Stitch by Jaime Lewis (ebook reader online .txt) 📗

the practice and shelter in just a short period. She has a knack for getting the dogs and cats adopted.  I don’t think I’ve seen a person come in there and not leave with an animal.”

“That is quite impressive.  Is she a vet as well?”

“No, but she is one very smart woman and keeps things running smoothly. Dr. Katz has full confidence in her.  You know Dr. Katz is looking to sell the clinic.”

Mia glanced over at Stitch. “Maybe I can stop by there before we head back to the cabin. I can take a look around and maybe speak to Dr. Katz.”

“Yeah, that might be doable,” he stated. He turned towards his dad.  “Dad, I have to be present for a meeting tomorrow on base. Would you and mom have some time that you can drive Mia over to Dr. Katz’s office?”

Hal smiled.  His mom was a beautiful woman with the same light brown hair as her son’s.

“Your mother has a get-together with her cooking club tomorrow, but I’d be more than happy to take you, Mia.  I know Dr. Katz personally.  I can introduce you to him.”

“Thank you. I’d like that.”

“Anything for the woman who has captured my son’s attention,” Hal said and winked at Mia, making her blush.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Hal, don’t embarrass the poor woman.  We don’t want to chase her away.”

She was already falling in love with Stitch’s parents. They reminded her of her family and how close they all were.

Mia felt giddy inside.  As if someone just gave her a huge gift.  This was it. This was the start she was looking for. If her visit with Dr. Katz went well tomorrow, she could have planted the first seed in starting her life in Virginia Beach.

◆◆◆

Later that evening, Mia was in high spirits as she sat around the table at Bayside with her friends. It had been a great time catching up with Tenley, Autumn, and Bailey. She needed some socializing time with her girlfriends. She wasn’t complaining about being cooped up alone with Stitch, however. It had been amazing getting more acquainted with him.

Earlier, Stitch had received a call from base. They had wanted him to come in today instead of tomorrow to present his findings. With him completing that task, it meant she had all day tomorrow to spend with him in town before they ventured back up to the cabin.

Mia popped a jalapeño popper into her mouth and moaned.  Jesus, she’d missed food like this. Not that she was knocking Stitch’s healthy habits, because she studied medicine and knew that healthy food was good for the body and all, but sometimes you just needed some good ole’ greasy fried food to cure the craving.

“So, how long are Stitch and your brother letting you stay in town?”  Bailey asked as she stuffed an entire cheese stick in her mouth. Mia wanted to giggle because as Bailey chewed on her own greasy delight, she looked like a chipmunk.

Mia shrugged her shoulders. “I think one more day. Stitch, and Ace don’t think it’s wise to stay too long, just in case whoever was involved with my ordeal was snooping around.”

“What if Stitch has to stay longer? Ace mentioned that Stitch has a presentation he has to give tomorrow. You aren’t going back to the cabin by yourself, are you?”

Mia smiled at her soon to be sister-in-law. Hopefully, Ace would get off his ass and realize that Alex didn’t care if she got her fairy tale wedding.  The last time Mia had visited, she and Alex had gotten completely hammered one night, which led to Alex opening up to her when they broached on the subject of marriage.  Alex had admitted that she didn’t care what type of wedding she had; she just wanted to be married to the man she loved.  Alex made her promise not to say anything to Ace about it, and Mia was a woman of her word.  But that didn’t mean she couldn’t drop some hints along the way to her clueless brother.

“Stitch actually presented earlier today, before we came here. If he did, though, I was planning on staying with his parents.”

“I’m shocked he didn’t ask Bear or one of his guys from the team,” Bailey said to Mia.

“I’m not,” Autumn said, grinning. Autumn was Frost’s wife, and she had beautiful long, flaming red hair and eyes the color of emeralds.  Of course, she, too, has had her fair share of drama.

“Why aren’t you surprised?”

“Because all of those guys are Alphas. Oh, come on, you’ve been around to see it; when one of them sets their sights on a woman, they don’t let other men near the said woman if they can help it.”  Autumn beat on her chest like Tarzan. “You know. Me man, you woman.” Everyone laughed, and then Alex chimed in.

“Yeah, but as soon as one of their women is thrust into danger, it doesn’t matter whose woman it is. They all step up to the plate and protect her no matter what.”

Mia thought it was funny that all the women sitting with her automatically thought she belonged to Stitch.  These ladies didn’t know what had transpired between her and Stitch the last week. Well, except for Alex, and she was pretty sure she hadn’t spilled the beans. Alex wasn’t one to gossip unless it was something really juicy and it didn’t hurt anyone’s feelings.

“What makes you all think Stitch and I are together?”  Mia said and took a sip of her fruity drink. Stitch told her she’d be okay if she had one drink since she was still taking a pain pill at night. When she looked up, the women were staring at her as if she had two heads, and she started to blush, knowing she was busted.  Well, it was worth a try, and she grinned.

“Oh, please, you aren’t fooling any of us, sister,” Tenley said as she rubbed her big round belly. Her twins were due in a couple of weeks,