She didn’t want t
he sweet happiness to fade. But Glenna’s comments were a little too hard to ignore—especially since they were things she was already worrying about. What had she been thinking—to hold his hand, say she’d date him...? Nothing had changed. She was still the same person she’d been before he’d sent her flowers. Before he’d said us.
Except...when he held her in his arms, she wasn’t thinking. Happiness took over. In his arms, that’s what she found. And hope. And...want. Everything about Fisher was new and unexpected. And even though she knew she should be careful and keep her guard up, she was pretty sure it was too late to protect her fragile heart.
* * *
NO MATTER HOW hard he tried to concentrate, Fisher couldn’t stop thinking about Kylee. He’d spent the better part of the morning worrying over the flowers. He’d wanted to court her, to show her he was a gentleman—with good intentions. After listening to Shawn, he knew he had to take care. Kylee deserved hearts and flowers, romance and poetry. And he wanted to be the one to give that to her.
He’d known when the flowers were going to be delivered but when he’d made his way to the admissions desk he’d caught sight of her on the run.
“What’s up?” he’d asked Tandy.
“These upset her.” Tandy had pointed at the flowers. “Maybe I should go—”
“I’ll go,” he’d said, not waiting for an answer. He’d wanted to make her smile. Instead he’d made her cry.
Seeing those blue eyes shimmering with tears had torn his heart out.
And her kiss...
He swallowed now, focusing on the chart in front of him. He had to clear this chart before he could leave. In order to do that, and do it right, it was a bad idea to be thinking of the way Kylee’s mouth tasted, of how her curves felt pressed against him or the sweet sound of her sigh.
He forced himself to check and recheck every line of the patient treatment care plan, then signed the bottom of the page. Another glance at the clock told him it had only been two minutes since the last time he’d checked.
Hunter had invited him to join his family at the bowling alley. If Kylee was interested and if Shawn got finished with his ride in time, it might be a good idea. Kylee might not want to spend too much time alone with him yet. He knew Shawn would want to go—he and Eli had hit it off.
Tripod jumped onto the counter, his purr loud and distracting.
“Hey, Tripod.” Fisher rubbed the cat’s black head, smiling at the look of bliss on his face. “How’s my favorite helper? Were you visiting Angelica?” he asked.
Angelica was a female cat that had been hit by a car. She was going to be okay, but she was pretty banged up and scared. She sat huddled in the far corner of her cage, mewing pathetically. Earlier he’d let Tripod into her cage and, after a fit of hisses and spitting, Angelica had quieted down. He’d peeked inside to see Tripod grooming the young calico.
“You’re a good boy,” he said, scratching the cat between the shoulder blades and along his spine. He glanced up to see Kylee in the doorway, watching him.
“You’re talking to the cat?” Kylee asked. “And what is he saying?”
Fisher smiled at her. “He’s pretty sure he’s the coolest cat on three legs.”
She giggled, rubbing Tripod’s head. “Are there a lot of three-legged cats around here?”
Fisher pretended to cover Tripod’s ears. “You don’t want to hurt his feelings.” He winked.
“This is the one? That cares for the other animals?” she asked, showering affection on the cat.
He nodded, watching her hand stroke Tripod. “He’s an original,” he murmured, caught up in the curve of her smile. “You ready to get Shawn?”
She nodded, her smile growing as Tripod flopped onto his back and exposed his belly.
“That’s a sign of trust,” Fisher explained. “Or he’s daring you to rub his belly.”
“Daring me?” she asked.
“You know, you touch my tummy and I’ll bite you sort of thing.” He shrugged. “Cats do that from time to time. They like to mess with people.”
She looked at him then. “They do?”
He nodded. “They have an odd sense of humor.”