Page 11 of Elusive Mate

“Thanks. Me, too. Now what?” Zenya asked as she sat down at the table next to Caye.

“I have the rest of your documentation, including your license to practice medicine and a diploma from the University of North Carolina. We’re going to take a picture and get it included in their alumni photos. We have a bank account set up for you as well as a bunch of other stuff. Your passport should be mailed to you in a week or so. We wanted to use a current snapshot. I don’t want to worry you, but make sure you vary your routine. I don’t think anyone can find you, but apparently Lucian and your brother are moving heaven and earth to do so, so keep on your toes for a while. No medical miracles or breakthroughs. No being the first vet to go to the moon or break the record for long-distance swimming. Live your life. Enjoy it but try to stay out of the papers.”

“Will do,” Zenya said with a laugh. “Now, where the hell am I going?”

“Manteo, North Carolina. It’s a little town on the Outer Banks—Roanoke Island, to be exact. It’s one of the more accessible islands, which also means if it becomes necessary, we have options to get you off. It’s a really cool little town. We didn’t do a lot of the furnishing, as we thought you’d want to do that yourself. The mortgage is not quite a year old, and you’ve had all your utilities for more than eight months. I really like the little seaside cottage you picked. Instead of an employer, you bought part of an ongoing practice with the idea that the vet who started the clinic will retire in five years. There’s a whole partnership agreement, but we had one of our lawyers handle it.”

“I’ll pay you back for all these expenses.”

“Not to worry. The Shadow Sisters are well-funded.”

Zenya laughed. “Were you able to get the bed?”

Some five months ago, Caye had sent her a picture of an ornate iron bed that Zenya had fallen in love with.

Caye grinned. “I was. I also got you sheets, towels, and blankets. I figured you’d want to pick out your own quilt and stuff. We also got you a really cool seagrass chair, ottoman, some electronics, as well as basic kitchen stuff and some groceries. Again, we thought you’d want to do a lot of that yourself. Questions? Concerns?”

“None. Just—I don’t think I can ever thank you or do enough to repay what you’ve done for me. If I can ever help…”

“Most likely we’ll take you up on that, but not for a while. You need to get settled in your new life. We’ll be keeping an eye out and don’t forget to check in regularly. Keep the burner phone we gave you, but here’s a phone that your new employer, the bank, and the utilities all have. If you’re going to use Darcie, you can put her phone number in there. I’ll program her burner phone into yours. I think you’re going to do great. Like I said, your brother and his alpha are chasing their tails but getting nowhere.” Caye stood up. “Well, give me a hug and get on your way. You’ll want to get to your new place while the sun is still shining. The sunsets are pretty there, but oh my god. Wait until you see the sunrise.”

Zenya hugged her close. “Thank you for everything. Now I’m going to leave before I start crying and ruin my mascara.”

Caye stepped back. “Take care, and live your life for all those who either can’t or won’t find their way. One last thing—” Caye handed her a new key fob. “We got you a sportier Jeep. The registration is to your new place. I had them move your stuff over.”

Not knowing what else to say, Zenya turned and headed out to her new-to-her Jeep Wrangler with a removable soft top. She took the top off, stowed it away and headed out, waving her hand over her head and never looking back.

Manteo, North Carolina

One Week Later

Zenya called her new partner while she was on the road, and they agreed Zenya would begin work the following Monday. That gave her five days to get settled in. She thought she might spend Saturday early morning baking cookies to take in to the staff and clients. The clinic was open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday until five in the afternoon, until eight in the evening on Wednesday, and noon on Saturday. They were closed Sunday and would alternate who took the Saturday morning shift. Whoever worked Saturday, didn’t work the next Monday.

Driving down the main street, Zenya was impressed with the number of coffee houses, boutiques, places to eat, and interior design and décor stores. Her plan was to go see her new home first, unload the Jeep, and make an assessment of what she needed. Her little cottage was nestled into a small inlet with four other similarly designed cottages—all a little bit different and staggered and landscaped to give a lot of privacy. Hers had a wide porch all the way across the front with a porch swing already hung. It was the most welcoming thing she’d ever seen, and Zenya had to fight back tears.

She parked her Jeep in the gravel drive and entered her own fenced backyard, trotting up the steps to the small deck, entering her home for the first time through the rear door. The first thing she saw was a washer and dryer sitting in two opposite alcoves with open shelving over the washer and a hanging bar over the dryer. Both were front loaders and had butcher block counters on top for folding and prep. Through the doorway was her kitchen. She just about swooned—white lower cupboards, the same butcher block counters, navy blue subway tiles laid in a chevron pattern for a backsplash and butcher block open shelving. There was an electric cooktop set into the large island and double wall ovens. The farmhouse sink was placed in front of a window and all the finishes were simple and elegant.

There was a coastal theme throughout the house, but nothing kitschy. The vinyl plank flooring was perfect for a coastal retreat and was in keeping with the beachy feel of the house. Beyond the kitchen was a large open dining space with enormous windows, and a light, bright living room with a built-in fireplace.

The cottage had a powder room off the kitchen and two bedrooms—one larger than the other with its own ensuite. The smaller would be perfect for a home office. It was, in her opinion, perfect. She made her way into the bedroom. Caye had lied. There were two televisions—one in the living room and one in her bedroom. Both were sitting on the floor. Furniture shopping was definitely on the agenda for tomorrow as was a trip to the grocery store. And the bed was not only set up but had been made with sheets and a blanket.

She returned to the kitchen and made a quick list of what she would need in terms of groceries. Glancing at her watch, she realized she might be able to pick up a couple of furniture pieces from a little store she’d spotted on her way in. Jumping back into her Jeep, she headed back into town and found the little store.

“Hi there! Welcome to the Mad Cottage. I’m Liv. This is my place. Are you visiting Manteo?”

“Actually, I bought a house here a while ago and am just now getting around to really furnishing it.”

“What do you need?” Liv asked helpfully.

“Everything,” Zenya laughed. “I’m Zenya Harrison…”

“The new vet. Then you are most welcome. Dr. Brooks is sure glad you’re coming aboard. I don’t want to fuss but let me know if you have questions or I can help.”

“My biggest need is a quilt and shams, at least one night stand, a couple of lamps and something to put in the living room to hold a television and maybe a dresser for the bedroom. I need just about everything.”

“Colors? Do you want your furniture to match? And how do you feel about painted furniture?”

“Soothing coastal colors—nothing too bright or flashy. I hate matchey-matchey furniture and love the painted stuff, especially the white distressed look.”

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