Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“Yes, animals. Nature is dumb and blind without us, so we’d better try to even the score.” A familiar edge creeps into Dad’s feeble voice behind the bland philosophizing.
Only, he doesn’t sound like he’s about to launch into a gutting critique of her. Is that curiosity in his eyes?
It’s been so long, I can’t tell.
Lena takes his cold glances in stride. No matter what she might think about the excessive wealth concentrated in one room, there’s no denying the money will go to good causes—and lots of it.
People in our position can afford to be generous.
Beside him, an older lady nudges in, turning to Lena and offering her a huge smile. “Oh my, you must be Brady’s vet fiancée!”
Her eyes look a little tired, but she leans down and presses two perfumed kisses on Lena’s cheek.
“Vet tech,” Lena corrects with a small smile.
Dad wrinkles his nose.
My fist tightens at my side as I near my limit for his passive-aggressive shit.
“You know, I met the kindest vet nurse yesterday.” The lady dabs under her eyes, which gleam in the light.
“Oh? What happened?”
“My cat, Gatsby, he—” She breaks off and gives a brave smile. “Well, it was just his time, and they were very kind, seeing him off.”
“Oh no. I’m so sorry.”
Dad watches with more interest now, biting back something that looks like a smile.
What the fuck? Why are his eyes so sharp?
Why does he look happy when they’re discussing a dead cat?
I glance between him and the two women talking. The older lady, Mrs. Hageman, I think, is damn near crushing Lena in her teary-eyed embrace now.
Something just happened I haven’t picked up on.
“I’m very sorry for your loss,” Lena wishes, glancing at me over her shoulder, tempting me to step in to give her air.
“That’s okay, honey. You can’t change anything now, and he’s in a better place. I simply had to say thanks for what you people do. It’s the noblest profession for those of us who love our babies to death.”
Lena pats the woman’s arm as she finally uncouples.
“No, thank you. The best owners are the ones who care about their pets as much as we do. I can tell your boy was loved.”
“Oh, yes! He was the sweetest tabby—just a stray, you know. My gardener couldn’t keep him away, and one day I told him to just let the poor thing in for some water. I was so miserable, moping around after my youngest went east for college. That’s the way it is with cats, isn’t it? They come when they’re called—just not with words.” Her smile trembles. “My name’s Sandra Hageman, but call me Sandy, dear.”
“Lena.”
“A pleasure. Even more because you’ve won over the most creative member of the Pruitt clan.” She beams at me, and I nod before she looks at my father. “Alec, I’m still surprised. You and Kerrigan never mentioned your son being involved with this lovely creature.”
Dad coughs into his hand and inhales, his lungs giving that harsh rattle that’s become too familiar. He waves his hand at Freddy behind him, declining the oxygen the nurse always has ready.
When he looks at us again, I’m expecting daggers in his eyes, but he just looks oddly relaxed.
“That’s the way it is with our Brady. Always surprising us. Sandra, if we knew, you never would’ve had a minute’s rest from my wife with the wedding planning.” He clears his throat again. “My sincerest condolences on your cat. Was he old?”
What. The. Hell.
My old man has never so much as acknowledged pets exist unless they’re in his personal space, like Charlie.
Maybe it’s the environment getting to him. He hasn’t been to an event this big for over a year, and I wonder if it shakes something loose in his miserable brain.
There’s no denying Lena looks like a damn knockout.
Chestnut hair swept up in a loose updo, tendrils framing her face. Minimal makeup, the classy touch pretty women carry when they’re trying to accent their natural beauty without pinning on a whole new face.
Another contrast with Nancy Loomer and most of the women I’ve dated before.
I watched in awe this morning as she was getting ready and she only used about ten cosmetic products. It would’ve been thirty with other women.
With a little color on her lips and winged eyeliner, plus the barest hint of smoky eye, she looks as good as every other woman in here.
Better, because she’s authentic.
My attention flicks back to Dad as Sandra wanders away after a few more quiet words with him.
“You can take the lady out of the vet,” he says, “but apparently, you can’t take the vet out of the lady.”
“What’s your point, Dad?” I growl.
“Her timing, that’s what. She just helped us impress the heiress to the largest grocery chain in this quadrant of the country just as our contracts are coming up for renegotiation. The damn cat, I never would’ve thought of that,” he mutters, barely under his breath.