About a Dog

by Jenn McKinlay

  “Who cares how he feels?” Sarah interrupted.

  “Sarah!” Charlotte chided her sister.

  “What? It’s not like they live together,” Sarah said. “I don’t think he has any say if she wants a dog.”

  “His opinion matters to Mac,” Charlotte argued.

  “Why?” Sarah asked. She gave Mac a searching look. “Why do you care what he thinks?”

  Chapter 14

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Mac said and held up her hands. “This has nothing to do with Trevor or what he thinks. We’re jumping way ahead here. First, we need to see if she belongs to anyone.”

  “I thought you found her thrown out in an alley?” Sarah said.

  “Possibly thrown out,” Mac said. “I took her to see Gavin, and he says she’s a puppy so she could have escaped her yard and then got lost.”

  “What else did Gavin say?” Charlotte asked.

  “He thinks if she goes to a shelter, she’ll be put down because she is a mutt with an undesirable breed in the mix,” Mac said. “That’s why I have to find a home for her. I mean look at her. She’s a perfectly lovely dog.”

  They all glanced over to where Tulip was napping. She was ridiculously cute.

  “Mac, why haven’t you answered my calls?” Emma cried as she strode up the gravel driveway with Carly at her side. “I must have called like six times.”

  “Sorry,” Mac said. “I found a dog.”

  “Told you so,” Carly said to Emma as they stopped below the steps.

  “Dog?” Emma asked. “What dog?”

  Mac pointed to the passed-out puppy at the end of the deck.

  “Oh, she’s adorable,” Emma said. “Did you have Gavin check her out?”

  Mac could feel Carly’s beady-eyed stare on the side of her face, but she ignored her and focused on Emma.

  “I did,” she said. “He thinks she’s in good health, though I have to keep an eye on her in case she ate anything funky while she was on her own.”

  As if sensing she was the topic of conversation, Tulip roused herself and ambled across the deck to wedge herself tight against Mac’s hip. She lifted her head and plopped it in Mac’s lap before she dropped back into dreamland. Mac had the feeling Tulip had been checking to make sure she was still there, like she was just making sure of her. The thought made her heart hurt.

  She put her hand on Tulip’s head and said, “I guess I have to make some flyers with her picture and post them in town to see if anyone is missing their dog.”

  Mac wondered if everyone heard the reluctance in her voice or if it was just her.

  Carly rubbed Tulip’s head and said, “I can help.”

  “Me, too,” Emma said.

  “Don’t you have wedding stuff to do?”

  “Nah, Carly picked the perfect hairdo to go with my veil; she convinced my hairdresser to do a half-up half-down sort of thing,” Emma said.

  “Cool,” Mac said.

  She felt the teensiest bit displaced by Carly but then she was relieved. The wedding thing really wasn’t her bag as she had avoided any and all things to do with nuptials since her own imploded.

  She often thought if she could have back just a few of the hundreds of hours she had spent picking invitations, flowers, music, cake—yeah, she could have learned to play an instrument or have a solid first draft of a novel done.

  “Good, you’re here,” Gavin called through the open window of his big black pickup truck as he pulled into the driveway.

  Tulip, who had been dead asleep moments before, heard his voice and rocketed off the deck and galloped straight for her new best friend. Gavin opened the door of the truck and crouched down, letting her love all over him.

  “What is it about a handsome man with a dog that gets my heart all aflutter?” Charlotte asked.

  “I hear that,” Carly said with an appreciative sigh.

  Mac looked at Gavin and noted the way his biceps bunched beneath his T-shirt sleeves when he picked the puppy up for a hug. His large hand was ever so gentle as it caressed Tulip’s head. Mac felt a flash of heat and she cleared her throat as if she could cough it out.

  “Tulip,” Mac called the puppy. “Come here, let the poor man alone.”

  Gavin put the puppy down and grabbed a large bundle out of the back of his truck. He carried it over to the porch and put it on the steps at Mac’s feet. Then he reached into his back pocket and handed her the credit card she had left with him.

  “For services rendered?” Carly asked, making it sound tawdry. Mac gave her a dark look but Carly didn’t look the least bit repentant.

  “How has she been?” he asked.

  “She drank water and napped and has seemed very happy,” Mac said.

  “She’s a little rambunctious,” Sarah said. “But nothing a good obedience class won’t cure.”

  Gav gave Mac an intrigued look. “Planning to take her to school?”

  “Not me,” she said. “That will be up to her forever people.”

  “Ah,” he said. He pressed his lips together as if to keep from saying anything else. Then he turned to Emma and said, “Hey, Sis, maybe you can adopt her.”

  Emma’s eyes went wide. “I’d love to, really, but Brad and I will be gone for a month on our honeymoon. So, you know, sorry.”

  Mac looked at Carly, who shook her head. “No dogs allowed in my building in Brooklyn.”

  Before Mac could even look their way, Charlotte spoke up.

  “No,” Charlotte said. “She’d probably outlive us which would be unfair to her.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Sarah snapped. “Although, in all fairness, she’d probably be happier with a younger family.”

  “Okay, then, ‘found puppy’ posters it is,” Mac said. She tried not to look at Tulip when she said it as it made her feel guilty.

  “Make sure you drop one off at the office,” Gavin said. “I can put it up and see if anyone recognizes her.”

  “Thanks,” Mac said. She gestured to the bundle that Tulip was sniffing. “For everything.”

  “No problem,” he said. “I’ll call to check on her later.”

  “Hey, don’t forget tonight we all have dance lessons at Ms. Poole’s,” Emma said. “Seven o’clock sharp.”

  This was one of the many items on the itinerary that Mac had been dreading. Dance lessons for the wedding party? Had Emma gone completely insane? She glanced at her friend. Yes, it was clear from the crazy light in her blue eyes that she had.

  Mac had been trying for days to figure out how she was going to get out of it. Dancing cheek to cheek with Gavin for two hours; yeah, like that wasn’t going to kill her. She’d even contemplated faking a sprain.

  Tulip pawed the bag at her feet, and Mac had a sudden flash of brilliance. She was so relieved she almost hugged the puppy to her chest. She resisted, barely.

  “Yeah, about tonight”—she paused to gesture at Tulip—“I don’t think I’m going to make it. I mean I have to hang the ‘found puppy’ signs and I can’t leave her alone on her first night here. She’ll freak out.”

  “But you have to come,” Emma said. “It’s the whole wedding party. We’re going to learn to waltz so we don’t look like tools at the reception. It’ll be fun.”

  Mac glanced at Gavin and felt her insides spasm. Fun was not the first adjective that leapt to mind when she thought of being in his arms.

  “Sorry but puppy,” Mac said. She noticed Carly wasn’t backing her up, so she gave her a meaningful look and her friend got the hint.

  “That is too bad,” Carly said. “Maybe we should cancel. I mean I’ve got my sick dance moves down and Zach seems to be able to keep up with me. Do we really need lessons?”

  Emma looked horrified and Mac couldn’t blame her. Having the electrocuted chicken owning the dance floor at your wedding would terrify even the mellowes
t of brides, which Emma was not.

  “No, you all should definitely go on without me,” Mac said.

  She forced herself to look at Gavin in an effort to appear casual. He was looking at her with understanding, which made her feel like a heel for using the puppy to avoid being close to him. Here he thought she was devoted to the dog and she was really just using her as an avoidance tactic. She was a horrible person.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Sarah said. “I don’t have any plans tonight, I can watch the puppy.”

  “And I can help,” Charlotte chimed in.

  “Oh, no, I couldn’t ask that of you, I mean she’s so active and you’re . . .” Mac’s voice trailed off.

  “If you say old, I swear I’ll tan your backside,” Sarah said.

  “Uh, no, I was thinking more like, um . . .”

  “You should probably stop talking now,” Charlotte said.

  Mac closed her mouth.

  “Excellent,” Emma said. “Don’t forget to wear a dress and your shoes for the wedding. We can break them in.” She turned to look at her brother. “That goes for you, too.”

  “A dress?” he asked. “I don’t really think I have the legs for that. Knobby knees, you know.”

  Mac chuckled even though there was truly nothing funny about the situation. She noticed the others did as well. Good looking and charming and kind to animals—why couldn’t Emma’s brother have the manners of a bridge troll and look like reanimated roadkill? Truly, the whole situation was utterly unfair.

  “Why don’t Emma and I help you with the ‘found puppy’ signs now?” Carly offered. Mac gave her a look and she shrugged.

  “Yeah, we can totally do that,” Emma said.

  “There’s not enough time to do that and then get to—” Mac began but Gavin interrupted her.

  “If it will help you out time wise and put your mind at ease, I can pick you up on the way to Ms. Poole’s. You’ll have time to hang your signs and I can give Tulip a once-over before we go,” Gav said.

  “No, that’s not—” Mac refused but Emma was louder when she said, “That’s wonderful. Thanks, bro.”

  “No worries,” he said. “See you tonight.”

  They all called good-bye after him and watched as he drove away. Tulip looked from the truck to Mac and back as if concerned that he was leaving.

  “Don’t worry,” Mac said. “He’ll be back.”

  Tulip thumped her tail on the porch and looked delighted. Mac rubbed her ears and tried to squelch the part of her that was also eager to see Gavin again.

  Like an itch she refused to scratch, desire lingered just under her skin. She had to ignore it, she knew that, because if she gave in, then the itch would become an all-consuming fire and she couldn’t let that happen. It wasn’t right for Gavin, for Trevor, for her, or even for Tulip.

  • • •

  Gavin arrived promptly at six forty-five. Mac was wearing the silver sandals that Emma had chosen to go with their bridesmaid dresses and a rose-colored sundress that was fitted on the top and flared about her knees. She’d put her hair up in a simple twist and wore silver earrings and a silver cuff bracelet. Her makeup was light as she didn’t want anyone to think she’d put any effort into her appearance. She was just dancing with her best friend’s little brother, no big deal, or so she kept telling herself.

  When she opened the door to Gavin’s knock, she felt her heart sink. He wore dark gray dress slacks and a white dress shirt, open at the throat and with the sleeves rolled back, revealing his powerful forearms and giving him a look of barely polished masculinity that made her breathless. His light brown hair hung over his forehead in careless disarray and he looked freshly shaved.

  He looked her over, taking his time as if savoring every inch, and then wolf whistled. “Looking good, Mackenzie Harris.”

  “You clean up okay, yourself,” she said.

  “Where’s my girl?” he asked.

  As if she knew she was his girl, Tulip came racing into the foyer, wiggling as she walked. She jumped up on her hind legs as if she could throw herself into his arms, and Gavin laughed as he scooped her up and let her lick his face.

  Goop. Mac felt her insides turn to mush at the ridiculously adorable picture the man and dog made together.

  “Oh, honestly,” Sarah said as she came into the room. “How is she ever going to learn any manners if you encourage her to behave like a wild animal.”

  Gavin squeezed Tulip tight and then he put her down.

  “You’re right, Miss Sarah,” he said. “But she’s just so cute; I can’t resist her big brown eyes. I’ve always been a sucker for pretty brown eyes.”

  Chapter 15

  Mac’s throat was suddenly dry. She could feel Gavin’s gaze upon her but she refused to acknowledge that he might be talking about her, lest she throw herself into his arms like Tulip had. Not only would it be beyond embarrassing, but the fact that she wanted to so badly scared the snot out of her.

  “So, I should be back in a couple of hours,” Mac said. “If anything comes up, if she needs me, feel free to call me immediately. I can be home in fifteen minutes. Really, don’t hesitate.”

  “Oh, pshaw,” Sarah said. “What could we possibly need? Charlotte is setting up our chick flick movie. I requested a Matthew McConaughey where he’s more shirtless than not, and we’re going to enjoy popcorn and milkshakes. She’ll have a great time.”

  “McConaughey, huh?” Gav asked.

  “Don’t be a hater,” Sarah said. “The boy can act and be shirtless at the same time and that takes genuine talent.”

  “Hater?” Mac asked. She looked at Sarah as if she didn’t recognize her. “Who are you and what have you done with my aunt?”

  “Have fun, kids,” Sarah said. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do—then again, that doesn’t leave much.” Sarah winked at them and patted her leg for Tulip to follow her as she exited the room.

  Mac looked at Gavin and noted that her face felt hot. She shrugged as if she had no idea what to say, all true, and he laughed.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I have no idea what has gotten into the two of them lately. It’s like I suddenly have two teenagers living in the house in the bodies of two seventy-two-year-old women.”

  “That’s awesome,” Gav said. “Everyone should be that young at heart.”

  “You wouldn’t say that if it was your aunts,” Mac said.

  Gavin opened the door for Mac and she led the way outside. It was still light out but the evening air was cool against her face for which she was thankful.

  On the drive to Ms. Poole’s dance studio, Gavin asked her questions about Tulip, thank god, as it put them solidly back in friendship mode before class.

  Gavin talked about the vaccinations that Tulip might need and Mac agreed that if they didn’t find her owner soon, she would go ahead and have her vaccinated.

  “It’s too bad you can’t keep her,” he said as he helped her out of the truck. “You’d make a great puppy mama.”

  Why this made Mac’s heart tap-dance with pleasure, she had no idea. She suspected that coming from Gavin it felt like the highest sort of praise, but also, way down deep where she refused to go, she knew she would really like the chance to be Tulip’s mom.

  Ms. Poole’s studio was housed in the remodeled barn on her property on the outskirts of town. She had kept the big rolling barn doors and opened them wide while she was giving a class to keep the air moving.

  Mac could see that she and Gavin were the last to arrive. They picked up their pace as they crossed the gravel lot, and Gavin took her elbow in his hand as he helped her navigate the uneven terrain in her high-heeled sandals.

  A waltz was playing from an iPod set in a speaker stand and Emma and Brad were working their way around the shiny wooden dance floor while Ms. Poole followed them, adjusting their hand positions a
nd counting their steps.

  “One, two, three, that’s right,” she said. “Sway and glide, move together as one.”

  Mac eased into the room, not wanting to interrupt, and Gavin followed. Jillian and Sam, and Zach and Carly, were slouched in chairs along the wall with another couple Mac hadn’t met but figured was Brad’s brother Bobby and his wife Linda.

  Bobby looked like an older version of Brad, and Linda looked pregnant. Very, very pregnant.

  “Bobby and Linda,” Carly said. “This is Mac, maid of honor.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Mac said as she shook hands with the couple.

  “You, too,” Linda said. “We’ve heard so much about you.”

  “That can’t be good,” Mac joked.

  Bobby smiled. “On the contrary, Emma raves about you. We’re so glad you’re here. It meant the world to her to have you in her wedding.”

  Mac nodded. She was glad she was here, too, even if it meant dealing with the big guy at her side and their sordid past. Emma was worth it; being with all of her nearest and dearest, totally worth it.

  “Mackenzie, darling, how good of you to join us,” Ms. Poole said as she crossed the room toward them.

  Mac glanced at her watch. Shoot! They were five minutes late. Ms. Poole never appreciated nuances in the space time continuum if it meant her student was late to class.

  “Sorry, Ms. Poole,” she said.

  As her former teacher approached, Mac marveled that Ms. Poole did not appear to have aged a day since Mac had last taken ballet lessons with her twenty years ago.

  Tall and slender, with a regal bearing, the woman never slouched, seriously, and she still wore her usual long black leotard with an animal print skirt draped around her hips. Her black hair was scraped into its ever present bun, making her arching eyebrows and red lips as striking as ever.

  Mac took great comfort in the fact that of all the things she remembered about Bluff Point, Ms. Poole her ballet teacher had not changed one iota. And then, Ms. Poole clapped and Mac almost raced for the bar with the mirror and assumed the first position, with heels touching and toes pointed out.