Loving Lauren

by Jill Sanders

Chase's laughter dropped away as soon as Lauren drove away. Great! Just what he hadn't wanted to talk about today. He'd been happily surprised that she'd brought him food. She'd gotten him out of the mood he'd been in earlier. Now, as he looked over at her untouched plate, he wondered why she was being so difficult? Couldn't she see that the best solution for them both was this marriage? He looked up and saw the little terrier hobbling towards him. The dog was moving slowly, but looked like he was getting the hang of walking on three legs instead of four. When he made it to the table, he sat down. “You'll get the hang of it, buddy.” Chase tossed him a whole biscuit, knowing the bread would help soak up some of the acid in its small stomach.

  By the time he was full and had cleaned up their little picnic, Chase was feeling guilty. He supposed he should have talked to her a long time ago about his plans, but he'd had his reasons not to.

  Stuffing all the food back into the large basket, he carried it and the small dog back to the front porch. The dog curled up on the rug again as he carried the basket into the house. Putting the leftover food away, he decided a trip to his dad's might cheer him up.

  When he and Buddy got there a half hour later, his shirt was dirty thanks to Buddy deciding to upchuck the biscuit all over him. He didn't mind; in fact, he was used to getting animal fluids on him. It was better than getting bit or kicked, which he'd had plenty of as well.

  When he walked up to the porch carrying the small dog, his father opened the door before he could knock.

  “What have you got there?” His father reached out and took the small thing from him. “Poor guy. Come on in. You too, son.”

  Two hours later, he and Buddy left his dad's place, both with smiles on their faces. Buddy, for his part, had started feeling well enough to play with his dad's old Irish setter. The pair had quickly become best friends, and Chase had made up his mind to keep the three-legged dog. It was about time he settled down with a dog of his own. After all, people tended to trust a vet who had his own animals. At least that's what his father had told him several times during his visit.

  By the time he drove up to the ranch house, he was exhausted. The last thing he needed was to see Lauren's sister standing on his porch with her arms crossed over her chest like she'd been waiting for him.

  He got out of the car, carrying Buddy in his arms.

  “What have you got there?” Alex stood on the deck and opened her arms. “Oh, you poor thing.” She snuggled with the small dog, then looked up at him. “And to think I'd come over here to tell you what a heartless slime you are.”

  He laughed a little. “What did I do now?”

  Alex walked over and sat down in the chair so she could enjoy the small dog. “I don't know. But whatever it is, you sure have Lauren in a mood. She's actually cleaning the house.”

  He sat next to her. “That can't be that much of a shock. I've seen your place, and it's pretty clean.” Alex was Lauren's opposite. Where Lauren had long rich chestnut hair and sexy green eyes, Alexis had blonde hair and deep brown eyes. He'd been told that she looked a lot like their mother had, whereas Lauren and Haley took after their dad's side of the family.

  “She's not just cleaning downstairs, but the whole house. The attic, too. We haven't stepped foot in there since dad passed.” She set the dog down when he started whining. Buddy went and jumped off the porch and walked over to the nearest tree and lifted his bad leg to relieve himself. Alex looked over at Chase. He couldn't see what was going on in her dark eyes, but he could tell she was trying to figure out her next move.

  “I like you, Chase. I've always liked your family, but if you cross my sister in any way, I'll have to kill you.” She said it with such enthusiasm, he had to laugh.

  “I like you, too. And your family. What's going on between me and your sister is private, but I appreciate you coming out here and having this talk with me. I'd do the same to anyone who messed around with someone in my family.”

  “Fair enough. You've been warned. I also came by to say thank you for the roof. I know it was you who paid for it, don't ask me how. So, I have something for you.” She walked over to her car and leaned in the open window and pulled out a pie plate. “It was our ma's recipe.” She handed it to him. He peeled back the tin foil and the smell of apples and cinnamon hit him.

  “Yum, my favorite.”

  “Who doesn't love apple pie?” She smiled at him, then her smile fell away. “Thanks again. I don't know what you get out of it, but Haley and I wanted to say thank you. Okay, Haley baked the pie, but I'm delivering it.” She smiled again. She headed back to her car, but stopped before getting in. “Chase, I don't mind you sticking your nose in some places, but Lauren, well...She's different. She likes controlling things. We sort of let her, but it's nice to know that someone else is out there looking out for her. By the way, she'll be riding fences again this weekend. She plans on heading up to the hills, camping out all by herself with just her horse and the dog to keep her company. Haley and I hate it when she does that.” Alex frowned. “On a lighter side, if you ever want to just go for a ride, Buster's available for you. He's a big guy, but gentle enough. You're welcome to take him out whenever you want.” A small smile crept onto her lips and Chase laughed.

  “Your message is received loud and clear. Tell Haley that if she could watch Buddy, here”—he nodded towards the small dog who was lying down at his feet now—“this weekend, I'd appreciate it. He's not up to going on rides, short or long, yet.”

  She nodded her head and smiled. “Thanks. See you around.”