Chapter Six

I couldn't keep from thinking about Lane. They said people have a type, and most of those I'd dated were the polar opposite of the sweet young man who had fallen asleep on my shoulder. Male or female, they were all more like Meri, independent, strong minded, and resentful when I became too "helpful." Could I help it if I liked making sure those I cared for were safe, warm, and had everything they needed?

Maybe, but did I want to?

And had I been making one wrong choice after another? Honestly, I was overthinking one evening when Lane had been distraught because he thought his beloved pet was missing and had needed someone to lend a hand. Anyone would have been fine, and he'd probably put our time sitting together on his couch out of his mind by the next morning. He'd fallen asleep because he'd been emotionally wrung out, but that didn't mean anything more. My shoulder had just been handy.

Then, leaving the hardware store with yet another five-gallon bucket of paint, I walked past the pet store and stepped inside. Walked right to the cat toys section as if there were arrows painted on the floor. What could it hurt to pick up a little something for the troublemaker who looked so adorable and innocent curled up in her bed after putting both of us through it while trying to get stove grease out of her coat.

I zeroed in on a stuffed bird that could spin all around while buttons were pressed on a remote control. How fun was that? I mean—I'd like it if I were a cat. Or so I told myself while carrying it to the front of the store, paying for the item, and heading for home, excited about giving it to Lane. Maybe he'd let me see Cat-terine play with it? She'd captivated me almost as much as her owner.

I almost second-guessed myself when I heard Lane getting home from work. Waiting all afternoon just to give a little toy to a cat… He passed my door on the way to his, and I forced myself to let him get inside and settle before I knocked.

When I did, Lane opened the door in pajamas. At first, I wasn't sure what was unusual about that, then I noticed that they had attached feet. I hadn't even realized they made those in grown-up sizes, but I could see the practicality. I never knew where my slippers were. Not that I'd ever look half as good as he did in them. Not good. Adorable.

"Hi," he said, looking surprised. "I-I didn't expect you tonight."

"Is this a bad time?" My gaze focused on something else about the pajamas—clipped on was a paci holder with a pacifier swinging from it. "I can come back another time."

"No, it's okay."

"I interrupted something. Really. I just brought a little something for Cat-terine." And I supposed there was no real reason I had to stick around after handing it to him. Yet my hand gripping the Pet Party sack stayed at my side. This was why you didn't get involved with tenants. They had their own lives and shouldn't have to explain themselves to their landlord so long as whatever they were into didn't harm the property and they paid their rent on time. The last thing I'd ever want to do was make him feel uncomfortable now or anytime we found ourselves passing in the hallway. He deserved better than that.

Also, I was intrigued. He looked very cute in his jammies, cuddly, too.

But he didn't likely want to hear that from me. Maybe he had someone over…

"I can come back another time." Still holding onto the bag, like it was my ticket to visit him and handing it over would give me no more excuse. "Enjoy your evening."

"You brought something for my cat?" I guess he'd just picked up on that.

"Yes." Was that wrong?

"You didn't come to fix the sink?"

No wonder he looked confused. "I didn't know you had a sink problem. What's wrong?"

"It's clogged, but I guess my message didn't get to you. That's why I thought you'd be here during regular business hours." All my tenants knew they could contact me anytime for emergencies, but things like a clogged sink would wait until office times. "I probably should have sent the message in the morning." His gaze cast down to the floor. "Sorry."

"No, you don't have to be sorry. And since I'm here, why don't I give you the toy for Cat-terine and then go get my tools and take care of business as well."

"Oh no, I can't, I mean you don't have to." He scribed a circle on the floor with his toe. "I don't want to bother you."

I thrust the bag into his hands. "Wait to open it until I come back, okay? I'd like to see if Cat-terine likes it." Without waiting for an answer, I headed to my place to grab the plumbing tools. I had a storage area down by the parking area, but some things got used so often, they ended up in my entryway semi permanently.

When I returned, he let me in, careful to close the door after me. His pet may not have escaped for real, but he wasn't taking any chances she might be thinking of it. I didn't blame him. I saw her expression when we found her behind the stove—where I still couldn't imagine how she got into—and she looked very pleased to have one over on him. I had no doubt she loved Lane, but she also liked her little tricks. Darting out the door might be next on her playlist.

"Come in," he said. "Cat-terine is waiting to play."

"We can't keep Cat-terine waiting, but I need to work on your sink. Do you think she can be patient for a bit?"

"No." He glanced over his shoulder and back at me. "She is not good at that."

"Then maybe we should give her a few minutes before I get on the job."

"Really? You have time?"

"For Cat-terine?" And you. "Nothing but."

A few minutes stretched out to a half hour while Lane knelt on the floor, sending the spinning toy all over the place, chased by the adorable fur ball until finally Cat-terine curled up on her towel and fell asleep.

Then we watched her for a while because what was cuter than a kitten unless it was Lane lying on his belly on the rug, kicking his feet and smiling at her. I was feeling things I had no business feeling, and so I stood up and picked up my tools.

Without saying anything, I headed for the kitchen and opened the cabinet under the sink. If there was anything to distract a man from a sexy tenant in footie pajamas, it was the gunk I would find in the trap.

The glamour of my life was never ending. I placed an empty bucket underneath and got out my wrench. Fifteen minutes, and I'd be home and watching the news instead of watching Lane watching Cat-terine. It would be better that way.