A Whole New Man. Roxann Delaney

like you do stray kitties,” she tried to explain. “But it’s very nice of you to think of him. He’ll be fine at the hotel tonight, and then I’ll take him to his new apartment tomorrow. Does that help?”

      Amanda’s lower lip quivered and her eyes filled with tears. “I guess so,” she said in a sad whisper.

      Lizzie gave her daughter a hug, her heart filled with pride at Amanda’s caring generosity, but she knew she needed to be cautious. “All ready?” she asked, when Hank returned.

      “You bet.” He helped Amanda down from her seat and held her hand as they walked to the exit. With her other, she grabbed Lizzie’s hand. Just like a family. Lizzie shook the thought from her mind to focus on her daughter’s chatter about her cousins’ new rabbit, the neighbor’s new kittens, and how she would have a zoo when she was bigger. Hank’s attention was riveted on the child, and Lizzie wasn’t sure what to do about this new situation. When Amanda made someone a friend, it was forever. Hank would only be a client for a few weeks, and after that there would be no reason for Lizzie to see him again. She could accept that. But could Amanda say goodbye to him when the time came? And did Lizzie really want her to?

      Hank watched Lizzie fit the key into the lock of the apartment he would be trying on for size. She had explained to him earlier that after the month was over, he would decide if he wanted to continue to live there under a sublease, or whether he would find another apartment. As far as he was concerned, it didn’t matter one bit where he lived, as long as he had a roof over his head and a bed to sleep in. He had spent most of his life in some sort of portable home, or at least a temporary one. None had been much to brag about. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been in a place as nice as his hotel room.