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“Yeah, don’t lead with that.” Destiny grinned and turned back to her shop. “I’ll do an Oracle card reading on him and figure out who would be a good match. A man like that is just oozing One True Love energy.”
Amused, Aria headed across the street, where Max Weatherford was taking his bag out of the passenger seat. With thick blond hair and striking green eyes, the tall, handsome veterinarian had operated Bliss Cove’s only animal clinic for the past ten years.
“Hey, Aria.” He closed the door and extended his arm to give her a quick squeeze. “Sorry I couldn’t get over here yesterday. How’s your patient?”
“He’s been limping since yesterday, but he’s been eating well…of course…and doesn’t seem to be in much pain.” Aria unlocked the café door. “I was able to check his paw and couldn’t see a visible injury, but I’m worried about the limp. I didn’t notice it when I brought him back home after his little escapade, so I can’t tell if it happened that night or since.”
“Hmm. Might have gotten more inflamed over the past few days.”
After tossing his hoodie onto the coat rack, Max followed her into the lounge. Several cats swarmed toward him as if he were a magnet. He crouched, extending his hand and murmuring to them in a low voice.
Aria coaxed Porkchop out from underneath a chair and brought him over to Max. He sat on the sofa to check the cat’s paw and sore leg.
“It’s a little swollen, but not too bad.” He pressed the cat’s joint, and Porkchop tensed and squirmed. “I’ll take him in for an X-ray. I doubt he’ll need a splint, just some rest. You said in your text that he escaped?”
“Monday night.” Aria flushed and scratched Porkchop’s ears. “I feel terrible. I was taking out the trash, and I didn’t close the door all the way. He just darted right out. Thankfully he was the only one who did.”
“Where did he go?” Max stood, holding the hefty cat in his arms.
“All the way to Pelican Beach.” Aria brought Porkchop’s crate from the storage room. “It was raining, and a clap of thunder scared him. He got his leg stuck in a pile of seaweed. That was the only way we were able to catch him.”
“Who’swe?”
Aria’s heart stuttered. “Uh, a guy who ended up helping me.”
Max touched the cat’s leg again. “Is this the leg that got stuck?”
“I think so, but I’m not entirely sure. It was dark and pouring rain, so I couldn’t see very well. Hold on, let me get some tuna or Porkchop will fight you.”
After putting the tuna into the crate, Max slipped the more docile cat in and closed the door. “How’s Fang?”
“The same.” Aria bent to look at the old cat who was huddled under a chair. A scar crossed his closed left eyelid, which concealed his empty eye socket.
Of all the cats she’d fostered, Fang was the one who made her heart ache the most. Two months after she’d taken him in, he was still wary and defensive, prone to cowering when people got too close. He never let anyone pick him up and spent most of his time crouched in hideaways or under the sofa.
“He hasn’t had issues with the other cats.” She clicked her fingers at Fang, but the cat only glared at her. “But he’s been scared of the few customers I’ve had. I’m not sure I can keep him much longer, especially if he starts getting hostile.”
“I’ll ask around some more, see if any of my clients would be willing to take him.” Max carried the crate into the front room. “I’ll bring Porkchop back tomorrow.”
“I can pick him up, so you don’t have to make the trip.”
“I have some house-calls to make anyway, so it’s not a problem. Should be some time in the afternoon.”
“I’ll be here.” Aria closed the lounge door behind her. “Do you have time for a coffee and one of Mom’s cookies?”
“I wish I did.” Max pulled on his hoodie. “Unfortunately, I have a full schedule this morning.”
“Thank you so much for stopping by.” She stepped closer to embrace him. As she closed her arms around him, she saw a large male figure coming up the steps of the café.
Her heart crashed against her ribs. Over Max’s shoulder, Hunter’s gaze collided with hers. His expression darkened.
Shit.
She backed away from Max, all of her defenses slamming into place. His forehead creased quizzically at her sudden withdrawal. Hunter opened the door, his broad frame almost blocking the doorway.
Though just the sight of him shot heat down her spine, Aria forced a cold note into her voice. “What do you want?”
“To talk to you.” He glanced from her to Max, his jaw tight.
