Please enjoy the following excerpt of Kittens, Puppies & Love; Stories from Swan Harbor, Book 3, copyright 2020, Sophie Bartow
Chapter 1
Sheriff’s Department
September
Killian Reade closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, enjoying the relative quiet in the Sheriff’s Department. With the end of summer sending the tourists home, he could appreciate how much his life had changed the past year.
Surprised you liked it, aren’t you? his inner voice murmured. But before he could delve too far down that hole, the sound of boot heels had his eyes lifting just as his boss entered his cubicle.
“Surprise.” Dylan dropped a pile of folders on the metal desk, “You don’t look busy.”
“Bloody hell, Dylan,” Killian exclaimed. “What are these?” He scrambled to keep the papers from flying and the pile from sliding off the desk, “I finished my paperwork.”
The Sheriff sent him a cheeky smile, “Just think of them as a gift. Then, when you’re done, I’ll take my usual from Sally’s.”
“Gee, thanks,” Killian retorted, opening the first file. “But aren’t these Rusty’s cases?”
“Yeah.” Dylan’s expression sobered, “He had to take Rene to the airport, so…”
“Welcome to Swan Harbor,” Killian groused, more for show than his annoyance at helping his partner.
“What can I say?” Dylan shrugged. “We’re a friendly bunch.”
“Alright, alright,” Killian agreed, flipping through the paperwork. “But next time you want to give me a gift, a pastry from Paula’s will do.”
“I’ll remember that,” his boss tossed over his shoulder on his way out.
Killian laughed, the action still feeling abnormal even after seven months in Swan Harbor. But since he’d lived in relative anonymity for much of the ten years previous, he found it comforting. He didn’t need to look over his shoulder or to second guess his actions. And the sound of gunshots didn’t wake him nightly, nor was he surrounded by the smell of blood.
Except those were thoughts he rarely allowed, preferring more pleasant ones. Such as the bevy of beautiful women the picturesque town offered. He never had to look far for female companionship as the likes of Belle, Tia, Chloe, or…
“All done, Killian?” Amy, the office clerk appeared.
“Thanks, love,” he nodded toward the completed folders on the corner of the desk.
“Need anything else?”
The hopeful tone in her voice had him glancing back up, “Not right now.” And because it was expected, he winked.
“Well, okay then,” her smile dimmed, “I’ll just file these.” She flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and left the room, a little extra wiggle in her walk.
Women liked him and with his tousled black hair, blue eyes, and square jaw, he was used to their attention. He treated them well and never made promises he didn’t intend to keep. But people only saw the Killian Reade he allowed them to see, which was how he liked it. At least that’s what he’d always told himself.
However, those thoughts were ones for another day, he decided, slipping on his sunglasses and stepping out into the September sun. The warmth felt good on his face and with the tourists gone, if he cocked his head just so, he could hear…
A frown appeared between his black brows when it wasn’t the waves washing up on the beach that reached his ears. It was the rattle of an untuned car engine belonging to a bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle.
“Bloody hell,” rolled off his tongue when the driver came into view.
***
Swan Harbor
12:45 p.m.
Emma’s gaze searched the building until she located a sign and read, “Swan Harbor Sheriff Department,” her second landmark. Unconsciously, her hand tightened on the gearshift as she slowed for the light.
Just two more blocks.
Why was she nervous? This was what she wanted.
Then take a right.
She’d grown up in a world full of make-believe and had run far away.
125 Summer Ave, Suite 2A.
But she liked to be in control, and as a child, there weren’t many opportunities.
Attorney Ben Matthews, 1:00 p.m.
Setting goals and checking them off as they’d been achieved had given her control.
That was why she always had a plan in place and why her goals were so important.
She pulled into a parking space in front of the early colonial home where Ben’s office was located.
When her car sputtered and finally died, her palms began to sweat.
The Rhopalocera in her stomach swarmed as she opened the door.
And her heart rate took off like a herd of Equus caballus when she stepped from the car.
Goals equaled success was her motto and once her meeting was over, one more item on her list could be crossed off.
Graduate from High School. Check.
Graduate with her Bachelor’s. Check.
Get into Veterinarian School. Check.
Graduate from Veterinarian School. Check.
Pass licensure exams. Check.
Get a job. She was doing better than just getting a job. After her appointment, she would be Doctor Emma Foster, Owner and Veterinarian.
***
Sally’s Diner
1:00 p.m.
Killian stepped into Sally’s Diner, his thoughts still on the lovely lass behind the wheel of the yellow car. She had looked through him and not at him, a behavior that had him curious.
“Hey, Killian,” Hayden, Sally’s nephew, greeted him with a series of hand slaps. “Let me clean this table and your order should be ready.”
“My order?” Killian frowned at the younger lad, “I don’t recall giving my order. Did I step through a time warp?”
Hayden rolled his eyes in typical late teen fashion, “No, you’re just one of my regulars, that’s all.”
“Regulars?” Killian looked down at his black jeans and t-shirt, “I never thought of myself as a regular anything.”
Hayden tucked his rag back into his apron and picked up the tray of dirty dishes, “Regular, as in you have lunch at Sally’s three times a week, eat the same foods, look around for someone, and after paying, you leave.”
“I’m that predictable?”
“Yep,” Hayden nodded once, “Same days, same time and same order.”
“And, when I look around, you’re assuming I’m looking for someone or do you know?”
“Killian,” Hayden’s tone was slightly exasperated, “I’m not a kid. I know you’re trolling for fresh meat. I’ll check on your order.”
“Maybe you should be the Investigator instead of me.”
Hayden laughed, “Nah, I’m a computer guy, you know that. I’ll be right back.”
Killian watched the younger man bound across the room. His mannerisms and confidence reminding him of himself once upon a time. However, life and experiences had gotten in the way and created the man he saw in the mirror. Predictable in his past life would have gotten him killed. Did he want that title? Or any of the titles Hayden used?
“Dylan’s order was ready too.” Hayden appeared, handing him two bags, “See you at the gym tomorrow.”
“I’m predictable about that too?”
Hayden blushed, almost as if he was embarrassed to have divulged so much information, “Well…” his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down several times.
“When do you head back to school?” Killian changed the subject, letting the younger man off the hook.
“Next week,” Hayden grinned. “Just three more years.”
“Don’t rush it,” Killian advised as he paid for his food. “You’ll get there. I’ll see you at the gym.”
He hadn’t gotten far when the yellow car rushed past, loud music trailing in its wake. Where was she off to in such a rush, he couldn’t help but wonder.
***
Emma’s purchase, Swan Harbor Veterinarian Hospital, included two buildings on several acres, located not far outside town. She would use the largest building, a barn, for treating horses and cattle. And the other one was divided into rooms housing her clinic on one floor, and a small apartment above. It was perfect.
A week after taking ownership, she pulled out her list and added Make Business a Success. But before she could contemplate the steps needed to complete the goal, the tinkling of the bell over the front door alerted her to company.
“Can I help you?” she asked, when she stepped into the front room.
“I was looking for the Doctor,” the petite brunette in front of the counter replied.
“I’m Doctor Foster.” Emma offered. “Maybe I can help.”
The woman studied her for a few seconds, “Okay, thanks. But what happened to Doc Thatcher?”
“He retired,” Emma explained. “Now, how can I help, Miss…?”
“Prince, Molly Prince,” the woman replied. “I found this bird tangled in some wires and thought maybe…”
Emma took the cage and led her into one of the smaller rooms. While she was examining the bird, she learned the woman was a first-grade teacher and married to the town sheriff.
“It looks like the bird has a broken wing,” Emma told her. “I’ll try to set it…and then we’ll see.”
Molly’s face fell at the news, “Will it be alright?”
“I’ll do the best I can, okay?”
It took several minutes of intense scrutiny before Molly finally nodded, “How much do I owe you?”
“This one’s on me.” Emma couldn’t contain her smile, “You’re my first customer.”
“Congratulations.” Molly’s expression grew curious, “You’re new in town, aren’t you?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Small town,” Molly laughed. “Would you like to meet for lunch sometime? I could show you around.”
While she wasn’t sure how much free time she would have, Emma realized that having someone who knew the area and its inhabitants could help with her newest goal, “That would be great, thanks.” She handed Molly one of her new business cards.
“Will you let me know about the bird?”
“Even if it’s not good news?” When Molly just gave a quick nod, Emma promised to let her know.
“Thanks,” And with a little wave, she was gone.
“Well, little bird,” Emma crooned softly. “Let’s see what we can do about your wing.”