for a time. Momma cats with babies aren’t very adoptable. The kittens will be, though, once they’re born.”
“I don’t think I’m going to tell Pippa, Penny and Paris that.”
“We can’t give Fiesta a whole lot of attention at the shelter because of all of our animals. I’ll do my best to keep an eye on her. It really would be better if she could go home with you and your girls, though.”
“No.” The word popped out of Daniel’s mouth before he even thought about the idea.
“Can I ask why?” she inquired gently.
After a moment, he told her the truth. “I’m a divorced single dad with three girls who are active, smart and sometimes needy. I really can’t see adding a pet to that mix.”
She paused, then said quietly, “I see. If you can’t adopt Fiesta, why don’t you bring your daughters back to the shelter for a visit. I’m sure they’d enjoy it and so would she. I’m certain she’ll want all the attention she can get. She’s a very friendly feline.”
“I’ll consider a visit,” he assured her, maybe because he wanted to see Emma Alvarez again and not the cat.
“Whenever you have time. Do you know our hours?”
“I do. I looked them up before we came to the shelter. Are you always on the same shift?”
“My schedule varies depending on when the shelter needs me to be here.”
He hadn’t thought about that.
“We hope to see you soon at Furever Paws,” she said politely. “You have a good night and say hello to your girls for me.”
“I will.”
After Daniel ended the call, he wished it had gone on a little longer. Should he visit again with her at Furever Paws when he was attracted to her?
His better judgment told him no.
Whole Bean, the coffee shop in Spring Forest, was a popular local gathering place, even on a Saturday. Daniel was grateful for his sister, who had come over to the house to take care of the girls for the day so he could catch up on client appointments at the office. She was making them breakfast and since she didn’t drink coffee...
The coffee shop was near his office so it was an easy stop. He went to the counter and ordered a double-shot espresso. Checking his watch, he saw that he had about ten minutes before he wanted to start at the office. It wouldn’t hurt to relax a bit before the workday began. Sometimes getting the girls up and dressed and their hair fixed was like running a marathon. He wanted his sister to do the fun things with them and didn’t intend to burden her with any more than was necessary.
He’d turned and headed to the main part of the café to find a table when he stopped cold. There was Emma Alvarez, sitting alone at a bistro table for two. Could she be waiting for someone?
It didn’t look like it. She’d spread the newspaper on the table in front of her and had a pen in her hand.
So much for relaxing. His heart had started pulsing faster the moment he’d spotted her.
Crossing to the table, he stood there for a moment. She must have felt his presence because she looked up and her eyes widened.
Before he could stop himself, he asked, “Do you mind if I join you?”
She looked flustered but she folded the newspaper and laid her pen on the table. “I don’t mind.”
He checked the coffee she was drinking. It looked like a latte.
She saw him studying her coffee and she studied his. “Yes, I drink lattes—vanilla. How about you?”
He nodded to his cup as he sat. “It only looks like black coffee. It has shots of espresso in it.”
“Enough to get you through the day?” she teased. “Or will you need more about noon?”
“I’m limiting myself to the two shots of espresso a day. If I have them both in the morning, that’s it. I have enough trouble sleeping at night.”
“Because of your daughters?” she asked, and then blushed. “I’m sorry. That sounded like prying.”
“I opened the conversation, and yes, my daughters do keep me from sleeping at night. Pippa often calls out in her sleep. It’s been that way since my wife left.”
“You said you’re divorced?”
His gaze landed on her hand. No ring there. “Yes, I’m divorced. Two years now. You’d think I would have gotten used to being mother and father by now.”
Emma shook her head. “I don’t think it works that way. I lost my mom to cancer when I was twelve. I’ll never forget those last six months or the years after, when I missed her so much I didn’t know what to do. I still miss her.”
They’d jumped into heavy waters awfully fast, and it was time to back up. Except, when he tried to remove himself emotionally, he got caught up in Emma’s beauty—those dangling curls, her pert nose, her full lips. Backing away from her would be downright difficult.
Clearing his throat, he nodded to the newspaper. “You looked serious when I came over.”
“I’m looking for a job. I have a business degree. In Pennsylvania before I moved here, I was an office manager. I’m hoping that the grapevine surrounding the shelter will reveal a position somewhere nearby. Lots of folks go in and out of there in a day.”
“I imagine so. I thought maybe you were training to be a vet tech since you were working at the shelter.”
“Oh, I love animals. But I don’t think vet tech is in my future—the medical side isn’t for me. During my shift I help out wherever’s necessary. What I like most is giving the animals attention. They are so much like children. When neglected, they act out. If we play with them to release energy, and they know someone’s caring for them, they behave much better.”
When he was at the shelter with his daughters, he could easily see that Emma had a soft spot for children and animals. He took a few sips of his coffee. “Have you been in North Carolina long?”
“About a month now.”
“You said you worked as an office manager in Pennsylvania. Did you come here looking for work?”
Appearing uncomfortable for a moment, she brushed her curls behind her ear before answering him. “Not exactly. It’s a very long story. My trip down here ended up being a little different than I expected. Now I’ve decided to stay for a while to see if Spring Forest is where I might want to settle. It is a beautiful little town.”
Emma sipped more of her coffee. It was about half-finished. It must have still had foam because it edged her upper lip. He smiled.
“What?” she asked, probably
