More typing. “Oh, we’re slammed today, sugar. There’s an overturned semi eating up every unit I’ve got. Liquid nitrogen tanks everywhere. It’s a mess.”
So much for that.
“All right. Thanks Diane. If highway patrol does drive by, tell them not to tow the car. It’s a white Jeep Cherokee, owner is…”
At my expectant look, she supplies, “Lila. Lila Sherwood.”
I relay it to Diane. “I’m heading for Dr. Monroe’s right now, but we’ll be back for the vehicle.”
“Got it logged,” she answers. “Tell Walker and Sadie congratulations on the twins, we’re just thrilled for them.”
“Will do. Thanks Diane.”
“You take care now, sweetheart.”
I hang up. Look at Lila. “Sorry. Anyone else who can be here in the next ten minutes? Do you have a roommate or…”Or boyfriend, I want to ask. No. Too transparent. “Or a friend or anyone who can pick you up right now?”
“No. No one who could be here in time.”
I’m torn, because she’s beautiful, and I’m not immune to that. But the things you let yourself want are the things that can be taken from you. It’s easier to just remove yourself from temptation.
This girl is very tempting.
But it’s just a ride to the vet, and it’s just for her safety. Then we’ll go our separate ways and never see each other again.
“I think you ought to come along to the vet with us, then,” I tell her reluctantly.
She bites her full bottom lip. “All right. Let’s go.” Her head tilts, sending silky pink hair spilling over her shoulder. “But ifyou’re planning to do bad things to me, the cops are gonna know you’re suspect number one.”
Do bad things to her. Yeah. I can think of a few.
I try very hard not to look at her sexy bunny costume or the curves it’s clinging to. My gaze finds my cowboy boots instead.
Her soft voice says, “That was a joke, Slade.”
When I look up, she’s smiling.
I push my Stetson back on my head. This girl is too damn pretty. It’s rattling my composure. “Let’s go.”
Once more, we do our little fence maneuver, with me helping lift her down smoothly. Her pink hair tickles my nose as she slips past me. Her hair is just as soft as her skin.
I open the passenger door for her and she climbs into my black Ford F-350, looking even more incongruous in all her pink fluffy glory against the blacked-out rugged truck. There’s mud on the running boards, a coil of rope and a pair of worn leather work gloves in the bed, and now there’s a woman dressed as a sexy bunny in my passenger seat.
It almost makes me smile.
Chapter 2
Legally Pink
SLADE
Buckling her seatbelt, she glances back at the dog.
“Do you know the way to Marble Falls Animal Clinic?” she asks as I pull onto the road.
“Know it well. Heading there now.”
I know every road in this county. I spent my whole childhood on them, mostly on horseback. When I left to play in the NHL, I told myself when I retired, I’d move back to Marble Falls for good, instead of just between seasons. Get a horse of my own. Put something permanent down.
