Read Online Naughty in November (Spring River Valley Book 11) by Clarice Wynter - Free Book Online
Authors: Clarice Wynter
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Addison said when Taylor met him in the parking lot of Taverna Fiora on Sunday morning.
“Not a problem,” Taylor replied. It’s not like there’s any reason to lie around in bed , he added silently. He squashed the self-pitying thought and reminded himself he was the reason the far side of his big bed had been empty this morning. “I don’t get to go on house calls too often, so it’s a nice change of pace.”
Grant laughed. “Well, I owe you for this one.” He waved Taylor toward the back parking lot of the restaurant. Halfway there he stopped and pointed to a group of small, furry forms lounging in the bright morning sunlight near the Dumpsters. “There they are. Turns out some of the kitchen staff have been feeding them.”
Taylor surveyed the parking lot area. The animals in question certainly looked well fed and content. “Feral cats. They’re not easy to get rid of, especially when they have access to food.”
Grant sighed. “I’ve warned the staff to stop leaving scraps for them. If the health department sees them, we’ll have a big problem. And now that this place is turning a decent profit, I don’t want to have to shut down because of a health code violation. What can I do? I don’t want the cats to starve, but I don’t want them trying to move into my kitchen either.”
Taylor squinted at the tabbies. Most were mottled gray and white, but a fat ginger lounged in a position of honor. He was probably the leader of the little wild pack. “I’ll call a rescue group I know. They can come and set traps, take the cats to a shelter for spaying , and if any of them can be adopted they’ll handle it. The ones that can’t be domesticated can be relocated to a feral cat sanctuary upstate. They’ll need a donation…probably a couple hundred dollars.”
“I’d rather pay a donation than a health code fine. No problem. When can they come?”
“I’ll make a call first thing tomorrow morning. But bear in mind once the cats are gone, you’re going to have a rodent issue.”
Grants relief faded , and he looked bleak. “What?”
“Your little furry friends look like they’re in pretty good shape physically. They’re not just getting fat off of salmon scraps and leftover cheesecake. They’re also keeping rats and mice away from the Dum psters. You’re going to have to set rat traps once the cats are gone.”
Grant groaned. “I think the health department would prefer the cats.”
“Ah, they’d probably prefer no animals at all.” Taylor pulled out his phone. “I’ve got a number in here for animal control. They’ll help you with the rat traps. Don’t worry. You should be able to get it all under control in a week or two. I’ll write the number down for you.”
“Thanks. I’m grateful for the help. I know you said this visit was no charge, but I want you to write up an invoice for your time.”
Taylor held up a hand. “Nonsense. Don’t worry about it.”
“Well, at least let me comp you a dinner. I heard you brought a very pretty lady here the other night. You can bring her back totally on the house.”
Taylor raised a brow. His phone had been silent all weekend, and likewise, he hadn’t called Dani even though he was desperate to hear her voice, but he was committed to playing it cool. “News travels fast around here, doesn’t it?”
“Nothing escapes the watchful eyes of my staff. They gossip like they get paid to do it.”
“Well, thanks for the offer. But I’m pretty sure I screwed up royally with that pretty lady.”
“Uh -oh. What did you do?”
He shrugged. “I keep letting my mouth say things before my brain signs off on them.”
Grant nodded sagely and clapped Taylor on the back. “Been there. And I’ve learned a very important lesson.”
“What’s that?” It certainly couldn’t be any worse than the advice Tanner had already given him.
“There’s not much that pink champagne and raspberry cheesecake can’t fix. Bring her by, and I guarantee
“Not a problem,” Taylor replied. It’s not like there’s any reason to lie around in bed , he added silently. He squashed the self-pitying thought and reminded himself he was the reason the far side of his big bed had been empty this morning. “I don’t get to go on house calls too often, so it’s a nice change of pace.”
Grant laughed. “Well, I owe you for this one.” He waved Taylor toward the back parking lot of the restaurant. Halfway there he stopped and pointed to a group of small, furry forms lounging in the bright morning sunlight near the Dumpsters. “There they are. Turns out some of the kitchen staff have been feeding them.”
Taylor surveyed the parking lot area. The animals in question certainly looked well fed and content. “Feral cats. They’re not easy to get rid of, especially when they have access to food.”
Grant sighed. “I’ve warned the staff to stop leaving scraps for them. If the health department sees them, we’ll have a big problem. And now that this place is turning a decent profit, I don’t want to have to shut down because of a health code violation. What can I do? I don’t want the cats to starve, but I don’t want them trying to move into my kitchen either.”
Taylor squinted at the tabbies. Most were mottled gray and white, but a fat ginger lounged in a position of honor. He was probably the leader of the little wild pack. “I’ll call a rescue group I know. They can come and set traps, take the cats to a shelter for spaying , and if any of them can be adopted they’ll handle it. The ones that can’t be domesticated can be relocated to a feral cat sanctuary upstate. They’ll need a donation…probably a couple hundred dollars.”
“I’d rather pay a donation than a health code fine. No problem. When can they come?”
“I’ll make a call first thing tomorrow morning. But bear in mind once the cats are gone, you’re going to have a rodent issue.”
Grants relief faded , and he looked bleak. “What?”
“Your little furry friends look like they’re in pretty good shape physically. They’re not just getting fat off of salmon scraps and leftover cheesecake. They’re also keeping rats and mice away from the Dum psters. You’re going to have to set rat traps once the cats are gone.”
Grant groaned. “I think the health department would prefer the cats.”
“Ah, they’d probably prefer no animals at all.” Taylor pulled out his phone. “I’ve got a number in here for animal control. They’ll help you with the rat traps. Don’t worry. You should be able to get it all under control in a week or two. I’ll write the number down for you.”
“Thanks. I’m grateful for the help. I know you said this visit was no charge, but I want you to write up an invoice for your time.”
Taylor held up a hand. “Nonsense. Don’t worry about it.”
“Well, at least let me comp you a dinner. I heard you brought a very pretty lady here the other night. You can bring her back totally on the house.”
Taylor raised a brow. His phone had been silent all weekend, and likewise, he hadn’t called Dani even though he was desperate to hear her voice, but he was committed to playing it cool. “News travels fast around here, doesn’t it?”
“Nothing escapes the watchful eyes of my staff. They gossip like they get paid to do it.”
“Well, thanks for the offer. But I’m pretty sure I screwed up royally with that pretty lady.”
“Uh -oh. What did you do?”
He shrugged. “I keep letting my mouth say things before my brain signs off on them.”
Grant nodded sagely and clapped Taylor on the back. “Been there. And I’ve learned a very important lesson.”
“What’s that?” It certainly couldn’t be any worse than the advice Tanner had already given him.
“There’s not much that pink champagne and raspberry cheesecake can’t fix. Bring her by, and I guarantee
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