Love's Taming(51)

“Thanks, I appreciate that,” she replied.

“So…any chance we could get together for dinner sometime soon?” he asked.

Annie smiled, thinking of the difference between the dapper Dr. Ketchum and the untamed man that would be taking her to dinner instead. “Phil, I appreciate the thought, but I’m seeing someone.”

“Hey, that’s great Annie. Well, if you ever need me, professionally or otherwise, you know where to find me.”

Hanging up the phone, she finished her reports and then headed upstairs to her apartment. Setting the alarms carefully, she turned to be greeted by her meowing trio. “Guys, this is our last night where it is just us by ourselves. Tomorrow night we will have someone else here.”

After she fed the cats, she walked to the small bedroom and looked in the tiny closet. Unlike most females she knew, she did not have a lot of clothes. Her days were spent in scrubs and a lab coat. Pushing her clothes to the side, she made room for Shane to put some things in the closet. Looking down at the floor, she realized that she also had very few shoes: Dress pumps to wear to professional conferences, crocs and tennis shoes for work, running shoes, a few pairs of sandals and flip-flops, and one pair of fuck-me shoes that she wore once when going to a vet school dance.

Looking back behind her, three pairs of eyes stared at her from the bed. “Looks like the wild man has hooked up with Miss Boring, doesn’t it guys? Well, at least he will have room for his clothes.” Rags and Tiddles were occupied with bathing, but Boo stared as though he understood everything she said.

Walking over to her dresser, she moved her possessions around to empty some drawers as well. Noticing the full moon shining into her bedroom from the window by the dresser, she walked over to look out. The surrounding brick buildings gave off little personality, but she could hear the music coming from some of the bars down the street, giving her little area of Richland a certain energy.

Looking back at Boo, she remarked wistfullly, “I still want a clinic in the country.” Somewhere where I’ll have a view and you can watch birds out of the windows.”

The few light posts gave off little illumination on the alley below, but she found herself looking down toward the dumpster behind the building. Her mind went back to the first time she saw Shane. Was that really just a month ago? It seemed as though the roller coaster had been longer. Smiling once again, she went to bed wondering what the ride would bring tomorrow.

She missed the silhouette of the man in the alley, looking at the woman in the window, his eyes gleaming with malice.





Chapter 17





Barely containing her excitement, Annie found herself wanting to rush through her appointments, but her professionalism wouldn’t allow it and the time seemed to drag. At three o’clock, Leon locked the front door, two hours before closing.

Looking at him in curiosity, she asked, “What’s going on?”

Suzanne walked in from the back room and stood next to Leon as he threw his arm around her. “Well,” she said, “We decided to make sure you had plenty of time to get ready for your big date tonight, so we shuffled around the appointments so we are done for the day.”

Beaming a huge smile, Annie ran over to grab her friends. Pulling back, she looked at Suzanne. “I thought you didn’t like Shane,” she said gently.

“Oh doc, I just don’t want to see you hurt. He seems so…I don’t know…wild and unpredictable.”

Annie laughed, “Yeah, you got that right.” Looking into Suzanne’s worried face, she said, “But it’s okay. I feel safe with him.”

Leon took her by the shoulders, turned her around, and gave her a gentle shove toward the back stairs. “You, dearest doc, need to head up to your apartment, get ready for tonight. Suzanne and I will finish up here getting the clinic ready for Monday.”

Flashing a smile over her shoulder at her two friends, she jogged up the stairs. Walking into her apartment, she was met with her trio, all demanding to be fed. “Guys, it’s not dinner time yet. I’m just early today.”

Boo, being the ring leader, refused to be persuaded that her walking in the door was not the signal of dinner time and continued to meow loudly.

“Fine, fine. But just remember this later when you get hungry again!”

Once her furry friends were sated, they followed her into her bedroom, piling on her comforter to watch the proceedings as they licked themselves clean.

Walking into her tiny bathroom, Annie looked over at her shower. What I wouldn’t give for a bathtub. A chance to soak until I was a wrinkled prune. Knowing that no matter how long she stared at the minuscule shower stall it was never going to turn into a large soaker tub, she stripped and hopped in. Shower, shave, and shampoo. God, this feels good.