Animal Angel Read Online Free Page B

realized after I left yesterday that I hadn’t filled out that paperwork you mentioned.” He swallowed as his eyes scanned the room.
    â€œLooking for someone?”
    His attention snapped to Stella, who had a crooked smile plastered to her face. He could feel the blush.
    You’re acting like a horny teenager… get it together. You are a professional providing an important service to the community. “Um. No,” he said. “This place looks like a barn.” His eyes shifted toward the ceiling and closed with a slight head shake. That’s it . D istract her from your peculiar behavior by making an obvious observation. Quite the detective today.
    â€œIt once was. Mavis has an amazing eye for remodeling,” she said, looking up at the exposed beams. “It was falling down, and she saw promise in it. She put her blood, sweat, and tears into the restoration. I can’t even manage building blocks.”
    â€œIt turned out great,” he said, tilting his head to the side and frowning. Well, at least she didn’t leave me hanging. Time to end this while I still have a degree of humility left. “About that paperwork.” Weston looked up the stairs to a loft area that appeared to house the offices. No lights were on up there. Dog lady isn’t here. A massive wave of disappointment surged through his body. He shook his head. What’s the matter with me? She’s abrasive, rude, judgmental, and downright mean. I’m lucky she isn’t in today. That’s right, not disappointed… I’m elated. I avoided the bullet on that one. Thank heavens I came to my senses.
    â€œWhile I get that file again, why don’t you head out back and say hello to Mavis,” Stella said with a wink. “She has some of the dogs out for playtime.”
    â€œMavis,” Weston muttered.
    â€œYes. Mavis Frost. Didn’t she introduce herself?”
    â€œUm… no. We didn’t actually make it to the niceties part of the conversation when I was here.”
    â€œNo time like the present.” Stella pointed to the swing door.
    His heart swelled, and the corners of his mouth quivered fighting the grin trying to burst forth. “I — I don’t want to bother her,” he said, shoving his hands deep into his pants pockets, tilting his chin down. He was acting like a schoolboy. Maybe I should make a break for the front door to end this mortification .
    Weston glanced up and met her I-know-all stare, turning quickly to avert what emotion might be revealed in his eyes. Lust… pure lust .
    She touched the hand that was now resting on the counter. He swallowed and faced her.
    â€œIt won’t be a bother,” Stella reassured. “Just follow that hall, and the door leading outside is on the left.”
    No point in arguing anymore. For whatever reason he wanted to see Mavis again.
    He tried to keep his stride slow until he’d cleared Stella’s line of vision. Then he almost skipped down the hall, past the exam room. Wild barks pierced the air, as the dogs not out for playtime, noticed him. He could almost hear them yelling “pick me… pick me,” and a vise-grip sensation clenched his heart. The steel-white door leading to the outside came into view and his courage failed him, his steps faltered. Women had never made him nervous — why this one put him on edge intrigued him.
    Taking a deep breath, he opened the door to wild yips and howls. There was a ball flying through the air that had the attention of four dogs who were tearing after it — pouncing as it bounced. A springy sheltie leaped into the air, capturing it, bringing that round to an end.
    Mavis’s laugh made his heart pitter-patter — it was infectious. Her hair hung loose and wafted in the breeze. The yard looked to be about an acre, and she was halfway across, crouching as she clapped, calling the dogs back for round two. There were six in total, but