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He glanced at his mother’s painting.
“Oh, I see.” She sadly shook her head. “Not all artists are like your mother, Daniel. Some of us care about other things and people besides our art. Suzy is not like your mother, from what I’ve seen.”
Hmmm. Something to think about. His mom had been so obsessed with her art that nothing else mattered, even him, but Suzy cared about her sister, friends, and students, and let’s not forget about Stinker, the lucky guy. Perhaps she was different than his mom.
His cell buzzed. Megan.
“Vivian, can you hold on a moment? I need to take this call?”
“I’ll be right here.”
He stood. “Hello.”
Megan rushed to tell him about Stinker and Suzy’s decision to stay with him. She informed him Suzy would not be at the show and that she loved Stinker too much.
He swallowed hard. His mom had never missed a show of hers, not even when he had to get his tonsils out, and their next-door neighbor stayed with him.
Suzy was missing her first show. He grinned. She was nothing like his mom.
He clicked off the phone.
“Good news, I take it,” Vivian said, standing.
“No, no, horrible news, Stinker needs surgery.”
“Who is Stinker?” She arched her eyebrow.
“Suzy’s cat. Do you think you could take over the show tonight? I need to be with her and her cat.”
“Of course I could, darling. Now go to her and her Stinker. What a dreadful name. I suppose he got it for a reason.” She pinched her nose with a smile.
He hugged her tightly. “Thank you. Here are the keys. I owe you big time.”
“Just name your first child after me," she said, laughing. “Only if it’s a girl. I do love girl babies and the color pink.”
“Never would have guessed.” He laughed as he raced from his gallery and headed to Stinker’s vet.
Chapter twelve
Suzy sat in the little exam room with Megan, waiting for Stinker to come out of surgery. Megan sat by her. Suzy twisted her hands. This was pure torture, waiting for the outcome.
“Did I make the right decision?” she asked.
“Yes.” Her sister squeezed her arm. “The doctor said there wasn’t one, but you had to try for Stinker. Either way, he won’t feel any pain when he leaves this world.”
Tears slid down Suzy’s face. She didn’t realize how much the little guy meant to her, but that wasn’t true. She loved him the moment she saw him, and she cherished him every day.
“How did Daniel take the news?” she asked, feeling guilty.
He worked hard getting her show ready. It would have been a wonderful night, one to remember, but there was no way she could leave her cat.
“He understood and told me to tell you not to worry. He’d make sure your show was a huge success.” Megan smiled. “He sounded concerned about your welfare and Stinker. He evenasked where the clinic was. I think he has changed for the better. He told me he was seeing a therapist and working through his issues. He didn’t want to be damaged anymore. It was ruining his life. He even thanked me.”
Suzy wanted that for him, too. If only things were different between them. She’d love to share her life with him.
“I’m in love with him,” Suzy whispered, tightening her hands. “But he doesn’t date artists.”
“Too bad because I was wrong. I think the two of you are good for each other. He has helped you become responsible, and you have loosened him up.”
