Adam paused, glancing over his shoulder. I dont know, pumpkin. He would need to check his schedule-her five-year checkup was undoubtedly right after their return, and he was already missing an unprecedented amount of work.
Her face fell.
Maybe I can, he said. I want to. I just-
Its okay, Daddy.
Eliza put her arm around Morgans shoulders and pulled her little sister closer. It made his heart hurt, the idea that his kids had to comfort one another because he let them down. Getting them a cat only made up for so much.
Inside the empty reception area, Brenna called, Hello?
A door opened at the other end of a hallway covered in posters of dogs and cats. Back here, just finishing some paperwork, a male voice answered. Seconds later, a tall man wearing a lab coat over a polo shirt and jeans appeared. Well over six feet, he had short, black hair worn with sideburns and extremely light eyes. Hello, Brenna. And these must be the Varners?
Im Morgan!
The man bent down closer to her level. Im Dr. Higgs. How bout we go back to one of the exam rooms and make sure this kitty cat of yours is healthy?
Okay! My daddys a doctor, too. But he only takes care of humans, she said dismissively.
Adam felt rather than heard Brennas muffled laugh. He turned in her direction with a sternly raised eyebrow, but the truth was, he enjoyed the mischievous sparkle in her expression. Lord, she was pretty.
The rooms are kind of small, Brenna said. Rather than all of us trying to squeeze in, Ill just wait out here.
The vet studied her for a long moment.
Can I stay with Ms. Pierce? Geoff asked.
Its okay with me if it is with her, Adam said.
At her nod, he followed his two daughters and the vet into a room where he set the box atop a metal table. Despite having been reasonably compliant until now, the cat flattened her ears and half growled her disapproval.
Feisty little thing, Dr. Higgs murmured as he lifted her. Scrawny but looks healthy. Winnie said you found her out near the lodge?
Do you think she belongs to someone already? Eliza asked worriedly.
Doubt it. Shes lucky to have found nice people. Do you guys know anything about taking care of pets? he asked them.
Well learn! Eliza promised. I can check out books at the library and look stuff up on the Internet. And well, uh, ask Ms. Pierce for advice. Shes smart about animals, right?
Very, Dr. Higgs agreed. She used to work for me. How did you guys meet her?
We gave her a ride when her car broke down, Eliza said. She rolled her eyes. My brother thinks shes a babe.
Dr. Higgs glanced up, startled. Something flashed in his expression, but he apparently thought better of responding. Adam suspected that Brennas charms hadnt been lost on the man. Adam experienced a twinge ofjealousy.
Thats insane. Adam barely knew her.
This is a case of good timing, Dr. Higgs informed them, his focus back on the cat. Shes not fully mature yet, but shes past kittenhood. A teenager, more or less.
Great. Because Adam needed more teenage drama in his life.
Its an ideal window of opportunity for getting her spayed, the vet said. Whenever possible, we like to do it before their first heat but not too far before.
Shes getting sprayed? Morgan asked.
Spayed, Adam answered absently. Do we have to leave her overnight for that?
Nope, just bring her in early Monday morning and she should be ready to go home at the end of the day.
Or, more likely, to Brennas home. Adam found himself curious to see where she lived.
I can get you some test results in a few minutes, but other than needing to eat more regularly, she looks like shes in good health, Dr. Higgs concluded. Congratulations. You guys have a new member of the family.
HED FIT RIGHT INwith Fred and Josh, Brenna thought with amusement. Her fifteen-year-old companion in the waiting room had asked what the verdict was on her car, then enumerated the qualities she should look for if she decided to buy a new one.
She shook her head. Dont think thats in my budget anytime soon. The old ones just gonna have to last a little longer.
Geoff pursed his lips. I know what you mean-no car in my budget, either. And I dont even have a hunk of junk to fall back on in the meantime. No offense.
None taken.
He leaned against the wall behind him, legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. It seemed like just yesterday that Josh was this age, by turns cocky and endearingly awkward with his impending adulthood.
Dont get me wrong, Geoff added suddenly. Dad would probably buy me a car as long as it was reasonably priced and a solid investment. Eliza might act like hesHes not a bad guy. Hes smart, makes good money as a doctor. Some of the music he likes is even kind of cool.
Brenna noted the boys earnest intensity. Was he used to having to defend his dad, speaking up for him out of habit, or was he specifically trying to impress upon her that his dad was a great catch?
Im sure he has a lot of good qualities, she said neutrally.
He nodded. Its just that, even if he helped me with the cost of the car, I need to save up money for gas, insurance, all that stuff.
Tell me about it, kid. She was painfully aware of how quickly that stuff added up.
Mistletoe seems okay, but since were here for almost a month, Im not getting to work this summer, he said miserably. If I had a job, I could start setting aside money for my sixteenth birthday.
Thats a very responsible attitude, she said in praise. A lot of the teens shed known, her stepbrother included, had spent money as soon as it was handed to them.
Brenna, on the other hand, had hoarded money as a kid-coins she found, a dollar handed to her by one of her moms boyfriends, even change left under her pillow by the tooth fairy. As if having twelve dollars and sixty-two cents in a purple hippo coin bank would add any security to her life.
Im very responsible, Geoff said slowly. A real hard worker. I mean, my mom hasnt let me get an actual job because she worries it could interfere with classes, but I get great grades. And Mrs. Miller says I do a thorough job cutting her lawn. I do the edging by hand when Im finished with the grass.
He paused, straightening in his chair. Brenna thought she saw where he was going with this. She wouldnt be able to help him, but she was impressed with his resourcefulness.
I dont suppose you need any help walking dogs? he asked, his expression boyishly hopeful.
Sorry. Technically she did need seasonal help-assuming she could generate enough income to pay a second person. But that person would have to be over twenty-one for her company to remain appropriately insured and bonded. I have special liability insurance because I go in and out of peoples homes-like in case something gets broken while Im there-so I have to follow the age requirements.
They were interrupted by a squeal of delight and Morgan skipping down the hall. She was followed closely by her sister and father.
Looks like its time to pick out a name, after all, Adam announced. And were gonna need some supplies.
Theres a pet store on Juniper, three blocks over, that allows animals in the store, Brenna said. She had a harness-style cat leash they could borrow; she traveled with a just in case plastic storage box stocked with tennis balls, pet leads and assorted treats. You can follow me there. Ive been meaning to drop off more business cards and promotional materials, anyway.
When Kevin joined them, she thanked him without quite meeting his gaze, told him to have a great weekend and excused herself to step outside and return some calls. She liked the good-looking veterinarian, but since their breakup, their conversations had been a touch awkward.
She climbed into her car and had confirmed one schedule change and left a message by the time the Varners piled into their own vehicle. When she met them in front of the pet store, theyd reached a consensus.
Her name is Ellie, Morgan informed her.
Brenna dutifully assessed the cat that Eliza had cradled against her shoulder. Yep, she looks like an Ellie! And I have something for her to wear in the store. Its the smallest one I could find, but make sure you keep a good hold on her. She handed Adam the orange kitty harness. His fingers brushed hers, so briefly she shouldnt have even noticed.
But she did.
Chapter Seven
Inside the store Brenna watched the three kids dart in seemingly a dozen different directions. Geoff grabbed a cart while his sisters made a dash for supplies.
Just the essentials, Adam cautioned them. Food, a litter box Trailing off, he glanced at Brenna questioningly.
Youll need a cat carrier, she said. Ellie may have been pretty well behaved for a ride across Mistletoe, but you dont want to drive back to Tennessee with an unsecured cat in the car.
Definitely not. Carrier, check.
Maybe a cat bed.
He stopped in front of a multilevel, carpeted kitty condo. Scratching post?
My recommendation would be a scratching pad-inclined corrugated cardboard with some catnip in it. It costs less, its portable and its effective for training, redirecting her if she scratches something youd rather she didnt.
They stopped on an aisle that sold beds and toys. Adam stood back, letting the kids debate colors and laugh at jingly mice. He smiled, but his expression turned sheepish as he faced Brenna. You probably think Im a bad parent, bribing my kids to win their affection.
They stopped on an aisle that sold beds and toys. Adam stood back, letting the kids debate colors and laugh at jingly mice. He smiled, but his expression turned sheepish as he faced Brenna. You probably think Im a bad parent, bribing my kids to win their affection.
It was odd-and unexpectedly touching-that he might care what she thought.
No, she said softly. I still remember my first pet. It had been right after her mother walked out on them. Brenna had been in emotional turmoil, but Josh-whod gone through his parents divorce, a remarriage and now a sudden abandonment-had been equally overwrought. Fred had taken them to the animal shelter and picked out an exuberant golden retriever puppy theyd named Otis.
For Brenna, that dog had been a godsend. Shed spent far too much of her life, even the relatively quiet and happy times, dreading her mothers next mood swing or capricious life change. And though Fred Pierce was a wonderful man whod shown her nothing but affectionate welcome, Brennas ingrained trepidation had remained. If her own mother hadnt wanted her, why would a man with no real obligation to her? Otis had shown her unconditional love until the day hed gone to the great Dog Park in the Sky.