Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)(30)

“Which works out because you know enough for both of us. Do you like that?”

“Sort of. I worry it’s too much for this damn town.”

“You’re too much and yet you love it here.”

“I know. Life has quite the sense of humor.” She leaned back in her chair. “Isabel is getting me some samples to try on. If I go with something couture, it’s going to be months before it’s ready.”

Larissa sprawled in a seat on the visitor’s side of the desk. “What about the designers Isabel already works with? You’ve said there are several you like. Ask them to design you a gown. If it’s just a drawing, you’re not committed or anything. And it would be faster than some famous designer.”

Isabel had a clothing store and a bridal gown store in town. For a sleepy little tourist town, Fool’s Gold had some great shopping.

Taryn’s blue-violet eyes widened. “That’s a brilliant idea.”

“Please don’t sound surprised. I can be intelligent.”

“You always are. And that’s great. I’ll talk to Isabel and see what she thinks.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why are you here?”

“You mean your office, right? Because if we’re going to talk about the metaphysics of life on earth, I need a cookie.”

“Why are you in my office?” Taryn clarified.

“I’m bored. Jack’s at a meeting and the guys are all doing different stuff. Want a massage?”

“I just had one.”

Larissa shrugged. “See? I have no responsibilities.”

“Speaking of taking charge and being left to handle the work, what’s up with the kid?”

“His name is Percy.”

Taryn waved away the information. “Your latest project?”

“Jack and I found him last night. He was homeless. He’s just eighteen and he needs help.”

“You found him?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Why isn’t the rescue cat enough?”

“Dyna’s lovely. This is different. Besides, he’s not living with me. He’s with Jack.”

“Of course he is. What are you going to do with him?”

“I don’t know. Jack and I are working on that.”

Taryn’s expression turned knowing. “You’re always going to try to save the world, aren’t you? I can’t figure out if you’re truly that good or if you’re simply distracting yourself.”

“Ouch,” Larissa said. “I have feelings and I care about people and creatures in trouble.”

“Just a little bit more than the rest of us do,” Taryn told her. “I think you’re hiding.”

Something Larissa didn’t want to hear. It was too close to what her mother had mentioned to her. They meant it in different ways but the ultimate message was still the same.

“I’m fine,” she insisted.

“Do I look convinced?” Taryn asked.

“Yes.”

Taryn raised her eyebrows. “I worry about you. You’re so busy taking care of everyone else. Who looks after you?”

Jack, Larissa thought, but instinctively knew that wasn’t a good answer. Not in these circumstances. “I can take care of myself. I don’t need saving.”

Taryn shook her head. “Some days we all need saving. You should know that.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

DYNA’S PLAINTIVE CRIES made Larissa rethink her plan. The sweet-faced Ragdoll cat was obviously unhappy with the evening’s events.

“I think you’ll like it when we get there,” Larissa said as she grabbed the carrier, along with the big bag of takeout she’d picked up on the way over. “And Percy is nice. You’ll enjoy him.”

Dyna meowed again, making it clear she wasn’t on board with the program. Larissa did her best to not feel guilty as she walked up the walkway to Jack’s front door.

Jack opened it before she got there and stared at the carrier. “Dyna?” he asked, taking the food from her.

“I thought she’d like Percy. Pets are important in a family.”

“Uh-huh. I don’t have a litter box.”

“Yes, you do. From when you had those kittens.”

A couple of months ago, a litter of feral kittens had been in danger of dying when their mother had been killed by a car. They’d moved in with Jack until they’d been adopted.

“Right,” he said. “I’d forgotten. I have no idea where it is.”

“Not a problem.”

Larissa made sure the front door was securely closed, then opened the carrier. Dyna stepped out with the dignity only an offended cat could muster.

“I keep making backward progress with her,” she murmured.

“I’ll tell her she’s a fool not to adore you,” Jack told her. “Come on. Let’s eat.”

Percy clattered down the stairs. He was all arms and legs, still growing, Larissa thought as he stepped into the living room. But his new clothes looked good on him.

“Hey, is that a cat?” he asked, seeing Dyna. “She’s a real beauty.”

He bent over to pick up the feline. Larissa started to warn him that Dyna could be standoffish, only to watch while the cat relaxed into his arms and began to purr.