Holiday In the Hamptons (From Manhattan with Love 5)

“She is.”

If seeing Fliss meant he took some teasing from the locals, well, he was willing to live with that. In fact he would have said it was part of living in a community, and he enjoyed being part of a community. He liked seeing the same families, caring for the same animals throughout their lives. He enjoyed his work with the local animal shelter and appreciated how willing the locals were to take on abandoned pets.

“Those big blue eyes and those long legs are enough to threaten a man’s concentration.”

“Nothing wrong with my concentration, Jed. What’s the problem with the kitten? Looks healthy enough.” He stroked the animal, feeling the kitten quiver under his fingers. If Fliss knew how interested the community was in their blossoming relationship, would she take off back to Manhattan?

He hoped not.

He focused his attention on the Black family’s kitten and gradually worked his way through the animals in his waiting room. He had several cats, a dog with a limp and a rabbit with dental issues.

His last patient of the day was another cat, this one hissing and spitting as the owner tried to put him on the examination table.

Nancy came to help him, using a towel to stop the cat from hurting himself.

“I got him from the animal shelter,” Betsy Miller said. “They told me no one ever gives him a second look because he’s ugly and bad-tempered.”

“You were looking for those traits?” Seth examined the cat’s throat, his ears and abdomen while the animal twisted and smacked him with his paws. “I know, buddy. You don’t like being here. I get it, I really do. Some days I feel the same way.”

“I was looking for an animal who needed me. Seemed to me this fellow needed me badly. Needed someone who would look past his behavior and see what was behind it.”

“If only everyone was as astute as you, the world would be a better place.” Seth took the cat’s pulse. “It’s pounding. Not much surprise there.” For some reason the animal made him think of Fliss. Scratching when something scared her. Hissing to keep people at a distance.

Gradually the cat relaxed, finally compliant as he finished his examination.

“He likes you,” Betsy said, and Nancy nodded.

“Animals always like him. He’s patient, that’s why. And he moves slowly. No sudden movements. That’s a good thing.”

Not always.

With Fliss, he’d moved too slowly. Waited too long.

But he was about to fix that.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“ONE THING,” SETH SAID, as they lay on their backs on the sand. This time they’d dropped anchor near the island and swum to the beach, Fliss gasping at the chill of the water.

She rolled onto her stomach and smiled.

One thing.

It was a game they’d started playing, where they each told each other one thing the other didn’t already know.

Thanks to that game, she’d discovered that Seth had moved to California to try to distance himself from everything but had stayed only two years. She found out that he still didn’t want to sell Ocean View, and that his relationship with his father had been closer than even she’d thought.

Her heart ached for him.

“When I was eight, I wanted to know what kissing felt like so I trapped Ricky Carter behind the bike sheds.”

“Doesn’t count. Not personal enough.”

“You didn’t see the kiss.”

He grabbed her and rolled her on her back on the sand. “Who is this Ricky Carter? I want his address and phone number.”

“Last heard of somewhere in Florida.”