Acquiring Trouble

handsome young man?"
    "Shelly, meet Bill." Bill sat up and held out his paw to shake. "Katelyn said she got the test results back and I hope she doesn't mind, but Bill's a rescue and I wanted him to be checked out."
    "That's fine. Come on, hon , let me take you to an exam room. Katelyn wanted to see you right away to give you the test results. "
    Miles walked through the lobby and int o the exam room with pictures of puppies on the wall. The past week and a half had been quiet. There had been no more incidents of poison or other mischief . Morgan hadn't acted strangely and while people weren't happy to have her driving all over the state trying to persuade them to force the sale of Family Farms, they hadn't complained about any inappropriate behavior on her part. Miles was seeing her again tonight for their second official date, even though he had checked up on her a couple of times since their last date. Especially when he found out Top Producers was doing everything they could to d elay the grocery store deal, or at least that’s the reason he told himself he was calling her . Deep down he knew it was because he couldn’t get her out of her mind. The way they talked, the way they l aughed and the way they kissed.
    The door opened and Katelyn came in wearing scrubs and a white jacket with her name embroidered on the breast pocket. She smiled at Miles before sitting on the ground to introduce herself to Bill. Bill looked at her with his big round brown eyes , and Miles watched as Katelyn fell under his spell.
    "He's adorable! I didn't know you had a dog, Miles."
    "Bill's a rescue. He just kinda found me a couple months ago ." Miles shrugged his shoulders as he remembered Bill sitting on his porch.
    "That's how it usually works. So, I got the tests back from Auburn. Old Tabby's pigs were poisoned with ANTU. Usually they die from hypoxia within 2 – 4 hours of ingestion. Pigs that survive over 12 hours will most likely recover, which is why the younger ones lived. They had healthier systems to begin with. "
    "Could this be something they accidently got into?" Miles asked.
    "Maybe decades ago when it was used some for rodent control, but not anymore. I’ve already talked to Tabby and he said he doesn't use it anywhere on his farm. It was definitely a case of intentional poisoning . And, before you ask, I’ve checked around the area and there ha ve been no other cases of this." Katelyn stroked B ill's head, which he had rested on her leg.
    "That's very interesting. I assumed you told Marshall already."
    "Yes. He's also brought Noodle in on this. Our wedding is just a couple weeks away and we want someone to know all the details in case something happen s while we are on our honeymoon."
    "That sounds like a good idea ."
    "Now, let me see this cutie. My, you're a sweet old man, aren't you? " Katelyn looked at Bill's teeth, "Probably nine years old or so." She finished running her hands over his long body and tested his joints. "He's in great shape. I must commend you for deciding to keep him. Older rescues are the hardest to find homes for. I think you two will be good for each other. "
    "Thanks Katelyn." Miles patted his leg and Bill jumped up from the ground, "L et's go bud."
     
    *      *      *
     
    Morgan pulled back right in time for an other door to slam in her face. David was so not going to like this. She ha d only managed to secure ten more signatures this week . Any means necessary was what David had told her and it looked like she was going to have to up the ante to defeat Miles.
    She didn’t want to hurt him. He'd shown her such kindness since she came back to Keeneston. And their date had been so romantic. She loved his dry sense of humor and the way he always seemed to be looking out for her. He would casually guide her through a crowd, hold the door for her , and make sure she was having a good time. Not to mention the way her body caught on fire when he just looked at her. Oh, and when he kissed her! His lips were a gift —t hat was the only explanation because the way he kissed was enough to turn a saint to a sinner .
    Tonight was their second date. She knew she was crossing a line by dating her opposition, but it wasn't like she hadn't crossed the line a c ouple of times during her life. She couldn’t stop touching her lips, remembering the feel of their kiss. 
    They had both been busy trying to defeat one another in business so they had decided to have dinner at the Blossom Café. She