No One Like You by Kate Angell Page A

but this was the worst to date. He clutched the edge of the sink; dropped his chin to his chest. Breathed deep.
    Minutes passed before he turned to Beth. Atlas and Rue flanked her. The dachsies had pushed up to their full height—which wasn’t all that tall. They sensed his irritation and her unease. They wanted to protect her. From him.
    Any other time, he would’ve thrown back his head and laughed out loud. However, he had a date tonight. Presentable was important to him. He didn’t look his best. Not by a long shot.
    Tomorrow he would face fans and media at the stadium plaza. Reporters would question “his new look.” His teammates would gain amusement at his expense. Not that he cared. Not much, anyway.
    He rubbed the back of his neck and focused on the positive. Beth hadn’t poked his eye with the scissors. Or snipped the tip of his nose.
    She still held the scissors and comb. Her throat worked. She had difficulty swallowing. The lady was nervous.
    Atlas took that moment to bark at him. A gruff sound. Smart when he wanted to be, the big dog awaited Rylan’s apology. He expected Ry to forgive Beth. Ry could do that. Life would go on. He wasn’t as upset with her as she was with herself. “Not my best look,” he slowly said, “but I can live with it. Don’t beat yourself up.”
    “I think you look edgy.”
    That surprised him. He’d been called handsome, stable, and straightforward over the years. All-American, too. No one had ever called him edgy . His dogs came to him. Atlas rose on his back legs and sniffed Ry’s head. Then dropping back down, he returned to Beth’s side.
    Ry watched as Beth slipped the comb into his shaving kit. Dropped the scissors into the drawer. She slapped her palms against her thighs, uncertain as to what to do next.
    He had plans for the rest of the day. A visit with his grandfather at the retirement village was a must. He needed to get going. “I’d like you to meet my granddad,” he said to Beth. “I’m going to be busy with spring training shortly, and won’t be able to spend as much time with him as usual. Any chance you play cards?”
    She nodded. “Gin, two-man solitaire, spades, war, crazy eights.”
    “Gin is good. How about cribbage?”
    Another nod. “Also backgammon.”
    “Great.” That worked out well. “I was asked to speak to the seniors as part of their lecture series. I’m scheduled for Wednesday. You can come with me then.”
    “I’d like that.” She looked down on the dogs. “They’ll be okay without me?”
    He appreciated her concern. “Atlas will babysit.”
    Beth grinned. “Does he get paid for his services?”
    “In dog treats.”
    Atlas loved his snacks. He could be insistent. When Connie forgot to bake, Atlas would drag the canine cookbook off the kitchen counter and drop it on her desk. Drool and all. Beth seemed more in-tune to the Dane than his Richmond assistant. The doggie cookie jar would always be full.
    Ry stared at her, for no apparent reason. Her rain cast eyes were more blue than gray. Her smile held, only to slip the longer he held her gaze. Her breath caught, and her breasts rose. His left hand instinctively flexed. He had the unexpected urge to touch her. That would be a major mistake. He mentally kicked himself for being so stupid.
    He needed to get going. “I’m taking my dinner jacket and shoes with me now. I won’t return until late. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    She licked her lips and hesitantly asked, “Will there be two of you at breakfast? Should I make myself scarce?”
    “I don’t bring dates to the cottage,” he said to ease her mind. He never had. It was a personal rule. He wasn’t an overnight date, either. He needed to get home to his dogs. They were his priority.
    Not every woman understood his leaving. A few had argued with him. And lost. He had yet to meet someone who could fit seamlessly into his life. Someone who would love him . . . for himself. Not because he was a professional