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firm.
                  Justin began cleaning up the mess from the surgery. The house was quiet. The Bark and Purr’s phone had only rang once in the last hour. He rather enjoyed the coziness of having her there with him. Having her concerned about Charlie. Having them both concerned about him. It was a side of her he hadn’t expected. It was a side of her he liked.
                  Her cell phone rang and broke the illusion.
                  “Hello,” she said, meeting Justin’s gaze as she answered.
                  She nodded, then “I’ll be right there.” She stroked Charlie’s fur, kissed his head. “I’ll be right back,” she said to Charlie or Justin. He wasn’t sure.
                  She stood up, shoved her hair back, and looked straight at him.” I’ll be right back,” she said, again. Her moist green eyes mesmerized him. He didn’t want her to go. He had known she would.
                  He watched her turn and walk away. Acknowledged the sense of loss. Waited for the anger to return. Was surprised when it didn’t.
                  Instead, a feeling of loss and longing settled in.

C hapte r 4
                  Weary, Ally opened the front door to let in a laughing Steven and Zena. She hugged both of them as she listened to their excited rapport at being there - in the country, as they called it. She smiled back, but her heart was heavy. As they stood there in Granny’s living room laughing carelessly, Charlie, a sweet three-year old cat lay next door fighting for his life.
                  Most would say he was only a cat. But he was Granny’s little friend and she had let them all down.
                  “Guys,” she started. “I’m sorry about this, but I have to go.”
                  “What?”
                  “Go where?”
                  “We just got here.”
                  “I know it sounds rude, but I have to go next door to be with Granny’s sick kitty.” She ran a hand through her hair and took a deep breath.
                  “We’ll go with you.”
                  “Sure, we can help.”
                  “No, he needs quiet and you guys didn’t drive over here for that. You’ll just have to explore the town on your own. I may be able to catch up with you tomorrow, but for right now, I have to be somewhere else.”
                  She showed them the guest rooms, hugged them again, and they headed out the front door in search of a restaurant for dinner.
                  Alley went into the bathroom and, after checking her appearance in the mirror, ran a brush through her hair and smeared on some lip gloss. She then grabbed a stack of towels and headed out the back door to the clinic.
                  Not sure if the older Yorks were back yet, she went to the Bark and Purr entrance and knocked.
                  When Justin opened the door, her heart gave a little skip - partly at seeing Justin again and partly at knowing she’d find out how Charlie was doing. ‘Hi,” she said, looking at him questioningly.
                  “Hi,” he said. “Come on in.” He stepped back to let her inside.
                  “How is he?” she asked.
                  “No change yet.”
                  She hurried down the stairs to his side on the cold, steel table. “I brought some towels,” she said, glancing at him over her shoulder. “This table is so cold and uncomfortable.”
                  “Ok,” he said. “Good idea. Let me help you.”
                  She laid out the towels, then the two of them carefully picked up Charlie and laid him on them. Charlie opened his eyes and looked at her. “He’s awake. That’s good,