by Elsa Nickle
“Aw, that’s the worst. Maybe I can take a look at that next.”
Her face flamed a few degrees hotter. Great. Now she wasn’t just receiving free help for the cat, she was a charity case for appliances too. “No, don’t worry about it. I’m already asking so much of you.”
He just shrugged as he turned on the faucet. “I’m already here. I might as well check it out.”
Laurel couldn’t look away from the hurt animal, although she kind of wanted to. The kitten had started protesting again, obviously unhappy about the water, but somehow Ethan had complete control. He washed and cleaned around the kitten’s head as the water ran red.
“That’s a lot of blood.” Laurel gulped.
He nodded. “Heads bleed a lot. It looks worse than it is.” He was being very careful now, grabbing a razor from his open pack.
Laurel’s eyes popped wider. “What are you going to do?”
Ethan caught her gaze for a moment before turning back to concentrate on the cat. “I’m shaving around the cut. Her ear tore a bit, and she might need stitches.”
Laurel tensed. The cat struggled against his hold. “Do you need help?” Why did she say that? What could she possibly do to help, nervous and untrained as she was? Please don’t need help, please don’t need help—
“Sure. Why don’t you hold her head still against me so she can’t squirm around.”
Laurel swallowed and braced the wet, gray head against Ethan’s stomach. She hoped she wouldn’t get blood on his shirt. “Like this?”
“That’s perfect.”
He quickly cleared the area of fur, and Laurel saw the gash more clearly. Her throat tightened up. “Ugh, this is so … upsetting. How do you deal with this all the time?”
The kitten had stopped struggling so much, which was a blessing. Ethan set the razor down and took a tube of something from the pack. “I’m used to it. And I know once we’re done, this cat is going to be a lot happier.” He spread some sort of ointment on the cut.
Laurel realized how close she was to Ethan, how bracing the cat against his stomach meant that she was touching him, close enough to wonder what sort of aftershave he used. “Are you done? Or do you need me to—”
He stared into her eyes, so close to his own. “One more step.” He turned back to his pack and pulled out another tube.
This one looked familiar. “Super glue?” Laurel almost laughed. “You are going to superglue the cat’s ear?”
He smiled. “I’ll superglue the butterfly bandage. I’m not going to put glue in the cut. It will help the bandage stay in place. Actually, here. You hold her, I need both hands free.”
Laurel held the cat, which meowed her complaints at the change. Laurel held the kitty’s body still with one hand and tried to hold the head against her the way Ethan had held the kitten against himself.
He carefully placed a white butterfly bandage, supergluing the edges in place so they wouldn’t slip. “There. She should be good now. She probably just needs a little rest.”
Laurel took a cardboard box from underneath the sink and grabbed some clean dishtowels from a drawer, making the cat an improvised bed. She set the wet kitten down inside and then popped to the cupboard to retrieve bowls for food and water. “Do you think she belongs to someone?”
“She’s not feral, or she wouldn’t have trusted us. But she was pretty dirty, so she might be a stray.” Ethan pushed his sleeves up and turned toward the fridge.
Laurel stepped toward him with a bowl in hand. “Hey, you don’t need to look at the fridge. Seriously, I feel bad.”
He squinted his blue eyes. “It’s no big deal. When I was in college, the fridge in my apartment was always acting up. Just let me take a look.”
Laurel shifted from foot to foot. Really, what was the harm? It would probably be more embarrassing to refuse at this point. “Okay. Thanks.” She got the cat some water and went to help Ethan clear some floor space and heft the fridge away from the wall.
They pulled it forward until the back was exposed. “I’m guessing by the food everywhere that it’s a cooling problem?”
“Yep.” The back of the fridge was filthy. Of course it was. It was like all of the appliances in Laurel’s house had conspired today to embarrass her as much as humanly possible.
He squatted down and unplugged the fridge from the wall, then poked around—popping off doors and checking wires and coils. “This is a lot like the model I had in college.”
She glanced at the kitten to make sure she was staying put in her box, then watched as Ethan removed a mountain of dust from something that looked like a fan. “I’m sorry, that is so gross. I guess we should get better at cleaning.”
Ethan shook his head. “Nobody cleans the back of their fridge, Laurel. This is normal.”
He worked until he was satisfied, wiped his hands on his jeans, then plugged the cord back in. Together they pushed the fridge back into place. It sounded normal again. Ethan turned to her. “Now, the moment of truth.” He opened the door and stuck his hand toward the back. “Hey, I think it’s working.”
Laurel went on her tiptoes. “Really?” She stuck her hand in as well, feeling a wisp of cool air begin to circulate. “Wow, that’s amazing! Thank you so much! My mom is going to be ecstatic. You just saved us at least a couple hundred bucks.”
Suddenly, she realized how close they were standing again. The cool air may have been fixed in the fridge, but the air between Laurel and Ethan was getting pretty hot. She wanted to lean in, but she held her ground. She couldn’t put real moves on her fake boyfriend.
Laurel took a slow breath in. “Really, thank you.”
Too soon, he backed up and smiled, tipping an imaginary hat. “Anything for my pretend girlfriend’s mother.”
Laurel got a little shock, thinking that he had read her mind, but then she laughed. She felt about ten pounds of worries and cares lighter. “One of these days you’re going to have to ask me to do some more things for you so I don’t feel like such a leech. I’ll figure out a way to pay you back.”
He smiled again. His expression was rugged and somehow sweet at the same time. “I might take you up on that.”
She sucked in a breath. She wanted to hug him. To thank him, of course, but she also just wanted to be close enough to wonder about his aftershave again. Would kissing him seem too forward? Probably. Oh, and it might totally freak him out. So instead of hugging or kissing, she squeezed her hands to her sides and smiled. “I do owe you. Thanks again, I had no idea what to do.”
He stepped to his blue bag. “It’s no trouble. You did me a favor by getting me away from my brothers. They always seem to have one more thing for me to do.” Ethan peered into the cat’s box while he packed up. “You can give her canned meat if you have any, by the way. Chicken or tuna. No milk, though. And you might want to check around your neighborhood to see if anyone lost a kitten.” He stepped toward the door but stopped when he saw the painting above the kitchen table. “Huh. That’s really good. I like it.”
It was the quirky oil painting of fruits on top of their corresponding ice cream flavors from Laurel’s high school days. “Thanks. I’ve gotten better since then.”
His eyebrows shot up. “This is one of yours? I’m impressed.” He stepped closer to inspect it. “If that’s the kind of thing you are doing while you are supposed to be with me, covering for you is totally worth it.”
The compliment swept through her entire body and made a home in an expanded place next to her heart. Her brain was temporarily stalled, but for some reason, her mouth started moving anyway. “Well, now I’m working with different techniques, and I’m getting better with highlights and shadows …”
The corner of Ethan’s mouth quirked up.
She was doing it again. She was running her mouth off after getting a compliment about her art. She swallowed the rest of her explanation and said, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He turned back to her old painting. “I’d like to see more of
your stuff sometime. Actually, I have a friend whose wife owns a gallery in Scottsdale. I’m sure she’d love to see some of your work one of these days.”
Wait, Ethan had connections in the art world? Laurel’s mouth started running without her head again. “What? That’s crazy. How do you know someone that owns their own gallery?”
He shrugged. “I only know the husband—he’s a buddy from college. But I really would be happy to pass on your information to see if they’re interested, if you want.”
Laurel wasn’t sure she was ready for that step, and she didn’t want to get too excited over something that wasn’t guaranteed, but this whole conversation was making all her dreams taste a little more possible. “You would do that for me? I mean, when I’m all set to give it a try?”
He faced her fully, eyes meeting hers. “Of course.”
It felt like the sunrise was happening again, this time inside of her. She couldn’t stop her smile. Then she noticed Ethan’s shirt. “Oh wow, you’re covered in blood.” She glanced down at her own shirt. “I’m covered in blood. We look like we’re part of a crime scene.”
Ethan laughed. “Cold water and hydrogen peroxide will take it right out.”
Laurel shifted. “Right. Okay. Thanks for the tip.” She cleared her throat. “As you probably saw on your way in, I don’t have a lot of neighbors. If this cat doesn’t belong to any of them—” She cast her eyes downward. He’d done so much for her. She didn’t want to present him with another problem, but she sorta had to. “I don’t think my mom will let me keep her. She’s not a fan of pets. Too much work, too much money to feed them.” She winced. “Do I just drop her off at the animal shelter?” That would be terrible. What if nobody wanted to adopt her because she was damaged or something?
Ethan considered the kitten’s box. The wheels in his head seemed to spin for a second, then he smiled. “Naw. I’ll call you later to check up on her. And if you haven’t found a place for her, you can bring her by the ranch. We’ll take care of her.”
Laurel’s heart was all sunshine. “Really?”
He nodded. “Really. Kitty—the girl who’s marrying Landon—is the patron saint of stray cats. And Jax’s daughter loves cats, too. She’ll go nuts over this one.” His mouth quirked up one last time, and he walked to the door.
Laurel followed behind him as he approached his car. “I might find the owner though. And there’s an off chance that my mom won’t mind me keeping the cat. So don’t tell Kitty or your niece just yet. I wouldn’t want to get their hopes up.”
He opened his door and climbed in. “Don’t worry. I’m good at keeping secrets.” He winked, and shut the door.
Laurel watched him drive away, light sweeping through her heart. It was too bad he wasn’t sticking around in Bisbee, because this guy was something else. He was keeping her secrets. He helped save a random kitten.
And he liked her painting.
Chapter Eight
By the time Ethan made his way home, Dillon was at the stove, stirring something that smelled a lot like ground beef mixed with taco seasoning, while Jaxon stood at the counter, slicing lettuce and onions. Audrey knelt on a stool opposite Jax, plugging her nose. She looked up as Ethan walked in, her eyes going wide. Ethan probably looked a real sight with all the blood and dirt on his shirt. Jaxon must have seen Audrey’s reaction because he followed her gaze.
“Do you need help burying the body?” Jax asked, popping an olive in his mouth.
“Nah, it’s taken care of.”
Dillon glanced his way. “What in the world were you up to?”
“Nothing much. Just had to stitch up a kitten’s ear.”
“Kitten?” Jax and Audrey exclaimed in unison. Albeit, Audrey held much more excitement in her voice while Jax just seemed confused.
“Who in town do you know that has a cat?” Jaxon asked. “Better yet, who in town do you know, period?”
Ethan turned to hang his keys on the hook by the door. “It’s no big deal.”
“Yeah, but whose cat is it?” Jax persisted.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, Ethan reluctantly turned back to face his brother. “Just a stray. Like I said, no big deal.”
Dillon nodded to the bathroom. “Go get washed up. Landon went to go pick up Granny from Coyote Glen. Which reminds me, you need a date to the wedding. You already know what Granny’s gonna say if you don’t bring someone.”
“Unless, of course, you’re planning on taking Laurel?” A grin spread across Jaxon’s face.
“We’re not that serious,” Ethan said, running a hand through his hair. Pretending to go to coffee shops was one thing, asking her to actually go to a family wedding was quite another.
“So, what … Granny’s going to be your date?” Jaxon raised his brows.
Just as Jax finished talking, Kitty walked in holding a grocery bag. She wore her red hair up in a messy bun and a deep blue shirt with a long sweater over it. Skye followed close behind wearing ripped-up jeans and a T-shirt she must have gotten at a concert. Some band called Good Riddance.
“Need help?” Ethan offered.
“Nah, I’m good.” Kitty set the bag on the counter and pulled out a couple two liters of soda. “What are you all talking about? I thought I heard someone mention a date for Ethan?”
Ethan held in a sigh while Jaxon laughed. “Yep. Got any volunteers?”
“Oh, my goodness!” Kitty clasped her hands in front of her as if she had been waiting weeks to answer that exact question. “I know this girl. Gorgeous chestnut hair with blue eyes and a smile to die for. Her name’s Tammy. You would love her!” Kitty bit her lower lip. “Although, she is a little bit of a clean freak, so you’d have to, you know”—she waved in Ethan’s direction—“not ever look like that around her.”
Skye piped up next. “Oh! I catered the Thompson’s wedding last weekend and the bride’s sister is recently divorced. I can get her number if you want. She’s really pretty and smart, and once she gets over hating men, she’s going to be a super catch.” She gave a shrug as if to say that dating a woman with extreme trust issues wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Ethan put on a polite smile. “Thank you, ma’am, but I think I’ll do just fine on my own.”
“How old are you, Ethan?” Preston piped up as he walked into the kitchen. Punk kid. He knew full well that his oldest brother was pushing thirty. Ethan didn’t say a word, just took a deep breath.
He was about to make an excuse to leave, but Jax kept pushing the topic. “C’mon, Doc. There’s no harm in going on a couple dates. You don’t have to marry anybody or anything.”
“I’m fine,” Ethan said again, this time with a smile that was a little more strained. They were all acting like Granny. He wondered how much worse it would get when she got there for lunch.
Kitty put a hand on her hip, thinking. “Alright, so Tammy’s not your type … I get it. You like blondes.”
Skye looked deep in thought for a moment before getting all excited again. “I know—”
“Listen, I’m fine.” Ethan cut them off. “I don’t need help getting a date.”
Dillon turned off the stove and walked over to Skye, bringing her in for a side hug. “They’re just trying to help. No need to get all upset.”
Ethan refrained from sighing. “Not upset. I just already have a date.” He interrupted their whistles and the chorus of ooohs by saying, “Excuse me, I’ve got to go get cleaned up before Granny gets here.”
He ran upstairs and tried to find a clean shirt. He rummaged through his drawer and only found old shirts from high school. Apparently, it was time to do some laundry. He rubbed his neck and let out the sigh he’d been holding in since he got home. Why was his family always pestering him? He didn’t need to find a girl. He was a veterinarian on the verge of opening a clinic. He was successful, respected. What did he need to prove? It was as though all of his accomplishments meant nothing without a girl on his arm. Two more weeks, he reminded himself as he went acros
s the hall to Jaxon’s room to rifle through his drawers.
Finally, he found a faded green T-shirt and slipped it over his head. The shirt clung to him, stretching over his chest and biceps. Ethan wasn’t used to wearing such tight clothes, but he figured Jax had to earn tips at his adventure gig somehow. He went back to his room to search through his drawers again when he heard the doorbell ring. No time to find a new shirt. Besides, it was only Granny, and she wouldn’t care how small his shirt was. He’d do laundry after dinner.
He was washing his hands when he heard the door open.
“Oh, hey!” Jax said. “Got any more muffins?”
Ethan froze. Laurel was here?
“And what do you have there?” Jax asked, all polite charm.
“It’s a kitten!” Audrey and Kitty exclaimed in unison. Worried that the whole family was converging in on her, Ethan jogged down the stairs.
Jax pointed to the gray puffball cradled in Laurel’s hands, then looked to Ethan, “So this is the stray? And what in the world are you doing in Preston’s shirt?”
No wonder it was so tight. As much as Ethan tried to hide it, he could feel the red creep up his neck and onto his cheeks. When had Jaxon and Preston switched rooms? And how had he not noticed?
Laurel, on the other hand, had changed into shorts and a clean pink T-shirt, one that fit in all the right places. Nope. He wasn’t going to think about how pretty she looked or how good she smelled. He was going to take the kitten out to the barn and then she’d go home where his brothers couldn’t bother her.
Ethan was about to usher Laurel and her kitten out to the barn, but it was too late. A grin spread on Jax’s face. The light had finally clicked. “So you are that serious.”
“Excuse me, what?” Laurel turned to Ethan, confused.
“She’s your date then?” Skye chimed in.
Ethan cleared his throat. “Uh, yeah,” he said, avoiding Laurel’s gaze. “Let’s go get that cat settled in.”
