Tail of Two Hearts. Charlotte Carter

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СКАЧАТЬ into a back room, noting the way her auburn hair shifted gently across her shoulders, the tips just brushing the collar of her green blouse.

      In addition to a couple of unopened cartons of books, the room contained a sink and a microwave on the counter with a coffeemaker next to it.

      “How do you take your coffee?” she asked.

      “Black’s fine.”

      She poured coffee into a mug and handed it to him. Their eyes met for a moment in silent communication before she turned to pour coffee for herself. A ripple of awareness warned Chase that more than friendship might evolve between him and Vivian. A prospect he hadn’t anticipated. Although maybe he should have.

      Her hands wrapped around the mug, she leaned back against the counter. “You’re a businessman. Can I ask you for some advice?” she said.

      “Sure. Anything about dogs and cats and hamsters I can handle. World peace is above my pay grade.”

      Her laughter rang a happy note that resonated somewhere in Chase’s chest.

      “I promise it’s nothing that earthshaking.” She took a sip of her coffee. “Since the town had to cut back on its support of the library, and I lost my job there, my income has dropped considerably. I’ve been trying to think of a way to supplement what Allison pays me. So far I’ve come up empty.”

      “Hmm, let’s see.” He admired a woman who didn’t sit around waiting for someone else to bail her out of trouble or take care of her. Thinking about her question, he sipped his coffee, which was rich and hot. “Maybe I could hire you to come in early to clean up the puppy pen.”

      She wrinkled her pert little nose. “That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”

      “What were you thinking?”

      “I’m not sure.” She seemed pensive, as if she’d been considering the problem for some time. “If I could do something at home, then I’d be able to work around my schedule here.”

      “That sounds like a great idea—if you can figure it out.”

      “Yeah, that’s a big if.”

      “It’s not easy to find that kind of job.” Leaning against the doorjamb, he drank some more coffee. “Telemarketing?”

      Her smooth forehead furrowed. “I don’t think so.”

      “Doing opinion polls?”

      “I’m not sure I want to spend that much time on the telephone.”

      “Understandable.” He drank another sip of coffee. “Nothing else comes immediately to mind, so let me think about it awhile.”

      “Sure. Maybe between us, we’ll come up with something that would work.”

      “I’ll do my best.” He set his mug down on the counter. “I’d better get going.”

      They said their goodbyes, and Chase headed back to the pet shop, his spirits high, his footsteps light. Odd how planning an ordinary trip to an animal shelter could make him look forward to a very special day.

      Because of Vivian.

      * * *

      When Allison arrived at the bookshop, Vivian was busily making copies of the flyer for Doggie Daze to distribute around town.

      Allison picked up one of them. “This is wonderful. You’re so talented. Cute dog.”

      “I used free clip art from the internet.” Heat warmed her cheeks. “I thought this dog looked a lot like Boyo, Chase’s dog.”

      “Oh, he does. A little bit shaggy but so cute.” Allison eyed Vivian with evident curiosity. “You sure there isn’t something I should know?”

      “Huh? Oh, no, not really.” Trying to cover the fact that she’d been so pleased to see Chase earlier, she stacked the flyers on the counter. “Chase came by early this morning. He invited me to go with him to the animal shelter tomorrow morning. If that’s okay with you,” she hastily added.

      “Of course it’s fine with me. I think it’s nice we might have another romance going on here in town.”

      Vivian laughed self-consciously and shook her head. “I wouldn’t count on that.” In fact, she had to be careful not to read too much into his invitation. Chase worked closely with the shelter to help them place dogs and cats in good homes. Since Happy Endings was having the doggie event, and he no doubt had business to discuss at the shelter, it was natural that they should go together.

      “I thought as long as we aren’t busy, I’d deliver these flyers around town this morning,” Vivian said. “And I’ll drop off a few at the school and the library.”

      “Good idea.” Allison rolled up her sleeves, ready to go to work. “Meanwhile I’ll check to see what books I should order for Saturday. Maybe a couple more copies of picture books for the little ones.”

      “Something on training would be good,” Vivian suggested. “Chase will be talking about that. And breeds of dogs.”

      “I’m on it.” She walked into the back room, her skirt swaying at her ankles.

      Since Allison’s engagement to Sam, she seemed to float on air. It must be a wonderful feeling, Vivian mused, to be so in love.

      A few minutes later, Vivian went out the door with an armful of flyers. She stopped at Love in Bloom first, since the flower shop was right next door.

      Sherie Taylor, who worked part-time at the flower shop, came out of the back room with a vase full of yellow and purple chrysanthemums to greet her.

      “Hi, Sherie. Guess you’re in charge while Lily is on her honeymoon in Canada.” A slightly plump divorced mother of twins, Sherie had the kind of smile that made everyone her friend.

      “I am. I’m still thrilled that she and Tate found each other.”

      “I think we all are.” Vivian handed her a flyer, explaining what they were up to at Happy Endings and asking her to post it in the window.

      Sherie agreed, putting it up as they spoke. Vivian thanked her and then went next door to Sweet Dreams Bakery.

      The moment she opened the door, Vivian was met with the smell of bread baking, along with the scent of cinnamon, apples and chocolate. The aromas washed over her, and her mouth watered.

      Melissa Sweeney, the owner, stood behind the counter.

      “Do you know, every time I step inside here, I gain two pounds just from the sweet smell of the place?” Vivian said with a laugh. “I can feel my thighs growing by the inch.”

      Melissa returned her laughter in a full-throated voice. “I’d probably be a lot thinner if I’d opened a toy store instead of a bakery. I do way too much taste testing.”

      “Hmm, but think what we’d all miss out on right here in Bygones if you hadn’t.” Vivian handed Melissa a flyer, asking her if she would post СКАЧАТЬ