Love Found Me 2 (4 page)

Chapter Eight

Every Friday night they spent at the drive-in. It didn’t matter what was playing, they went just to be together. The girl who worked the counter would ask, “Same as last week?” and start to ring them up. Two months into their relationship and they were already predicable. To shake things up last week, Chloe said, “No. I’ll take a loaded hot dog please.” The girl giggled and deleted the burger and added the hot dog.

Sitting in the dark Jeep with Chloe, watching B movies, eating cheap food was the highlight of Mitch’s week. Some days he worked late and only got to speak to her on the phone. We wanted more… Much more.

Saturday afternoon, Chloe called. “Hey, my last client cancelled. Do you want to go to the demolition derby? It’s almost over so we could get in free.”

“Absolutely, I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Great. I’ll pick up a couple subs and stash them in my purse. Food at the pavilion is pricy and crappy. Not a good combination.”

“I love your thrifty side,” Mitch admitted. He didn’t mind spending money but it was fun watching her negotiate or haggle for a perceived bargain.

By the time they arrived at the derby, all the good seats were taken. They sat on the top row and munched on their sandwiches while the cars in the arena demolished each other.

“Go green car…go!” Chloe yelled and jumped up and down. Lettuce from her sub spilled out and hit the guy in front of them in the back of the head. He touched his head and then turned around and scowled.

Before he could speak a word, Chloe jumped in. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. Can I buy you a beer?”

“No worries. A little lettuce won’t kill me, but I wouldn’t turn down a beer.”

“A beer it is.”

Five minutes later, Chloe returned with three beers. Mitch couldn’t help it, he laughed, then grabbed her and kissed the tip of her nose. Her kindness was blatant, always right there, front and center. But the cuteness? That’s what got to him. “Chloe. I think I’m falling in love with you.”

Chloe stopped moving and stared at him.

“Was that too soon?” Mitch was never good at relationship stuff. His insides were doing the rumba—heart pounding, lungs heaving, stomach clenching—waiting for her response.

“No. I’ve been busting at the seams to tell you how I feel. I love you Mitch. You are everything I’ve ever wanted in a man.”

Mitch leaned forward and slipped his arms around her. She laid her head on his chest and held him tight. Chloe felt so right, and good against him he didn’t want to let go. She turned her head and pressed a kiss to his chest, her arms tightening around him even more. They held each other the rest of the evening.

It was dark when Mitch pulled up to Chloe’s car in front of her spa. “I don’t want to go but it’s late and we both have to work. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Mitch placed one last kiss on Chloe’s soft lips.

“Until tomorrow.” Chloe blew him a kiss as she got in her car.

He waited until she drove off in the direction of her house before he left, all the while feeling loved for the first time in years.

Chapter Nine

Mitch pulled up to his house and the intuition that saved him numerous times at the prison, kicked in. He didn’t sense danger, just that something didn’t feel right. The hair on the back of his neck didn’t stand up, but his neck muscles tensed. He parked and decided to walk around the perimeter of the house before he entered.

Mitch turned the corner and noticed the spare bedroom’s window screen lying on the ground. He’d left the window cracked for Zeke before he left. He hadn’t taken pictures of the kittens yet. He thought maybe he’d keep one or two of them. They’d grown on him. Mitch looked in and the kittens looked fine, sleeping in their bed, but Zeke was nowhere.
How could I have made such a stupid mistake?
Mitch thought.

Mitch secured the screen and then once inside, he shut and locked the window. He sat on the floor and stroked the sleeping kittens. He was going to need help searching for Zeke. He knew she would eventually show up, but he didn’t want her to get pregnant again. His buddies at the prison would laugh at him if he asked for help. He knew who would help without hesitation.

Chloe picked up on the first ring. “Hi Mitch. You couldn’t wait until tomorrow to talk to me again?”

Chloe’s voice soothed his frayed nerves. “I love hearing your voice, but I have a problem. Zeke made a jailbreak—no pun intended.”

“Oh no! We’d better get a search party together. I’ll call Roy and my friends and be right over.”

“Are you sure they’ll want to help? It’s late and cold out.” Mitch’s old insecurities surfaced about asking for help.

“Friends help friends no matter what. That’s what makes them friends. Hang tight and we’ll be there soon.”

Chloe hung up and five minutes later, the phone rang.

“Roy said to put a can of wet food or tuna by the door where Zeke first showed up. I’m on my way.” And she was gone.

Mitch walked around the block twice while he waited for them to arrive and then sat down on the front steps.

Chloe’s and Roy’s cars pulled up first and then before they could get out, two more vehicles arrived. It took six strides to meet Chloe, but when he did, he swept her into his arms and kissed her. His body shook from the need to hold her and never let her go.

Mitch felt a firm hand on his back. “Hey, Mitch. We’ll find Zeke. This is typical behavior for a stray cat turned indoor cat. She’s out roaming her old territory, but her kittens will bring her back.”

Roy confirmed Mitch’s suspicions but he felt guilty for letting Zeke escape. Chloe stepped out of his embrace and pointed at the people arriving.

“I want you to meet my friends.” She pointed to a couple holding hands. “This is Tegan and August.”

Chloe gestured toward her friends. “This is Becca.” She touched the arm of the other girl. “And this is Laura.”

Mitch shook hands but wanted to keep searching. “I really appreciate you coming over but I’ve already been around the block twice. I’m not sure what we can do.”

“Zeke won’t go far. Hearing her name will get her attention. The more people calling her the better. Let’s split up and meet back here in ten minutes.” Roy, Tegan, and August took off down the block.

Laura and Becca took off in another direction. Chloe hooked her arm through his and they started down the street.

“We’ll find her.” Chloe squeezed his arm.

They walked in silence, except when they called out for Zeke. Mitch hung his head. He felt defeated. He couldn’t even take care of a cat.
How could I take care of Chloe?
Mitch’s self-doubt crept in. He stepped away from Chloe as all seven of them arrived back at the house.

Chloe took his hand. “What’s wrong?”

Mitch turned toward Chloe and saw her lips turned up at the corners. Her half-smile accentuated her adorable chin. At the moment he knew with all his heart Chloe was the one for him. “Are you sure you could love a guy like me?”

Chloe smacked him on the arm and the group looked over. “Hey, guys. I thought you should know I’ve fallen in love with Mitch.” Chloe grabbed his ears and planted a loud exaggerated kiss on his lips.

Mitch heard a chorus of whistles and wild, “Woo-hoos” from the group. If Mitch didn’t know better, he’d swear he felt heat rush to his face.

“I guess there’s hope for Becca and me,” Laura said.

“Yeah. Maybe the Love List isn’t fickle,” Becca chimed in.

“The Love List?” Mitch looked around. The girls giggled and August looked pleased.

August slapped him on the back. “Don’t worry, mate, it’s a good thing.”

Before Mitch could ask more, he heard Zeke’s distinctive high-pitched,
meow
. Everyone rushed toward the sound. Zeke had her paws wrapped around the almost empty tuna can, licking and eating as though she hadn’t eaten in days.

“Zeke! Where have you been?” Mitch picked her up and held the cat tight against his chest. “I hope you had fun, because you are grounded.”

Chloe scrubbed Zeke behind the ears. “Let’s get Zeke inside. I bet her kittens are hungry.”

“I know it’s late, but would anyone like a beer or…food? I’m afraid I’m not much of a cook. I could order a couple pizzas.” Mitch wanted to repay their kindness.

“Thank you, Mitch, but I think I can speak for all of us. We should be getting home.” Becca shivered and rubbed her arms.

“You’re right. Maybe another time?”

“We’d love to get together but maybe Saturday night instead. We could meet at my place for a barbecue.” Tegan looked up at August and fluttered her lashes. “August grills the best steak.”

Mitch took Chloe’s hand. “Sounds great. We’ll be there.”

The group left and Mitch returned Zeke to her kittens. They immediately started kneading and tucked themselves around her belly.

Mitch turned to Chloe and took her face in his hands. “I never thought I’d love again. I sure wasn’t looking for it, but somehow, love found me.”

Chloe kissed him softly. She caressed him from his ear to his chin and back to his lips. Then she smiled and looked him in the eye.

“I love you with all my heart. Love didn’t just find you, it found me too!

For the love of animals

I’m asked on a regular basis why I have some sort of animal in every one of my books. It is simple…I love animals and I love writing about them. It doesn’t matter what kind, shape, or size. I love them all!

Throughout my life I’ve had dogs, birds, frogs, lizards, rabbits and of course precious cats. My husband and I have a dozen bird feeders, two water fountains and multiple yard-art fixtures that we put food and water in for the critters.

Several years ago our cat of fifteen years passed away and we were going to wait awhile before getting another one but as the days went on we missed having a cat. It was during the winter so there weren’t any kittens available. I searched all the shelters and saw pictures of an eight-month-old female, shorthair cat.

When we picked up Ardy from the Bremerton, WA PAWS, they said we’d never be able to pick her up or touch her. She’d been abused. My husband played with her and instantly fell in love. We took her home and after many months of special care, she loves to be held. We laugh because she likes it so much she won’t let you put her down.

All animals deserve a little time, patience and a good loving home.

PAWS is a wonderful organization. To volunteer your time or donate: you can contact them at
http://www.paws.org/

About the Author Sharon KIeve

Sharon Kleve was born and raised in Washington and currently lives on the Olympic Peninsula with her husband.

Sharon is a multi-published author of paranormal and contemporary romance. She loves romance. She loves reading romance, living romance, and especially loves writing about romance. She gets no greater feeling than watching her characters come alive in each other’s arms. Most of all, she loves giving her characters the happily ever after they deserve—with a few bumps and bruises along the way.

One of her favorite things to do is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing herself in the emotions between the characters. She hopes to inspire her readers the same way her favorite authors have inspired her.

When not writing, she can usually be found either curled up in her recliner with her cat and a good book, or in the kitchen baking sourdough bread or bagels.