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“I'm a little late. My name's Timothy—Tim for short. Dave didn't tell me you were all the way out in the mountains.” His deep voice surprised her and he wasn't even close to what she'd been expecting. If she was honest. She thought Timothy would be a short, pudgy, middle-aged balding man.

She shook her head as she closed the door behind him, locking them in. “Sorry, I'm Scarlett.” She held out her hand to him. “Thanks for coming on such short notice and welcome toHearts and Paws, the business side, of course.”

When their hands touched, a surge of electricity skirted up her arm. The reaction startled her, and as she looked up at Timothy, she found he stared at her with the same perplexing expression she felt. Clearing her throat, she released his hand and motioned for him to take a seat across from her.

“Dave said this case is unique in a way,” he said, without missing a beat. “Care to elaborate?”

“Sure.” She willed her fingers to stop trembling and her heart to stop pounding. She had to focus on the seriousness of the situation with Maisie and not the tingling coil of arousal building within her. Scarlett started from the beginning. She gave him every financial folder she had for the sanctuary along with the loan paperwork and the latest ledger from the bank she’d received. It was a lot of information for him to have to analyze, but if Dave was right, he'd be up to the task. “There's one more thing.”

“The auction last night?” Timothy cocked a brow as though he anticipated her statement. “I'm already on it. Dave texted me the photos and the amounts of money.”

“Yes.” She closed her eyes. “I mean, you are?”

He nodded. “I'm the friend with Wildlife Management and CITES connections. I've got a friend who can do this on the down-low.”

“You'd...You'd do that for me? Someone, you don't know?” She tilted her head to the side, trying to size him up.

“I would, yes.”

“You don't know me. I could be worse than my sister.” The bitterness of the lie fell from her and she hated the way it made her feel. She'd never betray her feline companions' trust nor her friends.

“Dave wouldn't have called me in to help, nor would I be here, if I thought you would be anything but who you are, Scarlett,” he replied. “Dave and I have been friends since college. We even pledged the same fraternity. I trust his judgment calls implicitly.”

She could tell by the way Timothy talked about Dave, the man held her friend in the highest esteem. “Okay. So, where do you want to start?”

“How about small and we'll work our way up?” he answered.

“Sounds great. I have everything in order here.” She grabbed the red notebook she'd put together earlier the day before. “I have everything color coordinated by type of bill, when it's paid and when there is a flux in usage amounts.” She handed him the binder. “It's five years’ worth of information. I also have the thumb drive to go with it if you prefer.”

He stared at her; a stunned expression colored his handsome features. “When Dave told me you were thorough, he didn't explain it was this thorough.”

She laughed. “I watch every penny that comes in and goes out. I know how to budget, ration, and save. What I'm not good at, is finding the holes or discrepancies.”

“Well, leave that to the experts.” He winked at her. “You are amazing, Scarlett. Dave has told me a lot about you over the years. What the bastard left out was how beautiful you are.”

Her cheeks burned and the tickling euphoria from being complimented filled her chest. Timothy had been too kind to her and yet, he'd been sincere with his appreciation of her, which knocked her for a loop once more. “Thank you.”

“You're not going to refute what I've said?” Timothy laughed. “Boy, Dave will be pissed when I tell him. He owes me twenty bucks.”

“You made a bet?” She didn't know if she should laugh or be pissed off Dave was making bets against her.

“Yeah, friendly of course.” He lifted his hands. “He said you don't take compliments well when it comes to your beauty because you're always worried about your scar. I see it as a badge of honor and courage. Now, my mom and dad, on the other hand, might think you're a badass Yakuza member and keep their distance.”

She laughed, how could she not? “Yakuza? Not even close.”

“Anyway, Dave told me what happened. He's always believed you when it came to the accident. I tend to side with him too after listening to his assessments.” Timothy opened the notebook. “So, I guess I'll take a look at this now.” He pointed to the open desk. “Over there?”

He left her speechless. She nodded then swallowed hard. “I'll grab us some coffee. I'll be right back.”

She headed out into the hall and pressed her back to the door when she shut it behind her. What the hell was wrong with her? Why did her heart go skippity-splat every time the guy opened his mouth? And, after last night with Dave, how could she even feel even the slightest bit aroused by Timothy?

Maybe it's because he's kind.

He was. He listened to her. He didn't interrupt her like some would and he genuinely cared about her big cats. God, the simple way to her heart, it appeared, was loving her animals as much as she did.

She walked down the hall to the breakroom, her mind was still foggy from Timothy's care and compassion. As she stepped around the corner, she ran smack dab into Kenny. “Sorry.” She mumbled the words as he held onto her so she could catch her balance.

“That bad?” he murmured.