Free Until She Met Daniel by Callie Endicott Page A

he
hadn’t
seen before.
    Twisting into a contorted position, Mr. Spock began working on the area just under his tail.
    Daniel wrinkled his nose. “I’m glad I don’t have to bathe myself that way.”
    â€œThat’s for sure. Listen, why don’t you take a load off? I’ll get you a glass of iced tea.”
    He hesitated, having figured on dropping off the cat if it was hers, before leaving politely. Spending social time with fellow workers had never been a habit, but sitting alone in the Victorian for the entire evening was unappealing. Surely it wouldn’t do any harm to share Mandy’s company for a short while. Besides, she seemed to understand Willow’s Eve; he might pick up some useful information.
    â€œIced tea would be terrific,” he said.
    She lifted Mr. Spock off her lap, then squirmed out of the Adirondack chair and laughed self-deprecatingly. “I love these things, but they aren’t built for easy liftoff.”
    Daniel wished he hadn’t agreed to the iced tea—knowing he’d find it hard to forget the sinuous movements Mandy had made. Reminding himself that it was just the long dry period he’d endured, he sat in the second chair. The cat immediately leaped onto the broad armrest and meowed plaintively. Daniel looked into the animal’s green eyes, amazed at the sense of untamed wildness he got from them.
    â€œIs something wrong?” Mandy asked, coming out the door and handing him a large tumbler.
    â€œNo, it’s just that he’s not really domesticated, is he?”
    â€œHeck no. The line between tame and wild is paper thin in a cat.”
    â€œWhat does he want? He keeps looking at me.”
    Mandy laughed. “He’s probably unhappy you don’t have a proper lap for him to sit on.”
    â€œSo that’s what the towel is for.”
    â€œYes, and self-protection. He has sharp claws, and wearing shorts exposes a lot of bare skin.”
    As soon as Mandy sat again and laid the towel across her legs, Mr. Spock abandoned Daniel and returned to her.
    â€œHow are things over at the house?” she asked.
    â€œOkay. I’m sort of camping out until the movers get here, although that sounds odd in such a grandiose place. Incidentally, the way the house was supplied has been very helpful, along with the groceries, of course. Where should I send a thank-you note?”
    â€œProbably to Jane Cutman. She was the chair of the welcome committee. Everyone will be pleased we guessed right about what you’d need.”
    â€œGreat. You mentioned she lived in the yellow house on the other side of your place.”
    â€œYup, the one with that glorious flower garden.”
    Daniel drank some of the tea, trying to release the tension from his first day on the job, but he couldn’t stop recalling his discussion with the mayor. It had been the proverbial “other shoe dropping.”
    â€œYou seem to like Willow’s Eve,” he said, wondering if she knew anything about the impending water and sewer issue.
    â€œIt’s a great place.”
    â€œI’ve never lived in a small town, so I don’t know what’s typical. Especially in such a rural area.”
    â€œMe, either.” Her words were distorted by a sudden yawn. “Sorry, don’t know where that came from.”
    â€œLack of sleep? You couldn’t have gotten much rest last night after cleaning my office.”
    â€œThat’s funny. I’d almost forgotten.”
    At first Daniel wondered if she was being sarcastic, but Mandy’s face showed no sign of it. Instead she was busily petting the long-haired feline on her lap, making funny little sounds to Mr. Spock.
    After draining his glass, he stood. “I should probably go,” he said. “Thanks for the tea.”
    â€œThanks for bringing Mr. Spock home. Sorry he barged into your kitchen. I’ll try to keep him inside. I don’t want him to be a