Summer At The Shore. Carol Ross

faith in her and Charlotte. Ted was a perfectionist and could be a bit of a control freak. She’d worried about his ability to share administrative tasks, but so far that hadn’t been an issue.

      “We’ll get on it then. Also, I’m reserving Saturdays for Lucky Cats. Tiffany, Carla and Raeanne have all volunteered to rotate their Saturdays to help with medical procedures.”

      Upon relocating to Pacific Cove, Mia had started Lucky Cats, a program to reduce the stray and feral cat problem in the town and surrounding area. Part of the “trap, neuter, return” program included free sterilization. People were encouraged to trap the cats and bring them to the office, where she would spay or neuter and vaccinate them for free. They could then keep the cats or release them back outside along with a promise to feed them. This last gesture was an effort to keep the cats healthy; reduce their predation of native bird populations, a serious and ever-growing problem in this country; as well as to decrease their presence as a nuisance to gardens and garbage cans. Alternatively, they could have Lucky Cats adopt the animals out.

      “It’s a wonderful thing you’re doing, Mia. I only wish I could help more.”

      “Allowing me use of the clinic is more than enough, Ted. You need to spend your spare time at home. Sara and McKenzie are more important right now, and I’m getting some volunteers lined up.” She didn’t mention that so far said volunteers included her, Charlotte and Minnie Mason. Minnie was a woman from her mom’s pinochle club who was more concerned with the stray cats “wreaking havoc” in her garden than their safety in the community at large. Charlotte was working on community outreach and hopefully, they’d get those numbers up soon. No matter the disappointingly small number of volunteers, Mia was determined to get the operation up and running.

      “Speaking of stray cats,” Ted said with a grin.

      Ember the office cat strolled into the room, announcing her presence with a loud meow. Leaping gracefully onto Mia’s desk, she then sauntered back and forth along the edge as if to show off her kitty sleekness from every angle. It didn’t seem to faze the cat that she was partially bald, had only one eye and was missing most of her tail.

      “She gives new meaning to the term catwalk, doesn’t she?” Mia quipped.

      Dr. Anthony chuckled as the cat perched on the corner of the desk closest to him. She let out a soft mewl. He reached out a hand to scratch her cheek. “She’s out of control. She thinks she owns this office.”

      George waited patiently, watching Ember with love-struck eyes. Dog and cat were tight. Mia liked to imagine them bonding over their abusive pasts as they napped together on George’s massive therapeutic bed. George lifted his head and Ember stepped onto Ted’s lap. She rubbed her cheek against George’s giant forehead before daintily licking his eyebrow.

      Everyone knew the story of how the cat had changed Dr. Anthony’s life. He’d only been in town a few weeks when the severely burned kitten had been dropped off on the newly opened clinic’s doorstep. She’d been “nothing but a charred little ember,” Ted had later been quoted in the newspaper as saying. He and his staff had done everything they could. Dr. Anthony had stayed with her for four days and nights until she was out of the woods. Word had raced through tiny Pacific Cove about what the new vet in town would do for animals. That had been nearly two years ago. Needless to say, his practice had been flourishing ever since. People brought their pets to Dr. Anthony from miles around.

      “She’s earned it. Cats are such wonderful, giving, useful creatures.”

      Ember concurred with a loud purr.

      Mia smiled. “Yes, they sure are.” Ted had an interesting way of looking at life. She’d learned more from him about life than she ever had from her father. She’d certainly learned more about love and how to treat people as well as animals.

      Keeping the cat nestled in his arms, he stood and said, “I’m going to go finish up some paperwork, then I’m heading home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

      As he departed, a buzzing sound from her phone alerted her that she’d received a text from her mom:

      Our new Coast Guard friend has arrived. I’ll keep him entertained until you get here.

      Mia checked the time. How had it gotten to be six thirty already? She sent back a text: Sounds good. Thanks, Mom.

      Because her Coast Guard charge was unfamiliar with the office, Mia clipped a leash to her new hot-pink collar and led both dogs out into the hall. Charlotte, their office manager and the best friend Mia had ever had, was busy closing things up for the night.

      “Thank you again for getting this girl all set up.” Charlotte had walked down to Sandy Paws Pet Shop on her lunch break and picked up some supplies for the dog.

      “You are very welcome,” Charlotte answered with a grin. “Did you look at her tag?”

      Mia hadn’t noticed the tag attached to the collar, twisted as it was into the fluffy fur of the dog’s neck. She crouched to examine it and read the name aloud. “Coastie?”

      The dog let out a little bark and Charlotte added a surprised chuckle. “See? She likes it. In honor of the Coast Guard hottie who saved her. What do you think?” Charlotte had something of an obsession with the military, especially the men who served.

      “How do you even know he’s hot?”

      “Isn’t he?”

      “Well, there’s a lot more to a person than how they look and—”

      “Come on, Mia,” she interrupted. “He saved you, he saved the dog, he’s in the Coast Guard.”

      Mia shook her head. “That doesn’t even make sense.”

      “I’m right, though, aren’t I?”

      “I don’t...” Mia tilted her head, trying to decide how to answer without answering.

      “I knew it!” Charlotte gave George a quick neck rub and then moved on to Coastie. “Good night, Coastie. Be sure and cuddle all up next to your Coast Guard hottie, okay?” Catching Mia’s gaze, she gave her a wink. “That last bit of advice goes for you, too.”

      “Unfortunately, that’s not on the table. Unlike you, I am not enamored with all things Coast Guard.” Just the opposite, in fact, she added silently.

      “And one of these days you’re going to tell me why that is. Let me take this stuff out to the car for you.”

      Mia couldn’t help but laugh as they headed for the door, dogs and all. If she were being completely honest, the cuddling part sounded nice. Too bad he was the wrong cuddle partner. In spite of Petty Officer Jay Johnston’s hotness and other attractive attributes, he was military. And that simple yet extraordinarily complicated fact made cuddling with him, or anything else for that matter, off-limits for her.

      * * *

      ROUGHLY FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, Mia and her canine companions headed up the steps leading to the beachfront home she’d recently purchased and shared with her mom. The house was way too large for her, but since she knew she was in Pacific Cove to stay, she’d gone ahead and opted for her dream home. Ever since she was young, she’d fantasized about living in a house where she’d never have to move again—a home she could fill with special moments and memories, a place to grow old in. As soon as she’d seen the three-thousand-square-foot beachfront bungalow she knew she’d found that place.

      Gambling on her future income from the vet practice, she’d only been able to purchase it by borrowing a portion of the down payment from her mom. In exchange, her mom lived with her rent-free. For now, she planned to fill the space with pets, a cat and a dog so far, but it would be the perfect place to raise a family someday.

      As she opened the back door and entered the kitchen, she could hear her mom and Jay chatting in the adjoining living room. It was her favorite room in the house. Looking out the windows all you could see was sand and ocean. To Mia, it almost felt like the house was floating. She headed toward the sound with the