Page 28 of When Annika Met Thom

“Leash or cage,” he repeated, biting off the words. “It’s not that complicated.”

“I made a mistake!”

That was evident.

Annika shook her head. “Another one,” she said with disgust. “First I hurt your feelings this morning, insulting the person who’s been nicest to me since I got here, then I didn’t fasten the latch properly.” She pushed a hand through her hair. “I made brownies as an apology,” she said, sounding defeated and Thom had to do something other than stare at her or he’d do something he’d regret.

Why was he always attracted to women on the rebound?

Thom grabbed Cerberus’ leash and eased open the bedroom door. Her big nose was immediately shoved through the crack, her entire body wagging in excitement. He put the clip on her collar as he patted her and rubbed her ears, smiling as she licked his hands in her enthusiasm. As he’d expected, as soon as he straightened, she looked toward the fridge, eyes bright with anticipation. It was a good thing she was on the leash because she lunged in that direction next. “Sit,” he said and she did, vibrating in place with her enthusiasm.

“She’s well trained.”

“She’s too big not to be.”

“She’s crazy about you.”

Thom shrugged. “Wonders never cease,” he murmured and Annika laughed, just a little. Her eyes sparkled and she looked about a million times better.

“Do you have any helpful ideas from your wealth of ferret experience?”

He headed for the door. “Go with the easiest one. See if you can coax him out with food.”

She made a face. “I’ve tried that, though. He loves fish and I cooked him some at lunch. No luck.”

“But this time, the dog will be gone.”

She nodded. “You’re right. He has to be hungry. I’ll make a trail of fish bits to his cage.”

“Move the cage closer first,” Thom suggested, knowing how tough it was to catch a reluctant ferret. “About five feet and put the bites six inches apart. That’ll give him enough to eat that you’ll have the chance to get behind him and secure the door once he’s in. Wait beside the fridge, there, and be ready to grab him.”

“Wow, a lecture series,” Annika said with a smile, teasing him. “I didn’t think you had that many words in you.”

Thom felt the back of his neck heat. “When the situation demands it.”

She laughed again. “Okay. Thanks.” She took a dish out of the fridge and cast him a playful glance. “Wish me luck.”

“Luck,” Thom said, then took Cerberus to the park. He threw the ball for her and let her run, thinking all the while about Percival.

Well, not all the time. He thought more about Annika.

Then he remembered the one temptation Rhea’s ferrets hadn’t been able to resist.

Four

Luck wasn’t with Annika at all. She heard Percival moving under the fridge and thought she glimpsed the tip of his nose, but he wasn’t coming out. She had a feeling he was watching her and plotting his strategy to stay free forever.

She could imagine it. He’d escape into the sewers of Manhattan and live wild, mingling with the alligators and vampires who haunted the hidden passageways beneath the city…

Stop. Just stop.

She could see Thom and Cerberus in the park and knew they’d be back soon.

She edged the first bite of fish closer to the fridge. “Come on, Percival. It’s fish. Your favorite. And you’ll be safe in your cage when the big dog returns.” She heard a little scuttle. She held her breath. She saw him peek out, then he snatched the piece of fish in his mouth and disappeared under the fridge again.

She moved another piece of fish closer.

Percival hadn’t made a move on it by the time Thom came back. He glanced her way and she admitted failure. “He got one piece, but he’s staying put.”

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