Puppy Love. Kelly Moran

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      Flynn grinned, the asshole. “The one that had you bumbling like a hormonal teenager? Nice. You're right. She's pretty.”

      He sighed. This is what he got for talking to his brother. About anything. “Shut up.”

      Avery cleared her throat, then she…well, shit. She signed and spoke simultaneously. “You're deaf?”

      Flynn nodded as Cade reared. Not a lot of people knew sign language. Flynn could read lips if he was facing the person, which was how he typically got around the language barrier in the practice.

      “You can sign?” Which meant she'd understood the brief exchange between him and his brother. Wonderful. He just kept shooting himself in the foot.

      “Yes. I learned how to communicate with Hailey, since she's nonverbal. Sometimes she signs when she needs to say something.”

      Cade was floored she was courteous enough to sign and speak at the same time for Flynn's benefit. And then he processed what she was doing here. “You hired someone without asking?”

      Rosa crossed her arms. “You weren't gonna do it.”

      Flynn was more amused than Cade. “Does she have any experience?”

      “I worked in a medical practice before staying home with Hailey. I'm a quick study.” She was biting that pouty lower lip of hers. Her dark eyes bespoke more than simple nervousness, though. Like she had something to prove.

      Flynn nodded. “Good enough for me. Welcome.” He offered Cade a raised brow that said, this should be fun.

      Cade returned it with his own shut-up-or-die scowl. He scratched his jaw, knowing he had no say in the matter, anyway. It wasn't as if he was against hiring Avery, but it would've been nice to be consulted.

      Rosa turned for the door. “I'm going back up front. Take her to meet Drake, would you?”

      Though spoken as a question, Cade took it for the order it was intended. What in the hell was his aunt up to? Before he could comment, his tech, Brent, strode in. Hell, now it was a party. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

      “You are all caught up.” Brent sized up Avery with the kind of flare only an openly gay man could pull off. “And who is this?”

      “Avery, meet Brent, my tech. Brent, Avery is our new office manager. Apparently.”

      Brent's eyes lit up. “Fresh meat. Hurray. Have you met Gabby yet? She's the other tech. You'll love her!” He took Avery's hand and started to drag her from the room.

      Avery laughed and dug her heels in. “I have my daughter with me. Hold on.”

      That laugh made Cade's gut do something twisty. “I can watch Hailey for a couple minutes.” Her are-you-serious expression matched his internal what-the-fuck. Like he knew anything about kids. Still, he nodded. “Drake's in surgery, so Hailey can't go back there. Gabby's assisting.”

      Brent, as if just noticing the tiny human in the room, clapped his hands and knelt in front of Hailey near the corner. “Hello. Aren't you a cutie pie? Gorgeous hair, too.”

      The only sign of acknowledgement Hailey offered was a half wave as she stared at the ceiling. It was more than Cade got.

      More hot as hell lip chewing from Avery. “Maybe I should just wait until Monday to meet everyone else.”

      Hell, she'd only be gone a few minutes. How much damage could he do to Hailey's little psyche in that time? “Brent says I'm caught up, so go ahead.” He looked at his tech. “Tell Drake about the Yorkie. He needs surgery.” Then he thought it over and decided to tell Drake himself. The case was complicated.

      Flynn, as if sensing the thought, tapped his shoulder. “Go ahead. I got the kid.”

      “Are you sure?” Avery eyed Flynn as if begging him to change his mind, giving Cade the impression she didn't leave Hailey in others’ hands often.

      “I promise to not let her play with syringes.”

      Avery laughed, which was twice now, and he hadn't recovered from the first. She told Hailey she'd be back in a minute and allowed Brent to take her by the arm down the hall. Cade followed.

      Brent gave her a mask. “Just hold this over your face and don't touch anything. And no matter what Dr. Drake says, he's happy to have you working here.” He leaned in conspiratorially. “He's broody.”

      “Got it.” Amusement lit her dark eyes and, for the first time, Cade noticed the small hazel flecks mixed in with all that chocolate.

      Brent knocked once and strode in with a flourish. “Dr. Drake, Gabby, this lovely doll is Avery, our new office manager. Gabby, we must do drinks tonight.”

      Gabby didn't look up. “Can't. Got plans with my cousin. And I told you I'm never drinking with you again.”

      “Never say never.”

      “I mean, never.” She peeked over her mask. “I still can't eat nachos.”

      Avery's hand shook where she held the mask. Her olive skin tone had lost some of its hue. As office staff, she probably wasn't used to seeing an open operation and had a weak stomach for blood. His aunt was the same way. Cade hoped she didn't yak all over the room.

      Cade held the mask over his mouth and leaned on the doorframe. It looked like Drake was ready to close up on the Bullmastiff who had a tumor.

      Drake never lifted his dark head from his task. “I'm in surgery. Go away.”

      Brent sighed. “Translation: Avery, it's nice to meet you.”

      “That's what I said.”

      Gabby's blue eyes slid to Avery, a smile in them. “Hey there. We're almost done. Are you new to…? Damn. Cade, she's gonna—”

      Pass out cold on the floor. Down went Avery in a heap. Shit.

      Brent blinked in awe. “How southern belle of her.”

      Drake growled. “Damn it, Cade. Get her out of here.”

      As if he was the one who'd brought her in the first place, but he was already at her side and cradling her head. Silky brown hair spilled over his hand and her berry scent rose up over the antiseptic. He lifted her in his arms. “Get the door, Brent.”

      Carrying her down the hall to his office, he tried to ignore the softness of her body against the hard planes of his. Dark lashes fluttered and lifted. He set her on the couch and asked Brent to get a cool cloth, never taking his eyes from her.

      He lifted a strand of hair from her face as her eyes cleared of confusion. “Hey. Lie still for just a second. You fainted.”

      She gasped. “I did not.”

      He fought a grin. “Afraid you did.”

      She tried to sit up and he let her, removing his hand from her СКАЧАТЬ