Page 7 of The Triple Play

Before I can say anything, he speaks to Terri again. “Olivia and I go way back. Her brother is buddies with me and Griff. She’s here working at the university in the Biodiversity and Conservation Department.” Glancing my way, he tilts his head to the side, not unlike the way Trip does when he’s trying to mooch an extra treat. “Did I get that right?” His hand lifts to my face and I rear back, unsure what he’s doing. His grin softens as he gently touches my forehead. “You still get a crease right here when you’re thinking hard about something.”

Heat tickles the back of my neck and I know my cheeks are turning pink. “Just surprised that you remember the department I work in, that’s all.”

Denver winks, then turns to face Terri. “You got the stuff I need?”

She nods and hands over a tray of green shoots that I immediately recognize as Cyperus alternifolius or cat grass. “Remind him to stop leaving it out for Sweet Pea. She shouldn’t be given free access to it.”

Denver laughs, the sound low and warm. “Trust me, Terri, I try. But you know how he spoils that cat. Besides, I’m the one who ends up cleaning any mess she makes.”

Terri gives him a soft smile. “You’re a good man, Denver.”

The whole interaction has me feeling a bit confused, but I keep my questions to myself. Denver lifts his hand and salutes Terry, then pushes away from the counter. “Thanks.” Turning to me, his gaze dips down ever so briefly, then back up again. “See you around, Pix.” Stooping low, he pets Trip, and then he’s gone.

The door closes after him and Terri turns to me. “Alright dear, is this all you need?”

“Yes, thanks.”

She doesn’t say anything to imply she can tell how flustered I am as she rings up my purchases, for which I’m eternally grateful.

But my head snaps back to the door at the sound of the bell jingling again as it opens. It’s not Denver, and I instantly feel embarrassed for my reaction at the remote possibility it could be.

Instead, a woman with wavy shoulder-length light brown hair walks in, a wide smile on her face. Her T-shirt says “Cedar Creek Wildlife Rescue,” and she’s wearing dark grey cargo pants. “Hi Terri, here to grab my order.”

“Be right with you, Juniper.”

“No problem.”

The woman, Juniper, lights up when she sees Trip. “Oh my god, he’s adorable. Can I say hi?”

“Of course, he’s very friendly.” I watch as Juniper drops to her knees and starts loving on my dog, who naturally soaks it all in like the cuddle bug he is.

“Look at you, you gorgeous potato. I could just eat you up. Oh my goodness, you’re the goodest boy, aren’t you? Yes, you are!”

Trip makes a snuffling sound as if he’s agreeing with her. “He’s a total ham, in case that wasn’t apparent. His name is Trip.”

“Trip!” Juniper cries out, squishing his face in her hands. “You’re perfect.”

After another minute, she finally stands up and turns her beaming smile on me. “Hi. Okay, now that I’ve gushed over your dog, I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Juniper, certified animal lover. I run the wildlife animal rescue.” She sticks out her hand, then glances down at her shirt. “Which I guess is kind of obvious.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Olivia. I just moved here to work at the university.”

“She knows Denver,” Terri adds, having returned to the counter with a large box that I assume contains whatever Juniper is here to get.

Juniper’s eyebrows lift and her smile grows impossibly wider. “Oh boy, that explains why he was grinning like a fool when I ran into him in the parking lot. That man.” She shakes her head, but with affection—I think. “My best friend Isla works for the Cedar Creek Thunder, and my other best friend Cal is a player on the team. They’re a fun group. Hey, you should come to lunch with me and Isla tomorrow. If you want to, of course. No pressure, but I know it can be weird moving to a new place, and if Foxxy’s the only person you know here, then you probably could use some female energy.”

I blink several times at her rapid-fire speech, trying to catch up. “Lunch. Yeah, that would be nice. I can usually get away from the lab for an hour or so.”

“Great! Here, let me get your number and I’ll text you where to go. We usually hit up Dot’s Diner. Best fries in town, if you haven’t tried them.”

I give her my phone number, and feel my phone vibrate when she sends me a message. “There, now you’ve got mine, too. Okay, I better run, I have a pair of raccoons in the truck that I need to deal with. See you tomorrow, Olivia. Thanks, Terri!”

With that, Juniper hefts up the box and strides out the door.

Trip whines after her and the sound snaps me out of my daze. Giving my head a mental shake, I pick up my purchases and muster a smile for Terri. “Thank you.”

She gives me a knowing smile. “Welcome to Cedar Creek, dear.”

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