Rescued

by Linda Rettstatt

  That was when she determined it was better to be tough, to not need anyone, to become independent. If you didn’t need people, they couldn’t disappoint you. She stood so suddenly, the desk chair spun backwards and hit the wall. She had to break this line of thinking, get out of her morose mood.

  Alex stepped out a side door and into the fenced yard, Walter at her side. She scratched the dog’s ears and he licked her hand. “You be a good boy for Susan while I’m away. Don’t go running off.”

  She glanced at the building next door to see Evan pull a box from the trunk of his SUV and carry it inside. Shame made her chest hurt. She owed him an apology. The man had only been trying to be kind and helpful by following her home. She had all but castrated him. Misplaced anger. After ushering Walter back inside, she walked out the front door and down the sidewalk.

  Evan looked up as she approached. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” She hesitated. “I came by to apologize.” Warmth flooded her face.

  He lifted an eyebrow.

  “I was angry, but not with you. I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

  “Apology accepted.”

  “Thank you. So…” She shifted her gaze to the restaurant. “How are things coming along?”

  “You want to see?”

  She nodded. “Sure.”

  Evan ambled beside her to the entrance and held the door open. “They’re putting on the final touches and the signs aren’t up yet.”

  A drill whined and, from the far corner, a hammer sounded. Alex’s gaze swept the room. “It’s beautiful. Really.”

  “Thanks. I still have some decorating to do. Actually, I was hoping you’d help me.”

  “Me?”

  “I found a lot of stuff in Aunt Amelia’s attic. I’d like to incorporate some of it here, give the place a little more charm and a personal touch.”

  Alex smiled. “Amy would love that. I’m going out of town for a few days, but when I get back, I’d be happy to help.”

  “Great. Where are you going?”

  “New Orleans.”

  “Business or pleasure?”

  “Neither. Family.”

  “Oh. The guy from the grill?”

  “Him. And I’m going to see my mother. I haven’t seen her in twenty-two years.”

  Evan seemed nonplussed. “So, lots of catching up to do, huh?”

  Alex snorted. “You could say that.” She appreciated the way he wasn’t making a huge deal out of this. “Lex—the guy in the grill—found out a few weeks ago he’s my father. I found out yesterday. Apparently, the one person involved who’s not playing catch-up is my mother.”

  Evan blew out a breath. “Family—you’ve got to love it.”

  “I don’t have to. But it is what it is. Supposedly my mother is ill. The timing seems a bit suspicious to me, given I inherited all that money. I won’t pretend I’m not more than a little pissed.”

  “Oh, no. You wouldn’t want to pretend that. You’d probably explode.”

  “I probably would,” she admitted. “Kellie’s going with me.”

  “Family reunion, huh?”

  Alex shook her head. “Not exactly. See, Lex is my father, but not hers.”

  “Yikes. How does she feel about that?”

  “She doesn’t. I mean, she’s fine—or so she says. Maybe because she was younger when Mom left. And she’s never had the same questions I’ve had.”

  Evan leaned on the bar. “I have an older brother. It’s like he and I grew up in different households with different parents. Our memories of childhood are entirely opposite, and we’re only two years apart in age. His childhood was much happier than mine. I envy him that.”

  “What was wrong with your childhood?”

  “Overly-indulgent mother, emotionally detached father, unreasonable expectations.”

  “You sound like a therapist.”

  “I know. I was quoting. Add to all of that no household pets and, the topping on the cake—dyslexia.”

  “You have dyslexia?”

  “Yes, which would explain why we never had a god as a pet.”

  They stared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter.

  “I once made a chocolate soufflé that called for twelve tablespoons of sugar. I added twenty-one.”

  “Oh, no.” Alex laughed harder and wiped her eyes.

  “I’m happy you find humor in my affliction,” Evan said.

  Alex sobered. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have….”

  He grinned. “Gotcha.”

  She had to grin back. “Thank you for accepting my apology and for the laughs. I’ve needed to lighten up.” She paused. “For the past twenty-two years.”

  “I learned a while back that if you can’t resolve a conflict, beat it into submission, or let it go, laugh at it. Something I occasionally need to be reminded of. Although that may have been the thinking that led to the demise of my marriage.”

  “All your fault?”

  “If you ask her. Anyway, that’s behind me. Better luck next time.”

  “You anticipate a next time? You’re braver than I am.”

  He narrowed his eyebrows. “You’ve given up on the notion of a better next time? What happened?”

  “Oh, that’s a conversation better left for another day. I have to go.”

  Alex felt lighter than she had in a long time when she returned to the shelter to clean off her desk. Maybe she was taking this whole thing too seriously. She’d lived without her mother for most of her life. She’d been blessed to have her grandfather and her uncle in her life as well as her sister. Until recently, she hadn’t given her mother a second thought, nor had she obsessed about the identity of her father. Life had been good. Why let these new events change that? She would go to New Orleans, face her mother, find out what was going on and decide how much she wanted to let Starlet or Lex become involved in her life. If at all. She was in control. And Evan had reminded her that it was okay to laugh, no matter what. Life was good.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Why had he added that little tidbit about his marriage? Had the split been his fault? He didn’t think so, until now. But if it had been some failure on his part, what did that say about his chances for the future? Evan shoved his hands into his pockets and watched while Alex loaded a briefcase into the back of her car. And what was her story in the love and romance department? Obviously one she wasn’t ready to share. He felt an odd tug of loneliness as he watched her pack.

  Before he could change his mind, he bolted across the parking lot and called to her. “Wait. I was wondering. What will happen to Walter while you’re away?”

  She lifted her head from the car trunk, her eyes wide with surprise. “Susan is keeping an eye on him.”

  “What if I kept him for a few days? Give him a trial run?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You said you have no experience with animals.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t. But if anyone can train me, I’m pretty sure it’s Walter.”

  Her grin lit up her face and he suddenly had the urge to kiss her. Instead, he took a step back. “Probably a bad idea, though.” He wasn’t sure if he was still talking about the dog.

  “My hesitation is having Walter go back to Amy’s house with you and get settled in, only to be returned to the shelter in three days. An animal isn’t like a new car. You make a commitment, not just give them ‘a trial run.’”

  “So you’re worried about Walter, but not about me?”

  “Exactly. How could this possibly impact you in a negative way?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. He might lunch on my loafers. Who knows, I could like having Walter around and miss him when he’s gone. I could discover I’m a miserable failure at keeping a pet and lose my entire inheritance.”

  “Yes, and that would be more to Walter’s detriment than yours. I’m sure your ego can handle the blow.”

  “Ouch.” Now she’d set a challenge before him and he couldn’t back down. “Tell you what, give me all the i
nstructions including the food he likes. And give me your assistant’s phone number for emergencies. Though I’m betting Walter and I will do fine.”

  She studied him for a moment. “Okay. You’re on. If I didn’t trust in Walter’s ability to take care of himself, I’d be more hesitant. Come inside.”

  He felt victorious for one moment until he observed the smug smile on her face. He’d been baited, played. Something told him he’d just adopted a dog.

  Fifteen minutes later, Evan left the shelter with Walter tugging him along, a list of instructions and phone numbers folded into his hip pocket and a bag of kibble to get them through the day until he could shop. “He’s not accustomed to the idea of a leash, is he?” Evan asked, his arm stretched out in front of him.

  “Perhaps that’s something the two of you can work on.” Alex appeared to fight back a smile.

  Evan gave the leash a firm tug and Walter halted for about a second. “I’m sure we can.”

  He promised to provide Walter with a comfy bed, ample food and water, opportunities to run outside, and a belly rub every day. He was assured the dog was housebroken and would let him know when he needed to go out. He was also encouraged to keep him on the leash at all times when outside so he wouldn’t have to chase him down at the cemetery. That wasn’t going to work for Evan but he thought better of saying so. How would they play fetch?

  With Walter in the passenger’s seat of the SUV, his nose pressed to the side window leaving blurry wet streaks, Evan headed back to his house. He couldn’t very well keep the dog in the restaurant where workers were finishing up the remodel.

  When Evan stopped the vehicle and opened his door, the dog leaped over him and raced to the front porch. His entire backside wagged with the excitement of being at home. Evan had to clear his throat to squelch the emotion that rose. “Okay, okay. Wait a minute.” He reached over the dog to unlock and open the front door. Walter raced inside, his nose to the floor, exploring. Searching for his former mistress, no doubt. When she was nowhere to be found, he sat and whined, staring at Evan.

  “Look, I have to get back to the restaurant. I’ll leave food and water for you in the kitchen and get you a blanket to sleep on. Later we’ll go outside and play in the yard. Okay?”

  The dog continued to stare as if Evan was speaking a foreign language. Well, he was. Evan called the dog to the kitchen and showed him where the food and water bowls were placed. After a walk around the yard during which time Walter inspected every tree and bush before finding a suitable spot to relieve himself, Evan led him back to the house. He was getting the hang of this pet-master relationship.

  Evan ran up the stairs to fetch a blanket to put down, but when he returned to the living room, he found Walter curled in the recliner, his chin resting on the arm. “Oh, no. That’s my chair. Here’s your spot.” He laid the blanket out on the floor beside the chair. “Down.”

  Walter gave him a soulful look and begrudgingly got out of the recliner and onto the blanket.

  “Good boy. Now you stay put and don’t destroy anything. I’ll be back in a few hours. If everything’s okay when I come home, you just might get steak for dinner tonight.”

  Walter rolled his eyes upward, seemingly unimpressed by the offer. He gave a deep sigh and closed his eyes, dismissing Evan.

  When he reached the door, Evan stopped and glanced back at the dog. Images of what his childhood might have been played across his mind—a boy and his dog, playing together, sharing secrets, having someone to hold onto. He’d stop by Fred’s on his way back to the restaurant and buy a Frisbee. He didn’t even try to suppress the grin that tugged at his mouth and for a brief moment he was ten years old again.

  *

  “You’re late.” Kellie popped open the trunk of her car for Alex to stash her overnight bag.

  “I got delayed by Evan Whiting.”

  Kellie lifted an eyebrow. “Oooh, delayed how?”

  Alex clipped her seatbelt, sliding a glance sideways at her sister. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “If you’re going to be delayed, it might as well be interesting. Let’s face it, the man is hot.”

  “I haven’t noticed.”

  Her sister reached over, took her arm and pressed fingertips to her wrist.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m checking to see if you have a pulse.”

  Alex jerked her arm away. “I’m fine.”

  Kellie donned her sunglasses and started the car. “What did Evan want?”

  Alex knew better than to give Kellie the entire story of Evan following her home to make sure she arrived safely. There was no way she would admit to having apologized to the man for her rude behavior. “He offered to keep Walter while I’m gone.”

  “I thought you said he didn’t like dogs.”

  “I guess he changed his mind. Besides, it’s a stipulation for his inheritance.” Alex turned in her seat. “Can we please talk about something else, or are you obsessed with Evan Whiting?”

  “Okay, jeez. What do you want to talk about?”

  “Nothing.” Alex turned on the CD player and Faith Hill’s voice wafted from the speakers. “Let me know when you get tired and I’ll drive.”

  Alex stared out the window at the cotton fields in bloom, tufts of white sprouting on the plants.

  Once they were on 55 South, Kellie set the cruise control and lifted her foot off the gas pedal. She punched the button to shut off the CD player. “Are you anxious about seeing our mother again?”

  “A little. I’m not sure what to expect.”

  “It’s probably easier for me since I don’t remember her at all.”

  Alex turned to study her sister’s profile. “Kel, are you upset about Lex showing up claiming to be my father?”

  “No. Should I be?”

  “I don’t know. I mean, neither of us had a father in our lives and, now, mine shows up out of the blue.”

  “It’s okay, Alex. If he turns out to be a good guy, I’m happy for you.”

  Alex wanted to believe her, but the pinched lines at the corner of Kellie’s mouth said otherwise. Had she been selfish in asking Kellie to accompany her on this trip? All she had thought about was her own discomfort. “If you don’t want to see Mom, I’ll understand.”

  “What? So, I’m just your chauffeur, Miss Daisy?”

  “No, that’s not what I meant. When I decided to make this trip, I couldn’t imagine coming alone. So I asked you, but I didn’t consider how you might feel about it.”

  “I’m curious as all hell. I wouldn’t miss this for anything. Besides, it’s our chance to show her we both turned out fine without her. We did, don’t you think?”

  Alex grinned. “Yes, we did. You especially turned out fine. College degree, your own business.” She glanced up. “Nice convertible.”

  “Thanks. You’ve done okay, too.”

  After waiting a beat for more details and getting none, Alex continued, “I didn’t want you to feel you had to come with me if it was going to be uncomfortable for you. Something I should have thought about sooner.”

  “I’m okay. Besides when was the last time you and I spent a long weekend together, on the road and, no less, in the Big Easy?” She reached over and patted Alex’s knee. “It’ll be good to have some sister time with you.”

  A rush of love for her baby sister clogged Alex’s throat. Kellie was, without a doubt, the most selfless person Alex knew. And the most optimistic. There were times when that sunny optimism drove Alex crazy, but this wasn’t one of them. She needed a positive view of what was to come.

  “Thanks, Kel.”

  “You’re welcome. How about if we stop somewhere around Jackson for lunch?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Alex closed her eyes and rested on the headrest. She fought the urge to call Evan and make sure Walter was okay. At least she told herself that was her motivation.

  After lunch, Alex took over the driving, happy for something to keep her focused. Three h
ours later she took directions from Kellie to the Marriott on Canal Street. The closer they’d gotten to the city, the higher her anxiety level rose. Her mind whirled with vague childhood memories of their mother, long-buried anger and hurt, and an uneasy anticipation of seeing the woman again.

  “Turn in there where it says Valet,” Kellie directed.

  Alex signaled and pulled into the circular drive in front of the hotel. Kellie gave the valet a stern warning before handing over her car keys. It was mid-afternoon and they hadn’t arranged to meet Starlet and Lex until the following day for lunch.

  “What would you like to do for the rest of the day?” Alex asked.

  “Let’s go for a walk. I need to stretch out after that drive and you look like you could use a little unwinding. We can decide on a place in the French Quarter for dinner and cruise down Bourbon Street later. We might even get some beads thrown at us.” Kellie grinned.

  “Oh, goody. I need beads.”

  “Come on, Alex. Relax. Whatever happens tomorrow, everything will be fine. Let’s enjoy some sister time tonight.”

  Alex sighed. “You’re right. Let’s have fun. But I’m not flashing my boobs.”

  Kellie feigned disappointment. “Oh, all right. Now it’ll be weird if I do. You’re turning into such an old lady.”

  “I never said I planned to be a lady.” Alex grinned back at her. “Let’s walk and then come back here and freshen up before dinner.”

  Alex picked up a complimentary map of the French Quarter at the hotel desk. She searched for Dauphin Street, discovering it was the next street shown after Bourbon. “Let’s go this way, toward Bourbon Street.” It wouldn’t hurt to get an idea of where her mother lived now so going there tomorrow would be easier.

  When they reached Bourbon, Kellie pointed. “Want to walk down here and check out the restaurants?”

  “Let’s go one more block. We can double back this way.”