Page 52 of One Kind Soul

Hell, no place had people like the ones here in Vermont. Certainly no place had Christian Henley.

Donovan came into the living room where Nicole sat on the couch with Remi beside her. He sat across from her in one of the recliners and the dog slid from his post to see him. “Tessa’s not ready yet?” He leaned forward to rub Remi’s fluffy, white ears.

“Is Tessa ever the first to be ready?” Nicole asked.

“Good point. The results are always stunning though so . . .”

“Still digging being married to her after almost a week?”

Donovan put his hand to his heart. “Thoroughly. I think we might make it a full month.”

“You’ll make it way longer than that,” Nicole said. “You guys are adorable.” She’d seen them be absolutely in sync since before they’d officially become husband and wife. She used to think that kind of connection was only possible in books, TV shows, and movies, but Tessa and Donovan brought it to life in the real world.

Christian showed her that connection was possible too.

“I can’t believe I’m about to go on a double date with my brother,” Donovan said. “Do you know how many times Christian and I have done this?” He held up his hand, his fingers curled to touch his thumb. “Zero.”

“How come?” Nicole certainly hadn’t been on any double dates with her sister, but Donovan and Christian actually had a normal sibling relationship.

“Well, I spent so much time at work that I didn’t date all that often,” Donovan said. “And Christian dated often, but never anyone he was serious about. Never anyone he’d bring around family.” He pointed at her. “But you . . . you’re different. You make him different.”

“Good different I hope.”

“Very good different.” He angled his head. “Christian is generally an easy-going, happy guy, but he was always chasing fun with the women he dated. With you, I think he’s finally caught something that’s right for him.”

Nicole drew in a deep breath. “But there’s a hole in his net. I only have a few more days here.” She rubbed her chest, not liking the hollow sensation saying those words aloud caused.

“Anything can happen in a few days.” Donovan stood as Tessa came into the room so he didn’t say more, but his words fluttered around in Nicole’s head.

“I’m starving,” Tessa said, taking a minute to pet Remi when he trotted over to her. “You both look like hamburgers to me right now.”

“I don’t know whether to be complimented or insulted by that statement.” Nicole stood to join them by the front door where she grabbed her purse and put on her shoes.

“Be complimented.” Tessa slid on her shoes too. “You look delicious.”

Nicole smoothed a hand down the front of her black dress. It had small white dots on it and every time she looked at it in the mirror, Christian playing a dirty game of connect the dots flashed in her mind. She might not let him win at checkers, but she’d let him be a champion at connect the dots.

A quick knock sounded on the front door then it opened to reveal the man himself. He had on black dress pants and a light blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up a few times to expose those hot cowboy farmer forearms.

Remi made a beeline for him—and Nicole understood the desire to do so—but Christian put his hands out. “Forget it, pooch. I kept the cats off me so these pants wouldn’t be covered in fur. You don’t get access either.”

Donovan grabbed Remi’s collar and tugged the dog to the kitchen, probably to set him up with a treat to keep him occupied until they left.

“Good evening,” Christian said to Tessa, but he stepped over to Nicole and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “You look great. I feel the need to connect the dots.” He ran his finger between several dots on the cap sleeve of the dress, but his eyes smoldered as if he was thinking about other dots he’d like to connect.

“You can connect dots later.” Tessa grabbed Donovan’s hand when he came back from dealing with Remi. “I need food in me.”

Christian saluted her. “Yes, Mrs. Henley.” He motioned to the still open front door. “Right this way.”

Tessa beamed a smile up at him. “I love the sound of Mrs. Henley.”

Nicole didn’t mind it either, but she pushed that crazy notion out of her head. She shouldn’t be thinking about Mr. and Mrs. stuff after a week and a half with Christian.

“You ready?” Christian offered her his elbow after Donovan followed Tessa out and she looped her arm around it as Remi reappeared. “Shit, hurry up. The Great White Fuzz is headed this way.” He shuffled her out the door then shut it quickly before Remi could make contact.

“You owe that pooch some cuddles when you’re not wearing dark, fancy pants,” she said.

“Yeah. I owe five cats that too. Good thing I don’t dress up often. Do you know how hard it is to keep those cats off me?”