Mistletoe Magic Read Free Page A

was a coincidence. She’d call finding the kitten and
seeing Noah synchronicity or fate. Caitlin shook her head. Maybe
even destiny. But Jen was a dreamer, an optimist who believed in
Christmas magic and miracles and happy endings.
    Caitlin
wouldn’t mind a happy ending, but so far she’d gotten only as far
as chapter two or three, a long way from the end. She tapped her
boot against the tile floor, in time to the Christmas carol playing
on overhead speakers.
    Had Noah found
his happy ending?
    For all she
knew, he was married with kids or had a girlfriend. Maybe more than
one. The guy had been a catch his senior year. On the surface,
nothing looked to have changed.
    But she’d
learned to look deeper than a pretty face.
    Even one as
pretty as Noah Sullivan’s.
     

     
    Noah stared at
the kitten, now dry, wrapped in heated blankets. IV bags filled
with water and heated in the microwave helped to raise the cat’s
temperature. The warming techniques were working the way they
should—slowly. Rushing the process could cause more harm than
good.
    But the cat’s
dehydration and thinness concerned him. Lack of food or a hidden
health issue? Tests would answer the question, but Noah might not
like the answers. Caitlin, either.
    His body
hummed with awareness, memories of her in his arms and against his
lips sprang to life as if the seven years that had passed were
seven days.
    A dog whined.
Only one was back here.
    He glanced
over at the tech. “How’s Chewey doing?”
    Kelly was
taking Chihuahua’s vitals. “Looks like he’s ready to go home. The
owners live on a small ranch outside of town. It’ll take them a
while to drive in if they didn’t stick around Marietta.”
    “ Give them a call. Before discharge, I’ll speak with them about
leaving presents filled with chocolate under the tree, wrapped or
not.” Noah strode to the door, eager to see Caitlin again now that
the cat’s condition was more stable. “I’m going to the waiting
room. I have questions about the kitten.”
    “ Mistletoe,” Kelly said.
    Noah glanced
over his shoulder. “What?”
    “ The kitten’s name is Mistletoe. That’s what Veronica said
Caitlin named her.”
    He froze at
the tech’s familiar use of her name. Curiosity about the woman he’d
once known had him walking back toward Kelly. “Do you know
Caitlin?”
    “ Yes. I knew her better back in high school, but sometimes she
attends the workout classes I teach.”
    So Caitlin
worked out. He wasn’t surprised. She used to jog in college. Maybe
he’d get a better look at her this time. Her hat, big coat, and the
fleece blanket had kept her hidden.
    Kelly eyed him
suspiciously. “Why do you want to know?”
    Her wary tone
made him feel like a stalker. He didn’t like the feeling.
Especially since he wondered if there was anyone special in
Caitlin’s life—a boyfriend or fiancé or husband. “You didn’t call
her a client or Mistletoe’s person, but used her first name.”
    “ Most people around here know other folks’ names even if they
don’t know the person well. Most people know Caitlin Butler because
she’s the most popular preschool teacher around. The kids adore
Miss Caitlin.”
    Miss, not Mrs.
Noah’s relief was palpable.
    “ Speaking of names.” Kelly glanced at the kitten. An
I’m-on-my-way-to-being-a-crazy-cat-lady smile curved her lips.
“Mistletoe is such a cute name. Perfect for this sweet little
girl.”
    “ I’d say Caitlin chose the name because mistletoe was hanging
over her head.”
    Kelly made a
face. “Does it matter how she came up with the name? Mistletoe
fits.”
    Maybe he was
just pissed because Caitlin was thinking about the kitten while
standing under the mistletoe and not him. Back in college she would
have attacked him with kisses. “Yeah, I’m probably making too much
out of the name.”
    “ Mistletoe does suggest Christmas. What the kitten needs is a
Santa hat and bow. Wouldn’t that be so adorable?”
    He grimaced,
not