Chapter 2 #2
“Well, thanks again, Colin.” I watch him put the other three kittens in a crate with a blanket and put my new friend back in the box I brought with me.
He then grabs a starter kit and hands it to me, absentmindedly touching my hand for a second too long.
Damnit, those hands were even perfect. Hard and a bit callused from labor while still somewhat smooth.
I wonder what he’s done to get those calluses.
Our eyes connect. Don’t even get me started on those eyes!
It’s time to get the hell out of dodge before I hit on him.
“See you in a few weeks, Sydney. It was my pleasure.” Colin seemed to purr the last part, but that was probably all in my head as he leads me back to the waiting room and holds the front door open for me.
Color me surprised when he follows me out to the car and opens my door so that I don’t have to jumble the kitten around trying to get in the car.
Courteous. Another check. I smile, thank him again, and wave as I pull out of the parking lot to drive home, all the while trying to regain my composure after meeting Dr. Gorgeous. Rephrase that, he has a name. Colin.
???
Colin
Wow…I watch as Sydney pulls away, driving off toward the direction of where I live.
That woman is beautiful. Undoubtedly, unbelievably sexy.
She has the most stunning, sun-kissed light brown hair that seems silky enough to run my fingers through while staring into those emerald eyes that had me mesmerized in that exam room.
She has a wide smile that lights up her whole face, with lips full and sensuous, just begging to be traced with my fingertips.
She is lean and muscular, the good kind for a woman, which shows exquisitely in that pair of wicked shorts.
When she turned and sashayed toward the door to leave, the view was enough to bring any red-blooded male to his knees.
Before I even knew what I was doing, I was following her out the door to her car.
I was able to at least play that off as a gentlemanly gesture of getting her car door since her hands were full, even though the thoughts crossing my mind were far from gentlemanly.
If I’m right, she could very well be my new neighbor.
That would make her Mabel’s granddaughter. I miss that old broad. She sure was a little spit-fire for an old lady. I walk back into the clinic to find Brynleigh peering at me with knowing eyes.
“My, my…am I seeing this right? Because you look like someone whacked you over the head good and gave you starry eyes.” Brynleigh giggles and starts typing on her keyboard.
“I haven’t seen you look at a girl like that in years!
She was really pretty though. Gotta say, it looked pretty mutual.
When you walked into the room, she was stunned speechless.
” She looks back up at me from her computer screen and waves her hand up and down in front of me in her typical dramatic fashion.
“You do tend to have that effect on the ladies with all that charm, though. Especially when you flash them those pearly whites.”
“Very funny, Brynleigh.” I feel a blush creep up my neck.
Was I that obvious? “Well, I’m done for the day.
I guess it was a good thing I dropped back by.
I was just checking in to make sure everything was going well with Mrs. Simon’s dog boarded in the back.
He’s playing in the open area for a Little Bit.
Please put him back and check in on the kittens before you lock up.
Amy and I will come play a little with him this evening, and I’ll do another feed for the littles. See ya later.”
I fish my keys out of my pocket, pushing out the door as Brynleigh hollers goodbye, still giggling to herself over my reaction to Sydney.
Brynleigh’s a good secretary, but she knows me too well.
She’s a cute blonde with big blue eyes, but as Mark’s little sister, she’s completely off limits.
I’d never really looked at her that way.
Since I met Mark in high school, I’d known her since she was little.
That practically put her in little sis territory. I’ll always see her as little Brynnie.
The ride home is quick, and it is already getting close to six.
As soon as I pull the parking gear and hop out of the truck, I can hear Amy barking her head off at the window, all excited for my arrival.
I open the door to my favorite, four-legged friend, wiggling her butt like crazy with a ball in her jaw.
I reach down to rub her head in hello and grab the ball from her.
She follows me to the kitchen while I pull out a beer from the fridge, the sound of her paws padding behind me as we walk out to the deck to start up the grill.
I ignite the grill then launch the ball out toward the beach.
Amy happily scampers off to retrieve it.
I have a half-pound of hamburger with my name on it in the fridge.
As much as I love cooking, I would rather be cooking for two rather than just myself.
In that second, I wonder if Sydney would like my cooking.
As I slap my burgers on the grill, I entertain the idea of having her here sipping lemonade while barbecuing some chicken.
In my mind, it looks pretty good. I don’t immediately scoff at it.
After I finish eating my two small cheeseburgers with some sour cream and cheddar chips, I sit back and just enjoy the sound of the ocean while Amy lays at my feet chewing on her ball as happy as can be.
Mabel’s granddaughter… Thinking about it, I could see some similarities.
I could see her apparent love for animals, and then there were her eyes.
Obviously, I couldn’t really go off any other looks since I didn’t know Mabel when she was younger, and I just met Sydney so I don’t really know her character yet.
I figure, though, if Mable left her the house, then they must have been really close. Sydney likely has many of her traits.
Hopefully, she’s more of a handyman; oops…
make that handywoman, than Mabel was. I would be more than willing to help Sydney fix anything if it meant getting to spend some time with her.
Ah, after we’d moved into this place, Mabel always seemed to have something that needed help fixing.
The fresh lemonade and fruit were always worth it.
I also figured she kept asking for my help not only because I was good at it, but because I suspected she was rather lonely.
She said her daughter lived in New Hampshire, but she didn’t get very much time off to come visit.
I do remember her saying that her only granddaughter was going to school in Missouri.
Mabel always spoke fondly of her. I don’t remember her ever mentioning a name though.
I look down the beach toward the old house.
It really is a beautiful home. Jenna had always talked about someday living in one like it.
She loved the huge bay windows and the widow’s walk.
She also found the back patio charming with the way Mabel always had tons of flowers everywhere in every color imaginable.
From this distance, I can see a few lights shining throughout the house.
I’m not close enough to be able to see her moving around.
“Good thing…” I mumble out loud, reaching down to scratch Amy behind her ear. If I could see, I probably wouldn’t be able to quit looking, and I’m not really fond of the whole stalkerish vibe that would be sending.
“Come on, Amy.” I pat my thigh to get the dog’s attention.
“Time to go inside.” Amy gladly gets up and nuzzles my hand, so I affectionately rub her behind the ear again before standing to head inside.
I glance one more time toward Mabel’s place, feeling drawn to Sydney.
That woman is already turning you inside out, and you’ve barely talked to her.
I sigh at my inner monologue, shaking my head.
Jenna would want me to move on and be happy, but for some reason, I just can’t help but feel a little guilty.