Halfway There

“We might have to take you up on that.”

She appreciated that he didn’t point out the cat was doing great and didn’t seem to need much of anything. She, on the other hand, could use a hug. Her gaze slid to Ryan’s retreating back. She would bet he was a great hugger. She liked that in a guy. When he held on tight, as if he would never let go. Although not in a scary, stalker kind of way.

Not that she was interested in Ryan. She had goals and a plan. Part of that plan was to avoid romance for the next four years. There would be plenty of time for fun later.

CHAPTER TWO

RYAN SAVED HIS work on his program, then stood and stretched. It was after five. This was his second week working for Ethan. As the job was only for a couple of months and he didn’t know anyone in town, Ryan had been working until at least eight. But tonight was different. All day he’d been conscious of Fayrene sitting at the front desk in the office. She’d answered phones, typed on her keyboard and checked on Misty about every fifteen minutes. From what he could tell, she was efficient and a bit of a worrier. Now that she wasn’t running around screaming about the cat, he’d noticed she had the sexiest walk he’d seen in a while. Or ever.

He grabbed his leather jacket. While the early spring days were warm in Fool’s Gold, the nights could be cool. He was staying at Ronan’s Lodge—a nice hotel in town. It meant he could walk back and forth to work. It also meant dealing with the weather.

Now he moved toward Fayrene’s desk. She’d gathered her belongings and looked ready to bend down to collect the box containing Misty and her three kittens.

“I’ll get her,” he said, stepping around the desk and lifting the box. “Taking her home for the night?”

Fayrene nodded. She was pale with worry. He could see the strain in her eyes. “I spoke to Misty’s owner, Charity. The bike race was today, so they’re coming back tomorrow to be with her. I just have to get through until then.”She bit her lower lip. “You really think she might have more kittens?”

“It’s possible.”

“That’s a long time to be in labor.”

“I don’t think she’s in pain.”

Misty lay with her kittens snuggled close. Her eyes were half-closed, and she was purring.

“I guess not,” Fayrene said.

Ryan surrendered to the inevitable and put the box on the desk. “I could stay with you and sit up with her, if that would help.”

Fayrene stared at him. “I don’t think so. I barely know you. You can’t come over to my place.”

If he hadn’t been holding the cat and her babies, he would have raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. “I wasn’t suggesting anything. Just offering. We could stay here, if you’d feel safer.”

“You’d spend the night in this office to help me watch over the cat?”

“Sure.”

“That’s very nice of you, but I don’t think so.”

He couldn’t read her tone, so he wasn’t sure if she was paying him a compliment or mocking him. “It’s how I was raised.”

She studied him for a second. “Wallet in your back pocket?” she asked.

“Sure, but what—”

His question was cut off when he felt her fingers tugging the wallet free. She flipped it open and then picked up the phone and dialed.

“Police Chief Barns, please. It’s Fayrene Hopkins.”

“You’re calling the police?” he asked, thinking his grumpy uncle had been right. No good deed went unpunished.

“Hi, Alice,” Fayrene said with a smile. “I need you to run a background check on someone.” She explained about Misty and the kittens and his offer. “His name is Ryan Patterson. He’s from Washington State.” She gave Alice his date of birth and license number, then glanced back at him. “Nice picture.”

“Thanks.”

She covered the mouthpiece. “I dated Alice’s oldest when I was in high school. We went to prom. She’s always liked me.”

He couldn’t decide if Fayrene’s actions impressed him or made him want to recant his offer. He supposed a little of both. He respected her need to protect herself, even as he was uncomfortable being investigated by the police. Not that he had anything to hide, but still.

Fayrene pointed to the bowl of jelly beans on her desk.

“Want one?”

“No, thanks.”

She picked out a couple. “Green apple. I haven’t been eating much fruit lately.”

He stared at her. “That’s a jelly bean, not fruit.”

“Uh, no. It’s a Jelly Belly.”

“There’s a difference?”

“Duh.” She uncovered the mouthpiece and listened for a minute. “Uh-huh. Okay, thanks. I’ll tell him. No, I haven’t heard from Jim. Alice, you have to let it go.” She paused, then smiled again. “That’s sweet. I’ll let you know if anything changes. Bye.”

She hung up. “Alice says I’m her favorite of her Jim’s girlfriends, and she would like us to get back together.”

“That going to happen?”

“No. We had fun, but we outgrew each other a long time ago.” She tucked a loose strand of blond hair behind her ears and grabbed more Jelly Bellys. “You have no arrests, but you have two speeding tickets on your record. Police Chief Barns wants me to remind you that local law enforcement takes the speed limit very seriously here in Fool’s Gold.”

“Good to know.”

She studied him for a second. “If you’re serious about staying with me tonight, that is not going to happen. However, I would appreciate you stopping by for a few hours, just in case more kittens arrive. But I want to be clear I’m inviting you over as a friend. I’m not sleeping with you.”

Ryan laughed. “Thanks for clarifying. I wasn’t planning on more than cat sitting, by the way.”

She flushed. “I realize you hadn’t asked, but I’ve learned it’s best to get everything out in the open so there aren’t any misunderstandings.”

“A wise philosophy.”

“Now you’re making fun of me.”

“Maybe a little.”

She was an interesting combination of hysterical and capable, he thought. She might not be comfortable around Misty in labor, but she was willing to call the local police chief and check on him.

He shrugged into his jacket. “How far’s your place? I left my car at the hotel.”