Thanks to all readers and reviewers! I hope that you enjoy this second and final chapter to this short story! God bless, and enjoy!

So I've come to loan her a book, Bobby told himself as he got out of his car. A final glance at the radio clock in his vehicle reaffirmed that it was 6:15. Fifteen minutes to see who this bloke is and to get out before Sue and Lucy get here. I just really hope that Tara does not figure out that I'm spying on her. I don't think that would go over very well.

Bobby walked up the walkway to Tara's house and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" called a voice.

"Just me, Tara," Bobby called back. He heard a lock twisted open and Tara opened the door. She looked behind her nervously.

"Bobby! I didn't expect you to come by this evening. Why are you here?"

Avoid that question. "Here's a book that I thought that you might enjoy," Bobby stated as he pushed the book toward her. He tried to look around her, but could not see anyone. But she was blocking most of the doorway anyway. Why does she seem fidgety?

"Oh, thanks, a book on ballistics. I haven't read this one before. That's great. Thank you." She did look eager to read the book - about as eager as she seemed to disappear back behind the door.

Ballistics. So that's the book that I grabbed on the way out the door. "I hope that you enjoy it." She seems to be blocking the door. What's up with her? Is that bloke threatening her or something? How can I meet him? "Could I get a glass of water?" That's a good idea, Manning. That will work.

"Um, sure, just hurry in," Tara said, moving back.

"Why hurry?" Bobby asked. Just then he felt something brush past him. He turned to see a large black-and-white cat running down the walkway.

"Handsome! Come back!" Tara yelled, before turning to Bobby. "You let him out! Oh, help me! He can't get away. Jadley will kill me if he escapes!" She pushed past and ran toward the cat. "Here, kitty kitty. Come here, Handsome."

"Who? What?" Bobby asked, dumbfounded. Handsome is a cat? He did not stand for long. He quickly followed Tara and helped her corned the big feline. Despite the cat's attempts to scratch, Tara soon had the cat securely in her arms and back in the house.

"Come in and close the door tightly behind you," Tara told Bobby. He obeyed and she set the insulted cat down on the floor. It was then that Bobby noticed that this cat was not Tara's cat. Tara had owned a small, brown cat named Acorn. This was no Acorn, seated by a food dish, indignantly cleaning his whiskers.

"That's not Acorn," Bobby stated the obvious.

Tara shook her head. "No," she said sadly. "Acorn died." A stray tear trembled in the corner of her eye, threatening to tumble down her cheek. She reached and brushed it away.

Oh, that was apparently not the right thing to say. Poor Tara. Acorn was her 'watch cat' and she loved her. "I'm...sorry."

"Yeah, she was hit by a car last month."

No wonder her fear at the cat leaving the house. "I'm really sorry that I let this one get out."

"That's fine," Tara said, reaching down and petting the cat. "You couldn't have known that Handsome was such an escape artist. Now that I think of it, did I ever tell you that I was pet sitting my cousin's cat? Jadley should have called him Houndini, he's so good at getting out of every space."

Yes, Houndini would be easier on the blokes around him. You have no clue how worried I was about him being around you. And it turns out that he isn't even your pet! I thought that I had lost my chance...what is she saying now? Focus, Manning.

" If Handsome had gotten away, she would have killed me; she warned me again and again not to let him outside. Thanks for helping me."

"As I said, no problem. Sorry I let him out."

"Would you still like that glass of water?" Tara offered, looking up with her wide, green eyes.

She must have no clue how gorgeous she is. Wait, she asked me a question. What glass of water was that? Oh, no I don't need that. But if I do take it I could stay a bit longer and visit with the sheila. "Oh, sure, I'd love some water."

"Good. I'll get it. Maybe you can befriend Handsome. There's some treats over there in that bag." Tara pointed, but Bobby never stopped looking at her.

The cat may only be named Handsome, but she truly is beautiful.

Beautiful. That is what I would call her. My beautiful Tara.