Chapter Three
“Hey, Nick,” teased Michael, as they drove toward Haven Cat Sanctuary, “you sure you’re up to date on your tetanus shots?”
Nick glowered. “No cat jokes.”
“I’m only partly joking. I am being serious about the tetanus shot, though. You don’t exactly have a great track record with the kitties.”
“Don’t I know it?”
“You can always bow out of this gig.”
“Nah, I can handle it. As long as the cats stay in their territory, I’ll stay in mine.”
Memories crowded Nick as they drove farther into the country. He’d sort of forgotten about his trouble with cats. It had been so long since he’d encountered one. Most of his buddies had dogs.
Michael was right. For some strange reason, cats had never warmed to Nick, not even when he was a kid.
There had been several failed attempts to adopt cats when they were little, but their parents had always had to rehome the animals.
Whereas cats always showered love and attention all over Michael and Eli, Nick had been less than comfortable around the creatures.
He’d been bitten and scratched a few times.
Even now, when he saw one, his childhood instinct to flee kicked in. Sad, but true.
And now, he was on his way to help restore a fricking cat sanctuary.
God help him.
At least these cats would be in kennels, or so Lacey had assured him.
They turned onto yet another country road, but it wasn’t long before they came to a long driveway.
The sign out front had seen better days.
It didn’t look as if it had been painted in years.
Nick could still make out the name, though.
“Haven Cat Sanctuary…more than just a shelter. Established 1980.”
It was clear that the sanctuary had some history and a place in the community. Lacey had given them the details, but seeing it now, Nick could tell how important it was to the owners.
Owner, rather. There was only one owner.
Claire Brewer, a young widow who had married into her husband’s family business, only to lose him afterward.
Although she apparently had a battalion of volunteers on hand, she was struggling with the upkeep.
When her sister had applied to Handymen, her email had said this might be Claire’s last chance to save the sanctuary.
Loving the pet angle, and knowing it would bring good ratings, Lacey had moved heaven and earth to schedule their new guests.
Michael parked the pickup in the lot to the left of the main building. Nick got out and looked around. The sanctuary itself was a sizable building, but needed a lot of love. Even a quick glance confirmed that the windows needed replacing, the gutters were sagging and the siding was in disrepair.
In the back of the large property, across a field, there was a gorgeous Victorian farmhouse. As a lover of old architecture, Nick hoped they might get a look inside it as well.
Eli, Lacey and the rest of the crew arrived in short order, and they all parked their vehicles. Eli got out of his truck and hurried over. “Uh, Nick. I let it slip to a couple of people that you’re nervous around cats. If anyone gives you grief, send them to me.”
“Which couple of people, Eli?”
“Louie and Rex. Sorry, little brother.”
Right on cue, the two camera men bounded over. Louie forced his jovial face into a mask of severity and clapped Nick on his shoulder. “Nick, buddy, I want you to know I would never make fun of you for being afraid of cats. That being said, I hear there’s a mean tortoiseshell asking for you.”
The two men choked back their laughter.
“Ha ha,” said Nick. “It’s okay. Get it all out of your system now. I know it’s ridiculous. But when they find my remains in the kennels next week, nibbled by a hundred little mouths, you’ll all be sorry.”
Nick didn’t really mind a bit of gentle razzing.
The crew members were tight and they understood when not to push someone.
Besides, he could see the hilarity in a grown man being squeamish around a bunch of adorable furballs.
He’d allow Louie and Rex this one laugh.
He knew they had his back. God only knew, when the shit had hit the fan with Kristy, the crew had been nothing but supportive, and continued to be.
When the sanctuary door opened, all thoughts of Kristy fizzled.
A group of about five people emerged, most of them wearing identical T-shirts that identified them as volunteers.
Leading them was the most beautiful woman Nick had ever seen. He had to remind himself to not let his jaw hang open.
Whoa. Was this Claire Brewer?
Even though he’d known she was young, he’d still formed a different image of her in his head—one that looked a lot like an older Jane Goodall, for some reason.
Nick had always been confident, but now he moved behind Eli’s shoulder. After having had a few uncomfortable exchanges with complete strangers, he’d grown wary of meeting new people.
Claire walked over to greet Lacey first, and from his vantage point, Nick was able to check her out in greater detail.
She was petite—shorter than Lacey, maybe about five-four, but she held herself high.
Her black hair was tied up in a bun, framing a heart-shaped face.
She had gorgeous eyes, big and dark, and strong eyebrows. Her full lips were painted a soft pink.
Entirely kissable.
Claire wore a T-shirt, rubber boots and tight jeans, which highlighted her curvy figure.
Those hips. Nick could forget his own name around those hips.
But what made him break into a smile was the slogan on her T-shirt—Small, but mighty.
He liked her already.
“Claire,” said Lacey, bringing her over, “I know you already met Michael when he came for the initial meeting. Let me introduce you to the rest of our team.”
Nick’s heartbeat sped up. He waited for someone from the sanctuary group to point and laugh, but it didn’t happen.
Thank Christ.
However, as Claire spoke with Michael and Eli, her gaze darted toward Nick a couple of times.
Was that vile hashtag forming on her lips? Was she already making a judgment about him?
He didn’t think so. There didn’t seem to be any cruel amusement in her eyes.
Even still, his palms began to sweat. Hastily, he wiped them on his jeans.
“And this is Nick, our decking expert,” said Lacey. “He’s got plans to incorporate something special in the back yard. Isn’t that right, Nick?”
Nick stepped out from behind Eli. For some reason, his tongue grew three sizes in his mouth. He cleared his throat. “Excuse me. That’s right. Nice to meet you, Claire.”
The sanctuary owner’s cheeks reddened. Nerves, probably.
“Nice to meet you, too.” She addressed the group.
“Thank you all for coming. When my sister applied to get us on your show, I had no idea what to expect. I mean, I watch the show. Of course, I watch. I just wasn’t sure how everything would unfold.
” She grimaced. “Anyway, we appreciate you being here. I appreciate you being here.” Her gaze flew back to Nick again, then she muttered something.
Nick wasn’t the only tongue-tied one, it seemed.
Lacey took over. “In a few weeks, everyone, Claire is going to be holding an open house. The idea is to adopt out as many cats as possible and find them forever homes. Our goal here is to get the sanctuary ready for that event so it looks better than it ever has. Does that sound good, Claire?”
The tight dip of Claire’s head could be construed as a nod.
Lacey brought her over to meet the rest of the team, and everyone mingled for a few minutes.
Once she was out of earshot, Eli elbowed Nick. “Did I see some chemistry there, little brother?”
“You need to get your eyes checked.”
“I mean it. She blushed when she saw you.”
“Eli, shut up.” After everything that had happened with Kristy, Nick doubted most women would feel any chemistry around him.
He wasn’t even sure he knew what chemistry felt like anymore. Although, something had sparked in his gut when he’d checked out Claire’s T-shirt.
Michael joined in. “She’s cute, Nick. Just your type.”
Nick lowered his voice. “She’s a cat lady.”
“So?”
“She’s also a widow. Show some respect, guys.”
“Of course we have respect for her,” said Eli. “That doesn’t change the fact she was checking you out.”
“Shut. Up. They’re coming back.”
Lacey stood before the group. “Okay, everyone. I’d like the construction and camera crews to get set up.
Claire has set aside one of the exam rooms for makeup.
The Haven staff has kindly set up a tent in the back of the building for craft services.
The crafties will have coffee and snacks ready soon.
I need Michael, Eli and Nick. Claire is going to give us a quick tour of the property and we’ll go over our timelines. Thanks, team.”
As the crew members settled into the familiar first-day routine, Claire led the others inside. “Well,” she said. “I guess we should start with the reason we’re all here. My cats.”
Oh, joy. Nick’s gut seized. Let it go. You’re a grown man.
At least Michael and Eli kept their mouths closed about his embarrassing fear.
Claire opened the door. “Welcome to the B&B. This is where we keep our furbabies.”
A multitude of cats meowed and brushed up against their kennels. Nick had to stop himself from turning around and getting into Michael’s truck.
Breathe. They’re in kennels.
In truth, he could hardly call them kennels.
They were more like condos, and were equipped with toys.
Spacious and bright, the room looked as if it could house about a hundred cats, and it was almost filled to capacity.
Only these cats didn’t look sad and scared like other shelter cats did on those humane society commercials.
These ones appeared healthy and clean and seemed content in their surroundings.
It was obvious whatever money Claire made went into caring for the animals.
Something told him she’d give her last dollar to feed a cat, rather than herself.
Lacey squealed. “Can I pet them?”