The Billionaire's Matchmaker(47)

Her smile was uncertain and slightly embarrassed as she invited him inside. “I started the coffee already.”

The scent of French roast, which was most welcome after a night of little sleep, greeted them in the kitchen. Gid got two mugs from the cupboard and filled them, adding a dash of creamer to Mia’s, while she puttered in front of the stove, cracking eggs into a pan where butter already had melted.

The silence stretched, broken only by the sound of sizzling eggs and Charlie gobbling up the dry dog food Mia had put in his dish.

“So, when are Marney and Dell back from their honeymoon?” he asked, hoping to end the awkwardness.

“Next week.” Mia nodded in Charlie’s direction. “Despite last night’s excitement, I’m going to miss him.”

“You should get a dog.”

Her expression softened. “You know I would if I were home more.”

“I think Loretta would let you bring one to the shop. She obviously has no problem with Charlie being there.”

“That’s only because he’s Mr. Bonaparte’s dog.” Mia chuckled. Mr. B.’s reputation for both his wealth and his wrath were equally known around town, despite the fact the man himself wasn’t around much. “Besides, she knows it won’t be forever. Once Marney is home, she’ll take Charlie back. If Gabby doesn’t return to town first. She and T.J. are in California right now visiting his office there.”

Gid sipped his coffee. “Well, once you own the shop, you can do as you please.”

“Yes.”

He watched a grin spread across her face and doubted she knew she was smiling.

“Has Loretta made any more noise about retiring?”

“Not exactly, but she comes in less and less frequently these days, and she knows I want to buy the business eventually.”

“You finally talked to her?” Before their breakup, Gid had been after Mia to put her cards on the table with her employer and make her desire known.

“More like she talked to me.” The smile turned circumspect. “Apparently I’m not as hard to read as I like to think I am.”

No, Mia wasn’t hard to read. Not since the first time she’d cowered at Gid’s raised voice. She’d been abused, abandoned, let down repeatedly. All of that became abundantly clear both in what she said and what she held back.

But knowing what she was thinking and figuring her out were two different things, as Gid had discovered the hard way. They’d met at the flower shop when he came in to order roses for his mother. Mia had waited on him. He’d flirted with her. She’d flirted back the next several times he made excuses to come in and see her. Finally, he’d asked her out, figuring his interest would cool once they’d slept together. The opposite occurred, surprising them both. It felt right, though, destined in a way no other relationship ever had. He’d settled in, aware of her baggage, even if she’d never shared with him a full account of her childhood. She’d seemed happy if still guarded.

She turned the eggs while he put a couple of slices of bread in the toaster. Then he set the table. They worked in the companionable silence of a couple, even if they no longer were one.

Once they were seated at the table, she said, “I can’t thank you enough for helping Charlie last night.”

Being on call for emergencies was part of his job description but Gid decided not to remind her. Instead, he said, “I’m glad it turned out to be nothing serious.”

“Same here. I feel bad enough as it is. I can’t imagine having to call Marney or Gabby and telling them something had happened to the dog or, worse still, having to call Mr. Bonaparte.”

“These things happen, especially when an animal is in new surroundings. It wasn’t your fault, but you might consider partitioning him off in a safe area the next time you’re out.” He ate a bite of egg. “Speaking of Bonaparte, have you ever met him?”

“No. Even Loretta, who knows everyone in town, told me the closest she’s ever come to him was a couple years ago when his butler called the shop to place an order. What about you?”

“Never. The guy’s been the town recluse ever since I came to Chandler’s Cove right out of veterinary school and opened my practice.”

“He doesn’t bring in Charlie for appointments?”

“No. The butler again.”

Mia frowned. “Charlie must get awfully lonely in that big house with nothing but a crusty old servant and a recluse for company. I guess that explains why he was always running loose when he got the chance—and why Gabby said the servants were thrilled when Mr. B. asked her to dog-sit while he was out of the country.”


“If I suspected abuse or neglect, I would report it. But as you can see, the dog is in good health. He’s also well socialized and takes to a leash. Someone’s worked with him, trained him. It doesn’t hurt that he’s smart as a whip.” Gid cast the dog a look. “Well, even if he doesn’t have the enough sense not to eat a bra.” Charlie barked in response.

The finished up their meal, engaging mainly in small talk. Even so, the time passed quickly. It was with regret that Gid glanced at his watch.

“I’d better shove off. I want to go home and take a shower before heading back to the clinic.”

“You can take one here.” From the look on her face, it was clear her offer surprised them both. “I mean, if you want. It would save you time.”