“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” Anatole France
Michael O'Shea, DVM, had chosen a strategic spot for watching the entrance to the hotel conference room. As he had been doing for the past hour, he chatted pleasantly with those who had come to attend the annual holiday gathering of supporters, staff, and volunteers. At six feet tall, with dark auburn hair, cloud gray eyes, and a swimmer's lean athletic build, not to mention a single marital status, there was certainly no shortage of female attention. But most of his mind remained on the entry of each new guest, looking for one person in particular.
He had just about given up hope when she finally appeared. Standing quietly just inside and watching the room like a deer at the edge of a clearing, she was a thirtyish, slightly plump woman of average height, dressed casually in dark corduroy jeans and a soft pink sweater with a heavy jacket carried over one arm. Her short blonde hair was slightly mussed from being out in the weather. He found her both lovely and adorable. After a few moments she smiled at the volunteer sitting by the door who was selling chances for the evening's door prizes and made her way carefully through the throng to the refreshments table, where she was welcomed warmly by a group of other volunteers. When the badly overdressed, late middle aged woman that had him cornered finally moved on, he made his own way to the refreshments table, smiling at everyone who congregated there.
“Dr. Mike!” a young woman wearing blinking reindeer antlers greeted him with a grin. “We didn't think you'd ever get free.”
He grimaced good naturedly.
“Neither did I. Are you all having a good time?”
There was a chorus of yesses and laughter before he turned his attention to the young woman who had joined them just a few minutes ago.
“Adelia, right? You're new to us.”
She smiled, her warm brown eyes meeting his somewhat shyly.
“Addie, please, Dr. O'Shea.”
“If you'll call me Mike.”
“Okay, Mike. Yeah, I'm a newbie.”
“Well, we're happy to have you on board.”
Before he could say anything further, he was clapped on the back by another of the shelter's supporters and by the time he was able to turn back to her, she had disappeared into the crowd.
For the next hour he circulated through the room, ever mindful of how important each person attending was to the area's only no-kill animal shelter. As the staff veterinarian, he was asked about the spay and neuter requirements for every animal before they were adopted out, as well as about the general vetting and treatment of those that came in with more serious health issues. Supporters and sponsors liked to know how their money was being spent.
Eventually, he found Addie sitting at a table in a far corner of the room, laughing at an earnest young veterinary student who was regaling her with stories of his adventures while on large animal rotation at the school. They both glanced up at him as he approached.
“Mind if I join you?”
They welcomed him with smiles and he took a seat beside her. The veterinary student popped a stuffed mushroom in his mouth then took a sip of his drink.
“I was just telling Addie about the herd of horses that came in with colic last month.”
“A whole herd?” Mike asked skeptically and the young man nodded.
“Yeah. They were given hay infested with blister beetles.”
“Oh my god! How big was the herd?”
“Nineteen. Eighteen mares and foals and one stud. The stud was the only one who died, though, while they were enroute to the school. Then when they got back they found the rest of the herd in the same shape. It was incredible!”
“I can only imagine,” Mike said, shaking his head. “We only deal with litters, but they can be just as serious.” He turned his smile on her. “How are you doing, Addie?”
“I'm doing okay.” She looked around the room before returning her gaze to his. "There's a lot of interesting people here tonight. All wanting to help the shelter in one way or the other.”
He nodded as he sat back comfortably in his chair.
“And we appreciate each and every one of them.”
The veterinary student excused himself, leaving them alone. For a long moment neither said anything as the shelter secretary took to the podium to announce the next door prize.
“Did you enter?” Addie asked and Mike shook his head.
“Naw. Did you?”
“No. Can't afford it on a volunteer salary.”
He chuckled.
“Or on a veterinarian's.” His eyes were warm as they met hers. “I understand you have a particular interest in our special needs pets.”
She nodded.
“They can be overlooked by people coming in thinking they only want a playful puppy or kitten. So if I think they'd be a good match then I introduce them to our older pets and those with treatable health issues.”
“Do you have any pets?”
“Four cats. All feline leukemia positive but otherwise healthy.”
“Did they come from us?”
“Three of them did. The first was was given to me as a kitten. I found out he was infected when I took him for his check up. Then, when I found out how hard cats with the condition are to place, I adopted the other three.”
His appreciation for her grew and for the remainder of the evening, in between speeches and announcements by key attendees, and those who stopped by to chat about shelter business, they continued to talk about the shelter and their mutual love for animals. Mike found the more he knew of her, the more he wanted to know. So as the evening wound down and she announced she had to go, he invited her out for dinner. Her response wasn't exactly as he had hoped for. She did finally consent but only after hesitating and staring down at her coat, which was once again draped over her arm. When she looked back up he had a quick glimpse of real apprehension before it was masked with a shy smile and nod. Then she had quickly walked away.
The next week was busy and difficult as, in addition to the normal intake and adoption traffic, they accepted twenty dogs that had been rescued from a hoarding situation. As with nearly all animals found in those conditions, they were in poor shape. Malnourished and full of parasites, with varying degrees of skin disease and a host of other ailments, they demanded every spare moment Mike had and he worked longer hours than usual to be sure every animal in the shelter received the necessary care. As a consequence it was Thursday before he had a chance to talk with Addie and find out where she liked to eat. Nervously, but with another shy smile, she had assured him that anywhere was fine with her. The only thing she asked was that it have a casual atmosphere, so that Saturday he took her to a popular burger joint for one of the best hamburgers and some of the best onion rings either had ever tasted. Then they spent the rest of the evening cruising the various neighborhoods looking at houses bedecked with holiday finery before he had taken her home and left her with a gentle kiss on her cheek, and a promise to see her next week at the shelter.
It was Friday before he was able to catch her before she left for the day. When he asked her if she'd like to go see the latest in a trilogy of adventure films she became flustered and seemed almost shocked before she said yes. After the movie he took her to Baskin Robbins for sundaes before taking her home and once again leaving her with a soft kiss on her cheek. They went out several more times in the coming weeks. It wasn't until their fifth date, when she was finally fully relaxed with him, that he actually kissed her goodnight.
Addie, he found, was friendly, mischievous, and downright funny when she came out of her shell. He loved how her eyes sparkled and her cheeks went rosy as she told stories about the pets she'd had over the years and some of her misadventures while growing up. But when he tried to learn more about her she would once again become hesitant and shy. It made him all the more curious to learn what made Addie, Addie.
One day in the spring, when he suggested something for that weekend, she surprised him by inviting him to come to her house instead, where they could grill some steaks and simply stay in for a change. He had happily agreed and that warm and beautiful Saturday found him with barbecue fork in hand, standing over a smoking charcoal grill while Addie finished putting together the rest of their dinner.
They ate in her spacious eat-in kitchen, complementing one another on their cooking prowess and talking about things that had happened at the shelter and away from it that week. Here in her homey house she was more at ease than he had yet known her to be and he was enchanted by this new side to her. Later, once they'd finished the dishes, he found himself sharing the couch with her and her four cats, two Siamese, a tabby, and a calico, who had taken it upon themselves to check out this newcomer to their world. Being the animal lover that he was, Mike took it in good humor and secretly hoped that it wouldn't be the only time they'd find him there. And it wasn't. Their relationship had reached a point where they were spending as much time at one anothers houses as they were going out. But, still, though she obviously enjoyed their physical sharing of affection, it stopped at the bedroom door. Frustrating though it was, Mike knew it wasn't because she didn't want to take their relationship to a more intimate level. She was generous in her passion, yet for some reason fear held her back from giving it free reign. Because his heart was now involved, he continued to be patient.
As time progressed he was introduced to her closest friends, one of whom took it upon herself to have a protective talk with him over lunch one day. There he gleaned the understanding of Addie that he had been searching for. Her friend told him how family abuse and programming had made Addie feel insecure in her womanhood, and there were some health issues that she wouldn't go into but about which Addie was sensitive. To her knowledge she had never let a man get this close before and she felt the need to warn him off if he should knowingly hurt her. Rather than getting angry at what many would call interference, Mike was both touched by the loyalty her friend exhibited and anxious about the number of potential landmines that might be more inherent than he had realized. Still, he was able to assure her that he, too, had come to care about Addie and would never intentionally cause her any pain.
And he wondered, thinking of those who had so damaged her, how anyone could look at her and see anything other than a warm, beautiful, desirable woman?
In all the times he had been at her house, there remained one door down the hallway toward the bathroom that remained closed. Mike wasn't normally a nosy person but as time passed he found himself wondering just what lay beyond it. He had also noticed a particular smell, not unpleasant, that occasionally wafted as he passed by. It was familiar to him but he couldn't place it.
The mystery was solved unexpectedly one Sunday when he showed up at Addie's house unannounced to surprise her with take out Chinese for a late lunch. She answered the door wearing a smock that was quite liberally smeared with every color of paint imaginable, as was the rag she was using to wipe her hands. A whole gamut of emotions ran across her face, from surprise to consternation to uncertainty, before she greeted him.
“Michael! What are you doing here?”
“Sorry I didn't call but it was a spur of the moment decision to share lunch with you.”
He smiled boyishly as he held up the bags. The breeze carried the mouthwatering aromas into the house.
“Chinese? You get first choice of the fortune cookies.”
She couldn't help chuckling as she stood back and motioned him in. He stole a quick kiss as he passed, leaving her to close the door while he made his way to the kitchen. When she followed him, she had removed the smock and draped it over the back of one of the dining chairs.
“I'm sorry I'm such a mess,” she said as she washed her hands in the sink. “If I'd known you were coming I'd have made myself more presentable.”
Drying her hands on a dishtowel, she turned to find him staring at her with a soft smile curving his lips.
“You look beautiful.” Stepping closer, he touched her cheek with one finger. “I think you missed a spot.”
“What? Oh.” She reached up and felt a rough smear where his finger had been and scrubbed at it until it sloughed away. “When I'm working I tend to get paint everywhere.”
“I didn't know you are an artist.”
She grimaced even as she blushed.
“I don't know if you'd call me an artist. It's just something I like to do.”
Fascinated, he asked, “Can I see some of your stuff?”
She hesitated, obviously struggling with her answer as her eyes darted around the room. He chose not to rescind the question but rather to let her make the choice. Finally, she nodded and wordlessly led him down the hallway to the door, now open, that had intrigued him for so long. As he stepped inside, he immediately recognized the peculiar odor as the solvent used to clean paint brushes, and as he looked around he was quietly stunned at the beauty he found there.
There were paintings of many sizes, their canvases seemingly alive with color and texture. There were some lovely landscapes, but mostly there were pictures of children and of animals so touching that he actually felt a lump in his throat. On the easel a portrait of a toddler wrestling with a golden retriever puppy was in progress. Lifting a small portrait of a little girl with a butterfly on her outstretched hand, he marveled at Addie's ability to bring the moment to life. Everywhere he looked he saw the joy that she kept hidden in her heart.
Looking up, he found her anxiously watching him as she wrung her hands against her breasts.
“Addie, I'm speechless. These are amazing!”He set the picture down and shook his head. “You should be doing something with them.”
Addie blushed as her hands loosened their grips on each other and fluttered as she shook her head.
“Oh, no! They're not that good. I just like to do them for myself.”
Taking a step closer to her, he caught her hands and smiled patiently.
“Yes, they're that good.” He shook his head as he gently squeezed her hands, “Girl, you have an incredible talent that you've been keeping hidden from the rest of the world, to the world's detriment!”
Blushing furiously, she looked around before finally meeting his gaze with a terrified yet hopeful expression on her face.
“Really? You really think so?”
“Yes,” he replied and because he thought she needed it, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her close. “I really think so.”
Sliding her arms around his waist, she hugged him back.
“No one has ever said that before,” she marveled.
“When's the last time anyone saw any of this?”
She shook her head against his chest.
“It's been a long time. I used to show my family but they didn't think any of my pictures were anything special.”
“Did you not take art in school?”
“No. I learned to do it on my own by reading books and visiting museums.”
He gently sifted his fingers through her short, soft, hair.
“What do you do with all of them?”
She shrugged, her cheek still against his chest.
“I gave a few away as gifts. But mostly I kept them.” She chuckled. “You should see the attic.”
He held her for a couple of minutes more before she stepped back and took his hand.
“Our lunch is getting cold.”
It took a few days but he finally convinced her to contact the local artists' guild about her paintings. It wasn't long before they approved her membership and began talking about exhibiting some of her work at their gallery in town. Mike watched as the shy, uncertain woman he'd known began to gain confidence in herself. At least with regard to her art. And that, he thought, was an excellent beginning. He wanted the world to know the remarkable woman she truly was.
Time passed. The shelter integrated a system by which certain animals were shipped north to homes where there weren't as many available pets. The heartbreaking challenges of Mike's job sometimes seemed unbearable. But always there was Addie to comfort and encourage him. In them meanwhile, she was gaining recognition for her success in finding homes for those pets that were the hardest to place. She had become an integral part of the shelter team.
The first autumn leaves were falling when trouble literally arrived at Mike's door. Answering the doorbell one night after work he found someone from his past waiting expectedly on the step. The welcoming smile was instantly replaced with angry suspicion.
“What do you want, Giselle?”
“Is that any way to greet an old friend?” she pouted and entered uninvited into his living room, her expensive perfume trailing in her wake. The platinum perfection of her hairstyle and her fashionably elegant attire clashed with the easy comfort of the room and he absently wondered what he ever saw in her.
“You're no friend.”
She turned to face him with a sultry smile.
“No. We were much more than friends, weren't we, darling?”
He shut the door then leaned against it, his arms akimbo.
“Again, what do you want?”
Without an invitation, she shed her jacket, giving him an eyeful of womanly curves. Curves he knew had been surgically enhanced.
“I've missed you, Michael,” she purred as she sat languidly on his sofa. “I was such a fool to leave you.”
“You didn't leave. I threw you out.”
“In a fit of pique.” She shrugged. “It was understandable given the circumstances.”
“The circumstances being that you were cheating on me even as you were robbing me blind.” He snorted derisively. “I should have had you arrested.”
“But you didn't, did you?” She smiled craftily. “I wonder why.”
Standing she seemed to slither her way to him. Mike remained where he was, patently uninterested.
“I just wanted you gone.”
“Well, I went, didn't I?” She leaned in close enough that he could see the minute cracks in her expertly applied makeup. “But I've learned my lesson. I want us to have a second chance.”
“You've got to be kidding.”
“No, darling, I'm not.” Reaching out, she fingered the buttons on his polo shirt. “We were so good together. Remember? We were magic.”
“You were all smoke and mirrors, Giselle. There was no real magic between us.”
“Tell me you've never found anyone who can satisfy you the way I can.”
Mike smiled coldly.
“I found someone who can satisfy me in ways you couldn't begin to understand, Giselle.” He stepped back and reached for the door. “I think it's time you left.”
Giselle's lips thinned as her eyes snapped furiously. Gone was the beautiful, seductive mask.
“You're making a very serious mistake, Michael,” she growled ominously, “I don't offer myself to just anyone.”
“No. Just everyone.” He opened the door. “Now get your stuff and get your ass out of my house.”
Her rage filled the room as she glared at him, her emerald eyes like shards of glass. Then, suddenly, she smiled and turned to collect her coat.
“Very well, darling.” Before passing through the door she reached out and trailed one finger down his jaw. “But I'll make sure you never forget me.”
He slammed the door behind her.
Mike tried to put the incident behind him but the truth was he was well aware of how vindictive Giselle could be. But as the weeks passed he stopped waiting for the other shoe to drop and concentrated instead on his growing love for Addie.
They decided to spend Thanksgiving at her house and when he arrived that morning it was to the mouthwatering aroma of turkey roasting in the oven. Before taking off his coat, he pulled Addie into his arms and kissed her long and lingeringly.
“Good morning,” he murmured roughly when they drew apart and smiled down into her flushed face. “Smells like you've been busy.”
Stepping back, she watched him shed his coat and hang it on the coat tree beside the door.
“Just a little. There's nothing to do now until closer to time for the turkey to be done before supper time.”
Then she smiled as she led him into the kitchen. After motioning him to have a seat at the table, she pulled a bakery box from the cupboard and set it, along with two small plates, on the table between their chairs before filling two mugs of coffee and joining him. Opening the box he found an assortment of donuts inside.
“Breakfast,” she announced and they dug in.
Afterward they moved into the living room where a bare Christmas tree waited in front of the big bay window. A ruffled plaid skirt encircled it on the floor and, strangely, there were orange peels scattered about on it. Looking around the room Mike found all four cats watching from different perches.
“You dare to put up a tree with this bunch?” he asked, a bemused smile on his face.
“Yep. The orange peels keep them away.”
“Really? I'd heard of that but didn't know if it actually worked or not.”
“Well, it works with them.”
Crossing to a few plastic totes, she removed the lid of one to reveal neatly coiled strings of lights then looked back at him with a smile.
“Wanna help decorate?”
There was something different about her as, with Christmas music playing in the background, they spent the next two hours encircling the tree with twinkling multi-color lights and then hanging an eclectic assortment of ornaments on its branches. She seemed oddly at peace, as if a weight had been lifted from her, and he wondered what had changed.
After he placed the porcelain featured angel on top, she slipped her arm about his waist as they admired the results of their labor.
“It's beautiful,” she declared softly then sighed when he turned her into his arms, pulling her close against him.
“Not as beautiful as you.”
Their lips met with the briefest of touches, parted, then returned with steadily growing hunger. When they were breathing heavily, he pulled away and held her head against his shoulder. This was as far as they usually went. But this time, she had other plans.
“Mike?”
“Hmm?”
“Make love to me.”
Everything in him seemed to go still. After a few moments, she pulled just far enough away to look up into face.
“Please?”
For a moment he simply stared down into her eyes. They were filled with hopeful passion, and just a little apprehension. He cupped her face with fingers that trembled just a little.
“Oh, honey,” he whispered hoarsely, “It would be my pleasure.”
Leaning forward he placed a tender kiss on her lips then followed her down the hallway to her bedroom.
They spent the day loving and snuggling beneath a hand pieced quilt she'd won in a church raffle several years before. Thermal curtains blocked most of the sunlight from the room, but there was enough light to reveal their feelings to one another through their eyes. Mike's heart was filled to aching until he finally voiced what he'd long felt. Looking down to where she lay close against him, he gently raised her face to his.
“I love you, Addie,” he whispered and was rewarded with a sweet smile and her suddenly glistening eyes.
“And I love you. Michael,” she replied and reached up to seal their words with a gentle kiss.
It was the sound of the timer buzzing in the kitchen that woke them later. He pulled on his jeans, zipping but not buttoning them, then followed her as she pulled a heavy chenille robe over her nude body and made their way down the hall. Their bare feet made no sound as they passed over the laminate flooring.
The turkey was done to perfection and allowed to rest on the counter as they worked together to complete the meal. While he finished making the gravy from the pan drippings, Addie set the table with her grandmother's tablecloth and heavy stainless flatware. They filled their fine china plates from the counter then took their seats at the table. After Mike said a quick, heartfelt thanks for the blessings of the year passed, they began to eat. The cats congregated on the floor between them, waiting for food to drop.
“No.”
Addie's voice rang with gentle authority but the cats remained unimpressed and continued to stare up at them with inscrutable faces.
There were plenty of leftovers when they cleaned up afterward, and she divided them up, his share going into individual plastic baggies. Afterward they returned to the living room and sat close together on the sofa as they watched the tree lights brighten in the waning daylight.
“You have to go in tomorrow?” she asked quietly.
“Yeah. There are a couple of spays that I need to get out of the way. With all the intakes this week I've not had time to get to them.” He tightened his arms about her. “Do you want to do something this weekend?”
“I'd kinda like to go to that big sale over at mall.”
Mike groaned and let his head fall back against the sofa.
“What? Are you a glutton for punishment? It's Black Friday Weekend!”
Addie chuckled then playfully nipped his chin.
“Maybe. But there's this great buy on bedding that I want to see.” She glanced at him from beneath her lashes. “C'mon. Be a brave boy. I promise you won't regret it.”
He met her gaze with a raised brow, “Really? Promise?”
“Um hum.”
“Well, with your promise as incentive I guess I can take you. Saturday afternoon?”
She agreed and they continued to snuggle until nearly midnight, when he had to leave so he could get some sleep for work the next day.
Saturday found Mike sitting on a bench out of the packed home furnishings store. Addie had taken pity on him and left him behind fifteen minutes ago when she waded into the nearly shoulder to shoulder wall of humanity inside the store. Someone had left their newspaper behind and he was passing the time reading the sports section and catching up on the news from the world of football when the smell of expensive perfume assailed his nostrils seconds before Giselle spoke in front of him.
“Michael, darling. Whatever are you doing here?”
Dropping the paper he found her standing too close for comfort with a mocking smile spread across her perfectly made up face.
“I'm reading, Giselle. Now go away.”
“Don't be rude, darling.” She looked around her and pretended to shudder. “I would never have thought I'd find you in a place like this on a day like today.”
“Could say the same about you.”
“I have...business...nearby.” She eyed him consideringly. “Tell me, what are you doing sitting here reading someone else's newspaper?”
“None of your business, Giselle.”
“Tsk. Tsk. Tell me this then, you wouldn't happen to be waiting on that paragon you mentioned? The one that satisfies you like I can't?”
Slowly, Mike rose to his feet until he seemed to tower over her.
“Watch yourself, Giselle.”
She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.
“Oh, but I am.” She took a step closer then suddenly seemed to stumble into him. Instinctively he reached out and caught her and immediately found himself too close to her face for comfort.
“Darling,” she began with a breathless little laugh and lifted her face as if to kiss him.
“Michael?”
Mike looked beyond Giselle and found Addie standing a few feet away, holding two large shopping bags. Her eyes were flat, her face expressionless. Panic filled him but before he could say anything, Giselle turned then stopped, her mouth falling open for a moment as she took in Addie's comfortable, casual clothes and fresh face free of any artifice, before she began to laugh sarcastically.
“This?” She demanded with a glance at him. “This is what you found to replace me?”
Addie's lips lifted in a humorless smile.
“Yes. And it's obvious his tastes have improved as he's moved up in the world.”
Giselle gasped as any semblance of humor left her face.
“You little bitch! Do you know who I am?”
Addie lifted one brow as she cocked her head consideringly. “No. Do you know who I am?”
She asked the question with such confidence and authority that Giselle began to wonder if Mike had found himself someone of real importance and began to feel slightly queasy. Mike watched as the two women engaged in a silent battle of wills, the tension palpable between them, unsure of what to do, until, amazingly, Giselle blinked and stepped away.
“Well, no matter. If you want him, sweetie, you're welcome to him. Just don't expect much. I learned not to.”
Then she turned and walked away.
Addie watched until Giselle had completely disappeared into the crowded mall before stumbling forward and dropping heavily onto the bench, the two shopping bags falling beside her. Bending forward, she buried her face in her hands and started to tremble.
“Addie? Addie, are you alright?”
Raising her face she met his anxious eyes and began to smile.
“Did you want her to stay?”
“God, no! Hell, no! I was afraid you would have thought...that we...ah, hell, Addie. I was scared to death you saw something that wasn't there!”
Addie chuckled as her equilibrium righted itself.
“Mike, sweetheart, I could read you like a book. If I'd thought for one moment that you wanted her around I'd have left you with her, I swear!”
Dropping to sit beside her on the bench, Mike pulled her into his arms and laughed softly against her hair.
“God, what a woman!” Squeezing her tightly, he looked down at her face. “Are you ready to go home?”
Addie grinned and reached for the bags, but he was ahead of her and lifted them as he stood up.
“No, I'm your beast of burden today.” He hefted the bags and nodded toward the exit. “Let's go.”
Weeks later, on Christmas Eve, as snow fell gently from the sky outside, Mike and Addie lay snuggled together, stretched out on the couch watching the tree lights in the darkened room. Two cats lay curled on their meshed legs, one napped on the back of the sofa, and the last was missing I action, presumed to be snoozing in one of the bedrooms. Contentment filled the room as he raised her left hand to his lips.
“Addie?”
“Um hum?”
“I think we need to consider something.”
“What's that?”
“That we love each other yet we are keeping two houses.”
“So what do you propose we do about that?”
“Well, your house is bigger and a lot closer to the shelter. I think I need to move in.”
“Really?” She raised upon on one elbow. “And what if I said that's not good enough?”
“Then what would you suggest?”
“I would suggest that maybe we ought to make the arrangement a permanent one. A 'til death do us part' arrangement.”
A smile played around his lips as he tucked a lock of her hair behind one ear.
“Are you asking me to marry you, Miss Addie?”
“Are you willing to marry me, Dr. Mike?”
Cupping the back of her head with his hand, he pulled her up to kiss her soundly.
What struck me strange was that Mike at that original party seemed already destined to make Addie's his. It took a long time, but there didn't seem to be any barriers to that happening the way it finally did. I think it would've been far different if Giselle posed a real threat to Addie's growing relationship with Mike.
I dated a couple of spinsters with cats. I like cats, but not in the house.
You made me think of my grandmother's aunt, Addie.
When Sophie Bayles inadvertently ruins a young man’s chance for employment, she sets out to find him a new position. Even though he doesn’t want her to.
Michael O'Shea, DVM, had chosen a strategic spot for watching the entrance to the hotel conference room. As he had been doing for the past hour, he chatted pleasantly with those who had come to attend the annual holiday gathering of supporters, staff, and volunteers. At six feet tall, with dark auburn hair, cloud gray eyes, and a swimmer's lean athletic build, not to mention a single marital status, there was certainly no shortage of female attention. But most of his mind remained on the entry of each new guest, looking for one person in particular.
