Love Inspired February 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: The Cowboy's Reunited Family\The Forest Ranger's Return\Mommy Wanted (57 page)

“Hey, boss!” Claudia called from the front desk, mercifully dragging him back to the present. “We've got a new one—just walked in—and he's cute, too. But I have to hit the road if I'm going to get to the orthodontist in time for Eva's appointment.”

“Things are under control here, so go ahead.” He hung up the waterproof apron and snagged an intake folder from his office on the way to the reception area. “Really, Claudia, there's nothing to worry about. As long as Oscar's still out back, he and I can handle whatever comes in while you're gone.” He waved the folder as he pushed through the swinging door. “See? I'm prepared.”

Claudia smiled, slung her bag over her shoulder and walked to the door. “See ya in a couple of hours!”

Another step, and Zach stopped. Oh, sure. The dog was cute. But the woman who held the filthy creature in her arms was much cuter. She stood, if lucky, a couple of inches over five feet, and her dirt-stained pink T-shirt and cutoff jean shorts displayed nicely rounded curves. On her feet, she wore a pair of pink flip-flops, revealing toenails painted hot pink.

She must really like the happy color.

She looked vaguely familiar, but he knew he'd never met her. He wouldn't have forgotten if he had.

A thin line etched itself between her eyebrows as midnight-dark eyes darted from the neat counter to the clean but worn chairs and finally to him. She nibbled her bottom lip. More than anything else, the riot of curls she wore leashed into a thick ponytail snared his gaze. The sunlight poured in through the glass front door and her inky-black locks caught it, reflecting back vibrancy and life. As he stared, he couldn't stop a smile.

He held out his hand in greeting, his gaze still on her swinging curls. “Hi. Zach Davenport, the shelter's director. How can I help you?”

She clamped her lips, then tipped up her rounded chin, arms tighter around the dog, who snuggled into the curve of her neck. Okay. The lady had rejected the handshake. The only thing on her mind was the filthiest Heinz 57 canine he'd seen in a long time. Feeling stupid, he slipped his hand back into his pants pocket and rattled the intake papers.

“Let's start with—”

“Please promise he'll get a fair deal here.”

Zach blinked. Talk about direct. Fortunately, in this instance, he had a clear conscience. He smiled again and pointed to the No-Kill emblem on the glass door. “We don't give these fellows expiration dates, and we do our best for them. We clean them, feed them, nurse them to health if they need it, and do everything possible to find them good forever homes.”

The stiffness in her shoulders eased a fraction as she clung to his every word.

The dog wriggled in her clutches.

She glanced down at her bundle of fur, and a slow, sweet grin revealed a dimple in her right cheek. But then she drew herself back up, squared her shoulders and met Zach's gaze.

Her brown eyes reminded him of melted chocolate, with their anxious expression. As his gaze latched on to hers, Zach felt a surprising need to reassure her about the dog's future care, so he took a step closer.

* * *

He caught himself, stopped. As appealing as she was, he was a
professional
and he couldn't afford to let this woman distract him from his work. She spoke again with the bedraggled pile of dirty dog held close as though it were Lassie or Benji or even Toto come back to life. He gave her stray another look. Not a chance. This one was scruffy and muddy. Time to get to work. They had a dog in need to deal with.

He stepped closer, ready to take hold of her charge, then took a deep breath—and reared back.
Oof!

The dog and his escort had come in on a wave of a strong, offensive odor. Zach knew he and the stray would be revisiting the animal-bathing tub immediately. This newest intake was in dire need of shampoo and lots of water.

Her cheeks colored to a pretty rose. “I'm sorry. He's a mess, and I've been— Well, I was cleaning out some spoiled...stuff. For lack of a better word, we're both quite smelly.”

For a moment, he wondered about the “spoiled stuff,” but then focused on the matter before him. “I see,” he said in a mild tone. He reached for the scrap of canine in her arms. “So then...about the dog?”

A worried look drew her eyebrows together and her arms tightened the smallest bit.

The pup yipped.

Her deep inhale quivered. “He's not mine. I found him in the service alley behind my parents' business. He needs a home.” She visibly pulled herself together again and nailed Zach with that penetrating stare again. “A
good
home. I'm here to make sure he gets one. And after I leave today, I will come back. To check up on him. As often as it takes to make sure things finally go his way.”

Waving the intake folder, he stepped to her side, smell or no smell. “Let's see what I can do for you—er...for him.”

Copyright © 2014 by Grisel Anikienko

ISBN-13: 9781460326121

MOMMY WANTED

Copyright © 2014 by Renee Andrews

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