Page 22 of Midlife Animal Rescuer Bear

Henry massaged his shoulder, shifting slightly on his stool. “That’s because I don’t think it is a serious issue. You’re both obviously still into each other. And look on the bright side: Regardless of how things go with her, there are still other fish in the pond.”

“I think you mean the sea.”

“Sylva’s a small town. Still, plenty of fish available. Just look around.”

Cal obliged, gazing around him. Rubicon Valley was lively this evening, with customers seated at the bar. Neon lights lined the walls and ceiling, and rock music played from a hidden speaker. In the corner, a bunch of men in their thirties were gathered around the pool table, talking and laughing about something he couldn’t make out. The booths were mostly taken by a few men and women enjoying beers and fries.

A couple of women caught his eye and smiled. He didn’t respond.

“See what I mean?” Henry asked.

Cal rolled his eyes. “I’m not interested in them.”

“Interested in who?” said a voice.

They both glanced up at the sound. A woman stood behind the counter, wearing a bright blue crop top over denim shorts. She was beautiful, with frizzy red hair and deep brown eyes, her dark skin glowed under the neon lights.

“You guys need a refill?” she asked, pointing to their glasses.

“Sure thing, Angelica,” Henry said with an enthusiastic nod.

The barmaid shifted her gaze to Cal, and her shiny lips curved into a smile. “What about you, Cal?”

“I guess I’ll have another,” came his response. “It’s good whiskey.”

Her eyes fluttered slightly. “Well, I get off work at nine. If you’re still here, maybe I could show you a bottle of our best stuff. We could share it.”

Her tone was suggestive, her gaze lingering on him for longer than it needed to. Cal tried for a smile, unable to shake the discomfort stirring in his gut.

“Thanks for the offer,” he said, “but I’m fine with regular whiskey.”

Angelica looked as though she’d been slapped. “Oh. Uh, I guess that’s alright.”

She proceeded to refill their glasses. Then, without another glance in Cal’s direction, she moved to attend to other customers.

“What is up with you?” Henry wanted to know.

Cal shrugged. “What?”

“She was practically throwing herself at you. I can’t believe you. What exactly is the problem? Is she too young?”

Angelica was in her thirties. Not too young. She was an attractive woman—half the men in this bar would jump at a chance to get in bed with her. The problem was, Cal wasn’t one of those men. Right now, there was only one woman he could think of getting involved with, and it wasn’t her.

His mind strayed back to that moment in the kitchen, replaying the kiss he’d shared with Melissa. He hadn’t had time to think. She’d come too close to him, and what was left of his self-restraint had disappeared. The next thing he knew, he’d had his arm wrapped around her, his lips glued to hers. And she’d kissed him back.

It’s not like you’re thinking of getting back together with me, he’d told her. But did he want to get back together? The easy answer was no. Then again, kissing the ex who broke your heart wasn’t exactly the best way to communicate that you wanted nothing to do with them. It was a good thing he pulled away when he had, otherwise...

The possibilities of what might have happened in the kitchen if he’d continued kissing Melissa flooded his mind, and he felt a twitch in his groin in response. With a sigh, he took another sip of whiskey.

Seeing the ring on her finger had been a real shocker. He’d figured she must have gotten rid of it after she took off a decade ago. But she’d kept it. What’s more, it was still on her finger. Cal’s heart had leaped a little at the sight of it.

“...what it’s worth, I’m just glad we were able to save that foal.” Henry’s voice broke through his thoughts. “And the vet’s only been around a few hours. Think of how many more animals we could save now that we’ve got her.”

“She’s not working at the sanctuary,” Cal told him. “Not really.”

“Huh?”

“She already found another job. Walking a dog, apparently. She only agreed to help us temporarily.”