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physical abnormalities.
    Kat cleared her throat. “I think Matty—Matilda—witnessed the whole thing.”
    “Well, that would certainly help to explain her supremely agitated state,” Dr. Harry replied, folding back one of Matty’s ears and peering inside.
    Kat shifted her weight to her other foot. “Did you work with Mrs. Tinsdale often?”
    He pulled a stethoscope out of his coat pocket. “Not directly, no. Greta handles all the finances for us.”
    Kat absorbed that, unsure how she would go about verifying his claim. If he had killed Mrs. Tinsdale, he would understandably want to downplay the nature of their relationship.
    Before Kat could think of something else to say to get Dr. Harry to open up, he released the stethoscope’s metal bit that he had been holding to Matty’s chest, unhooked the ear pieces, and slipped the device back in his coat pocket. “Well, Matilda looks to be in good health.”
    “Oh, thank goodness.” Kat felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She hadn’t realized until then how worried she was that he might find something wrong.
    “Do you know if she’s current on her vaccinations?” Dr. Harry asked.
    “I’m not sure, but I can ask the vet that Mrs. Tinsdale used to provide a copy of Matty’s records,” Kat offered.
    “Do that. I’d also advise you to consider a monthly parasite treatment for Matilda.”
    Kat’s heart skipped a beat. “Parasite treatment? Matty has parasites?” She was surprised at how alarmed she felt. She’d only had Matty for twenty-four hours and already she was wholly in love with the cat.
    “This would be an all-inclusive preventive treatment to reduce the risk of her contracting conditions such as heartworm, fleas, ear mites, and roundworm,” Dr. Harry clarified. “Although there’s no cause for concern right now, a single mosquito bite could change all that.”
    Kat tried to tamp down her panic as her gaze moved to Matty hunkered down on the examination table.
    “There’s no need to worry,” Dr. Harry said, as if sensing her budding hysteria. “And the monthly treatment is easy enough to apply. You don’t even have to bring Matilda into the office. Here.” He rummaged in one of the drawers built into the counter and emerged holding up a cylindrical package. “You just squeeze this onto the skin at the back of her neck, where she can’t lick it, and she’s good to go for a month.”
    “That’s it?” Kat asked, accepting the medicine with trembling fingers.
    “That’s it,” Dr. Harry said cheerfully. “Normally I would apply it before you leave, but since Matilda is so agitated at the moment she might fare better if you treated her from the comfort of a familiar environment.”
    Kat bobbed her head. “Yes, definitely. I’ll do that straightaway when we get home.”
    “Stop by the front desk on your way out and talk to Sherry,” Dr. Harry said, reaching for the doorknob. “She’ll let you know what you owe for today’s visit.”
    “Okay. Thank you so much, Doctor.”
    Kat plucked the carrier off the floor, her mind whirling and her chest gripped by fear. Before today she’d barely known Matty. Now, the thought of losing her to parasites seemed like the worst thing in the world.

CHAPTER SIX
    When Andrew stopped by Jessie’s Diner later that afternoon for lunch, Kat asked the other waitress on duty to cover for her so she could talk to him. She couldn’t wait to tell him about her morning visit to Cherry Hills Veterinary.
    “I’m glad you’re here,” Kat said, sliding into the booth seat opposite him. She set down the strawberry milkshake she’d just finished making and pushed it across the table. “This is for you.”
    Andrew’s face lit up. “What’s the occasion?”
    Kat shrugged, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. “I guess I just assumed you’d want it, since we always ordered them as kids.”
    He grinned. “Oh, I definitely want it.”
    Kat found herself mesmerized by Andrew’s long, masculine fingers