Entice Me Box Set: The Truth About Shoes and Men\Cover Me\My Favorite Mistake (20 page)

I got a warm, cozy feeling inside—this was his neighborhood, and it was nice to see people relating to each other. But the episode also reminded me of his fairly dangerous hobby.

“How often do you get called to put out fires?” I asked nervously.

“Not very often, especially since we’ve had so much rain this year.”

“Can you give me an average?” I pressed.

He shrugged. “Maybe once a month. The town is lucky to have a large group of volunteers, so if I’m on an emergency call, I don’t feel pressured to respond.”

I exhaled. So the chances were good that this week would pass without incident. Of course, whether I could avoid creating further disasters was yet to be seen. Today wasn’t going so badly, though—at least the only casualty of the skunk incident was our clothing. I looked heavenward. I could only hope my mohair sweater and Via Spiga loafers were in a better place.

“Where is the pound?” I asked.

“On the other end of town, near the county seat, just a few minutes’ ride.”

The scenery was lovely. We passed a little park full of swing sets, an elementary school, a drive-in theater and a car wash. Motel, public library, a factory and lumber yard. It was all so alien, yet so familiar, true Americana, quaint things I’d heard about and read about, but had never seen, and wasn’t sure I had believed existed. I glanced over at Sam’s handsome profile, relaxed but observant, surveying his town. Unbidden, my heart welled up, and I remembered my strategy to interview him for my article when things got touchy.

I dragged out my pad and pen. “How often do you visit the pound?”

“Usually once a week, depending on how busy they are. I do immunizations, and surgeries when they need me, and—”

I looked up. “And?”

“Put the animals down when necessary.”

I blinked. “Euthanasia?”

He nodded. “A sad reality of my business. There are way too many unwanted animals in the world.”

I put down my pencil and involuntarily reached over to touch his arm. “I’m sorry.”

He looked down at my hand, then at me. “It’s not your fault, Kenzie.”

I withdrew my hand self-consciously. “I mean I’m sorry that you have to take care of ugly things that no one wants to hear about.”

His expression was rueful. “I didn’t mean to bring you down, but I’d be happy if this article you’re writing would help a few animals be adopted.”

My heart flinched. Helena viewed my article as a cover, and I viewed it as a career stepping stone. Only Sam had a noble motive.

“Did I say something wrong?” he asked.

“No,” I said quickly.

“Good.” He flashed his winning smile. “Here we are.”

He pulled into the pound and I was instantly cheered by the building’s bright yellow and blue paint job. Sam pulled his medical bag from the back, and I picked up Angel’s carrier, wrinkling my nose against the odor emanating from her coat.

Sam introduced me to Julie, the volunteer groomer, then left to make his rounds.

“Angel had an encounter with a skunk,” I explained to the slim brunette who exuded a serious air. “Dr. Long thought it might be best if she had a haircut.”

Julie grimaced at the odor and nodded her agreement.

“Don’t worry,” I whispered to Angel. “Short hair is in this spring.”

Still, I couldn’t watch as Julie gave Angel a courtesy “puppy” cut. Afterward, I sucked in a sharp breath. Gone was the long silvery blue hair on her body, left was the tan hair around her face. She looked like a miniature lion. Wearing a pink bow. Helena would have a stroke.

“It’ll grow back,” Julie assured me. “Arma Chickle told me about you—you’re the reporter doing an article on Dr. Long.”

“That’s right,” I said, responding to the woman’s friendliness. “It’s a follow-up to the hometown-hero issue, it’s about his vet practice. Maybe you could give me some insider information.”

“About Dr. Long?” The woman smiled. “He’s amazing, taking care of his patients and our animals too. I told him he needs to get a life, get married or something.”

I laughed along with her. “Has he ever been married?”

The woman shook her head. “But heaven knows, Val Jessum has tried hard enough.”

I laughed harder. “Oh?”

She frowned. “You’re not going to print that, are you?”

“No,” I promised.

“Well, between you and me, Val is kind of high-maintenance, and I think the doc prefers the quiet life.”

My laughter petered out. Well, that definitely knocked me out of the running.

“What are you ladies talking about in here?” Sam asked, walking in.

“Nothing,” we said in unison, then Julie added, “Except your magazine cover.” From behind a counter she produced a copy of
Personality
. “My sister Rachel asked me to get you to sign a copy for her.” She handed him a pen. “You’re a celebrity. People have been calling here asking about you.”

Alarm struck my chest—the tabloid guy? “Who?”

They both looked at me, and I conjured up a smile. “I thought it might make an interesting tidbit for the article.”

Julie nodded, then shrugged. “Just local folks, all wishing the doc well.”

Sam flushed, but scribbled his name on the cover, then scratched Angel’s head. “I’m ready to go,” he said to me.

I held up my camera. “Can I get a few pictures?”

“Sure,” he said. “I’ll give you the nickel tour.”

He led me to a room lined with cages. “These are our adoptable pets at the moment. We have a few that are on the mend from various injuries and illnesses in another room.”

I saw thankfully that not all of the cages were full, but there were enough dogs and cats on hand to give me pause. I stopped in front of a cage that held a white dog with perky ears who pawed at the cage and barked to get my attention. I snapped a picture. Indeed, all of the animals seemed to realize they were on display and preened for me and Sam when we walked by.

“To be adopted, they have to have a good pet personality,” Sam said.

I snapped more pictures. “How long will they stay here?”

“The pound will keep them as long as there’s space and food, or six months, whichever comes first.”

I balked. “Six months?”

He nodded. “How soon will your magazine run your article?”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that my article wasn’t scheduled and if it did run, it probably would be considered filler and given minimal space. “I’ll try to get it in ASAP.” I put away my camera and walked around cooing to the dogs and cats individually. One black and brown dog was particularly attentive. “Oh, what a pretty girl,” I said, clucking to the animal.

“It’s a boy,” Sam said. “Careful—not all of these animals are used to being around people.”

But the dog seemed friendly, sniffing me and making little hoarse barking noises. I straightened and turned to Sam. “What do you mean?”

Too late, I felt wetness seep through my sleeve. I looked back to see Friendly had hiked his leg and taken a pee on my jacket. I jumped back from the cage to the tune of Sam’s hearty laughter. “That wasn’t funny,” I said, peeling off my jacket.

“I tried to warn you,” he said. “Are you ready to go shopping now?”

17

“I
DON’T
believe it,” Jacki said sleepily.

“Believe it,” I said.

“Kenzie Mansfield went shopping for clothes at a place called Contractor Supply.”

“That’s right.”

“What the heck kind of store is it?”

“They sell building supplies…and clothes.”

“What kinds of clothes?”

“Great stuff,” I said, rummaging through my finds. “I bought Wrangler jeans like the real cowboys wear, Dickies overalls in a fabulous burnt-orange color, plus unstructured coveralls to die for in black, navy and gray. Just add a Gucci belt, and voila!”

“You’ll probably start a new fad when you get back to town.”

“And did I mention this place sells Doc Marten boots? I’ve always wanted a pair, and never had a place to wear them.” I picked up the lace-up boots to hug them to my chest. “Now I have them, and they were half of what I would’ve paid in the city!”

“Good for you. I take it you managed not to kill Sam yesterday?”

“Yes. Although there was a minor incident with a skunk that was sort of my fault.”

“You were squirted by a skunk?”

“Yeah. Sam had to burn the clothes we were wearing. My mohair sweater, and my Via Spiga loafers—gone.”

“Oh, that’s tragic. But doesn’t that smell get in your skin and hair?”

I hesitated. “Sam gave me a tomato-juice bath.”

“He gave you a
bath?
”

“It wasn’t sexy at all.” I chewed on a nail. “Although the shower afterward could have gotten a little out of hand.”

“You’re showering with the man?”

“Just that one time. And nothing happened—he’s honoring my request that we keep things professional.”

“Did I miss the article on taking professional showers?”

“There’s something else, Jacki.”

“What?”

“I think I’m in love with him.”

“Okay, I’m confused. You slept with him when you didn’t know him, and now that you’re in love with him, you’re
not
sleeping with him?”

“Right.”

“No wonder men can’t figure us out. Have you told him that you’re in love with him?”

“Oh, right, because I haven’t done
enough
since I arrived to make a fool out of myself.”

“Maybe he has feelings for you, too. He seems attracted to you.”

“Jacki, Sam Long lives on a mountain in the middle of nowhere. The attraction is that I’m female.”

“Is there a shortage of females in the town?”

“No. But he made a comment that women here want to get married and have kids.”

“Oh.”

“See? Sam Long has made it very clear that he has no intention of settling down. I should have trusted my allergies and kept my heart under wraps.”

“No matter what a man’s intentions are, Kenzie, love can still surprise him.”

“Okay,” I said, waving my arm crazily. “Let’s say that by some miracle the handsome, eligible country vet falls madly in love with the city girl with a penchant for disaster and who doesn’t even know what gravy is. He can’t just pick up his practice and move to the city. And I could never live here!”

“Why not?”

“Well,” I said dryly, “the four-hour commute to the magazine twice a day would be a bit taxing, don’t you think?”

Jacki sighed. “I guess you’re right. And you’ll probably feel differently about Sam when you come home and you’re not with him every day. Maybe that guy at work who asked you out will help you get over him.”

I worked my mouth from side to side. “Maybe.” I didn’t want to think about Daniel Cruz. “What’s going on with you and Ted?”

“Well, I might be reading more into this than I should, but…when I was at Ted’s place last night, I found a brochure…on
rings
.”

I blinked. “Engagement rings?”

“Yes!”

My heart raced for her. “He’s going to propose!”

“Maybe not—maybe he just got the brochure in the mail. Or maybe one of his friends sent it to him as a joke. Or maybe my mother dropped it off.”

“Or maybe he’s going to propose!”

“Maybe,” Jacki conceded with little lilt in her voice.

“Do you have any big getaways coming up? Special dinners?”

“I’m meeting his folks Friday.”

“Well, there you go. He’s going to introduce you to his folks, then he’s going to propose.”

“I don’t know. And I don’t want to think about it too much—oh, look at the time, I’m going to be late for work. Call me tomorrow?”

“Sure,” I said. “Talk to you tomorrow.” I hung up the phone and smiled for Jacki—she deserved a great guy in her life. And Ted would be lucky to have her.

I sighed. Love really did make the world go around. We were all in a constant state of loveness—searching for it, participating in it, agonizing over it or recovering from it.

I toyed with the phone cord, then sighed and made the call I’d been dreading.

“
Personality
magazine, Helena Birch speaking.”

“Helena, it’s Kenzie.”

“Kenzie, I just called you and the line was busy! Something’s wrong, isn’t it? Is it Angel? Dr. Long?”

Apparently I didn’t matter. “They’re fine.”

“I got your message that Dr. Long couldn’t do the procedure yesterday—did something come up?”

I took a deep breath. “Angel had a confrontation with a skunk, and although she’s fine, she did get sprayed.”

Helena gasped. “Is that poisonous?”

“No, it just smells really, really bad. So…we had to give her coat a little trim.”

“How much of a trim?”

“She’s bald.”

Helena wailed. I held the phone away from my ear and Angel lay down, covering her little lion head with her paws.

“Because of all that happened,” I said over her wailing, “Sam decided to wait until today to do the procedure.”

“Oh, she’ll be like all my friends,” Helena cried. “Bald
and
barren.” Then she stopped with a hiccup. “Wait a minute—he can’t do the procedure today.”

“Why not?”

“Because…something bad is going to happen today.”

I squinted. “What are you talking about?”

“I’ve received…word…that something bad might happen today…where you are.”

“Received word?” I touched my forehead. “Can you be more specific?”

“I have my sources.”

“On the future?” I silently counted to three. “Helena, are you consulting a psychic?”

Dead silence on the other end confirmed my suspicion.

“That Madame person I took a message from once?”

“She’s a genius,” Helena said defensively.

I rolled my eyes. “Let me guess—she’s the one who warned you about the cover curse?”

“That’s right.”

“After the first couple of accidents, right?”

“She recognized the pattern.”

“She recognized an
opportunity
. Helena, she’s a fraud. Accidents happen to people all the time. The chances are good that
anyone
on the front of
any
magazine is going to have a fender-bender or take a fall. Do you realize that your psychic could be the one fostering this curse, maybe even calling the tabloids?”