Ghostly Liaison Read Free Page B

thought it would take too long to walk.”
    Okay, so it wasn’t his business. She didn’t know him so why should she open up? He wouldn’t mind getting to know her, though. Some strange urge to protect her had come over him after they’d touched.
    The ride was going to be too short. Normally, he’d catch at least three red lights. Today, they were all green. Was someone playing games with him? He even drove five miles under the speed limit and yet he still arrived at the vet’s in record time. He drove around the back and parked. Barnaby looked up and whined.
    “It’s okay, boy,” he said. “We’re not here for you.”
    “Someone doesn’t like the vet, huh?” She patted him on the back. “Can’t say I blame you. I don’t care for doctors, either.” She gazed at Rob and smiled. “Thanks for the ride.” She opened the door and hopped out of the truck.
    “Wait,” he said to the closed door. Why hadn’t he asked for her name? Calling her “hey you” didn’t seem right. Regardless, she’d already entered the building. Damn, she was fast.
    Barnaby looked at him beseechingly, as if saying, “You idiot, you’re letting her go?”
    No, he wasn’t letting her go. Not that fast, anyway. He opened the window a crack, letting in some of the rain. The seat would most likely be wet by the time he returned, but so what?
    “Stay,” he said as he climbed out of the truck. The dog had no problem following that command and sat back on his haunches.
    Rob pulled her bicycle out of the back and jogged over to the building. After leaning the bike against the wall and making sure it wouldn’t fall over, he helped himself inside.
    He’d never come in this way, he’d always used the front entrance. A round table with chairs inhabited the middle of the room and a refrigerator stood at the end of a counter containing a coffeepot and microwave. The coffee aroma nearly masked the antiseptic smell the place always held.
    His breath caught in his throat. She stood by the coat rack, her long-sleeve T-shirt clinging to her breasts like a second skin. Rain had always been a nuisance, costing his business time and money, but if he could see her like this every day, rain would be welcomed.
    Kate appeared from the hallway wearing a white lab coat over casual attire. “Bridget, what the hell happened to you? And what are you doing here, Rob?”
    This was Bridget? He’d heard about her accident. She wasn’t anything like he’d expected. He’d assumed she was disfigured, or something worse. Not a vibrant, beautiful, woman.
    “I fell off my bike and Rob was kind enough to stop.”
    Oh yes, her bike. “Yeah, about that. I put it out by the door. Is that okay? Or I could take it to get repaired.” Then he’d have a real excuse to visit her again.
    Bridget grimaced in embarrassment. “Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry. The door’s fine. I can take care of it. You’ve done enough. Thank you.”
    Damn. He’d have to figure out another way.
    “You fell off your bike?” Kate grasped Bridget’s shoulders and turned her around in an examination. “Did you hurt yourself?”
    Bridget shrugged free. “I’m fine. The bike is in worse shape.” She picked up her backpack. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go in the back and clean up. Thanks again for the ride, Rob.”
    “No problem. Glad I could help.”
    She turned and walked away, showing a fine ass, too. But she favored her left leg. Maybe she’d gotten hurt more than she would admit.
    “Rob?”
    He tore his gaze from Bridget. Kate stared at him with hands on her hips.
    Shit . Caught red-handed. He played it innocent and smiled. “Yes, Kate?”
    She curled a finger her way. “Follow me.”
    She led him to her office, a small room with a desk and not much else. A computer monitor took most of the desk space. She closed the door behind Rob and remained standing, probably because she couldn’t offer him a chair.
    He figured she would chastise him for staring at Bridget’s