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“I truly am sorry I didn’t realize you had such an aversion to rodents I won’t bring any more home I promise As for snakes—even I draw the line at reptiles”

Well, that wasn’t strictly true, and she was hoping Mrs Givens had forgotten the iguana incident The landlady’s narrowed eyes told her she hadn’t

“I see in your bathtub not ato have to find another place to live”

“Please give me another chance,” Zoe pleaded, “It’s so close to Christ quarters in Sunshine Springs” Especially those that allowed pets

Mrs Givens’ expression softened, and Zoe would have been ho doors and coe dogs, and she found Snoopy inti Unfortunately, Snoopy adored her He juoodbye

Zoe shouted, “Down, Snoopy”

The dog obeyed, but the da slobber from her face, her expression murderous “The time has come for you to find a home more amenable to your soft spot for ani Grant’s doorbell

It was a new experience

So was coh the front door She took in the different perspective of the i portico while she waited for Grant to answer Snow covered the ground around the impressive Spanish-style mansion with Christmas-card loveliness The house was old for the county, probably the oldest one within a hundred rillwork decorated everyand doorhile the stucco glowed in the ht

She took a deep breath of the frosty air, the faint scent of wood s her nostrils Grant must have built a fire in one of the many fireplaces Probably the study She could certainly stand being in front of that fire right now She shivered and clapped her gloved hands together Where are you, Grant?

She heard a bump and a muffled curse The door opened Grant’s dark hair stood on end, and the iers marked his cheek He’d been asleep, but he wasn’t undressed so he hadn’t gone to bed He’d probably fallen asleep in front of the coain The man worked much too hard

His coe into hysterical laughter Although nothing about this situation was even reers in a quick wave “Hi”