GIDEON HAD ARRANGED to return to Poppy Gold on Saturday to give the quarterly health exams to the four-footed residents of the Victorian Cat mansion.
It would probably sound odd to guests, but the cats were treated like working animals...feline ambassadors. They were part of the distinctive quality that Poppy Gold tried to give each of the bed-and-breakfast homes. The VC cats even had a private room for their supplies and veterinary treatment, fitted out with a table, scale and other basic equipment.
Gideon reviewed each cat’s medical records before tucking their files in his medical bag. He arrived at the Poppy Gold front desk a few minutes later.
“Good morning, Dr. Cartwright,” said Bill Blalock. “They aren’t expecting you at the Victorian Cat for another forty minutes, but I’ll see if anyone can assist with the exams immediately.”
“That won’t be necessary. One of my patients is staying here and I thought I’d drop by to check on his progress. If the guest is in, of course. It’s the kitten that Nicole Forrester found.”
Bill’s expression shifted subtly. “Oh, yes, the Forresters. They’re at the Yosemite suite in the John Muir Cottage. It’s right here.” Bill pulled out a facility map and indicated the location. “I can have a shuttle driver take you over.”
“No need to bother with that. I prefer walking.”
Following Bill’s instructions, Gideon took the garden path around to the back of the John Muir Cottage. He knocked, feeling both annoyed and foolish. His affluent clients in Beverly Hills had often expected him to make house calls, but these days most of his visits were to farm animals.
The door opened and Gideon saw Nicole Forrester, considerably less disheveled than she had been at his office. This time instead of silk and diamonds, she wore cashmere and pearls and looked as if she’d stepped off a fashion runway.
“Is there something I can do for you, Dr. Cartwright?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t call first, but I came to check on my patient.”
“Oh. All right.”
She opened the door wider and Gideon stepped inside.
“I’ll get him.” Nicole crossed to the stairs on the far end of the room, her hips swaying gently.
Curious, Gideon gazed around. He’d seen a few of the suites at Poppy Gold, but this was more like a home than a bed-and-breakfast inn. A fire was crackling in the fireplace, brightening the large room, while Christmas music played in the background. Across from the staircase was an arched entry into a well-lit kitchen.
A couple of minutes later, Nicole descended the steps carrying the kitten, accompanied by two small girls who were mirror images of each other.
Gideon grinned at them. “Hello. Have you been helping to take care of the baby kitty?”
They both nodded, though one immediately ducked her face in apparent shyness.
“Yes. But he sleeps with Aunt Nicole,” announced the one who seemed bolder. “He’s going to live with her in Austin. I’m Beth and this is my sister, Annie. We’re six.”
“I’m pleased to meet you. My name is Gideon.”
Annie was chewing her lip and looking at him seriously. “Are you going to hurt Chico?”
“No, Annie,” Nicole said quickly. “The doctor is just going to make sure he’s doing okay.”
“That’s right,” Gideon agreed. “Is there a good place for me to do the exam, Ms. Forrester?”
“It’s Nicole and there’s a table in the laundry room.” She handed him the kitten reluctantly and gestured toward the kitchen.
* * *
NICOLE WASN’T SURPRISED when Chico instantly began hissing. He was strong-willed and nearly impossible to keep quiet the way that Dr. Cartwright had instructed. How did you keep a kitten quiet, anyhow? It wasn’t as if they listened to reason. Mostly she’d kept him in her bedroom so he wouldn’t race all over the house.
She’d hoped having Chico would help her connect better with her nieces, but so far it hadn’t happened. Instead, they still wanted to do everything with Carlie Benton.
Nicole shivered when she remembered Beth’s screams during her nightmare. Luke hadn’t been thrilled about Carlie coming over, but her presence had helped and that was what mattered.
“Maaaarroow,” squalled Chico, grabbing Nicole’s attention. He was doing his best to get away from Gideon.
“Is he okay?” asked Beth.
“He’s terrific. I don’t have a scale, but I can tell he’s already gained weight. And his leg is much better.”
The veterinarian almost sounded perplexed at Chico’s progress and Nicole felt smug. Gideon Cartwright had acted as if she wasn’t capable of handling an animal.
She might not be the bravest person in the world, but she could certainly give love and care to a kitten.
“A cat’s skin heals quickly, so germs can get trapped underneath,” Gideon explained to the girls. “I know it seems mean, but that’s why I need to check where he got hurt and make sure it isn’t getting infected.”
Nicole’s mouth tightened. Why couldn’t Gideon have explained that to her back at the clinic? The way he’d examined Chico’s wound had seemed cavalier.
“Can we take the cone thing off him?” she asked. “He really hates it.”
“Sure. Do you want me to do it, or do you think you can manage?”
“It’s a Velcro fastening, hardly a brain teaser,” she retorted, narrowing her eyes at his superior tone.
It wasn’t the first time he’d implied she was an idiot. His attitude toward her had not improved in the past few days, though by his own admission she’d done a good job with Chico. She hoped Beth and Annie were too young to understand, because her relationship with them was challenging enough already.
Nicole unfastened the blue cone and tossed it aside, then lifted Chico and cuddled him in her arms. He glared balefully at the veterinarian.
“I’d better get going,” Gideon said. “I need to examine the cats at the Victorian Cat mansion.”
“Can we go, too, Gideon? Pleeeeeze,” Beth begged. “Carlie told us about the kitties.”
“I think that would be all right.”
Nicole’s heart sank. The twins couldn’t go alone with Gideon, which meant she’d have to go with them. The last thing she wanted was to spend time around a man who seemed so disapproving of her. “Beth, I thought you wanted to make Christmas ornaments at the concert hall.”
“That’s what Annie wanted. But you’d rather visit the kitties, wouldn’t you, Annie?”
Annie looked torn. “I guess.”
“I’m meeting someone at the VC in a few minutes, so get your coats on and we’ll go over,” Gideon urged.
“Goody.” Beth ran out, followed by her sister.
Nicole leaned forward. “Could you refrain from treating me like an idiot in front of my own nieces?” she hissed. “At the very least, be the professional you’re supposed to be.”
For good measure, Chico spit and swatted his paw so fast that Gideon barely had time to get out of striking range.
“I may not have your lofty experience with animals,” she continued, “but I have a degree in information technology. I bet I could program circles around you on the computer, but I wouldn’t put you down because of it.”
* * *
GIDEON GRITTED HIS TEETH, realizing he’d unconsciously revealed his feelings. Although he hadn’t meant to, it was unprofessional and a stupid move. He owed her an apology, but there wasn’t time for one, because Beth and Annie had reappeared.
Nicole put the kitten down and went to help them, but she was plainly inexperienced at helping someone else zip their jackets—especially children, who had little patience and antsy feet.
“Do you know Carlie?” Beth asked as they walked toward the VC.
“Sure do. I’m helping with the living nativity over at the church. Did you see it last week?”
“Uh-huh.”
“How about you, Annie?” he said to the quieter twin.
“I liked the donkey best. Carlie is baking Christmas cookies with us next week, ’cause Aunt Nicole and Papa don’t know how. Carlie is fantabulous.”
“Oh, I see. Where’s your daddy this morning?” he asked the girls.
“Papa is on a conference call with Japan,” Beth explained matter-of-factly. “He’s awful busy making money.”
Gideon kept his expression neutral. It was Saturday morning, which meant it was probably around 3:00 a.m. in Japan. Not exactly a convenient time for the people on the other end of the call. He wondered if inconveniencing people was a pattern with the Forresters. Nicole certainly hadn’t seemed to think twice about bringing a kitten into a historic home that didn’t belong to her.
Inside the foyer of the Victorian Cat, they were met by Tessa McKinley. She would bring the cats for their exams one at a time.
“I see you have assistants today,” she said, smiling at the twins.
“Yes, this is Beth, Annie and their aunt, Nicole Forrester. I stopped to check on the kitten that Ms. Forrester rescued a few days ago. The girls wanted to meet the VC cats. Is that all right?”
Tessa winked at the six-year-olds. “You bet. Our cats love people. I’ll be right back with the first one.”
“Where’s little Meredith?” Gideon inquired when Tessa returned carrying a white feline known as Moby Dick.
“With her daddy. Gabe keeps complaining he doesn’t get enough time with her.”
Both Beth and Annie seemed fascinated by the huge white cat, but Gideon noticed that Nicole’s eyes had widened and she’d taken a quick step backward. Granted, Moby Dick was twice the size of an average cat, but hardly dangerous. His favorite trick was coaxing treats from the people staying in his suite, employing a range of “poor me” and “I’m starving” techniques.
“Moby seems to be doing well on the weight-management food,” Gideon told Tessa. “He’s lost nine ounces.”
“Kitties have to go on diets?” asked Annie.
“They do if they gain too much weight. It’s better for them.”
The exams continued and Gideon found himself watching Nicole’s reaction each time one of the larger felines was brought into the room for examination. She couldn’t be terrified of cats in general if she’d rescued Chico, but plainly the larger ones made her nervous. He had news for her—Chico was going to be a very large cat when he was grown. He had enormous paws and, despite his malnourished state, was sizable for his age.
How would she feel when he grew into a cat the size of Moby Dick?
Gideon frowned and focused on his examination. Nicole would probably adjust, though aside from his responsibility as Chico’s veterinarian, it wasn’t any of his concern.
* * *
“THAT SEEMS TOTALLY out of character for Gideon,” Carlie told Nicole on Sunday afternoon as they sat on hay bales and watched Annie and Beth sledding. “I can’t imagine him talking down to anyone and he’s been really helpful with the living nativity.”
“Maybe he just dislikes me.”
“I don’t see why. But aside from annoying veterinarians, how are you settling in?”
“Pretty well. Luke still is working most of the night. Mornings, too, while the girls are studying. I keep searching the area where I found Chico in case his littermates were dumped out there, as well. I haven’t seen any sign of another kitten, though I’ve left food and bowls of water in different spots, just in case. It’s disappearing, but that could be other animals enjoying a free lunch.”
“True.” Carlie shivered. She hated to think of a kitten being in such dire straits.
“By the way, I didn’t thank you properly for coming over when Beth had her nightmare,” Nicole said hesitantly. “Or when they asked you to be there when they decorated their Christmas trees. And, well, all the other time you’ve spent with them. I really appreciate it.”
Carlie hid a smile, thinking about Luke’s confusion at the sharp contrast between the trees his daughters had decorated. She’d deflected Beth when she started saying Annie’s choices were boring and urging her to hurry up. As a result, Beth’s tree was bold and brilliantly colored, while Annie’s shimmered in shades of white, ice blue and silver. Lavish praise had been given to both, so with any luck, Beth wouldn’t try to convince Annie to make changes. To be certain, Carlie had taken the remaining ornaments back to her office.
“Has Beth had any more nightmares?” she asked.
“No, thank goodness. From what Luke says, I don’t think she’s ever told anyone else what happens in them—at least, he’s never heard the part about being chased and that someone was after him, too.”
“I’m sure that any child who’s lost her mother could be afraid of losing her father.”
“Yeah.” Nicole fidgeted and finally sighed. “Do you think I’m a terrible aunt because Beth wanted you, instead of me?”
“Of course not. Kids are unpredictable and I’m the one who represents doing fun things. Basically, I’m sledding, cookies, cake and hot chocolate. What child wouldn’t ask for me? I positively reek of Christmas.”
Nicole smiled uncertainly. She was a curious contrast to her brother, rather diffident and quiet, with none of Luke’s arrogance. “Annie mentioned that Christmas is your favorite time of the year.”
“It is. Oh, before I forget, there are two things... I spoke to my great-aunt and she’d love to give you cooking lessons if you’re still interested.”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay.” Carlie handed her a business card. “Great-Aunt Vera’s phone number is on the back. She’s expecting your call. The second thing I wanted to ask is that since you’re going to be here all month, would you like to borrow one of my Victorian costumes to wear at Poppy Gold’s two holiday dress balls? We’re about the same size, so it should fit you. A lot of the guests come in costume.”
Nicole pocketed the card. “I’d love it, if I attend. But somebody needs to take care of Beth and Annie.”
Carlie grinned. “Babysitting is covered. Poppy Gold is hosting a children’s party at the same time in the concert hall. There will be plenty of adults to entertain the kids and keep them out of trouble.”
Nicole shook her head. “How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Put all of this together.”
“Don’t give me too much credit,” Carlie warned. “The basic schedule was established when I was a kid. Having an activities director is new to Poppy Gold—this is only my second Christmas on the job and I’m still figuring it out.”
“I never would have guessed.”
“It helps that I practically grew up at Poppy Gold since my aunt and uncle owned the place. I always had ideas about things they could do here, so it seemed perfect when my cousin offered me the position. She’s the manager now.”
Carlie knew she’d skipped some of the highlights, such as being jilted by her cheating fiancé a few hours before their wedding, but Nicole didn’t need to hear that. After all, someone who had lousy judgment in one area could be totally responsible in other ways.
“Still, you’re so comfortable with people,” Nicole said, sounding wistful. “Especially kids. Ever since Erika died, I’m always afraid I’ll say the wrong thing and make them cry or miss their mother more. Though to be honest, I wasn’t so great with them before that, either.”
Carlie rubbed her hands together, wishing she’d remembered her gloves when Annie had asked if she’d come out to the sledding hill with them. “Don’t be hard on yourself. I think it’s harder communicating with twins. I’ve got identical twin brothers and they spoke their own language for years. It used to make me crazy when they’d point my direction, whisper to each other and giggle.”
“They didn’t.”
“Oh, yes, they did. Quinn and Russ had their own private world when they were little. And they could get into ten times as much trouble together as they could apart. It’s a twin thing.”
* * *
NICOLE LAUGHED, LOVING how normal Carlie’s family sounded.
Beth and Annie came down the snowy hill on their sleds. While it was a gentle slope, she still watched carefully to be sure they got to the bottom safely. She wasn’t the only one; Luke would wait in line with them at the top, help his daughters onto their sleds and then hurry to meet them at the bottom.
Curiously, Carlie’s story about her brothers was making Nicole worry about her nieces even more. Getting in occasional trouble was normal for children, but Beth and Annie seemed almost too well behaved.
“What sort of things did your brothers do?” she asked.
“Let’s see. In kindergarten they let all the air out of Dad’s truck tires to see how far down to the ground the undercarriage would go. They were smart little devils and didn’t puncture the tires—just figured out how to do it with the valve.”
“I’ll bet your father was upset.”
“A little. He had to take Mom’s yellow Volkswagen to work that morning. I’m sure he didn’t feel it fit his masculine image, though it would have taken a team of horses to drag it out of him—my mother really loved that VW.”
Nicole bit her lip to keep from laughing again. “What else?”
“All sorts of stuff, like cutting up my prom dress to make a parachute—before the prom, I might add. I think the worst was when they ran hoses into the basement to turn it into an indoor pool. You should have heard Dad yelling when he discovered it the next morning.”
“Omigod. How deep did the water get?”
“Deep enough to swim laps. Luckily it only fried one electrical circuit, but we had to call the volunteer fire department to suction it out with their equipment.”
Okay, Nicole didn’t think Beth and Annie needed to get into that much trouble, but surely a little innocent mischief wouldn’t hurt.
* * *
AFTER TWO HOURS at the sledding hill, Luke told the girls it was time to leave. Beth stuck her lip out a fraction of an inch, while Annie looked longingly at the snowy slope.
He still wondered if coming to California had been a good idea, but his daughters’ bright eyes and red cheeks were reassuring.
“Papa, can we go one more time?” Beth asked as they walked to where Carlie was talking to his sister.
Carlie had spent most of the afternoon chatting with Nicole and other guests, while the twins went over several times to ask if she and their aunt had seen them on their sleds.
“You need some quiet time,” Luke said firmly. “If you’re too tired you won’t be able to ride in the lighted parade and go on the caroling hayride afterward.”
Nicole looked confused. “Ride in the parade?”
“Yes. All four of us are going on the flatbed trailer used for the hayride. Carlie set it up.”
“You’re going, too, aren’t you, Carlie?” Annie asked anxiously.
Carlie tugged her pigtail. “I’ll be there before you leave, but I’m riding in one of the carriages tonight, all dressed up in a costume.”
“Can I go with you?”
“Me, too,” Beth cried.
Luke was frustrated by the girls’ reaction. How was he supposed to reach his own daughters when they preferred spending time with someone who wasn’t even family?
“Maybe another night,” Carlie told them gently. “The hayride starts as soon as the parade is over and you don’t want to miss going. It’s really fun. You sing carols as you drive around and see the lights in town. Then on the way back, you stop at the old fire station for warm gingerbread with lemon sauce.”
“Yummers,” Beth said, though her sister seemed less enthused. She still didn’t want to get involved in Poppy Gold activities unless Carlie was there.
“It’s very yummy,” Carlie assured her. “So go have your quiet time and I’ll see you before the parade.”
Beth started off happily, but Annie hung back. “Will you be at the fire station?” she asked. “Pleeeeze?”
There was a brief hesitation before Carlie nodded. “All right.”
* * *
THAT EVENING, LUKE and Nicole bundled the girls in warm clothing and mittens and walked toward the area where the nightly parade was staged.
The caroling hayride wasn’t new, but apparently it was the first time that guests would be part of the parade. A Poppy Gold employee was gathering the participants together and handing out blankets to use during the ride.
“Hey there,” Carlie said behind them, but when Luke turned, she didn’t look anything like herself.
The dark green velvet costume could have come right out of a historic painting. The jacket she wore was formfitting with lace accents at the throat and wrists, while her hair was piled high and topped by a frothy hat. She smiled at the twins.
“Whoa,” Nicole exclaimed. “You must be wearing a corset.”
“Not a chance,” Carlie denied. “One of my aunts is a doctor and she doesn’t approve of corsets. Since she’s also the president of the historical society and they make most of the costumes, none of us wear them.”
“Then I won’t fit into one of your gowns. I’ll have to find something else to wear to the dances.”
“Dances?” Luke interjected.
Nicole turned. “Didn’t you see them on the December activities schedule? There are two dress balls before Christmas. Carlie offered to loan me a costume, but my waist isn’t that small.”
“Optical illusion,” Carlie declared. “I’ve got a pink velvet number that will look terrific on you. It’ll be perfect with your dark hair.”
“I think you’re being optimistic.”
“Trust me.”
“Carlie?” called a voice from across the parade staging area. “Your carriage awaits.”
“Be right there, Uncle Liam.” She nodded at the girls. “I’ll see you later at the fire station. Have a good time on your ride.”
Luke suppressed the renewed stab of awareness that had gone through him at seeing Carlie in her Victorian garb. Even though her costume wasn’t intentionally provocative, it showcased her figure very nicely.
Not that his response mattered. He wasn’t looking for anything permanent and he suspected she wasn’t the type for brief affairs—even if she liked him, which she didn’t. Even more critical, he was only staying in Glimmer Creek for a few weeks and the girls needed stability. They certainly didn’t need to start imagining that Carlie would be a permanent part of their lives. They were already getting too fond of her. His daughters’ needs had to be his only priority.