gorgeous.”
Tansy glanced over at Rose and grinned. “You noticed that, did you?”
“I may be old enough to be his grandmother, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate tall, dark and handsome when I see it. If I’m not mistaken, you two shared a moment.”
Tansy’s cheeks warmed. She hoped she hadn’t looked quite as dazzled as she’d felt. “I was trying to mentally place him.”
“Don’t blame you. Was he on a beach towel in the sand or on a bearskin rug in front of the fire?”
“Rose!” Tansy laughed, bringing an excited bark from Ewok. “I was trying to figure out why he looks so familiar. I swear we’ve met before.”
“Did you tell him so?”
“I did, but apparently we haven’t met. He said he would have remembered.” Sexual heat curled through her as she thought about the low, intimate way he’d said it.
“Whew!” Rose fanned herself. “A guy who knows how to deliver his lines. And he wasn’t wearing a ring. I checked. What’s his name?”
“Don’t know.”
“Why on earth not?”
“Didn’t think to ask.”
Rose slapped her forehead. “You meet a hero type who rescues precious little Ewok, a man who says he would have remembered if you’d met before, and you neglect to get his name?”
“I’m out of practice with that kind of thing.” Though now Tansy wished she had a name to attach to the first man in ages to arouse her dormant libido.
“I know you’re out of practice. I’ve volunteered at the shelter for almost two years, and I don’t think you’ve had so much as a date, let alone a romance. I figured you were either too busy or very picky.”
“I’m both.”
Rose nodded. “I realize your work brings you joy, and there’s nothing wrong with being picky. But FYI, you and that cameraman were giving off sparks.” She pulled a phone out of her small messenger bag. “I’m going to call the station and find out his name.”
“No!” Then her panic turned to laughter. “Okay, you got me. Very cute, Rose. You don’t have the number.”
“Yes, I do.” She hit a button on her phone. “Yesterday you asked me to double-check when we were supposed to arrive. The number’s still in my phone.”
Tansy groaned. She’d forgotten about that. “Rose, hang up. Seriously.”
“No worries. I’ll just say that The Haven wants to send him a personal note for his part in recapturing Ewok.”
“That’s a flimsy excuse. Please don’t—” But Tansy was wasting her breath. Rose was already talking to someone at KFOR.
“Yes, I mean that quick-thinking cameraman who saved little Ewok after he escaped. We want to send him a note of thanks. Ben Rhodes? Got it.”
Nice name, but Tansy couldn’t connect it to the dim memory she had of seeing him somewhere before.
Theoretically, Rose should be hanging up now that she’d found out his name, but for some reason she was still talking. “Really? That’s too bad.” She paused. “Well, if you’re considering sending someone out, I can’t think of a better choice than Ben Rhodes, if he’s available.”
Tansy’s eyes widened as she glanced over at Rose, eyebrows raised.
Rose pretended not to notice. “Well, good. I hope it works out. I’ll check with Tansy. ’Bye.”
“You’ll check what with Tansy? What are you up to, Rose Parker?”
The volunteer’s expression was smug as she tucked the phone back into her purse. “You remember those candid photos of the animals you gave them so they’d have something for the promo spots?”
“Yes. I know they aren’t great, but it was all I had.”
“They didn’t pass muster, so they want to send one of their cameramen out to take some better shots.”
“And you suggested Ben.” She tried to sound disapproving, but that was difficult when she was short of breath and squiggles of excitement were dancing through her system.
“Yes.” Rose settled back in her seat with a smile. “He’ll be perfect.”
PERFECT. THE WORD CERTAINLY described Ben as Tansy opened the front door of the yellow-and-white Victorian that The Haven used as its administration building. She and Ben had agreed on an early Saturday morning appointment, and she’d turned on the white Christmas lights outlining the house to banish the gloom.
Against the backdrop of those sparkling lights, he looked ruggedly handsome in jeans, boots, a sheepskin jacket and a brown cowboy hat. The scent of the fresh pine wreath hanging on the door came in with him, along with the tang of frost and his minty aftershave.
Tansy greeted him as nonchalantly as she could, considering they were alone for the first time and her heart tap danced with excitement. She’d suggested giving him a tour before The Haven opened for the day, which meant that even Faye, the receptionist, wasn’t around.
“Good morning.” Tansy extended her hand and Ben pulled off a leather glove to shake it. “Where’s your equipment?”
“Left it in the Channel 10 van.” His grip was warm and firm, but the brim of his hat cast his face into shadow, making his expression difficult to read. “I wanted to get the lay of the land first.”
“Of course. No sense in lugging everything around until you’re ready to start.” When he let go of her hand, she resisted the impulse to press it against the butterflies circling in her tummy.
Stepping around him, she relocked the door. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. I knew my pictures weren’t very good. Photography isn’t my strong suit.”
“Maybe photography isn’t, but I can already tell this is.” He walked into the reception area. What had once been the house’s living room was now divided by a waist-high counter. Two desks and several filing cabinets occupied the larger space behind the counter. In front of it, two sturdy wooden armchairs and a low table created a seating area, and a coat tree stood in the corner.
Ben’s gaze lingered on a small artificial tree sitting on the counter. Its only decorations were a strand of multicolored lights and white angel donation cards hanging from the branches. A small sign invited visitors to choose a card and donate the item listed on it.
Unhooking one of the angel-shaped cards, he tucked it in the pocket of his coat. “That angel tree’s a good idea. Paul said you’ve made astounding progress at
