Joanna Sims – The Sergeant's Christmas Mission (страница 9)
Rebecca handed him the papers and immediately dropped to the ground on her knees to show Recon and the kitten some attention. Shane sat down on a bar stool at the small kitchen bar and began to read over the lease. It was standard—no real surprises. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Top turn upside down in front of Rebecca, her black-and-pink paw pads up in the air, batting at a feather toy the landlady was holding.
“Top! You’ve already gotten so big!”
Shane hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly, but he had fallen in love with that little rascal of a kitten. Yes, he had to load up on boxes of tissues and allergy medicine, but he didn’t mind. Top was the funniest, sweetest little soul he’d ever encountered. And Recon and the kitten were best friends. In fact, Top had taken to riding on Recon’s back like a jockey riding a horse. Every time Shane saw her do it, it made him laugh out loud.
Rebecca picked up the high-octane, wiggling kitten, kissed her on the head and then let her go. Top ran between Recon’s legs, stood up on her hind legs, paws waving in the air, and “caught” Recon’s tail. The dog didn’t react.
“I can’t believe how Recon treats her,” she mused.
“Surprised me,” Shane agreed. “It was love at first sight for those two.”
“You’re the reason they’re still together,” she said to him. “You saved her life.”
“It was a group effort.”
Rebecca stood up and wandered over to a bookshelf he had made in high school—it was a sturdy bookshelf that was carved from a fallen tree at Sugar Creek Ranch. It was one of the few things, other than his truck, motorcycle and his pets, that he cherished.
He was initialing the lease when Rebecca held up a picture frame. “Are these the men you served with?”
Shane didn’t have to look at the picture; he knew which picture it was because it was the only one in the apartment. His fingers tightened on the pen until they ached, his heart began to race and he began to perspire, even though the AC was cranking. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, not wanting to draw attention to his reaction, swallowed hard and then said, “Yes. Those were my boys.”
As if the dog sensed his discomfort, Recon moved to the spot by his feet and lay down. Top, who had run out of steam, sprawled out across Recon’s back and promptly fell asleep. Shane signed and dated the lease and held it out for Rebecca to review.
“Do you have any questions? There were a couple of changes.”
“It’s all good.”
Rebecca took the lease. “I’ll make a copy of the signed lease for your records.”
He walked her to the door and held it open for her.
Just outside the door, she paused. “’Bye, Recon. ’Bye, Top.”
Almost on cue, he sneezed.
“If you’re going to keep her, you’re going to have to go to a doctor.”
“Oh, I’m keeping her. She’s family.”
“Then I see an allergist in your future.”
“I’ve got an appointment at the VA.”
“That’s smart,” she said.
He nodded as he blew his nose, wishing that his eyes would stop itching.
“Well...” Rebecca smiled at him, her pretty eyes full of acceptance as she looked at him. “I’ll let you get on with your day.”
He said goodbye but didn’t really want her to leave. There was something about the kindness in this woman’s smile that made him feel less anxious. There was sweetness in her eyes that made him want to look into them and never look away.
“How’s it going in there?”
In the middle of the courtyard, Rebecca turned back to him. “With the unpacking?”
He nodded.
Her smile widened. “I’m finished!”
“Congrats on that.”
“I know,” she said, happily. “I know. I’m not sure what to do with myself for the rest of the day. Tomorrow, I start the search for work.”
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