Courting Alley Cat (5 page)

              Despite her large number of friends, Alley hadn’t dated much. Nevertheless, Justin was different from the any of the other men she had dated. Most saliently, he wasn’t trying to get her into bed. And he seemed genuinely concerned about her. Maybe she had formed some latent small-town sensibility from her summers spent here in Louisiana or maybe it came from her dad’s genes.

              She opened her eyes and met his gaze. His deep blue eyes were so clear, she felt she could tumble into them and never surface.

              “You are beautiful,” he said, softly.

              “Justin,” she whispered.

              Then Charlie groaned and the magical moment was shattered.

              Alley bent down and hugged the cat. Justin pulled out the needle. “I think he will be ok tonight,” he said. “if you want to go home and get some sleep.”

              “I can’t leave him.”

              “You can’t sleep in the chair.”

              “I won’t sleep.”

              “Then I’ll stay with you.”

              “Thank you,” she said, grateful that she wouldn’t be left here alone in case Charlie needed him.

              “In fact,” he said, “I think we should take him upstairs so we can have more comfortable accommodations.”

              “Do you think we should move him?”

              “He’s just going to sleep. He might be more comfortable on the sofa, too.”

              They gathered up Charlie and took him up to the York family living room. It was comfortably furnished, with a big screen television.

              “That was my contribution,” Justin said, noticing her gaze.

              “Nice. How is it living here, with your parents?”

              “I guess it must seem a little strange. It took a little adjusting to find myself living under their watchful eyes again, but they don’t bother me. We’re still trying to figure out the long-term plan. Since Dad’s heart attack, we’ve all been just sort of waiting to see what would happen next. There hasn’t seemed any need to make any hasty decisions. I spend most of my time in the clinic anyway.”             

              “It makes sense, really. I don’t know why people make such a big deal out of adults living with their parents. It’s a lot like having roommates. As long as they let you do whatever you want.”

              “I don’t do that much.”

              “I can see where it would be a problem whenever you wanted to have a date over. But I guess you could always go to her place.”

              He smiled mischievously. “I’ve got a girl over here now.”

              She felt herself blush. “This is a little different.”

              “Maybe,” he said.

              The grandfather clock in the hallway bonged twelve times. “In all respectfulness, I haven’t dated since I moved back to Hanover,” Justin said thoughtfully after the clock had quieted. “I haven’t wanted to.”

              “Really? How long ago was that?”

              “Two years.”

              “You want me to believe that you haven’t had a date in two years?”

              “Yeah,” he said, studying the ceiling. “Hmm. With Dad being sick and my work in the clinic, I really just haven’t thought about it.”

              Alley laughed. “In Dallas no one would ever forget to date. It’s the singular activity of all single people. They can’t seem to think of anything else. You dated before you moved back, though, right?”

              “Of course.”

              “So you like girls?”

              He laughed. “No doubt in that department. I’d have to leave Hanover to find a date anyway.” He stretched his legs out. “Are you dating anyone?”

              “Not at the moment. I’m not really all that big into dating.”

              “Is that right? And you living in Dallas where no one forgets to date.”

              “I stay busy.”

              “Aha! So you understand.”

              Her lips curled mischievously. “I never said I didn’t understand.”

              “I would have pegged you as the kind of girl who had a date at least every weekend.”

              “I’m not sure whether I should be insulted or flattered. Why do you say that?”

              “It’s simple,” he said. “You’re gorgeous. You’re funny. You’re sincere. I’m guessing you’re successful in whatever you do. You’re also kind and giving. And most importantly, you love animals. Those are the things I look for in a date.”

              “So, you’re saying you would date me?”

              “Without a doubt,” he said, without a moment’s hesitation.

              “Well,” she said, not sure how to respond. She rubbed her hands along her arms.

              Justin, on the other hand, seemed unaffected by the direction of the conversation. “I’ll get us some blankets and pillows,” he said.

              Alley watched him disappear down the hallway, her brow furrowed. Justin was a perplexing man. Perplexing, yet intriguing. She enjoyed his company.

              Was he saying he wanted to date her? Or just that he would? She would date him. Did that mean she wanted to date him? Probably so. She definitely wanted to kiss him.

              She wondered what kind of trouble this summer was going to bring.

              Smiling to himself, Justin pulled two blankets and two pillows from the linen closet. If Alley was going to spend the night in his living room, he wanted to at least be halfway comfortable.

              When he got back to her, she was sitting on the floor with her head on the sofa next to Charlie. “Here, you go,” he said, putting a pillow on the couch behind her and taking her arm to nudge her up on the couch. She didn’t protest. Her eyes were heavy with sleep. And oh so sexy.

              He pulled one of the blankets over her and tucked it under her feet.

              “Good night, Princess,” he said, softly.

              She stirred, but didn’t respond. Undoubtedly, she was out, with her head on the pillow next to the sleeping cat.

              Justin took his own blanket and pillow to the nearby chaise lounge and settled in. He, however, was not asleep. He sat watching Alley sleep.

              Her hair had come unpinned and fell across her cheek. Her lips slightly parted, she looked incredibly vulnerable. And sexy. Those full lips, rosy pink, and naked, begged to be kissed. What would she think if he started kissing her? He wanted to find out, but he resisted. It was too soon.

              The more time he spent with her, the less she was on the pedestal he had placed her when he was fifteen years old. Also, the more he got to know her, the more he liked her.

              Sure, she was extraverted and had lots of friends. That was doubtless part of her endearing charm. But she also had a depth of caring that he had never suspected. He shuddered to imagine her reaction if Charlie were her own pet.

              Did Alley have any pets of her own? Did she live alone when she wasn’t house-sitting? What kind of job did she have? He knew so little about her. He wanted to know everything. Even the smallest things, like what kind of toothpaste she liked.

              He marveled at his own silliness. Here he was, thirty years old, and he had never noticed, much less cared what kind of toothpaste a girl used. Maybe he truly had been waiting for her all his life.

              It was going to be a whirlwind, this courting Alley. He smiled to himself. He didn’t care.

This was his lot in life. He was in love with Alley and he always had been.

              Alley slept soundly for five hours, waking to the scent of freshly brewed coffee. Her first thought on waking was of Charlie. Had he made it through the night? She sat up abruptly and looked for him. His spot on the sofa was empty. He was gone!

              Justin was gone also. Something must have happened.

              She threw off the blanket, and dashed down the stairs to the clinic.

              Charlie was laid out there on the table, the blue blanket beneath him, a needle stuck into his side, with fluid flowing from a bag. “Oh, God,” she said, “What’s happened?” running to him.

              Justin appeared next to her. “He’s ok. I’m just giving him some fluid.”

              “I thought he had gotten worse. Why didn’t you wake me?”

              “There was no need. You needed the sleep.”

              “So, he’s better?” she asked hopefully.

              “Yes. See, he’s awake.”

              “Oh Charlie,” she murmured, putting her head against his. When she straightened, her cheeks were damp with tears.

              “Hey,” Justin said, pulling her against him and tucking her head against his chest. “He’s going to be ok.”

              As the good news sank in, she became acutely aware of her reaction to being held. She fit perfectly against him. As he gently stroked her back, she relaxed against him, breathing in his scent. He had showered and exuded a clean, fresh scent that filled her senses and caused her stomach to flutter.

              After a few minutes, he pulled back enough to tilt her chin up to look into his eyes. His lips were curved into a contented smile. Alley’s heart caught in her throat. If either one of them leaned forward, their lips would be close enough to...

              Then he was leaning toward her. Her eyes closed. He lightly kissed her forehead. She sighed. She so ached to feel his lips against hers.

              “How about some coffee?” he asked.

              “Coffee,” she echoed. “Ok.” She would have agreed to anything at that point.

              He put Charlie in a cage. “Just in case he decides to get up. Wouldn’t want him to fall off.”

              He then took her hand and led her up the stairs to the kitchen.

              “Well, good morning,” the older Dr. York greeted them.

              “Come on in,” Mrs. York said. “Would you like coffee? How about some eggs and toast?”

              “I’ll have some breakfast,” Justin said. “Alley?”

              “Um, sure.” In that moment, a pang of homesickness hit her. The Yorks were so welcoming. They reminded her of her family.

              “Another benefit of living with parents,” he said, winking at Alley.

              “Yeah, one day he’ll grow up and move out on his own,” Dr. York said.

              “Maybe he just needs the right girl to motivate him,” Mrs. York said.

              Justin rolled his eyes. “They’d be devastated if I moved out.”

              “Don’t you listen to him, Alley.”

              “How’s Charlie doing this morning?”

              “He’s much better,” Justin said.

              “See there. I told you he was a good doctor.”

              “I never doubted him,” Alley said.

              “Are you kidding?” Justin said. “She was practically begging me to find Dad.”

              “I didn’t know,” she said.

              “Don’t pay any attention to those boys, Alley. They’ll give you a hard time as long as you let them,” Mrs. York, interjected as she placed two plates of scrambled eggs and toast on the table.

              “They don’t bother me. I’m sorry to barge in like this. I didn’t expect to spend the night over here.”

              “It’s no problem at all,” Mrs. York said, kindly.

              Alley ate her eggs and toast as she listened to the bantering conversation among the family members. She wondered what they really thought about her sleeping on their sofa. She certainly hadn’t planned on it. After they finished eating, Justin and Alley went back to the clinic to check on Charlie.

              The cat was sitting up, watching them. After noticing that he had used the litter box, Justin declared him ready to go home.

              A mother and her son had brought in a basket of puppies, so Alley gathered up her Charlie and walked across the street with him.

              As soon as she stepped outside and saw a car in her driveway, she remembered that she had company. Momentarily stunned that she could have not only been remiss in her duties as hostess, but also not even remember that she had guests, she halted on the lawn between the two houses. What would she tell Steven and Zena? It would be rather rude to just tell them she forgot they had driven for five hours to see her. They could have called.

              Of course, she realized, with a groan, it would have helped if she had taken her cell phone with her last night.

              Shifting Charlie to one arm, she managed to get the back door unlocked. Steven and Zena were in her kitchen, Steven standing at the stove, stirring eggs in a skillet. Zena stood at the counter sipping orange juice. The both greeted her loudly.

              Zena ran to hug her and to check out Charlie. “What’s wrong with him?” she asked, pulling the towel away from his face. He calmly gazed back at her.

              “He had a urinary issue.”

              “Is he going to be ok?”                                                                                                 

              “I hope so.”

              “You have some phone messages,” Steven informed her. “We didn’t answer.”

              “Your cell phone rang, too,” Zena added. “You must have been really upset to leave it here.”

              “I was upset,” Alley said. “You guys go ahead with breakfast. I’m going to settle Charlie in.”

              “Do you want some breakfast?” Steven asked. “We have plenty.”

              “No, thanks,” Alley said. “I already ate.” She ignored the look exchanged by her friends as she carried Charlie to the bedroom.

              She made sure he had fresh water and made him a soft bed of pillows and towels. When she started walking away to get him some canned food, he stood up and, on wobbly legs, followed her. It nearly broke her heart to see his valiant effort in following her. She wished Granny were there to comfort him.

              Granny. She had to call Granny. After checking her phone messages, which included practically everyone she knew, except Granny, she dialed Granny’s cell phone number.

              Just as she feared, it immediately rolled over to voicemail. “Hi Granny,” she said, valiantly trying to keep the worry and fatigue out of her voice. “I was just calling to update you on things over here. Give me a call when you have phone service. Love you. Bye.”

              She disconnected and sighed. Granny would see right through her and know that something was wrong. It could be days before she had cell phone service again. Thank goodness Charlie was ok.

              She went back into the dining room. Zena and Steven had cleaned up the kitchen and were gathering up their things. Zena settled her purse over her neck and Steven zipped up his backpack.

              “Where are you going?” Alley asked.

              Her two friends exchanged glances. “We’re gonna head on out,” Steven said, sounding more serious than Alley had ever heard him sound.

              Zena walked up to Alley and took her hands in hers. “Honey,” Zena said. “You’ve got a lot going on right now and... well...” she glanced back at Steven. “Well, we just think it would be best if we went on back to Dallas.”

              Alley looked at her friends, each in turn. Maybe she was just drained, but something very strange was going on. They had always been good at entertaining themselves and she didn’t think her being tied up with a sick cat would be enough to offend them. But something in their expressions kept her from commenting.

              “Ok,” she said, not knowing what else to say.

              Zena hugged her and, turning, took Steven’s hand, and they left.

              Alley stood there, watching them. She was too exhausted to think right now. She would figure it all out later. Later. After she dealt with Charlie and her grandmother. Later, after she had slept. Maybe for a week.