Page 120 of One Bossy Date

The fireman arrived soon, taking his wet hat off and shaking my hand.

“OMG. Look athim. What a gentleman.” I heard Jim say under his breath, nudging me in the side, before he spoke up. “Here, I’ll explain what happened since I saw itall.”

I smiled at Jim’s enthusiasm, and the fireman nodded, following Jim to the back room. I giggled and raised my brows to my gran who also sensed Jim’s sudden crush. Not five minutes later they were back out front. I was told that there was no more fire risk, as long as I kept the current off and had that electrician in to find the fault.

When we were alone again, I made a suggestion. “You know what, guys, why don’t you two head out? The customers are going to pick up their kitties within an hour. When the electrician is done, I’ll come home, Jim, and let you know what they said. Today, we’re closing early.”

“Well, if you’re sure?” he asked. “I don’t mind waiting with you.”

“It’s fine. Really.” I shook my head. “I could do with the little extra time to pack some of these things away until we’re ready to use them.” I looked at all the new dog grooming things. “There’s nothing to do here, and we’d just be in each other’s way.”

They both gave in and nodded.

“All right, honey,” Jim said. “I could use a pedicure. How about you, Dotty? My treat.”

“Sure, why not?”

Gran took her Tupperware and Jim took off his apron. After a kiss from both, I was left alone in the now-dark store with my feline company.

I still had a good half-hour to wait for the electrician and about one more hour until the customers came to pick up their cats, so I began to pack the new goodies back in their boxes, intending to just set them down in the little back room I used to sleep in. When I finished with one box, I picked it up and walked to the back.

I heard the distinct sound of the front door opening and closing.

The electrician.

“Oh, I’m here,” I called. “Coming.”

I rushed out to the front, expecting to see a dirty-looking man with a toolbox. But it was far from that. I stopped in my tracks.

The man didn’t look dirty. And he wasn’t carrying a toolbox.

My heart stumbled.

Shivers raced across my flesh, stealing my breath.

Anders stood in my dimly lit store, drenched, rainwater dripping from his hair and his face.

A major sense of déjà vu hit me, except this time, the handsome man wasn’t holding a black umbrella. He was holding a bouquet of yellow roses and wearing a yellow tie. The tie had a dancing lemon across the front with the words “Living My Zest Life.”

I wanted to laugh at the sight, but I was too stunned. “Anders?”

He pointed at the tie. “It was the only yellow tie they had at the airport.”

“What are you doing here? Weren’t you flying out today?”

“I was. I asked the captain to turn back.”

39

ANDERS

Zoe was wearing one of her bright-pink dresses, and I had to admit to myself that I’d missed seeing her colorful clothing brighten my day, even if it wasn’t yellow. It was certainly lighting me up right now.

Zoe looked a little out of sorts. Her hair wasn’t quite as neat as it usually was, and she had dirty streaks across her dress.

Only then, I noticed that the store was completely dark.

“Is everything okay here?” I asked, quickly looking around and noticing a fire extinguisher next to the counter. What had she been through?

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