Cupid to the Rescue: A Tail-Wagging Valentine's Day Anthology

by Lisa Mondello

  I am not one of your brothers.

  The words popped into her mind as she remembered their kiss on the beach a couple of weeks ago. It seemed Brandon had come to terms with past mistakes, had no lingering regrets, and was focused on the future.

  She idly wondered how she’d react if Brandon kissed her again, but dismissed the thought immediately. She had no time for a personal romance. Much better to focus on A Calculated Incident and Dana Moretti’s problems in solving a murder. Hadn’t Brandon told her to keep her eye on the prize? Maybe Dana would meet the right man one day. And maybe Kathy would be able to afford a cover designed by Brandon Bigelow.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  The next morning started with a phone call from Boston. “I’ll be home for Christmas Day, Mom. I promise. And I’ll bake plenty of cookies—yes, the ones I actually know how to make. Hey, I miss you, too, but I’m really happy here. Nonna did me a great favor.”

  Kathy listened to her mom’s admonitions, heard the concern and love in her voice. “Love you, too, Mom. Always. We’ll see you next Wednesday.”

  Her mom interrupted. “Who’s we?”

  Kathy replied, bewildered. “Sheba and me, of course!”

  She disconnected and paused. Okay. She had to admit that family ties pulled a bit. Maybe because it was holiday time and her memories of annual traditions tugged at her heart. Maybe because she knew that in and around all the noise was woven a ribbon of love.

  Feeling more content, she went back to her computer and her insurance company projects, the employment that paid her real salary. In moments, she was deeply engrossed, and when she glanced at the time later on, hours had flown by. She sighed contentedly, checked in with her boss, and hung up satisfied. She supposed most people would be bored with these types of assignments, but she enjoyed working the numbers, the percentages, her fingers as nimble with spreadsheets as with a Word document.

  “Want to go out, Sheb?”

  The dog was instantly on her feet and at Kathy’s side.

  “We need a break. At least I need a break. All you do is sleep. Such a good girl.” Sheba kissed her and danced around Kathy as though she were the only star in her orbit.

  Kathy zipped up her parka and attached Sheba’s leash. “Let’s go.”

  To her surprise, Brandon and Rocky were waiting at her downstairs door. His eyes seemed to shine when he saw her.

  “I was just on my way up,” he said, “and here you are.”

  “Anything special on your mind?”

  He threw his head back, then looked at her. “Oh, there are a few special things on my mind, but right now, only one. Another rescue. Rather, multiple rescues. I’ll tell you while we walk these guys. Only a short walk this time.”

  Her curiosity grew as they headed down the driveway to the street. “What are you talking about? Multiple rescues?” Then recent memories clicked, and she knew the issue before Brandon explained.

  “Adam Fielding called me. He needs help. That lady they were talking about—Rita Murray—well, her son is involved now. Whatever her future living arrangements may be…she can’t have those dogs.”

  “About time the son showed up.”

  Brandon waited a moment, tracked Rocky’s activities, then turned back to her. “Listen up, Katarina.”

  She paid attention, having noted his use of her full name. He seemed to do that for important things.

  “Fielding can’t handle this mission alone because—and wait for this—his wife’s having a baby. Maybe today. I’m not sure.”

  “Oh, my goodness. Everything always happens at once.” Her mind raced. “How about an animal rescue center—if they have one in this town.”

  “Fielding is the rescue center around here. He started by rescuing retired greyhounds. Remember, I wrote a check to Greys and Strays.”

  “Right.” She nodded in agreement. “I remember—now that you reminded me—but how about the ROMEOs? I thought they take care of this town. Did you call your uncle?”

  He shook his head. “Good idea, but I came straight to you. I imagine they’ll help but, Kat, the vet may have called me, but he really called us.” He took a deep breath. “Do you want to embody the lady in my drawing again?”

  The question stunned and amused her simultaneously. Did he really see her as a superhero? An Avenger? She couldn’t let him down. Besides, she’d never turn her back on helping rescues.

  “A couple of things,” she began as they retraced their steps. “Our own dogs stay home. The others might have ticks and fleas and God knows what else.”

  He stepped backwards, and the look on his face…priceless.

  “But there’s medicine for that,” she reassured. “You don’t know much about animals, I guess.”

  “You guess right. Didn’t have a dog growing up.”

  “But it’s never too late. You’re a natural.”

  Like a little boy, he grinned at her praise, and she had to laugh. She squeezed his arm. “You really are a softie inside. I like that.”

  “Dogs are easier than humans. They’re honest.”

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  The vet’s waiting room seemed brimming with people when Kathy and Brandon arrived, but it was the brunette in the wheelchair who smiled up and greeted them as though she weren’t about to give birth imminently. As though it were a sunshiny day.

  “Hello and thank you. I’m Becca, who usually assists Peggy in running this office. But Peggy’s sick.” Suddenly, she winced.

  Kathy stared, not breathing herself. “Is the doc in the back? I’ll get him.”

  “Wait,” said Brandon, whose complexion had paled. “I’ll get him…and stay there.”

  Kathy pushed him toward the examining room. “Go, go.” She went to Becca. “What can I do?”

  A blonde woman spoke up. “I’m Lila Parker. My daughter and Sara are best friends and the girls are with Adam now.” She waved toward where Brandon had disappeared. “I’m also Bart Quinn’s granddaughter and partner. I’m very sorry for not visiting you at Sea View House yet.”

  “That’s okay. I’m usually working anyway.”

  Becca stretched her hand out. “Then special thanks for stepping in. Adam told me all about the accident and the rescue you guys did. That was amazing, and I’m sorry I missed all the excitement.”

  “Well, you’re making up for it now!”

  “Yeah, I’m good at that,” Becca said. “I figure if I survived a bombing, I’ll survive childbirth, too.”

  That sounded like a story, but for another time. Kathy looked from Lila to Becca. “First, please give me your cell numbers. And then tell me the plan.”

  “We’re leaving Sara and Katie with you,” said Becca. “I told Sara she was in charge. That child actually knows quite a lot about tending to the patients.”

  “Quite a lot?” echoed Lila. “The kid is half a vet already. So smart. And my daughter…well, she’s always up for an adventure.” The woman’s laugh sparkled in the air, and Kathy felt like joining in. “I’ll be in touch about picking the kids up for the night.”

  She leaned over to kiss Becca. “Good luck, my friend. I’ll be waiting to hear. But now, I’ve got to get back to the little boss.” The woman left in a cloud of goodwill and laughter.

  “She means her other daughter—a two-year-old,” said Becca, handing Kathy a slip of paper with phone numbers.

  “I’m going to enter them in my phone right now before I lose this.”

  Children’s voices approached, and Kathy saw Sara and blonde Katie come into the room. Sara ran toward her mom, reached around her, and leaned in. “Love you, Mom.”

  “And I love you. Where’s your dad?”

  “Right here. Are we ready?”

  In thirty seconds, the place was quiet. An eerie contrast, which must have hit Sara hard. The girl started crying, her words broken and full of worry. “What if something bad happens? Like to my first mom. And my Becca, who I love so much, almost died once already. Why couldn’t I go with them?”

/>   Stunned, Kathy gulped and blinked back tears, but before she could say a word, she heard Brandon’s voice.

  “You couldn’t go, Sara, because you’re needed here. You already know it’s the best way you can help your folks.”

  Sara whirled toward him. Her big brown eyes shone with tears as she stared at the man who’d rescued Rocky.

  “We have eight rescues back there that need attention,” said Brandon in a quiet, calm voice, “and your staff here is waiting for directions.”

  “Pretend you really are Dr. Sara,” said Katie.

  Sara rubbed the tears away and stood straighter. “Follow me.”

  Each dog was in his own kennel. “They have water, but they need baths, they need food. And we’ll see what else. One at a time, people.” Dr. Sara’s orders.

  Kathy glanced at Brandon and gave him a thumbs-up. He answered with a grin and head shake.

  “We’ll label the cages and dogs with matching numbers and make sure each rescue goes into his or her proper cage. Some of them look alike.” She peered up at Brandon. “A couple look like Rocky.”

  “Oh, no, Doc. Don’t go there. One is enough for me.”

  Two hours of hard work led to more. “They have roundworms,” said Sara after examining the evidence. “What was that Mrs. Murray thinking? These pups need attention and good homes. Every one of them.”

  Brandon took out his wallet. “I don’t care what anyone says, I’m putting out a call for the ROMEOs. For all we know, maybe a couple of them would adopt one of these guys or gals. And that’s the point, isn’t it?”

  He called his uncle and summed up the situation. “If you can get on the horn to all your friends, and let them know.” He looked at Kathy with an odd expression. “He wants to know if they’re adorable.”

  “What?”

  “Says it’s a selling point.”

  “Of course they’re adorable,” said Sara. “At least they will be by the time we get finished with them. If Papa Bart were here, he’d know what to do.” The look she gave Brandon definitely relegated him to second place.

  “Uncle Ralph says you’re right,” Brandon offered. “And that Bart’s coming home for Christmas next week.”

  “He is?” asked Katie, jumping into the conversation. “Nobody told me. Nobody tells me anything! Just wait till I see…”

  Uh-oh. Kathy saw the uncomfortable expression on Brandon’s face. “I think you might get Brandon in trouble if you spill those beans,” she said to Katie. “It was probably a surprise for you.”

  “Oh.” She offered Brandon a wide smile. “Then I won’t say anything.” She stepped closer toward her friend. “And now you don’t have to worry, Sara. Papa Bart will figure it out.”

  Sara’s grin reflected her relief…for a moment. She turned toward Kathy. “Did my dad call you yet?”

  Oh, baby. Kathy didn’t remember ever having the kind of real-life issues this youngster had. “My cell’s been quiet so far. Maybe your new sibling is so happy where he or she is that…”

  Sara gave her an incredulous stare. “Or maybe my mom needs some Pitocin to get that baby going. It’s no good if the delivery takes forever.”

  Brandon shot her an amazed glance. Kathy returned it. This was definitely the most intense babysitting job she’d ever taken on.

  “Or maybe,” Sara continued, “the baby’s turned around. Breech. I once helped Dad deliver a calf and that’s what happened. He had to reach in and turn that baby around to get him out.”

  “And maybe the sky is going to fall…but not today,” said Kathy firmly. “These rescues need our attention. Remember? That’s our job. What’s next, Sara?”

  The girl nodded and resumed her caretaking role. Eight undernourished pups.

  “It’s hard to believe that Rocky once looked like that,” said Kathy. “And it’s been how long, Brandon?”

  “Hmm. About three weeks, I think. It’s amazing.”

  “It almost feels like a lifetime…” she murmured.

  His eyes focused on her. “Is that good or bad?” he asked softly.

  “I haven’t decided. But one thing I do know for sure,” she replied, searching for each word. “There are as many distractions in ‘quiet’ Pilgrim Cove as there ever were at home.” She felt the warmth rise to her neck and cheeks and avoided his eyes.

  “So, I’ll ask the same question. Are distractions good or bad?” His voice was tinged with more than curiosity. As though her answer mattered.

  She snuck a quick peek at his face. Yeah, he looked a little uncertain. “My answer is the same, too. I haven’t decided yet.”

  The office phone rang, and like a flash of lightning, Sara was on it. “Really? Really?” Squeals and tears. She looked at the others. “I have a baby brother! And Mom can’t wait to get home.”

  Kathy sank into the nearest chair. Brandon took out his cell phone and started taking pictures. “For their family album,” he said, nodding toward Sara. “Her folks will enjoy what they’ve missed here.”

  Typical graphic artist? Typical thirtysomething? Or a thoughtful man? A social guy who cared about others. His actions reinforced her prior thoughts about him. He’d left his past experience behind and was moving on. She heartily approved of the emerging Brandon, the real Brandon Bigelow.

  Her Roadside Rescues: Chapter 7

  They were back in the vet’s office the next morning, taking care of the orphaned pups. Adam had checked every one of them while Sara slept late. Fortunately, Becca’s mom was on her way to town from the western part of the state and would arrive soon.

  “Thank goodness for grandmas,” said Kathy. “I’m crazy about mine.”

  “Oh, I’m happy she’s coming, but you guys have been incredible, too,” said the vet. “Vaccinations for your guys are on the house from now on.”

  Brandon grinned. “Well…let’s be honest. That was some phone call yesterday. You gave us no choice but to show up.”

  “There are always choices,” Adam replied. “But I knew you’d come through. Sea View House tenants never disappoint.” He checked his watch. “I’ll get Sara up and take her with me to see her mom. Relieve some anxiety.”

  The man disappeared without another word.

  “Well, I guess that’s that and here we are again,” said Kathy. “The two least experienced dog handlers in the entire town.”

  “You’ve got that right.”

  She approached the second kennel and lifted out a pretty girl. “She could be Rocky’s sister.” She stroked her and examined her paws. “No major abrasions on this one, but I can feel her ribs. Oh, you poor baby.” She sat down and snuggled her close, murmuring love words.

  “Be careful, Kat. I think you’re falling…”

  She sat perfectly still, his words registering. Would adopting a rescue really be a bad thing? “Sheba’s mine only for a few months,” she whispered.

  Brandon selected another dog and started to feed him by hand. “Think about it for a moment,” he said. “Boston’s different from Pilgrim Cove. No beach, no easy access in and out the house. You probably live in an apartment three stories up.”

  He’d nailed it. “And what about you?” she challenged. “Same thing for you.”

  He was quiet for a moment. “I’ll be looking for a new place,” he finally said, “and it occurred to me that I’m not married to Boston. I can live and work anywhere.”

  He kept silent then, and as Kathy stared at him, the proverbial coin dropped. “Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?”

  “It’s a possibility. Not Sea View House, of course, but there must be others to rent. And I found out that Boston’s only thirty minutes by commuter ferry. People go back and forth all year round.”

  “I had no idea. You are way ahead of me. I’m still getting through one day at a time here. And sometimes…struggling.” As soon as the words slipped out of her mouth, she wanted to retract them. Why in the world had she shared her concerns with Brandon?

  His brow furrowed, and his ey
es narrowed. “Why the struggle?”

  “There have been so many interruptions!” She inhaled deeply. Then exhaled. “Now I feel better. I just had to let that out.”

  “It’s all about the writing, isn’t it?”

  How did he know? “My insurance work comes first. That takes at least thirty hours. I enjoy it and get paid well. But…”

  “The writing gets short shrift,” he finished, “and despite your being a genius math person, creating a complete novel is harder.”

  “Seems to be. Except for the first week, so far, this-this Pilgrim Cove experiment isn’t working for me the way I’d hoped.”

  “Let me know how I can help,” he said. “We creatives need to be there for one another, have each other’s backs. It’s not an easy way to make a living.”

  He understood and that was enough. “Hey Uber man, you don’t have to rescue me again or”—she giggled—”was it the other way around? I forget.”

  His eyes gleamed. “We are quite a team, Katarina. But here’s something to hang on to. I work twenty-four seven on one career. You’re trying to juggle two.”

  “Thank you, Brandon. You’ve helped me already. And if I weren’t caring for this sweet pup, I’d give you a big hug.”

  “I’ll definitely take a rain check.”

  She’d look forward to it.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Friday stretched out before Kathy, seemingly as a much-hoped-for normal day. A concept that had become as elusive as four-leaf clovers. No more puppies to tend to, no more emotional moments with a child who shouldn’t have had to bear them, no more upside-down schedules, which meant no schedule at all. Today she’d restart her use of time.

  Brandon had been correct. She was working two jobs, but only one paid the bills. There had been a time, years ago, when she’d imagined a university career teaching math or statistics and studying for a doctorate. It hadn’t happened. She’d been surrounded by truly brilliant graduate students, the caliber of minds that MIT and Harvard attracted. She hadn’t been an A-lister.