See you tomorrow,” Nicole called to Mary as she headed out of the office the following Monday.

“Okay. Don’t work too hard at the shelter.”

With a wave, Nicole exited the building. As she did, she looked at the clock on the bank across the street. Two fifty-nine. The tiny bottle with the gold liquid still rested at the bottom of her purse. She would not use it, though. Not even if a small part of her wondered what would happen if she did. She’d thought of Jonathan constantly since last week when he asked her out. He hadn’t called her. Disappointment wound through her. Maybe she’d misread his interest.

The light changed, and she started walking across the street. The tinkle of a bell made her stop. A dark green bicycle ridden by a helmet-clad man barreled toward her. She jumped out of his way, but as he rode by she noticed the decal of a leaping green jaguar on the back of his T-shirt. Shivers ran up her spine. She glanced at the bank clock. Three. More shivers ran through her. Coincidence, just coincidence, she told herself.

* * *

That Saturday, the Evergreen Ice Cream Social was in full swing. The annual event that benefited several no-kill shelters in the area was a popular attraction, and as one of the sponsors of the festival, Nicole had closed her practice for the day. In her wedge-heeled sandals, she tramped carefully over the uneven lawn of the historic Victorian estate where the festival was being held. The noon sun beat down relentlessly.

Glad she’d worn a tank top with her tan Capris, and sunblock to protect her shoulders, she scanned the area, searching for the nearest ice cream stand. Spying one up ahead, she hurried to it. The sign advertised blueberry cheesecake ice cream in bold letters, and her mouth watered in anticipation. When she got closer, she noticed a familiar male figure waiting in line. She couldn’t mistake the softly curling black hair, the broad back covered by a white T-shirt, or those long legs and firm butt in close-fitting jeans. Her heart began to beat harder, keeping time with the rock music blaring from the loudspeakers nearby.

As if he felt her staring, Jonathan turned. Their gazes connected. She gave him a small wave. Awareness flashed in his green eyes, and he shot another of his bone-melting grins her way. The smile made her feel as if she were the only woman in the world, at least in his world.

Her pleasure at seeing him faded. He hadn’t called her. Maybe he was simply a fast-talking charmer. Like Matthew. Yet, beneath his sexy, gorgeous exterior, she sensed a kindness and a loneliness in Jonathan that stirred a yearning deep inside her. She’d never felt the same with Matthew. Matthew had always been so arrogant, so sure of himself. And he hadn’t liked her cats. That should have been her first clue as to his character.

Shaking her head to dismiss her thoughts, she took her place at the end of the line. Jonathan gestured for her to join him near the front. She hesitated; then with apologetic smiles to the others in line, she made her way to him.

“She’s with me,” he said to the others as she approached.

“How have you been?” she asked when she reached him. She’d be friendly and not let him know that his failure to call had disappointed and confused her. Had he found the answers to his questions about the cats? Maybe he wasn’t interested in her at all.

“I’ve been away,” he said. “Something came up, something I needed to handle immediately. It took longer than I expected. I got back late last night.” He leaned closer. “I called your office four times while I was away. Twice your answering service picked up, and the other times you were with patients. I didn’t recognize the voice of the person who answered, so I didn’t leave a message. I called again this morning, but your clinic was closed. I hoped to see you here.”

His explanation melted through her disappointment that he hadn’t called. Then, a small voice said, Maybe he’s lying. She tried to dismiss the thought, but trusting was hard. “Who watched your cats while you were away?” she asked.

“A friend’s teenage daughter.”

“Good. Some of our vet techs pet-sit if you ever need someone else.”

He smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

When they placed their order—two blueberry cheesecake cones—she opened her purse and dug out her wallet.

“My treat,” Jonathan said, placing his hand over hers. “Put that away.”

Prepared to argue, she changed her mind at the sensation of his hand on hers. Oddly, the moment had the feel of some high school first date, complete with ice cream cones, except it also offered a deep, sensual thrill no seventeen-year-old could appreciate. She gave in without a struggle.

They strolled in silence as they ate their treats. When Nicole tripped over a small rock, Jonathan cupped her elbow to steady her. His touch sent a surge of heat up her arm. She half expected her ice cream to melt. “Thanks,” she whispered around the lump she felt in her throat when he touched her. But things were happening too fast with Jonathan. She couldn’t fall for a guy she barely knew—like she had with Matthew.

“Let’s sit over there.” Jonathan pointed to a small round wooden table under a leafy oak tree. “I want to enjoy this ice cream.” He moved closer to whisper in her ear, “And I want to get to know you better.”

The husky intimacy of his voice sent hot-cold shivers along her limbs. She knew how Ebony had felt that day at the shelter when Jonathan had stroked her fur. Nicole felt like purring. Anxiety, like a hissing cat, reared its head a moment later and she stepped away from Jonathan, though she was careful not to make the move obvious. She didn’t know anything about this man. Matthew had been sexy and charming, too, and he’d been devious. She’d be more careful.

“Blueberry cheesecake was a great choice. Glad you recommended it. It’s delicious,” Jonathan said when they were seated.

“It’s wonderful.” Nicole licked some ice cream and let it melt slowly in her mouth, her eyes half closed. She slid her tongue out to sweep along her lips, relishing the sweetness of the dessert; raising her gaze, she found Jonathan watching her with a look of raw hunger burning in his eyes. Blinking, she glanced away and tried to ignore the pounding in her heart. Careful, Nicole, careful.

“I’ve heard about this festival but haven’t had a chance to get here until now,” he said.

His calm voice helped tamp down her rising libido, and when she looked back at him, she saw only friendliness in his gaze. It was disconcerting. Maybe she’d imagined the desire in his eyes. Pathetic. She’d been without male companionship so long she was imagining interest where there was none.

“Not much exciting happens around here,” she admitted. “The ice cream social is the highlight of our summer.” Frowning, she studied him. “If you live in Evergreen, why haven’t you come here before?”

“I live in Claymoor,” he said.

She eyed him. “Claymoor’s close. Half the people who come to the festival live there.”

“I’ve been pretty busy the last couple of years.”

“Busy working?”

“That, and other things.”

His non-answers shut the lid on the subject. Maybe he was a guy who didn’t like to talk about himself. They ate in silence for a while, and Nicole scanned the festive crowd. There were booths for face-painting and games for the kids. In a far corner, a clown made animal balloons. Watching young parents push strollers past, a twinge of regret pulsed through Nicole. At one time she’d dreamed of a husband, children, and a cat or two. She had the cats, but she doubted she’d get the other things. Her hopes of someday having a happy family, of being in a stable relationship, had been diminished over and over during her childhood and teen years by her mother’s and grandmother’s frequent marriages. No boyfriend, including Matthew, had ever been around for long, reinforcing her fears she was destined to be like her mother and grandmother.

“Nicole?” Jonathan’s voice drew her from her musings. Smiling, she looked back at him.

“I thought I’d lost you for a minute,” he said.

“Sorry. I enjoy watching people.”

“I enjoy watching you.”

She laughed. “I’m sure you can find more interesting things to watch.”

His gaze caressed her. “Not when I’m with the most beautiful woman here.”

“Stop it. You’ll give me a big head.”

“You must know how beautiful you are.”

She’d been called cute and pretty but never beautiful. Jonathan was a charmer all right. And he sounded sincere. But Matthew had sounded more sincere with each lie he’d told.

“I’m glad we ran into each other. I’m surprised but happy you’re alone,” Jonathan continued.

She frowned. “Why is that?”

“I figured a smart, beautiful woman like you would have a boyfriend or two.”

“Too busy for a boyfriend. Or two.” She fought back a grimace, thinking of Matthew’s many girlfriends.

“Maybe you haven’t found the right guy.” Jonathan paused. “A guy you’d make time for.”

Uncomfortable with that line of thought, especially remembering the last time she’d tried it, Nicole turned the tables. “Let’s talk about you. Any woman in your life?”

“Nope.”

That was surprising, considering his good looks. Another question slipped out before she even thought about it. “Have you ever been married?”

His features tightened. “Once. It didn’t end well.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

So much for that subject, too, as he didn’t look like he was going to add any more. “How long have you been with the delivery company?” Nicole asked, hoping to defuse the tension that had risen between them.

“A few years.”

“Do you like working for them?”

“It’s okay.”

“Just okay?”

He shrugged. “It’s a job.”

He didn’t want to talk about work, either. Friendly a few minutes ago, he’d grown cool and distant. She wondered why. When he finished his ice cream, he lobbed his napkin into a nearby trashcan. It fell neatly into the opening. “Nice throw,” Nicole said.

“I played a little basketball in college.” When he looked at her, the friendliness was back in his eyes. “How’s that temp the company hired to take Harry’s route? Is he working out okay?”

She frowned, wondering why he’d asked that question. “He seems okay. I think he’s a college kid. He said Harry will be out a few more weeks, but the baby is doing well.”

Jonathan nodded. “Yeah, I heard that about the baby. It’s good news.”

She wasn’t usually the inquisitive type, but something about Jonathan piqued her interest and made her want to find the real man under the protective layers. To press a little further seemed like a good idea. “What do you do when you’re not delivering pet meds?”

“I do a fair amount of traveling.”

“Oh.” Where? she wondered. And how he could afford to travel on a delivery person’s salary?

“Let’s walk around, shall we?” he asked.

He’d closed up again, and without waiting for her to answer he stood and held out his hand for her to take. He continued to hold it as they walked among the stalls selling hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, and luscious-sounding flavors of ice cream. Nicole knew she should pull away, but she found his large hand holding hers warm and comforting. Many of her patients’ owners were at the festival, and they nodded or waved at her as they passed. Some gave Jonathan curious looks. Other festival-goers called out to Jonathan and waved. She looked up at him. “You seem to know a lot of people here.”

“I get around,” he admitted in a clipped voice.

They had more ice cream, peach apricot this time, and wandered the grounds. Nicole found herself enjoying both the day and the companionship. Finally, their ice cream finished, they found themselves in the area set aside for games.

When they came to Slap the Swine he said, “Bet I can beat you.”

“You’re on.” Nicole grinned. “I’m the Evergreen Slap-the-Swine champ.”

Laughing, he took her hand and they approached the booth. Jonathan paid for both of them, again telling Nicole to put away her wallet. At least, she told herself, he didn’t expect her to pay for everything. That was one major difference from Matthew.

Minutes later, they both convulsed in laughter as they used paddles to whack the strange little pink pig figures that popped up. Nicole easily won the first round, and she said, “My turn to pay,” handing over money to the clerk. When Jonathan started to protest, she gave him a quelling look.

“Best of three,” Jonathan said. “Loser buys the winner a glass of wine.”

“Good deal,” she agreed.

He won the second round and paid for a third. More serious now, they concentrated on the final game. Nicole won, and she raised her arms in a Rocky gesture. “I’m ready for that wine,” she announced.

Jonathan laughed. “You got it.”

When he put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd, she didn’t move away.