The Wells Brothers: Blue

by Angela Verdenius

  That was all he did, but it was enough to calm her a little. When he didn’t let go, she slid her fingers through his and squeezed back.

  “They’ll find the owner and fix it up,” she said hopefully.

  “If it can be fixed, the vet will do it.”

  Truth. The reality was the little cat might be too badly injured and have to be euthanized. Sadness filled her, but she shoved it down because the reality was nothing was certain.

  The vet stuck his head out the consult room door and gestured to them.

  Hope filled Charley as she and Blue approached him. “You reached the owner?”

  He stood aside to let them enter, closing the door so they had the privacy of the room with no one to overhear the conversation. “Unfortunately, no.”

  Wondering just what this meant for the cat, she waited.

  “The owner is deceased.”

  “So it has no home? What about family?”

  “Mmm.” The vet sighed. “The family don’t want the cat. She went missing when the owner died, they’re not prepared to pay for the treatment and have instructed me to put her to sleep.”

  “What? No.” Her heart dropped. “Surely something can be done?”

  “Not without their permission.”

  “But I’ll pay.”

  “I’m afraid they still don’t want the cat, and legally she belongs to them.”

  “How can they do that?” She stared down at the table, biting her lip, feeling the tears threatening once again. “It’s so unfair.”

  “There’s a lot of unfairness when it comes to animals.” He sighed.

  That damned lump rose again in her threat. What could she do? They owned it - no, her, the cat was a her - apparently, as next of kin or something. Was there another way? Could she try to talk them into it if she told them she’d pay the bill, try to find the cat a home? Think, think fast!

  When Blue’s strong arm slid around her shoulders to draw her in against him, she looked up at him, trying so damned hard not to let her emotions show.

  Blue’s attention was on the vet. “Can you dial their number, ask them to speak to me?”

  The vet’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t think you’ll change their mind. They were pretty emphatic.”

  “I have another option to put to them.”

  “Hey, I’m all for trying to save this little one’s life.” The vet picked up the phone, started dialling. “Let’s give it another shot.”

  Hope blossomed as she regarded Blue’s calm face. “What are you going to do? Say? You think you can change their minds?”

  “Let’s see.” He waited while the vet spoke into the phone, taking the receiver when it was handed to him.

  Only able to hear the conversation from one side, she watched anxiously.

  “I understand the owner of the cat has passed away and you don’t want the cat,” Blue stated into the phone. After a few seconds, he said, “I want her.”

  Charley’s mouth fell open in astonishment.

  The vet’s eyebrows rose.

  “Great,” Blue said. “She’s microchipped, so I don’t know what’s needed to be done there, but right now she needs urgent treatment so I need you to tell the vet that you’re giving me the cat and she’s my responsibility now. Okay? Great, thanks.” He handed the phone to the vet.

  Grinning now, the vet took the phone.

  Warmth welled up inside Charley, gratitude filling her so full. “I don’t know what to say, Blue.”

  “Nothing to say,” he replied calmly. “The cat is injured and needs help. We can give her that help.”

  “Thank you.” Unable to help herself, she hugged him. “Thank you.”

  He patted her back, shrugged easily. “Nothing to thank me for.”

  “I wouldn’t have even thought of that, asking them to give her to me.” The realisation of how close that had come made her shiver.

  “Given a few more moments you would have, I just got in first.” Blue regarded her seriously. “She’s not out of the woods yet, Charley. Okay?”

  “I know.” She nodded. “But she has more of a chance now than she just did.”

  “And so saying, we better get started.” The vet rubbed his hands briskly, looking pleased. “I’ll get a quote done.”

  Charley shook her head. “Don’t worry about the quote. Whatever it costs, I’ll cover it.”

  “We’ll cover it,” Blue corrected. “Go for it, doc.”

  “Excellent.” Sticking out his hand, he shook Blue’s hand. “Pleasure doing business with you both.” After a short pump of Blue’s hand, he gave Charley’s a gentler shake. “I’ll ring you as soon as all the tests are done, let you know the next steps. Leave your details at reception.”

  Though still worried for the cat, she felt a lot better. “Thank you so much.”

  “I will do my very best for her,” the vet promised. “By the way, her name is Kitty.”

  “How original,” Blue deadpanned. “That’ll go very well with Dog.” At the vet’s blank look, he added, “My brother’s dog, called Dog.”

  “Nothing like keeping it simple.” The vet opened a door in the rear of the consult room. “I’m off to treat your cat, Mr and Mrs Wells. You’ll hear from me.”

  “Oh, we’re not-” Charley began, but he was already gone.

  Blue shrugged unconcernedly when she glanced at him. “Come on.” He steered her to the reception desk. “There’s not a lot more we can do right now. Let’s give our details then go and have a coffee somewhere while we wait.”

  “Coffee?” She gestured at the blood on her shirt. “I can’t.”

  “There’s a toilet with a wash basin back there.” The receptionist pointed to the hallway. “Also paper towels. You should be able to get it out with some water.”

  Seeing her dubious expression, Blue said, “Give it a go. If it doesn’t work, we’ll swing past home.”

  It’d be churlish to insist on going home first, especially after what he’d done for her and the cat, so Charley nodded and hurried to the bathroom. Inside, she carefully dabbed at the blood stain, managing to get most of it out, leaving her with a slight yellowish patch on her white shirt.

  Not the best look but she wasn’t going to quibble. Besides, a white shirt having a wet patch wasn’t as noticeable as if it had been dark, plus the heat would quickly dry the material.

  When she came out, the receptionist was taking details from Blue while managing not to openly eye his naked chest. Professionally friendly she might have been, but there was no doubting her gaze flickered a couple of times to his impressive pecs and six pack.

  Not worrying about the wet patch on her shirt, Charley silently thanked God that Blue had arrived when he had, had taken control, had the compassion to take on a little injured cat and then adopt it to ensure it had treatment. The man not only looked good on the outside, he was good on the inside as well.

  “Second contact?” the receptionist asked.

  Expecting him to put down one of his family’s names, she was surprised and touched when he replied, “Charley Carter.”

  She felt like hugging him all over again.

  “We’ve got everything now, Mr Wells,” the receptionist said. “The vet will be in touch as soon as he can with an update on Kitty.”

  “No worries.”

  Charley nodded to the receptionist, felt Blue’s hand rest lightly in the small of her back as he steered her through the door and back out to the ute.

  Comfortable silence filled the cab as he navigated the traffic.

  For the first time since she’d gotten into Gary’s car, she relaxed fully, leaning back against the old seat, content to watch the buildings pass.

  Blue turned into the car park of a shopping centre. “Before we get coffee, I need to buy a shirt.”

  She regarded his chest and arms. “You’ll disappoint the girls.” Oh boy, she’d just voiced that errant thought aloud. “Oops.”

  One dark brow quirked as he placed the sunglasses into the
glove box. “You think?”

  Too late to back out now, thanks to her gaffe. “I know.”

  Piercing blue eyes shifted to her. “Will you be disappointed?”

  Placing a hand on her chest, she sighed dramatically. “I’m only human.”

  Laughter lines crinkled at the corners of his eyes. “Nothing like a straight-talking woman.”

  “I’m sorry.” She dimpled at him. “Have I embarrassed you?”

  “Takes a lot to embarrass me.” He opened the door. “All right, Miss Flirt, let’s go.”

  “Miss Flirt? You wish.” Getting out, she reached for her handbag, only to stop in dismay. “Oh no.” With a groan, she closed her eyes.

  “Problem?”

  “I left my bag in Gary’s car.”

  “Ah, then no problem.” Pulling his mobile from his pocket, Blue poised his thumb over the keypad. “What’s Dickhead’s number?”

  Hmm, that nickname did have a good ring to it. She quoted his phone number and held her hand out for the mobile, but rather than hand it to her, he put it up to one ear.

  “Here.” She gestured with her hand.

  He responded by holding up a palm.

  “Oh cripes.” She raised both eyebrows at the realization that he was going to speak to Gary. While she was glad she didn’t have to speak to the man, she wasn’t too sure how she felt about Blue taking that task. “I don’t think it’s a good ide-”

  “Gary.” Blue’s voice was quiet but held a hint of steel. “Charley left her bag in your car.” There was silence, he nodded. “No, not at our home. You can drop it off at Wells Security.” More silence. “We’re not there.” Looking down, he studied her as she bit her lip. The silence lengthened, he continued to study her, and she leaned forward a bit, straining to hear the voice on the other end of the mobile. Blue’s eyebrow arched.

  Man definitely had expressive eyebrows.

  Charley mouthed ‘what?’ while holding her palms outwards.

  His expression didn’t change. “You know where Wells Security is? Good. Thanks.” Flipping the mobile shut, he slid it into the back pocket of his jeans.

  “Well?” Charley asked.

  “Well, what?”

  “What’d he say?”

  “We can pick up your bag at Aaron’s office.”

  “He said more than that.”

  “Did he?” Blue started walking.

  Eyes narrowed suspiciously, arms folded, Charley stayed put. “What else did he say?”

  “Nothing worth repeating.” Glancing back over his shoulder, he took in her stance. Rather than say anything further, he simply turned back around, walked up to her, grabbed her hand and resumed walking, towing her behind him.

  It was either fall into step beside him or cause a scene. There were many reasons why she fell into step beside him. He saved the cat, he saved her, and he had this way of taking control that was quiet and confident without being abrasive.

  Or maybe that was just her. Other women might have felt annoyed.

  “Maybe I should feel annoyed,” she stated.

  He didn’t break stride.

  “About you taking control.”

  “Mmm.”

  “But I’m not annoyed.”

  “Uh huh.”

  “How can I be annoyed at a man who saves both cats and damsels in distress?”

  Mouth curving slightly at one corner, he gave her hand a little squeeze.

  She squeezed back.

  He didn’t release her hand, and oddly, she found it so comfortable. God knew why, she’d only known him a couple of days yet here she was, walking beside this handsome man with a ripped physique, her hand in his, well aware of quite a few envious looks from other women.

  He only released her when he walked into a men’s wear shop to choose a t-shirt from the rack.

  Charley waited outside, leaning back against the glass wall while watching the shoppers pass. Her mind slid back to Kitty and she offered up a little prayer for her.

  Another thought hit her. Kitty would live at the house - if she survived - but Blue would go back to the Army base and from there to goodness knew where on his next tour. Did he mean to keep her? Or did he mean to rehome her once she was well enough?

  That thought was troubling. She bit her lip.

  A warmth at her side registered before Blue even said, “Problem?”

  “Just a thought.”

  He looked thoughtfully at her.

  Charley looked at the t-shirt. It brazenly declared Big Brave & Brawny But No Brains. “Nice. Love the wording.”

  “Thanks.”

  Feeling the intent regard, she cleared her throat while pushing away from the wall. “So, are we going to get that coffee or…” Damn, she didn’t have money, didn’t want him to assume that she expected him to buy her a drink or-

  “My treat.”

  It was like he could read her mind.

  “Blue, really, I don’t-”

  “I do.”

  It wasn’t like she had much of a choice, not with his hand in the small of her back ushering her across the shopping centre to the café.

  The café was busy, the tables filling almost as soon as they were vacated. Charley was wondering if they’d get a seat when a voice hailed them. She glanced around but couldn’t pick who it was until she saw a waving hand on the other side of the room.

  “Mikki and Izzy.” Blue waved back. “You go and sit down, I’ll order the drinks. What do you want?”

  “White coffee, two sugars.”

  “Cake?”

  “Not for me, thanks.”

  “Hungry?”

  “No.” She smiled up at him. “But thanks.”

  “Okay.” He nodded.

  Threading through the tables, Charley finally reached the table where the two women sat and took one of the empty chairs. “Hi.”

  “Hi back.” Mikki blew a lock of red hair back off her forehead.

  “Been at work?” Izzy indicated Charley’s uniform. “Blue give you a lift?”

  “You could say that”

  Sipping on a Spider, Mikki’s expression turned quizzical.

  “Blue rescued me and a cat.”

  The straw popped from Mikki’s mouth. “Do tell.”

  Charley repeated what had happened. By the time she’d finished, Blue was dropping into the chair opposite her and the girls were looking at him admiringly.

  “I swear,” Mikki stated, “if I wasn’t marrying Luke, I’d marry you.”

  “Of course you would,” Blue drawled. “I’m much better.”

  “I’m already married to your cousin.” Izzy grinned. “But I could bake you a cake.”

  “You still can. Chocolate, with frosting made of butter and sugar and chocolate.”

  “I’ll make you one for being such a hero.”

  His gaze met Charley’s across the table.

  “Told them,” she explained.

  “That was so sweet of you,” Izzy said.

  “She didn’t have to tell.”

  “Not that, Blue, you nong.” Mikki rolled her eyes. “We mean about you rescuing her and the kitty.”

  “Tell us about the kitty,” Izzy urged. “Will she be all right?”

  “We hope so.” Arms folded, biceps and triceps bulging mouth-wateringly, Blue leaned back languidly in the chair. “The vet’ll keep us informed.”

  “What a dick.” Mikki scowled.

  “Actually, he seemed very nice.”

  “Not the vet, I mean Gary. Always knew he was a kiss-arse and totally useless drongo.”

  Silently, Charley agreed.

  “To be willing to just drive away and leave an animal to suffer…” Izzy shook her head. “How could anyone be so callous?”

  “You’d be surprised.” Charley rested her linked hands in her lap. “There’re a lot who would.”

  “And they’d be a waste of breath.” Mikki sucked drink up through the straw.

  “Have to agree.” Charley nodded. “Takes someone like Blue
to renew one’s faith in humanity.”

  Blue’s attention, which had been on the approaching waitress holding a tray with two cups and a plate of sandwiches, switched to Charley. “How about the so-called damsel in distress who was refusing to leave the cat?”

  “I was bawling like a baby.”

  “You were standing your ground, crying or not.” His eyes warmed. “You weren’t going to give in.”

  “Hell, no. No way was I going to leave the cat. I’d have walked back to the city if I had to.”

  Blue smiled. “Yeah, I could see that.”

  Mikki looked at him. “Did you punch his lights out for him?”

  Izzy glanced worriedly at Blue.

  “Nope.” He thanked the waitress as she placed the coffee and a plate of sandwiches before him.

  “Thank goodness.” Charley thanked the waitress for her coffee, waited until she’d left.

  Mikki’s expression was incredulous. “You don’t seriously think Gary could take Blue?”

  Unperturbed, Blue picked up a small triangle of sandwich and took a big bite, calmly chewing.

  “Blue could wipe the floor with Gary,” Charley replied bluntly. “Wring him out and do another round, so no, that wasn’t my concern.”

  “So what was?”

  “Geez,” Izzy said. “It’s pretty obvious.”

  Mikki’s expression was blank. “It is?”

  “Of course, dummy. If Blue hit Gary, Gary’s a lawyer. What do you think would happen?”

  “Gary would cry.” Mikki sneered. “And then, no doubt, the big wuss would sue or something.”

  “Or something,” Charley said. “He’d make sure the Army knew what happened, and Blue, well…” She looked at him. “He’d have gotten you into big trouble.”

  Remaining unperturbed, Blue just continued eating, his gaze taking in Izzy’s frown and Mikki’s scowl before returning to Charley.

  “Unfair,” Mikki muttered.

  “Being sneaky and underhanded.” Izzy sighed. “But he deserved to be snotted, you have to admit.”

  “Not denying that.” Lifting the cup to her mouth, Charley took a sip. “But Blue handled him admirably without violence or threats.” A sudden thought made her eyes narrow.

  Neither Mikki nor Izzy missed it, and going by Blue’s slightly raised eyebrow, neither did he.