Page 4 of A Cuddly Christmas
Once Wyatt has her out of the room, I wash my hands and go back to my office to grab my stuff. I want to make sure I’m home in time to get my delivery.
“Mrs. Gentry is signed up for the next class,” Wyatt says when he pokes his head in my office. “Do you need anything else before I take off?”
“No, I’m good. You were a huge help today, and thanks again for not quitting.”
He laughs as he shakes his head. “It’s all good. I can’t wait to tell my friends tomorrow.”
Wyatt is in high school and works here in the afternoons a couple of days a week for extra money. He knows everyone, so he’s been a big help in me meeting the locals, but I honestly think he loves this job because of the drama.
“No names,” I tell him, and he nods.
“Got it,” he calls over his shoulder before heading out.
It takes me a few minutes to chart Earl’s visit and close up the office, but as soon as I’m done, I hop in my car and head home.
I moved to Cheerful not too long ago, and since then I’ve been getting my vet clinic established along with renovating a house on the water. It’s still pretty close to town, but it’s got a lot of land, which is what I was looking for. I’ve got several animals that need space, but I want to be close if there’s an emergency with one of my patients.
When I get home, I’m greeted by Dominick first. He’s the miniature donkey I rescued and the reason I wanted to move out of the city. He brays his loud hello as I get out of the car and go over to pet him. His little ears twitch, and I scratch behind them, loving how he leans into it.
As soon as he hears tires on the driveway, he takes off running into the barn. He’s skittish after being kept in an indoor warehouse zoo with lots of loud sounds and people for most of his life. He’s gotten a lot better just in the few months I’ve been working with him. I think with enough time, he’s going to be really happy here. Right now, though, if he hears something that scares him, he takes off like a bullet. Sometimes I think he might actually run through the barn door if I didn’t keep it open.
In the distance I see Tilly pulling in the driveway, and I walk back over to my car.
“Good timing,” I tell her as she hops out, and I don’t miss the way she scowls at me.
There’s something about her that makes every part of my body feel hot. One look and the woman gives me a fever. I don’t know if it’s her cute scowls or the way she tries to ignore me, but the more she acts like she hates me, the more I want her.
I recognize that maybe that’s not the healthiest way to start a relationship, but I’m determined to get her to smile.
“Thanks for coming all the way out here to deliver my stuff.”
“It’s part of the job,” she says, not looking at me.
I follow her to the back of her truck and reach to take the tailgate down for her.
“I can do it,” she says, moving in front of me.
“Sorry, I was only trying to help.” God, I am fucking this up.
“Here you go.” She turns around with a large box in her arms, and I hurry to take it from her.
“Thank you again for delivering,” I tell her, trying not to sound like an idiot. “Your hardware store is the best in town.”
“It’s the only one in town.”
“Oh yeah, that’s true.” Is there a hole around here I could crawl inside and die? Normally I’m good with people, but Tilly makes me feel like I’m an alien inside a human’s body trying to talk for the first time ever.
Her eyes meet mine, and I’m struck by her beauty. The cute freckles that sprinkle across her nose are adorable, and for some reason I want to lie in bed with her and count them.
“Why don’t you come inside?” I ask, and she blinks at me.
“What for?”
That’s a good question, Paxton. Why the hell would she want to come inside my house? “I’ve got a kitten?”
“Oh.” She perks up at this information, and then she narrows her eyes. “Wait, are you trying to lure me into your murder house with a kitten?”
“I’d like to think it’s less of a murder house and more of a construction zone. But I can see your point. Honestly, if someone wanted to abduct me, that would be the way to do it. I’m a sucker for a kitten.”
