya’s lips twisted as she considered the girl’s words. It would be nice to have a companion now, and Ashlyn was right. A cat was an easy pet. She took the kitten back, and when she rubbed her ear, a loud purr sounded once again. “Does she still need her shots and surgery?”
Ashlyn’s brown eyes twinkled. “No. My dad takes care of all the shots and the surgery before the cats are ready for adoption.”
“So I just need to pay the adoption fee and buy her supplies?”
“That’s right.”
“How much is the fee, Ashlyn?”
“It’s thirty dollars, and you can get cat supplies at the pet store. I’ll help you pick them out if you want.”
Maya hesitated. Was taking on a pet too much when she already felt so overwhelmed? She examined the kitten’s cute little face. “I don’t know . . . What would I even name her?”
Ashlyn turned to the Disney-inspired Barbies on the shelf behind her. Not even a second passed before she had an answer. “Tinker Bell!”
“Tinker Bell, huh?” Maya smiled as she lifted the kitten’s face to hers. “Does it suit you, little one?”
“Dad! There’s that Barbie camper I told you about!” Ashlyn scooted down the aisle and pointed to her find.
“I told you to save your allowance for that, Ashlyn.” Dr. Tanner shook his head as he took a step toward Maya, then lowered his voice. “Please don’t feel pressured to adopt the kitten. Ashlyn is passionate about animals, but I don’t want you to feel obligated to take on a pet if you’re not comfortable with it.”
Maya looked at Dr. Tanner’s daughter, who now stood on her tiptoes browsing the Barbie dolls and playsets. “She made some good points, though.”
“I always tell her she’ll make a great sales professional someday.”
Maya laughed as she met his gaze, and they shared a smile. But when she felt her cheeks warm, she cast her eyes down toward the kitten.
“Ooh, Dad! Look at this purple Barbie car. Isn’t it cool? The package says it’s ‘off-road.’ I think I saw it on a commercial at Tessie’s house.”
Dr. Tanner sighed. “Ash, we need to get back to the pet store to help with the adoptions.”
“Okay.” But Ashlyn still looked concerned.
Dr. Tanner reached for the wiggling kitten. “We should get going. It was nice meeting you, Miss Reynolds.”
“Wait.” Maya took a step back. “I’ll adopt the cat, and I do think I’ll call her Tinker Bell.”
Ashlyn clapped her hands as she rushed down the aisle. “Yay! I just knew you’d take her.”
“You sure?” Dr. Tanner asked.
Maya nodded and then met Ashlyn’s eager gaze. “Let me get my purse and my aunt’s shopping cart, and then after I take care of the adoption and bring Tinker Bell back here, you will have to help me pick out supplies at the pet store. Deal?”
“Deal!”
Chapter 2
“Thank you for giving Oscar a good home, Mrs. Anderson.” Brody handed her a receipt. He’d heard she’d recently become a widow, and he suspected she was lonely. “I’m sure you two will get along just wonderfully.”
Mrs. Anderson looked into the pet carrier and beamed at the two-year-old tuxedo cat blinking at her. “I’m so excited. I haven’t had a cat for years, but when I drove by and saw your adoption event, I just knew I had to stop. We’re going to have so much fun, Oscar.” She looked at Brody again as she slipped the receipt into her purse. “Thank you, Dr. Tanner. I’ll be sure to bring him to your clinic whenever he needs care.”
“You’re welcome. And thank you for your confidence.” Brody waved goodbye as she lifted the carrier and walked away. Then he glanced around the tent, where volunteers from his cat rescue and a couple of the employees from his veterinary clinic milled around, talking to folks who’d stopped by to see what cats were ready for adoption. This was his second event in a year, and he was pleased to see so many potential adopters in attendance.
His heart lifted as he glanced at his volunteers’ Bea’s Cat Rescue shirts. He’d started the rescue in his mother’s memory, and he hoped she’d be proud. The charity meant so much to him, and he wanted it to be her family’s legacy.
“So far we’ve adopted out four cats.”
He turned as Kim Banks, his veterinary technician, sidled up to him. “Four? Already?”
“That’s right.” She pushed a lock of her long hair over her shoulder and smiled. “This event has already been more successful than the last. I’m sure the advertising campaign you ran in the paper and the local radio stations helped.”
Kim lingered beside him. With her bright blue eyes, high cheekbones, trim figure, and long, golden hair, she was attractive. But even though he sometimes got the impression she wanted more, Brody wasn’t interested in anything but a working relationship. He wasn’t really interested in dating anyone after his horrendous breakup four years ago. It still haunted him. He’d been certain that Courtney was the love of his life, which was why he’d proposed.
But then she decided she didn’t want an instant family. And ever since then, rather than worry about navigating a risky relationship, he’d focused on his daughter, his clinic, and the cat rescue.
“I saw Ashlyn go into the pet store with a dark-haired woman. Who is she?”
“She’s the new owner of CeCe’s Toy Chest, Maya Reynolds. That little calico that managed to wiggle out of Ashlyn’s arms ran over to her store. When we found the kitten with her, Ashlyn convinced her to adopt it and then offered to help her pick out supplies.”
Kim’s smile widened, and she fluttered her long eyelashes. “Ashlyn is a great helper. She always offers to give me a hand around the clinic.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without her.” Ashlyn was the light of his life.
A young couple, probably in their twenties, approached the table where Brody and Kim stood.
“Hi,” the woman said. “Do you have any white kittens? The one we have now is black.”
Kim slipped around the table. “We do. Follow me.”
Brody turned toward the entrance of the store just as Maya and Ashlyn emerged. They seemed engrossed in conversation as Maya pushed her shopping cart, packed full of supplies. When she reached the crosswalk, she said something to Ashlyn and then watched as his daughter made a beeline for him. Meeting his gaze, Maya waved.
He returned the smile and wave before she pushed the cart into the crosswalk. Maya Reynolds certainly was attractive with her long, dark hair, chestnut-colored eyes, and outgoing personality. Curiosity filled him as he considered their brief conversation. She hadn’t mentioned a man in her life—
“Dad!” Ashlyn called as she approached. “I helped Miss Maya pick out everything she needed for Tinker Bell.” She began counting the items on her fingers. “Toys, food, bowls, a litter box—”
Brody touched his daughter’s cute little nose. “I’m sure she appreciated that.”
“She did.” Ashlyn tilted her head. “Maybe I could visit her and Tinker Bell sometime.”
“We’ll see.” He turned his attention to a group that looked like a mom and a dad, a young son, and a slightly younger daughter about Ashlyn’s age. “Good afternoon. May we help you find a cat?”
“Yes,” the little girl said. “Do you have any orange ones?”
Ashlyn beamed. “Yes! I’ll show you.”
Brody grinned as he watched his daughter lead the family to the two tabbies available for adoption. What would he do without her?
* * *
That evening Maya sat on the family room carpet and took what seemed like her hundredth photo of Tinker Bell. Then she opened her phone’s texting app, sent her favorite dozen photos to Kiana, and waited for her best friend to call. Just as she’d expected, her phone soon rang with Kiana’s name on the screen. “Hi, Key.”
“You got a kitten?” Kiana nearly screamed.
“I did.”
“She’s precious. Where did you find her?”
“Funny tale, no pun intended. She actually found me.” While Maya shared the story, she held up a stick with a bird hanging from a string. Tinker Bell ran and leaped, trying her best to capture the bird.
“So let me get this straight,” Kiana began. “This kitten ran into the store and jumped into your lap and then an adorable little girl and her super-hot veterinarian father appeared and became your new friends as you adopted the homeless kitten.”
“Exactly.”
“That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I think I made a mistake, though.” Maya smiled as she touched the kitten’s nose and then rubbed her little belly.
“Why?”
“Because I have so much to do around here—boxes to unpack, items to donate, an office to set up, and a book to write. But I’m not getting any of it done because this little girl is too cute. I can’t stop playing with her.”
“That could be a good thing. You’ve been through so much lately. Maybe this little kitty is just what you need to find a muse again.”
Tinker Bell smacked Maya’s hand and then ran toward the kitchen before skidding, spinning, and scampering back to her.
Maya laughed. “Oh, Kiana, she’s so cute! I wish you were here to see her. I’ll probably be up all night playing with her.”
“Enjoy her. You can always write tomorrow.”
Maya frowned and turned toward the doorway that led to the disaster that would someday be a workable office. But perhaps Kiana was right. Maybe she did deserve a break.
Still, that deadline was looming. She just hoped this change of scenery and new life really would provide the inspiration she needed to get her career back on track.
“So did you get his phone number?” Kiana asked.
“Whose phone number?”
“The handsome vet, silly.”
Maya snorted. “No, of course not. He has an eight-year-old daughter. That usually means a man’s married.”
“Not always,” Kiana sang. “Did you see a ring on his finger?”
Maya considered that question as she waved the bird and Tinker Bell leaped and peeped, trying to catch it. “I honestly didn’t notice, but when Ashlyn helped me pick out the supplies in the pet store, she mentioned her mom loves cats.”
“So he probably is married. That’s a shame.”
“I’m not interested. I’m still licking my wounds after losing Kyle. Right now I need to stay focused on running my aunt’s store and writing this novel before my publisher dumps me.”
“They aren’t going to dump you after five bestselling novels, My.”
“We’ll see.” She picked up the kitten and started toward the bedroom. “I’m going to try to get some sleep.”
Maya heard a yawn. “I didn’t realize it was after ten. My bed is calling me. Sleep well.”
“You too. Good night.”
“’Night. Kiss Tinker Bell for me.”
“I will. Talk to you soon.” Maya disconnected the call and set the kitten on her bed. “Okay, Tink. Let’s see if we can get some sleep.”
Later, when Tinker Bell attacked her toes under the sheets, Maya shook her head and laughed. I have a feeling this will be a long night.
* * *
Monday morning Maya flipped the store’s front-door sign from Closed to Open and then turned to the kitten sitting on the pine wood floor behind her. “Now remember, Tink. You have to stay in the store, okay? No running outside.”
The cat blinked up at her.
“I made a sign asking the customers not to let you out.” She held up a large card featuring a photo of the kitten with the words My name is Tinker Bell, and I live in the store. Please don’t let me out—no matter what I tell you. Thank you. “Now, you need to promise me you’ll behave, or I’ll have to put you back upstairs.”
Before Maya could finish her sentence, Tinker Bell took off, scuttling toward the back of the store where the baby doll strollers and high chairs, play kitchenette sets, bikes, skates, and skateboards were all on display.
With a sigh, Maya hung the two-sided sign where customers would see it in the window by the door, one side facing out and the other facing in. She taped up a few more of the notices around the store and then unlocked the register on the store’s checkout counter.
The door leading to the back hallway opened, and Gayle entered holding a pink pastry box, a purse and tote bag slung over her slight shoulder. “Good morning,” she called. “I brought fresh donuts for breakfast!”
A little girl Maya guessed was about eight or nine years old—dressed in pink shorts, a pink shirt featuring a black cat and the words Bea’s Cat Rescue, pink socks, and a pair of pink Converse low-top sneakers—appeared at the end of the aisle. Her long, dark brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail adorned with a pink ribbon. Maya couldn’t decide who was cuter—the kitten or the kitten’s seeker.
The little girl pointed at the kitten. “She likes you.”
Maya opened her mouth to respond, but her words were cut off by a man’s hollering.
“Ashlyn!” He sounded frantic. “Ashlyn Beatrice Tanner! Where are you?”
“Over here, Dad! In the Barbie aisle.”
A tall man with short brown hair a shade darker than the girl’s came to the same end of the aisle. Maya guessed he was in his midthirties, and she couldn’t help but notice his striking pearl-blue eyes, perfectly proportioned nose, and strong jaw. His blue shirt, sporting a black-and-white cat and the same Bea’s Cat Rescue, fit him well over his wide chest, and his khaki shorts boasted muscular legs and a trim waist.
“Pardon the intrusion,” he told Maya before he looked at the girl. “You nearly scared the life out of me when you ran across the street. Didn’t you see those cars coming?”
The girl’s brow pinched. “I was trying to find the kitten.” Then she smiled and nodded toward Maya. “But look, Dad. I think she’s found her new owner.”
“What do you mean?” Maya asked.
The dad’s face lit up with a handsome smile, and a dimple appeared on his chin. “I see that. She seems to have adopted you, miss.”
“Me?” Maya shook her head. “Oh no, no, no. I’m not looking for a pet. I just moved in here, and I have so much to do. I can’t possibly add caring for a kitten to my list.”
The girl walked over to Maya and leaned down. When she rubbed the kitten’s chin, she purred louder in approval. “But cats are easy. You don’t have to walk them like you do dogs. They pretty much take care of themselves. You just have to feed them, give them water, and scoop out their litter box. Right, Dad?”
“That’s true.” The man joined his daughter. He had to be at least six feet tall.
Considering their similar T-shirts, Maya recalled the tent and crowd outside the pet store, and the pieces came together for her. “Are you running a cat adoption day at the pet store?” she asked him.
“Yes, we are.” He held out his hand. “I’m Brody Tanner, and this is my daughter, Ashlyn.”
Maya shook his hand. “Maya Reynolds.”
“My dad’s a vet, and he runs the Coral Cove Veterinary Clinic and Bea’s Cat Rescue.” Ashlyn pointed to her shirt. “Bea was my nana, but she passed away four years ago. I was only four then.”
Maya picked up the kitten, who continued to purr in her arms as if she belonged there, and stood. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
“Did you know Miss CeCe?” Ashlyn gestured around the aisle.
“She was my great-aunt.”
Ashlyn’s nose wrinkled. “What’s a great-aunt?”
“She was my grandmother’s sister. So if your nana had a sister, she would be your great-aunt.”
“Oh.” Ashlyn nodded.
“We heard Miss CeCe passed away. I’m sorry for your loss,” Dr. Tanner said.
“Thank you.”
Ashlyn turned toward the display of Barbie accessories and began sifting through them. “We come here all the time, don’t we, Dad?”
“We do.” Dr. Tanner’s expression warmed as he watched his daughter.
Ashlyn spun to face Maya, her expression full of worry. “You’re going to keep the store open, aren’t you?”
“Yes. We’ll be open bright and early Monday morning. Miss Gayle and I will run it together.”
“That’s great,” Dr. Tanner said as he folded his arms over that wide chest.
Ashlyn pointed toward the ceiling. “So now you live in Miss CeCe’s apartment upstairs?”
“I do.”
“Where are you from?” Dr. Tanner asked.
“Charlotte.” The cat shifted in Maya’s arms, and she tried to readjust her without being sliced by her tiny claws. She held the cat out toward the little girl. “She’s obviously had enough of me. I think you should take her.”
Ashlyn took the cat with a frown. “But I really think she likes you. You should adopt her. She was found behind the supermarket with her mama and three brothers and sisters. The rest found homes, but she still needs one.”
“Like I said earlier, I really have too much going on right now. I’m trying to get a handle on running the store, and I have to get the apartment organized too.”
“She’ll help you. My kitties like to play with my pencil while I do my homework. Right, Dad?”
Dr. Tanner chuckled. “Yes. But you know it’s Miss Reynolds’s decision whether to adopt this cat. We never nag the people who come to the rescue shelter, and we won’t nag her either.”
“I know, but this kitty loves her.”
Ashlyn’s voice held a hint of concern, and Maya found her resolve fading a bit. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a pet. Is she already litter trained?”
“Yes,” Dr. Tanner said, chiming in.
Ashlyn nodded with emphasis. “All your customers will like her too.” She pointed toward the display window. “You could put up a big sign that says Don’t let the cat out so they won’t let her escape.”
Maya glanced at Dr. Tanner, and he grinned. He certainly was handsome, but she scolded herself for even thinking about that. He was a married man with a child! She ought to be ashamed.
“I bet you’ll even get more customers because of the cat,” Ashlyn continued. “Stores with cats are the best ones.”
Maya’s lips twisted as she considered the girl’s words. It would be nice to have a companion now, and Ashlyn was right. A cat was an easy pet. She took the kitten back, and when she rubbed her ear, a loud purr sounded once again. “Does she still need her shots and surgery?”
Ashlyn’s brown eyes twinkled. “No. My dad takes care of all the shots and the surgery before the cats are ready for adoption.”
“So I just need to pay the adoption fee and buy her supplies?”
“That’s right.”
“How much is the fee, Ashlyn?”
“It’s thirty dollars, and you can get cat supplies at the pet store. I’ll help you pick them out if you want.”
Maya hesitated. Was taking on a pet too much when she already felt so overwhelmed? She examined the kitten’s cute little face. “I don’t know . . . What would I even name her?”
Ashlyn turned to the Disney-inspired Barbies on the shelf behind her. Not even a second passed before she had an answer. “Tinker Bell!”
“Tinker Bell, huh?” Maya smiled as she lifted the kitten’s face to hers. “Does it suit you, little one?”
“Dad! There’s that Barbie camper I told you about!” Ashlyn scooted down the aisle and pointed to her find.
“I told you to save your allowance for that, Ashlyn.” Dr. Tanner shook his head as he took a step toward Maya, then lowered his voice. “Please don’t feel pressured to adopt the kitten. Ashlyn is passionate about animals, but I don’t want you to feel obligated to take on a pet if you’re not comfortable with it.”
Maya looked at Dr. Tanner’s daughter, who now stood on her tiptoes browsing the Barbie dolls and playsets. “She made some good points, though.”
“I always tell her she’ll make a great sales professional someday.”
Maya laughed as she met his gaze, and they shared a smile. But when she felt her cheeks warm, she cast her eyes down toward the kitten.
“Ooh, Dad! Look at this purple Barbie car. Isn’t it cool? The package says it’s ‘off-road.’ I think I saw it on a commercial at Tessie’s house.”
Dr. Tanner sighed. “Ash, we need to get back to the pet store to help with the adoptions.”
“Okay.” But Ashlyn still looked concerned.
Dr. Tanner reached for the wiggling kitten. “We should get going. It was nice meeting you, Miss Reynolds.”
“Wait.” Maya took a step back. “I’ll adopt the cat, and I do think I’ll call her Tinker Bell.”
Ashlyn clapped her hands as she rushed down the aisle. “Yay! I just knew you’d take her.”
“You sure?” Dr. Tanner asked.
Maya nodded and then met Ashlyn’s eager gaze. “Let me get my purse and my aunt’s shopping cart, and then after I take care of the adoption and bring Tinker Bell back here, you will have to help me pick out supplies at the pet store. Deal?”
“Deal!”
Chapter 2
“Thank you for giving Oscar a good home, Mrs. Anderson.” Brody handed her a receipt. He’d heard she’d recently become a widow, and he suspected she was lonely. “I’m sure you two will get along just wonderfully.”
Mrs. Anderson looked into the pet carrier and beamed at the two-year-old tuxedo cat blinking at her. “I’m so excited. I haven’t had a cat for years, but when I drove by and saw your adoption event, I just knew I had to stop. We’re going to have so much fun, Oscar.” She looked at Brody again as she slipped the receipt into her purse. “Thank you, Dr. Tanner. I’ll be sure to bring him to your clinic whenever he needs care.”
“You’re welcome. And thank you for your confidence.” Brody waved goodbye as she lifted the carrier and walked away. Then he glanced around the tent, where volunteers from his cat rescue and a couple of the employees from his veterinary clinic milled around, talking to folks who’d stopped by to see what cats were ready for adoption. This was his second event in a year, and he was pleased to see so many potential adopters in attendance.
His heart lifted as he glanced at his volunteers’ Bea’s Cat Rescue shirts. He’d started the rescue in his mother’s memory, and he hoped she’d be proud. The charity meant so much to him, and he wanted it to be her family’s legacy.
“So far we’ve adopted out four cats.”
He turned as Kim Banks, his veterinary technician, sidled up to him. “Four? Already?”
“That’s right.” She pushed a lock of her long hair over her shoulder and smiled. “This event has already been more successful than the last. I’m sure the advertising campaign you ran in the paper and the local radio stations helped.”
Kim lingered beside him. With her bright blue eyes, high cheekbones, trim figure, and long, golden hair, she was attractive. But even though he sometimes got the impression she wanted more, Brody wasn’t interested in anything but a working relationship. He wasn’t really interested in dating anyone after his horrendous breakup four years ago. It still haunted him. He’d been certain that Courtney was the love of his life, which was why he’d proposed.
But then she decided she didn’t want an instant family. And ever since then, rather than worry about navigating a risky relationship, he’d focused on his daughter, his clinic, and the cat rescue.
“I saw Ashlyn go into the pet store with a dark-haired woman. Who is she?”
“She’s the new owner of CeCe’s Toy Chest, Maya Reynolds. That little calico that managed to wiggle out of Ashlyn’s arms ran over to her store. When we found the kitten with her, Ashlyn convinced her to adopt it and then offered to help her pick out supplies.”
Kim’s smile widened, and she fluttered her long eyelashes. “Ashlyn is a great helper. She always offers to give me a hand around the clinic.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without her.” Ashlyn was the light of his life.
A young couple, probably in their twenties, approached the table where Brody and Kim stood.
“Hi,” the woman said. “Do you have any white kittens? The one we have now is black.”
Kim slipped around the table. “We do. Follow me.”
Brody turned toward the entrance of the store just as Maya and Ashlyn emerged. They seemed engrossed in conversation as Maya pushed her shopping cart, packed full of supplies. When she reached the crosswalk, she said something to Ashlyn and then watched as his daughter made a beeline for him. Meeting his gaze, Maya waved.
He returned the smile and wave before she pushed the cart into the crosswalk. Maya Reynolds certainly was attractive with her long, dark hair, chestnut-colored eyes, and outgoing personality. Curiosity filled him as he considered their brief conversation. She hadn’t mentioned a man in her life—
“Dad!” Ashlyn called as she approached. “I helped Miss Maya pick out everything she needed for Tinker Bell.” She began counting the items on her fingers. “Toys, food, bowls, a litter box—”
Brody touched his daughter’s cute little nose. “I’m sure she appreciated that.”
“She did.” Ashlyn tilted her head. “Maybe I could visit her and Tinker Bell sometime.”
“We’ll see.” He turned his attention to a group that looked like a mom and a dad, a young son, and a slightly younger daughter about Ashlyn’s age. “Good afternoon. May we help you find a cat?”
“Yes,” the little girl said. “Do you have any orange ones?”
Ashlyn beamed. “Yes! I’ll show you.”
Brody grinned as he watched his daughter lead the family to the two tabbies available for adoption. What would he do without her?
* * *
That evening Maya sat on the family room carpet and took what seemed like her hundredth photo of Tinker Bell. Then she opened her phone’s texting app, sent her favorite dozen photos to Kiana, and waited for her best friend to call. Just as she’d expected, her phone soon rang with Kiana’s name on the screen. “Hi, Key.”
“You got a kitten?” Kiana nearly screamed.
“I did.”
“She’s precious. Where did you find her?”
“Funny tale, no pun intended. She actually found me.” While Maya shared the story, she held up a stick with a bird hanging from a string. Tinker Bell ran and leaped, trying her best to capture the bird.
“So let me get this straight,” Kiana began. “This kitten ran into the store and jumped into your lap and then an adorable little girl and her super-hot veterinarian father appeared and became your new friends as you adopted the homeless kitten.”
“Exactly.”
“That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I think I made a mistake, though.” Maya smiled as she touched the kitten’s nose and then rubbed her little belly.
“Why?”
“Because I have so much to do around here—boxes to unpack, items to donate, an office to set up, and a book to write. But I’m not getting any of it done because this little girl is too cute. I can’t stop playing with her.”
“That could be a good thing. You’ve been through so much lately. Maybe this little kitty is just what you need to find a muse again.”
Tinker Bell smacked Maya’s hand and then ran toward the kitchen before skidding, spinning, and scampering back to her.
Maya laughed. “Oh, Kiana, she’s so cute! I wish you were here to see her. I’ll probably be up all night playing with her.”
“Enjoy her. You can always write tomorrow.”
Maya frowned and turned toward the doorway that led to the disaster that would someday be a workable office. But perhaps Kiana was right. Maybe she did deserve a break.
Still, that deadline was looming. She just hoped this change of scenery and new life really would provide the inspiration she needed to get her career back on track.
“So did you get his phone number?” Kiana asked.
“Whose phone number?”
“The handsome vet, silly.”
Maya snorted. “No, of course not. He has an eight-year-old daughter. That usually means a man’s married.”
“Not always,” Kiana sang. “Did you see a ring on his finger?”
Maya considered that question as she waved the bird and Tinker Bell leaped and peeped, trying to catch it. “I honestly didn’t notice, but when Ashlyn helped me pick out the supplies in the pet store, she mentioned her mom loves cats.”
“So he probably is married. That’s a shame.”
“I’m not interested. I’m still licking my wounds after losing Kyle. Right now I need to stay focused on running my aunt’s store and writing this novel before my publisher dumps me.”
“They aren’t going to dump you after five bestselling novels, My.”
“We’ll see.” She picked up the kitten and started toward the bedroom. “I’m going to try to get some sleep.”
Maya heard a yawn. “I didn’t realize it was after ten. My bed is calling me. Sleep well.”
“You too. Good night.”
“’Night. Kiss Tinker Bell for me.”
“I will. Talk to you soon.” Maya disconnected the call and set the kitten on her bed. “Okay, Tink. Let’s see if we can get some sleep.”
Later, when Tinker Bell attacked her toes under the sheets, Maya shook her head and laughed. I have a feeling this will be a long night.
* * *
Monday morning Maya flipped the store’s front-door sign from Closed to Open and then turned to the kitten sitting on the pine wood floor behind her. “Now remember, Tink. You have to stay in the store, okay? No running outside.”
The cat blinked up at her.
“I made a sign asking the customers not to let you out.” She held up a large card featuring a photo of the kitten with the words My name is Tinker Bell, and I live in the store. Please don’t let me out—no matter what I tell you. Thank you. “Now, you need to promise me you’ll behave, or I’ll have to put you back upstairs.”
Before Maya could finish her sentence, Tinker Bell took off, scuttling toward the back of the store where the baby doll strollers and high chairs, play kitchenette sets, bikes, skates, and skateboards were all on display.
With a sigh, Maya hung the two-sided sign where customers would see it in the window by the door, one side facing out and the other facing in. She taped up a few more of the notices around the store and then unlocked the register on the store’s checkout counter.
The door leading to the back hallway opened, and Gayle entered holding a pink pastry box, a purse and tote bag slung over her slight shoulder. “Good morning,” she called. “I brought fresh donuts for breakfast!”
