Free Turn of the Pipes (A Redpoint One Romance) by J.A. Marlow Page B

found a bench to set the basket
and blanket down on. He should go right back in, but he found
himself reluctant to do so.
    The humorous image of Rachel in her beautiful
golden dress with an adoring flying squirrel peeking out from the
curls of hair on the top of her head was irresistible. Both so
soft, in more than dress or fur. And much too familiar.
    He'd found a woman who possessed a magic touch
with animals. Someone who loved animals on their own, without
faking it in an attempt to continue dating. Someone who appeared
honest and real in everything she did. Who honestly liked him and
what he did without hesitation.
    He'd had that once, and lost it. With it came
the memories he'd tried so hard to suppress. Tried and obviously
failed.
    With it, the charm of the evening disappeared.
A heaviness settled on his heart. He wasn't ready for any of this,
and it wasn't fair to Rachel.
    "He's out," Rachel called out.
    His cue to go back inside. To continue a date
his heart no longer wanted.
    He forced himself to return, finding Rachel
still sitting at the bench with her hair down around her shoulders,
and a thrumming squirrel held in her arms and happily munching
large beetles from a cup on the counter in front of it.
    The image flashed to that of someone else a
bit shorter with red hair, holding a rescued bird. He blinked
rapidly, the image so real. The image shifted back to that of
Rachel.
    He couldn't say anything, although he knew he
should. The image was seared into his mind, making him incapable of
thinking or feeling anything other than deep pain.
    "Operation Squirrel Escape accomplished," she
said with a grin.
    "Hand him to me. I'll make sure he gets a good
feed before releasing him by his favorite tree." Reggy reached out
for him. "Off you go. Get a head start on a walk or something
before he decides to come looking for you for another
snuggle."
    Ignacio thanked him while Rachel passed him
over. Even while eating, Pookie didn't want to let go.
    Pookie. What a name for a male
squirrel.
    "He's right. We should make a run for it.
Would you like a walk?" Rachel asked, joining him near the
door.
    Right, a walk. A walk would be a good
past-time to follow a picnic. The paved walkways through the refuge
were well-lit and perfect for such an activity. His mind knew all
of it. His heart was another matter.
    "Sorry about your hair," he said, finally
getting out a few words.
    "No harm done. Despite the timing of his
hello, it was nice to see Pookie again," Rachel said. She pulled
her hair back and used one of the clips that had once kept the
loose bun in place to instead move her hair away from her
face.
    They returned to the bench with the basket and
blanket. Ignacio picked them up, wondering what he should do now.
Had it been enough time for the date to safely end? Should he walk
a token amount around one of the smaller environmental
enclosures?
    "Reggie told me a little of the consulting you
do for the refuge. You seem to be everywhere. I admire the
dedication," Rachel said.
    "I'm needed." He pushed the blanked higher on
his arm as they headed back the way they'd come.
    "Along with the newts. I'm amazed you have
time to sleep."
    "I get by."
    All the while images of another woman flashed
through his mind. What was wrong with him? Tied to the past, tied
to changing the future for animals unfortunate enough to be in the
way of human progress. For once it all felt so confining, but he
had no idea how to get out from the tangle.
    "What direction?" Rachel asked in the
silence.
    Happiness and humor no longer glowed from her
face. No touch of laughter touched her voice. Instead, she was
worried.
    And, it was all his fault.
    The short way, then. Then, time to end the
date. It had gone on long enough.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT

    RACHEL TRIED TO remember exactly when the date
ended. All she knew was that a short time after fishing Pookie out
of her hair, they were back at the door of Ignacio's warehouse. How
did it happen so