“It’s obviously something.”She straightened, giving him her full attention.“And I’m not up to playing twenty questions after last night.”
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.“I understand.I just thought you’d be upset about me having to duck out last night.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s that kind of thing that has ruined every relationship I’ve been in.The women say they love animals, but when the animals take priority over them, they are no longer on board with my job—with dealing with the interruptions.”
She moved toward him and placed a hand on his forearm.“I’m sorry you went through that.But you forget that I’ve known you all of my life.”She smiled at him.“I remember when you found a sick little kitten and brought it home.You wouldn’t leave that kitten’s side, even though the veterinarian told you the kitten wouldn’t make it.You never gave up hope.”
A little smile lifted the corners of his mouth.“And just to prove him wrong, Tiger lived to be sixteen.She was a great cat.”
“You’re a great veterinarian with a huge, generous heart.Don’t ever make someone choose between your calling and them.”
“I won’t.”He looked as though he wanted to say more, but he didn’t.
“Do you mind if I continue to work while we talk?”
“Not at all.Can you use some help?”
She wasn’t one to turn down a generous offer, since it was seldom one came her way.“Could you sort the soaps on the shelf?”She pointed to the one next to him.“Some people don’t pay attention and randomly throw soaps in any old basket.
“Sure.”He turned to the designated shelf and got to work.“Did you just make these?”
She shook her head as she organized a different shelf.“No.I’ve been preparing for Christmas for the past few months.I knew with it just being me running things that I had to be prepared.So, I spent the summer making extra soaps.And this fall, I created a bunch of gift baskets.”
“Wow.I’m impressed.How is it that I didn’t know you actually made the soaps?”
She shrugged.“It’s an old family tradition.In fact, I still use recipes written out by my great-grandmother, some by my grandmother, and then it skipped a generation.”She didn’t want to discuss her mother.“And now I’m working to come up with some soap recipes of my own.”
“Are any of the soaps in the shop your own creation?”
She shook her head.“I haven’t perfected any recipes yet.”
“I bet you’re just being a perfectionist.I’m sure they are good.”
She shook her head.“They can’t just be good.They have to be special.”
“Says who?”
“My grandmother.My great-grandmother.”
He smiled and nodded.“I understand.”
They continued to work together for the next half hour.She couldn’t believe he was taking time out of his busy day to help her with the shop.She appreciated it.No one she’d ever dated had lent her a hand like this.
After she finished sorting the last basket, she turned to him.“Thank you.I owe you.”
“Good.I intend to collect now.”
“Now?”She had no idea what he had in mind.She was hesitant when she asked, “What is it?”
He gripped her shoulders and stared into her eyes.“I’d like you to go to lunch with me.”
Before she could answer him, there was a rapid knocking at the door.They both looked toward the door, but with the blinds drawn, they couldn’t see who was on the other side.Tater Tot went into a barking frenzy as he raced toward the door on his little legs.
“Holly!Holly, are you in there?”It was Billie Jean’s voice.“The lights are on.You have to be in there.Holly, open up.”She resumed knocking, only louder this time.
The absolute last thing she wanted to do was open the door and let Billie Jean and Roger inside.She did not want to deal with them.She needed a day off from their special kind of stress.
