Sit, Stay, Love

by Debbie Burns

  Kurt stopped dancing entirely. “The moon’s out and almost full. Want to step out on that amazing veranda for a few minutes?”

  Not if it means you’re going to break my heart. A numbness was washing over her. It was as if her head didn’t belong to her body when she nodded.

  Clasping her hand in his, Kurt led her across the dance floor, wove through the tables to the back of the room, and headed out the closest of the glass doors that led to the veranda. Like the room inside, the pergola roof of the veranda was woven with soft-white lights, and so were the trunks of several trees.

  It was dark otherwise, and in the silvery moonlight, the rolling hills of the winery seemed to stretch on forever above the farmland below.

  “It’s beautiful here.” She said it mostly to prove she was strong enough to find her voice. Her hands were shaky. She crossed to the edge of the veranda and placed them flat atop the wooden railing that separated the veranda from the stone patio that stretched out across the yard to the edge of the bluffs.

  Kurt followed, stopping beside her and looking out into the night. “I’ve never been good with words. I know that. And lately they’ve been more locked up than ever.”

  “You don’t have to say anything. I’m a bit buzzed, and it kind of slipped out. I don’t even know if—”

  Kurt held up a hand to stop her. “No, don’t. Don’t make it less than it was. Kelsey, I can’t even begin to explain what’s inside me. There’s so much I haven’t told you. So much you don’t know.”

  His words gave her courage. “I don’t have to know everything. And the important stuff—the part that makes you you—that’s the stuff that’s learned from actions, not words. I know you, Kurt, even if I don’t know everything.”

  His answering sigh was like steam escaping from a kettle. His arms locked around her as he drew her tightly against him. She could feel his trembling torso against her stomach. His face was half-buried in her hair, and his words were muffled. “Kels, I came for you. To Sabrina’s. I came for you.”

  Their lips met, and the kiss was both tender and intense. Tears of relief slid down her face. Not making a mess of the makeup she’d taken a half hour perfecting slid to the bottom of her priority list. Through the glass doors, there was a second round of applause after a muffled announcement was made.

  Then, where Kurt’s thigh pressed into her, she felt his phone begin to vibrate. When he didn’t pull away, she followed his lead and allowed the kiss to linger. His lips left hers to press against her temple, then her ear, and down her neck. They were on their way back upward when his phone began to vibrate for a second round.

  Kelsey pulled away enough to let her head clear. They had time for this later. An entire night with no interruptions. She didn’t want to miss much of Megan’s big moment.

  “Do you want to see who it is? And I’m thinking we should head back inside. At least until the big stuff is finished.”

  “Yeah, sure.” He pulled out his phone and shook his head. “It’s a number I don’t know.” He pressed End and dropped his phone back into his pocket.

  He’d locked his hand around hers, and they were crossing the veranda when he stopped and frowned. “Someone’s persistent. I should take this.”

  “Yeah, okay. I’ll meet you inside.” A glance through the glass doors and across the crowded room was all it took to spot her mother craning her neck in their direction before hurriedly looking away. Kelsey clicked her tongue as she turned back to Kurt. “Something tells me we weren’t as invisible out there as I thought we were. If you get lost in the crowd, just look for the middle-aged parents with a zillion questions.”

  Chapter 25

  Kurt pressed End and dropped his phone back into his pocket. He could think of only one thing that could effectively come between Kelsey and this night of hers.

  And it was happening.

  He wove through the crowd until he found her tucking a pin into a young girl’s hair at the edge of the dance floor. He stopped about ten feet away, taking a few seconds to commit to memory this side of her—the sexy heels and golden hair swept off her neck, the shimmery dress that called out to him to slip it off her enticing curves.

  She noticed him before he was ready for her to. His hesitation must have been visible on his face, because her eyebrows knit together in concern as she stood, patting the girl before she bounded off to join a group of other little kids.

  “Everything okay?” she asked as he joined her.

  “Yeah, but I don’t know how to tell you this. It was Tess. She thought we’d want to know.”

  Kelsey clamped a hand over her mouth. “Please don’t tell me it was the protesters again.”

  “It wasn’t. It looks like Pepper’s gone into active labor. She was unsettled this afternoon, but I was really hoping we had another day or two. It’s new territory for Tess, but Rob’s willing to stay. They don’t need us, but after seeing how crazy you were about Pepper, Tess wanted to make sure you knew.”

  Kelsey clutched the front fold of his suit. “Tonight! Are you kidding? Oh my gosh, you aren’t kidding, are you?”

  He couldn’t help but laugh at her unbridled excitement. “No, I’m not.”

  “How soon does Tess think it will be? Is Rob able to guess? These things always happen at night, don’t they?” She smoothed his suit back into place. “Oh, Kurt, we can’t miss Pepper’s puppies coming into the world.”

  “Honestly, there’s no way to tell. Once the delivery starts, it’ll go for several hours. They usually rest in between deliveries, and I’m pretty sure she’s pregnant with quite a few. It’s possible if we head back early morning tomorrow, we’ll still catch a few being born.”

  Kelsey shook her head. “Something could go wrong. She could need us. She trusts us. Rob and Tess are strangers to her.”

  “It’s up to you, Kelsey. Whatever you want to do. I know how important tonight is to you.”

  She let out a soft sigh, her shoulders dropping and her eyes closing a second or two. When she opened them, she leaned close to whisper in his ear. “Kurt, that room is so lovely. There’s a Jacuzzi and a giant, comfy bed and candles, and you didn’t even get to see it. When things settle down, I’m so taking you back there.”

  He closed one hand over her hip. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  “Deal. Would you think we have another half hour or so? They’re going to cut the cake and stuff soon. I’d hate to miss that. Shoot, I still have to go back to the inn and get my things.”

  “Why don’t you stay here and hang out with your parents a bit longer, and I’ll run to the room to get your stuff. That way I’ll know what to look forward to later, and hopefully you won’t miss anything too important here or with Pepper.”

  Kelsey brushed her lips over his. “That works, if you don’t mind.” She hurried to the table where she’d left her clutch and came back with an antique key rather than a plastic card. Kurt knew before seeing it that he’d approve of the room.

  * * *

  It was Kelsey’s experience that return trips usually felt shorter than the way to a place. This wasn’t the case tonight. First, the winding country roads seemed to snake on forever, then the highway did the same. She reassured herself that the whelping box had been ready for over a week, and a pile of blankets, scissors, and other supplies was already in the room.

  It was almost ten o’clock when they rolled into the driveway. Rob was laid out on the couch in the front parlor, and Tess was descending the stairs. A few dogs, Zeus in particular, roused in their kennels and started to bark excitedly as Kelsey and Kurt walked through the front door. Kelsey felt an unexpected tug at her heartstrings. She’d grown to love walking into the house each morning, but this was the first time it felt like she was coming home instead of going to work.

  Rob rose to his feet with a yawn. “Nothing yet, Mom and Dad. She seemed close a couple of times, but
I think she’s been waiting for you to get your butts back here.”

  “Yeah, she’s been dozing the last twenty minutes, but I swear she heard your cars pull in,” Tess said, joining them in the hallway. “She woke up and barked a couple times. We’ve been watching her on the nanny cam so as not to stress her out. She went into her whelping box on her own, and her temp is down into delivery range, so things could pick up quickly. And by the way, you look amazing, Kelsey. I’m sorry you’re missing your friend’s reception.”

  “Thanks, and it’s okay. We were there for most of it. We saw the first dance and got the cake to go. There are several slices, if you’re hungry. Which reminds me, I left it in my car.”

  Kurt waved her off and headed back out the door.

  “Well, I’ve been going since about four thirty this morning,” Rob said. “With the three of you here now, I’ll follow him out. I’ve got another early morning tomorrow. And besides, working at a shelter, Kelsey, you’ve probably seen more births than I have.”

  “I’ve only seen a few, but I’ve watched a ton of them on YouTube this last month.”

  “I don’t think you’ll need it, but there’s a number for a vet on the fridge. He’s a friend. You can call him at any hour. Though these guys usually do fine on their own. And I suspect Pepper’s an old hand at this.”

  “Thanks for hanging out with me tonight.” Tess stepped forward and gave Rob a bear hug, which he returned, lifting her off her feet. She was average height but slender enough to pass for petite. Unlike when they’d met and Tess had looked like she’d stepped out of an upscale fall clothing catalog, tonight she was in yoga pants and fuzzy socks, and her hair was piled high on her head.

  Rob gave Kelsey a wink as he reached for the doorknob. “Don’t hesitate to call, no matter what time it is. And when things settle down, make that boy of yours dance another few dances with you. I suspect you won’t get him in a suit too often.”

  Kurt was jogging up the porch steps, and with the door ajar, Kelsey didn’t have to wonder long if he’d overheard. “Oh, you never know, especially if she’ll slip back into that dress.” He stepped to the side to let Rob leave. In one hand, he was holding the boxed cake slices, and in the other, her bright Vera Bradley weekender bag.

  Kelsey’s cheeks felt hot enough to light a candle at the sight of it. But underneath the embarrassment, she was almost giddy. This was staying-power talk, and Kurt wasn’t shying away from it.

  After Rob headed out and the door was shut, Tess gnawed her lip as she eyed Kelsey’s bag. “So, um, I’ve never actually seen a dog in labor, and I’m not going to pretend I don’t want to now, but I don’t want to be a third wheel either.”

  “Third wheel, my ass,” Kurt said, ruffling her messy topknot after passing Kelsey her bag. “You’re staying up with Kelsey if this runs late. Besides, someone’s got to do the grunt work.”

  Tess wrinkled her nose at him. “Eight years of military service, and they didn’t take the Kurt out of you.”

  Kelsey laughed. “I’d better get changed.”

  “Hey, did you guys get pictures? Because if not, you should. I can take some for you.”

  Kelsey met Kurt’s gaze. “You know, we didn’t think of that.”

  “She’s right.”

  “Well, we have to change that.” Tess locked her hands on her hips as she scanned the lower floor. “Hey, how about in front of that beautiful staircase?”

  Kelsey found herself being shuffled in front of the curved staircase that not long ago had made her hold her breath whenever she’d used it. Now, the steps were solid, and she bounded up and down them throughout her days here without a second thought. Kurt and his grandfather had been busy healing this house. Really busy.

  She and Kurt each closed an arm around the other. While Tess flipped on a few extra lights, Kelsey leaned in to whisper, “I’m glad we didn’t get a picture at the reception. Our first picture wouldn’t have the same meaning if it wasn’t taken here.”

  Kurt locked his gaze on hers. “It means a lot to hear you say that.”

  Tess centered herself about ten feet in front of them and held up Kurt’s phone. “Okay, say ‘puppies.’”

  “Puppies,” they said in unison. As if in answer, a determined bark drifted down from upstairs.

  After posing for a few shots, Kurt said, “Sounds like we’re getting close to go time.”

  Kelsey ducked into the hall bathroom to change into the clothes she’d worn earlier in the day. Sorting through her bag, she realized she’d been so busy the last several days that she’d forgotten to dress in rainbow-color order. Today, a Saturday, should have been a day to wear a purple shelter T-shirt, and she’d worn a blue one. And yesterday she’d worn a green one. Maybe it’s time to let go of the things you used to need to get you through.

  She’d no more than hung up the gorgeous dress in the coat closet when Kurt called from the top of the stairway. “Hey, Kels, come on up. It looks like she’s starting to push.”

  Kelsey jogged up the stairs and hurried down the hallway. He wasn’t kidding. Pepper was sprawled out in a corner of the whelping box, half panting, half moaning. “Oh, sweet little mama, you’re going to be just fine.” Pepper lifted her head and licked her lips at the sound of Kelsey’s voice. She was on her side, her top back leg lifted off the ground at an awkward angle. “Can you think of anything else we should have on hand? I’ve read lots of blogs, and most say the same thing.”

  “I checked through your supplies. I think you thought of everything. How many times have you done this before?” Kurt asked.

  “Only twice.” The number sounded very small to her ears. “One of the live births that I saw was a seven-year-old Chihuahua. It was touch and go with her. One of our volunteers is a retired vet. She had to assist in the delivery of all three puppies, or I don’t think the mom would’ve made it. The other birth was a Lab, and she was a pro like I’m hoping Pepper will be. How about you?”

  “Zero. I helped deliver a baby to an Afghan woman though. ‘Woman’ is not the right word for it. She was fifteen tops. It was a nightmare.”

  Tess, who’d just come into the room, shuddered. “Were she and the baby okay?”

  “Thankfully.”

  Not for the first time, Kelsey wondered how much Kurt was holding in from all those years of service. He’d lost dogs in his charge and friends who’d been working alongside him… She knew that much. Once in a while, he’d say something specific like this, but he’d never go into any real detail. He seemed to prefer to lock things away and keep too busy to dwell on them. She wasn’t sold on the idea that this approach was healthy long-term. It would be better if he could find release. But that, she suspected, would be something he’d have to decide to do on his own.

  From her corner of the floor, Pepper let out a determined groan. The dog’s muscles tensed as she strained.

  “She’s contracting,” Kelsey whispered. Sabrina Raven’s house was about to be filled with new life.

  Kurt motioned toward the whelping box. “I don’t think she’d mind your company, Kels. Tess and I can hang back so as not to crowd her.”

  Kelsey wasn’t about to argue. She stepped over the makeshift plywood playpen, its floor covered with old towels and blankets, and crouched next to Pepper. She stroked the dog’s head and whispered a string of encouraging words. Pepper’s nubbin of a tail wagged a few times before she had a few whole-body contractions. The metallic smell of blood mixed with pungent dog filled the air.

  After a few minutes of crouching in place and petting Pepper, Kelsey started developing pangs in her knees. She was thinking about repositioning when Pepper curled around and started to lick underneath her tail.

  “I see its face emerging,” Tess whispered. “Oh wow, it’s still in the sac. This is so cool.”

  Pepper began to lick vigorously as the first puppy slid the rest of the way out.
Tears stung Kelsey’s eyes.

  Kurt stood at the edge of the whelping box, a towel and baby nasal aspirator in hand. “So far, so good. It’s better to let her stimulate her pups to breathe than for us to do it.”

  With Pepper busy with her baby, Kelsey joined Kurt and Tess at the edge of the box. “I don’t think there’s anything cuter than Rottweiler puppies.”

  Kurt met her gaze and winked. “It looks like an encased link of sausage to me.”

  Tess laughed. “I hate to say it, but he’s right.”

  After several minutes of vigorous licking, the puppy was cleaned of its sac, wiggling about, and whimpering.

  “Well done, Pepper,” Kurt said. “Look. It’s already making its way over to nurse.”

  Even though it couldn’t support its own weight, the short-legged puppy was clearly making a beeline wiggle toward Pepper’s nearest teat. And still sleek and wet as the little thing was, the brown markings on its face and feet stood apart from the black body, and its squished face was the cutest ever. Kelsey snapped a few pictures to post on the shelter’s Facebook page.

  “I was wondering if the father was a Rott too. From the looks of it, he was,” Kurt said.

  “They can’t see or hear, but they can sure smell and sense their mother’s warmth, can’t they?” The look on Tess’s face made it clear she was as amazed by all this as Kelsey was.

  After one dramatic attempt to shove forward, the little puppy rolled sideways, exposing its smooth belly. Pepper gave it a gentle nudge upright. “It’s a boy,” Kelsey said. She locked her hands together in front of her mouth. “It’s all I can do not to scoop him up.”

  “Let him nurse a bit, then you can get him in the basket while she goes to work on number two. I’ve got the heating pad warming up.”

  Once the puppy was latched on, Kelsey shot a bit of video. The soft suckling sound of such a tiny, helpless creature was almost too precious.

  Pepper rested as her first puppy nursed. Less than ten minutes later, she was panting again. When it was obvious she was close to delivering another puppy, the first puppy was moved out of her way and wrapped in a soft hand towel. Kelsey, who took the first turn holding him, stayed at the edge of the whelping box so Pepper would feel at ease that her puppy was being cared for. After a few minutes, she passed the tiny guy to Tess, who cooed over him as he cuddled deeper into the towel and started dozing in her hands.