Mallery - Only Us: A Fools Gold Holiday

Only Us

A Fools Gold Holiday

Susan Mallery

Pet groomer Carina Fiore wants nothing more than to confess her feelings to the man she loves. Shes drawn to veterinarian Cameron McKenzies good looks, caring nature and especially his devotion to his young daughter. But hes also her boss and a good friend. Putting her heart on the line could cost Rina both her job and their friendship forever.

Since his divorce, Cameron hasnt been willing to trust his heartor his daughterwith anyone else. For months hes pushed away all thoughts of taking Rina in his arms and kissing her, unwilling to risk their friendship for a single night of pleasure. But when a kiss under the mistletoe unlocks the simmering passion between them, Rina and Cameron may just find love for the holidays after all

An ebook exclusive Fools Gold series novella.

To my favorite cheerleaders:

Angela, Beccie, Charlotte, Damaris, Denise, Heidi, Jeanette, Jenn, Jennifer, Julie, Kelly, Kelly Lynn, Lora, Marilyn, Melissa, Naomi, Sarah, Shelly, Stacey, Taylor, Tiffany, and Wanda.

Contents

Chapter One

Polish or no polish? Carina Fiore held up two bottles of pet-friendly OPI nail polish. I think the traditional choices would be best. Fire-Hydrant Red or Bow-Wow Green.

Eight-year-old Kaitlyn McKenzie laughed. Rina, shes a cat.

Youre saying cats arent in to fashion? Im not sure I agree. Just last week I caught this one flipping through In Style magazine. Rina studied the petite calico sitting on her grooming table. The calico stared back, her expression slightly defiant, as if daring Rina to try polish.

Rina held in a grin. Her plan was to put festive collars on the cats but she loved making Kaitlyn laugh.

The girl chuckled. Cats cant read.

You dont actually know that.

Dad says they cant.

Oh, well. Sure. Take the word of a veterinarian over me. Rina gave a heavy sigh.

Kaitlyn stepped around the grooming table and hugged Carina tightly. Well do all the dogs nails. I promise. Ill even help. We want them to look their best.

Me too.

As much as Rina hated to admit it, cute pets got adopted faster. And as the person in charge of the Fools Gold Holiday Pet Adoption, she intended to make sure every single animal looking for a home put his or her best foot forward. Or paw or claw or fin. Not that she would be doing anything to groom the fish. Although she was putting little fish-friendly Christmas trees in the tanks.

Her normally tidy grooming space was currently overflowing with cat collars and doggie bandanas in holiday prints. Over the next two weeks, she would be bathing, brushing and clipping until all the pets up for adoption gleamed.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. Wed better get you home, munchkin.

Kaitlyn looked up at her, her green eyes as dark and beautiful as her fathers. Its Friday.

I heard that this morning on the news.

The girls mouth turned up at the corner. You know what that means.

That tomorrows Saturday?

Spaghetti.

Oh, right. I was thinking of something different for dinner.

Rina!

Maybe liver.

Kaitlyn made a gagging sound.

Brains?

Kaitlyn clutched her stomach. Im going to throw up.

Swamp soup?

Giggling, Kaitlyn ran out of the room.

Rina picked up the cat and stroked her. What do you think about swamp soup?

The cat purred.

Fifteen minutes later Rina had finished cleaning off her table and washing her brushes. She collected her backpack and walked toward the break room. One of the veterinary assistants stopped her.

You have to say something, Jesse told her.

No.

Soon.

Did I just say no? Im sure I heard myself say no.

Jesse, a pretty blonde whom Rina had known since they were both zygotes, raised her eyebrows.

Rina glanced around to make sure they were alone. Even so, she lowered her voice. I cant.

You have to. Its been a year, Rina. This is insane. Its the holidays.

Im not sure what the time of year has to do with anything.

Jesse sighed. Its when you want to be with the people you love. You love Cameron. Tell him.

Rina winced. Dont say that, she whispered as forcefully as she could. Not here. Someone might hear you.

Its Friday afternoon. Everyone is gone but us. Camerons out at the Castle Ranch, checking on one of the goats there. Her friend moved closer and, Carina noticed thankfully, lowered her voice. Youre my best friend and I totally support whatever you decide, but I also know its time to tell you that youre acting like an idiot.

Youve told me that every day for six months. Its hardly a news flash.

Then do something. If not now, when? Are you going to waste another year being in love with a man who has no idea how you feel?

Rina opened her mouth, then closed it. She wanted nothing more than to confess her feelings to the man she loved.

She could still remember the first time shed seen Cameron McKenzie, DVM. Hed bought the practice from the retiring veterinarian with a promise that all the staff would stay. That included her, the practices resident groomer. Hed requested everyone meet with him on a Saturday afternoon. Shed walked into the building, not sure what to expect. Hed turned, smiled, and shed been lost.

Seriously, thered practically been a swell of music and cartoon animals putting ribbons and flowers in her hair.

She wasnt sure what it was about Cameron that got to her. The wavy dark hair and deep green eyes were only the beginnings of his good looks. Still, her feelings werent all about how handsome he was. It was the way he cared about his work and how he treated his staff. But if she had to guess, she would say her fate had truly been sealed the moment shed met Kaitlyn.

She adored the little girl and they had become instant friends. Kaitlyn was smart and funny and just as caring as her dad. The only part of their family that didnt make sense was the absence of a mother. Cameron didnt say much about his ex, so all of Rinas information had come from his daughter. Kaitlyn was fairly matter-of-fact about her past, stating her mommy had left shortly after Kaitlyn had been born. Rina could still remember her steady gaze as shed said, Babies are a lot of work and my mommy wasnt ready.

Cameron had shared few details, but those he mentioned were in line with what Kaitlyn had said; his wife had walked away from her newborn and husband and had never returned.

Since then, from what she could tell, hed devoted himself to being a single father and working hard at his practice. He never dated, hadnt once been caught flirting and showed no interest in one woman over another. In a town with a man shortage, he was practically an irresistible force.

Rina had told herself she would get over her crush, that it was just that Cameron was new and shiny. But as time had passed, her feelings had only grown. Now everything was more complicated because of the fact that she took care of Kaitlyn.

Every school day, Rina arrived at the McKenzie household early, made sure Kaitlyn was up and dressed, then fixed her breakfast and walked her to the bus. After school the girl rode the bus to the veterinary practice where she hung out with Rina until it was time to go home.

Back at the McKenzie house, Rina helped her with her homework and started dinner. In the past few months, shed begun staying to eat with them. Unfortunately, she couldnt remember exactly how that had started. She wanted to say that Cameron had asked, but she suspected the invitation had come from his daughter.

Cameron paid her as a groomer and as the person taking care of his daughter. And, even though he was friendly and considerate, she couldnt be completely sure hed ever thought of her as more than a friend. Which meant admitting her feelings put a lot on the line. What if he wasnt interested? What if telling the truth meant losing her friendship with Kaitlyn and her job?