You okay? Adam asked.
She blinked, startled to find that her eyes stung. Sorry, my mind wandered. I was thinking about a golden retriever Josh and I used to have. I realize that, as someone who works with animals, Im biased, but pets can be a miraculous addition to your life. As long as you dont mind the occasional messes, clawed drapes, getting up to let the dog out at three in the morning and their bringing you something dead to show their love.
Adams laugh helped put her uncharacteristically sentimental moment behind them. Wow, when you put it like that No, I do know what you mean. There have been medical studies arguing tangible health benefits of owning pets, like lower blood pressure. A few people even maintain that chances of survival after a heart attack are higher for pet-owners.
This one? Morgan asked suddenly, approaching with a small red-and-ivory cat bed.
After exchanging glances with Brenna, who shrugged, Adam nodded. His daughter put the bed into the cart, and the kids rounded the end of the lane into the next aisle. The adults followed at a more leisurely pace, Adam absently rubbing a purring Ellie as they walked.
So what got you interested in cardiac medicine? Brenna asked.
My dad, indirectly. He was my hero when I was young-big, gruff, but with a truly gentle heart. He was an anesthesiologist, used to come home in awe of the surgeries performed at the hospital, the people whod been healed and the lives that had been saved. I looked up to him, so I guess I decided early that I wanted to be like the doctors he looked up to. Adam hesitated, his lips pursed. Think I fell short of the mark, forgetting somewhere why my dad was such a hero to me in the first place. He was a great father.
And you dont think you are? Brenna hadnt meant to ask-the answer, which was none of her business, anyway, was obvious. But the question escaped on a sigh of disbelief. I realize I barely know you, but I think youre being too hard on yourself.
He flashed her a wan grin. My ex-wife might disagree.
Even after this trip? Because I see a man whos trying to sincerely connect with his children. You may have made some mistakes, but who hasnt?
He was quiet a beat, perhaps mulling over her words. When he spoke again, his tone was lighter, curious. What about you? You have any mistakes you regret?
Me? The question startled her.
Im sorry. That was probably rude to ask.
He looked so chagrined that she blurted, I make mistakes all the time. Just last week I forgot that a family had changed their alarm code and left my notebook in the car. Thirty seconds after I stepped into their house, the siren was blaring and two cops from the Mistletoe Police Department had to come out.
The noise nearly gave the poor Chihuahua I was sitting a heart attack. Not to mention, I felt like an idiot in front of several clients, including the next-door neighbor and one of the policemen on call. He has a mynah bird and an African gray parrot.
Her confession might not be emotionally on par with Adams parental concerns, but his smile was both grateful and sympathetic.
So, lesson learned, she concluded. From now on I take my notebook inside even if Ive done the assignment a hundred times and feel like I know everything. Especially if I feel like I know everything, because those are the times when you forget to notice whats going on around you.
He looked thoughtful. The same could be said for marriage. I-
Dad, we found the food Dr. Higgs recommended, Eliza called from her kneeling position in front of the shelf. What size bag do we want?
After that, the kids needed more input and there was less time for Brenna and Adam to talk. Helping the Varners plan for Ellies care, Brenna found herself back on familiar, neutral territory.
Until Adam pulled out his credit card for the cashier and turned to ask Brenna, So, should we just follow you to your house now?
DAD, IS MS. PIERCE trying to lose us? Geoff asked from the passenger seat.
No, Im sure that was an accident, Adam said. Or a Freudian slip. Brenna had accelerated at a yellow light just as it became red, stranding Adam behind her. Look, shes already pulled over on the side of the road to wait for us.
Since theyd agreed earlier that Ellie would stay with Brenna during the remainder of their vacation, hed assumed he was bringing the cat over. But judging by Brennas startled expression when hed asked about going to her house, she had not made the same assumption.
Actually, shed explained back at the store, I dont normally allow customers to drop pets off at my house. Its tougher on the animal. Its more fun for them, more exciting, to go for a ride, which a lot of pets love as much as going for a walk. On the other hand, when their owner leaves them somewhere and theyre stuck behind, feeling abandoned
Shed trailed off, just for a second, but long enough for Adam to register a fleeting change in her expression.
Never mind all that, shed contradicted herself. Your situation is unusual. Since you guys havent had time to establish a strong bond yet with Ellie, it makes just as much sense for you to come with me. Help her get settled, visit her a few times while youre in Mistletoe. We dont want her thinking shes my cat at the end of three weeks.
After the intersection, Adam caught up to Brenna and followed her onto a quaint street lined with a hodgepodge of houses-a brick ranch home sat between a two-story log cabin replica and a Cape Cod. It wasnt like modern subdivisions with a grand name, private neighborhood pool and only about three different floor plans alternated between twenty houses. Brennas neighborhood-if a single strand of homes could be called that-was eclectic but well kept. Lawns were neatly trimmed, hydrangeas were in bloom and oaks and pear trees provided shady respite from the sweltering heat.
At the curve of the cul-de-sac Brenna pulled her car into the driveway of a stone-faced, cottage-style house. It wasnt big, but it had a generous front yard and what looked to be a huge, fenced-in backyard.
She was out of her car and beside his before he even got his door open. Sorry about leaving you back there. I dont know what I was thinking. She paused, her lips twisting in a self-deprecating smirk. I lied. I do know what I was thinking. I had a sudden brain lapse where I thought if I hurried I might have a minute or two to straighten up before you arrived. Which is when it occurred to me that you didnt know how to get here.
She was out of her car and beside his before he even got his door open. Sorry about leaving you back there. I dont know what I was thinking. She paused, her lips twisting in a self-deprecating smirk. I lied. I do know what I was thinking. I had a sudden brain lapse where I thought if I hurried I might have a minute or two to straighten up before you arrived. Which is when it occurred to me that you didnt know how to get here.
He found the explanation endearing. Dont stress over the house. Were the ones imposing. Besides, how messy could her place be? She seemed too brisk and efficient, hardly the type to leave dishes in the sink or toss a towel on the floor.
She went up the front sidewalk, followed by his kids, and Adam felt as if he and the cat were bringing up the rear of a strange little parade. As Brenna unlocked the front door, frenetic barking came from inside.
Dont worry, she said over her shoulder. Thats my dog, Zoe. Shes occasionally noisy, but incredibly friendly.
Even with cats? Morgan asked, casting an alarmed glance toward Ellies new carrier. The feline had flattened herself inside the towel, her ears twitching and her fur puffing with apprehension.
Absolutely, Brenna assured her. Zoe and my cat, River, are the best of friends.
Morgan laughed. River? Cats dont like water.
Try telling mine that. Now, Im going in first. You guys give me a sec to put Zoe outside, okay? This will be less chaotic without her in the middle of everything. She disappeared inside, then quickly returned. She ushered them into a living room where two overstuffed, dark green couches faced each other across a hardwood floor. Come down the hall, and Ill show you where we can get Ellies stuff set up.
It smells awesome in here, Geoff said, inhaling deeply.
Adam had to agree. A blend of spices perfumed the little home, nearly making his stomach rumble.
Slow-cook pot, Brenna explained. Behind her, he could see into a kitchen. Since Im not home much during the day, I throw food in before I leave in the morning.
What did you fix today? Eliza asked. Her question made Adam reflect guiltily that it had been a long time since lunch. He was accustomed to skipping a meal here and there if he had a long day of surgery, but the kids needed to eat more regularly.
Chicken with a citrus marinade, Brenna told his children, her expression resigned. The three kids had gone so wide-eyed in unspoken longing that Adam was reminded of the famous waif paintings by Margaret Keane, a Tennessee-born artist. I dont suppose youd like to stay for dinner?
Heck, yeah! Geoff wasnt shy about accepting the invitation.
Adam was secretly glad for his sons brashness. The polite response was probably to thank her for the offer but insist they couldnt intrude more than they already were. The truth was, Adam had been enjoying her company. He was struck with the realization that it had been ages since hed spoken to a woman who wasnt a patient, fellow doctor, surgical nurse or his ex-wife. And her stepbrother claimed Brenna had no life? She wasnt the only one.
If thats okay with you, Eliza qualified, nudging her brother and jerking her head in Adams direction.
Thank you, he told Brenna. We really appreciate that, really appreciate everything youve done for us today.
Youre welcome. Her gaze met his as she smiled, and he felt a funny little twinge of loss when she broke the eye contact. She padded down the hallway, more hardwood covered with a slate-blue runner. Past a set of stairs were two doors on the left-an office and a bathroom-and one on the right. Here we are, the guest room.
That had no doubt been its original purpose. In here, the flooring was a tile that looked inexpensive and easy to clean. Instead of a bed and armoire, there was a love seat draped in a fuzzy mauve blanket, two carpeted towers like the kitty condo hed seen back at the store, a large water bowl, a dog kennel against the far wall and a plastic container filled with chew toys. Up in the windowsill was a small television, and he suspected that Brenna kept on the Animal Planet channel or similar programming for visitors in this room. A cloth mouse dangled from a string looped over the doorknob.