Single Kid Seeks Dad

by Linda Wisdom

  “You made all those promises when I was in the second grade and you were Room Mother. Next thing I know you’re acting like I’m Cute Kid on the Block,” he said with remembered distaste.

  She airily waved off his reminder. “I couldn’t help it. It was Christmas and you looked so cute in your elf costume for the play.”

  Nick pushed open his door and slid out of his seat.

  “This is not good,” he muttered as he made his way around the building to enter through the rear door.

  The moment Nick passed through the door his disgruntled expression was replaced with a satisfied grin. His plan had taken a good turn, one even he hadn’t foreseen.

  “Thank you, Brenda,” he whispered, whistling as he walked over to the dog runs. “Hey, guys! Who’s ready for a clean kennel and some playtime?”

  LUCY WAS GRATEFUL the afternoon was a little quieter so she could familiarize herself with the clinic’s computer programs and records.

  “Thank you so much,” Gwen whispered, coming up to give Lucy a one-armed hug. “If you hadn’t stayed, he would have forced me to work up here. Trust me, it would not have been a pretty sight.”

  Lucy chuckled at her theatrics. “From what I understand, putting you in the public eye is not a good idea.”

  “Very true. Even my boyfriend knows better.” She handed Lucy a couple of charts that were in her other hand then bent down to scratch Domino behind the ears. “He’s a cutie. Terriers are smart little guys. Who knows, he might even out-smart your son.”

  “Just as long as he remembers who took him home,” Lucy said. “How long have you worked for Logan?”

  Gwen thought back. “A little over eight years now. Dr. Mercer’s vet tech was also his wife, so Logan needed someone new.”

  “So you scared him into hiring you?” Lucy had already figured Gwen’s bite might be as dangerous as her bark.

  “He was still pretty new at this even after working for Dr. Mercer. Very trainable though,” she confided. “Believe me, it’s not easy breaking in a vet to do things your way.”

  A male voice behind them startled them both. “Don’t you mean my training you to my methods?”

  The two women turned around to find Logan with his shoulder braced against the open doorway. Magnum sat next to him.

  Lucy pointedly stared at the dog then looked up at Logan. “The dog trained you to allow him to carry around a cell phone. And you have a parrot who thinks a cat is his pet.”

  “Beau’s a macaw.”

  She rolled her eyes. “It’s a good thing Gwen did all the training where you’re concerned. Who knows what would have happened here next.”

  He shook his head. “And here I thought you’d be on my side.” With a long-suffering sigh, he straightened up and walked back down the hallway.

  “Gwen.” Lucy stopped the tech from following Logan. “The appointment book doesn’t say what kind of animal is coming in. Just the owner’s name and pet’s name. If it’s a snake or something scary, I don’t have to touch it, do I?”

  “We treat some iguanas along with snakes, turtles and tortoises. Don’t worry, all you have to do is direct the patient to the proper room,” she assured her.

  She felt relieved. “That I can do.”

  LOGAN WAS GRATEFUL the afternoon ran smoothly under Lucy’s direction. It was near closing time when he checked the front. He found Lucy at the front desk talking to a scowling Lou Walker. He could tell that the man’s scowl wasn’t directed at Lucy but at a man seated on the bench—his father, Frank Kincaid. Logan muttered a curse as he realized he hadn’t warned Lucy that some appointments couldn’t be made together.

  “I’ll tell Cathy about Brenda,” Lou said, deliberately ignoring Frank.

  “Will it be much longer, Mrs. Donner?” Frank spoke up, not caring he was interrupting.

  “He just has one more patient ahead of you, Judge Kincaid.” While Lucy’s tone was polite, there was a frosty edge to it.

  The judge glared at Lou as he realized just who that last patient was.

  “Hi, Lou,” Logan said as he entered the reception area. He looked over to add, “Dad, I’ll be with you soon.” He picked up the chart with Lou’s name typed neatly along the edge and gestured for Lou to go ahead of him. Lou called his German shepherd, who followed him.

  “Lucy said that Brenda had her baby yesterday,” Lou said. “And that she’ll be helping out here for a while.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “You were lucky to get qualified help so quickly.”

  “She more or less took charge and I’m grateful to her.” He began his examination of the German shepherd. “Jasmine, my love, your ear infection appears to have cleared up nicely.”

  “Cathy said that Lucy’s been a little restless since she finished with her house and grounds. She’s quite a homemaker, you know. But I have to say her house is meant for more than just her and Nick.” Lou watched him closely.

  “What’s wrong, Lou? Running out of kids to marry off?” Logan asked dryly. “There’s still Nikki.”

  “My daughter is in medical school and won’t be thinking about men for some time if I have anything to say about it,” the older man stated. “I’m just saying that Lucy’s not one of those good-time girls.”

  Logan chuckled at the other man’s old-fashioned phrasing. “I get the idea, Lou. Lucy’s here to work, nothing more. I won’t be putting any moves on her. And if you’re worried about her single status, I’m sure you can find someone for her.”

  “If you weren’t so stubborn about remarrying, I’d say you were pretty darn perfect for her.”

  Logan shook his head. “No thanks. Once burned and so on.”

  “How does Nick feel about his mother working here?”

  He didn’t miss Lou’s deliberate change of subject. He was grateful for it, too. “How would you feel if you were his age and learned your mother was working where you were?” Logan asked.

  Lou grimaced. “As much as I love my mother, I wouldn’t have wanted her anywhere in the vicinity. Even now I cringe when she comes in the garage. She always wants to rearrange my tools.”

  “Then you have an idea how Nick feels. I told him not to worry. I’d keep her busy enough she won’t have time to check on him.” Logan jotted down some notes in Jasmine’s chart. “She looks good, Lou.”

  “That’s a relief.” Lou picked up Jasmine’s leash.

  “What are you working on now?”

  The older man’s eyes lit up. “A nice little 1930 Ford Coupe. Poor thing needs a lot of work, but that’s what I do best.”

  “I’ll have to come by and take a look.” Logan walked Lou out to where Lucy took over. He looked to the remaining patient, deliberately turned away so as not to have to acknowledge Logan. “Hello, Farley,” Logan greeted the dog sitting by his father’s legs.

  The judge rose and gently urged an elderly yellow Labrador to his feet.

  “How did Mrs. Donner end up working the front desk?’ the judge asked once they were in the examination room. “Or did she manage to persuade you she could handle Brenda’s job so she could remain close to the boy? She seems to have a smothering effect on him. He needs to have more outside activities without her interference.”

  “From what I heard, Nick has more than enough outside activities between basketball and baseball along with some of the school clubs. A lot of them had to be put on hold because of his working here,” Logan commented. “As for Lucy, she sort of took over when all hell broke loose this morning. It would have been a disaster if she hadn’t sorted things out. How’s Farley’s arthritis doing?” He carefully picked up the dog and set him on the examination table. His touch was gentle as his hands moved over the dog’s hindquarters.

  “With the weather cooling off he’s moving slower,” the judge replied. “He’s enjoying the heated bed I got him.”

  Logan nodded as he checked the dog’s vitals. The Lab turned his head and licked Logan’s face. He grinned.

  “You’re a forg
iving guy, Farley,” he told the dog.

  “How is the boy working out?” the judge asked.

  “Just fine, which I’m sure you already know from my last report.” Logan glanced at him. “Why, did you want to talk to him? Did you want to make sure I wasn’t overworking him or he wasn’t trying to con me?”

  “Of course not,” he said gruffly, frowning at his son. “I just wonder if it’s a good idea for Mrs. Donner to work here. I noticed in court that day that her attitude toward her son is a little possessive,” the judge said. “Not exactly a good thing for a growing boy who needs positive role models in his life. Luckily, she appears stable otherwise.”

  “I would think that the Walker men are positive role models for Nick, along with his uncle.”

  The judge’s snort wasn’t in keeping with his usually formal manner.

  “Louis Walker doesn’t have one reliable bone in his body,” he rumbled.

  “Dad.” The one word was warning enough.

  Farley whined and stretched out a paw to his master. The judge’s stern demeanor relaxed in a smile as he took his dog’s paw.

  “You want to talk about someone needing a woman in his life, let’s talk about you,” Logan said.

  “Farley and I are happy being a pair of old bachelors.” He narrowed his gaze at his son. “You’re a different story. Anything else I need to know about Farley?”

  Logan knew his father didn’t want to discuss his own single status even if he was only too happy to talk about Logan’s.

  “Keep him on those supplements. It will make it a little easier for him. At least you live in a one-story house so there’s no stairs for him to struggle up.” He clapped his father on the back. “Come on, I’ll help you get Farley into your car.”

  Logan noticed Lucy was filing charts as he walked his father to the front door.

  “There’s no charge for this visit,” he told her as they passed by.

  “Mrs. Donner.” The judge nodded in her direction.

  “Judge Kincaid.” She was just as formal.

  Logan followed his father outside glancing over his shoulder at Lucy, certain that he heard her murmur “old fogy” under her breath.

  “I heard that Nancy Glenn is back in the area,” the judge mentioned as Logan carefully hoisted the elderly dog into the back seat and adjusted the harness for him that was attached to the seat belt. “You should give her a call.”

  “Only if I win big at Lotto and plan to die in the next week. She likes them rich and at death’s door.” Logan closed the car door. “I mean it, Dad. If you try to set me up, I’ll do the same to you. There are plenty of widows in the area who’d jump at the chance to date you.”

  Judge Kincaid threw up his hands. “Just remember a bunch of dogs can’t comfort you in your old age.”

  Logan looked at Farley. “I don’t know. You seem to be doing just fine.”

  The judge scowled at him. “Dinner Friday night?”

  “I’ll be there.” Logan remained outside until his father drove off. When he walked back into the clinic, he found Lucy coaxing Beau into his cage.

  “I hate to tell you this, but my dad would have loved being called an old fogy,” he told her.

  “I’ll have to start studying the dictionary and come up with some new descriptions then.”

  THE MUTED SOUND of cannon fire alerted him that he had a new e-mail. Nick quickly clicked on the proper icon and brought it up.

  Plan appears to be working well, but we cannot let down our guard. They need to be reminded now and then. That is up to you.

  “No problem there,” he said softly as he deleted the e-mail.

  Chapter Five

  “I can’t believe you got a dog.” Cathy chuckled as the puppy tried to scramble up into her lap. She took pity on his frantic jumps and reached down to pick him up. He happily licked her chin.

  Lucy, Nick and Domino had joined the Walkers for a family barbecue. The puppy was happy to have so much attention lavished on him until Gail and Brian’s young daughter, Jennifer, pulled his tail a few too many times. After that, he headed back to Lucy and safety.

  “I very rarely make impulsive decisions,” Lucy admitted. “The last time I made one I set up Ginna and Zach.”

  “Which ended up very nicely,” the older woman said. “Thank you for three more beautiful grandchildren.”

  Lucy smiled at Cathy for generously including Nick in that number.

  “And then there’s your working for Logan,” Cathy said. “How do you like it?”

  “Very different from the travel business. I’m not sure which is more interesting. The humans or the animals.”

  “Are you talking about the ones visiting the clinic or the ones inhabiting it?”

  Lucy threw up a hand, waving it back and forth in a languid motion.

  “I’d say it’s a toss-up. He has a macaw who thinks a cat is his pet and a dog who carries a cell phone around in his mouth. So far, the oddest one coming in is a toy poodle and her owner who wear matching sweaters.”

  Cathy nodded. “Myra Robinson. The dog also has the most exquisite little crocheted blankets and booties to keep her feet warm during the winter. Myra’s husband also has a large wardrobe of hand-knitted sweaters.”

  “Talk about taking a hobby too far.” Lucy watched as Nick was pulled into a volleyball game. When they’d left the house she hadn’t realized how short his T-shirt was on him. She wondered how a boy could grow three inches overnight.

  “Every new baby in the area receives a blanket from Myra. She claims knitting and crocheting is something she can do while her husband fishes.” She cast Lucy a sideways glance. “How is Logan as a boss?”

  “Give him enough coffee and he’s tolerable.” Warm, funny, too tempting at times.

  “And here I thought I was downright charming.”

  Lucy turned around so fast her chair would have tipped over if Logan hadn’t quickly grasped the back and kept it upright.

  “What are you doing here?” She was so surprised to see him she hadn’t realized how rude her question sounded.

  “I have an open invitation.” He dropped a kiss on Cathy’s cheek. She looked up and smiled at him as she patted his cheek.

  “Which you never take enough advantage of,” Cathy scolded him. “How’s your father doing?”

  Logan pretended to look about in fright. “You are one brave woman to ask that when your husband could be in ear-shot.”

  “My husband and your father are two old fools who need to put the past behind them,” Cathy said, gesturing toward the end of the patio where Lou stood guard over the barbecue pit while conversing with several men.

  “But their feud makes it more fun for the rest of us.” Logan grinned.

  Cathy scoffed, “That stupid feud. High school was a long time ago. More years than I like to think about. They competed all through school and I swear they’ve never stopped. Frank should have realized long ago I wasn’t the right woman for him. One day I am going to take both of them by the scruffs of their necks and force them to sit down and talk.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be the only one who will want to be there for that.” Logan looked down at Lucy. “How come you’re not over there playing volleyball?”

  “I prefer being a spectator,” she explained. “It’s more fun to watch the men get all hot and sweaty than for me to get all hot and sweaty.” She regretted her provocative words the moment they passed her lips.

  The wicked light in Logan’s eyes told her he hadn’t missed them.

  “I’m not very athletic,” she amended, knowing it was too late to salvage the moment.

  “She’s right on that,” said a breathless Zach as he ran up to them. “Lucy was famous for her excuses to get out of gym class. Logan, Mark wants to sit out for a while. Want to take his place?”

  “Sure.” Logan reached down and pulled his T-shirt up and over his head. He grinned and dropped it in Lucy’s lap. “Keep an eye on that for me, will you?” He moved off with Za
ch.

  Lucy felt her mouth grow dry as she stared at a very nice expanse of bare tanned skin lightly dusted with golden hair. If Logan was still surfing on his off days, that was definitely the sport to take up to keep the chest looking that impressive. His jean shorts hung low on his narrow hips.

  This was a man who didn’t worry about the exterior. And why should he when women only had to take one look at him and start to drool?

  Without thinking, she swiped at her chin with her fingers. Luckily, they came away dry.

  She knew she was going to take control of herself before she did something foolish—like throw herself at the man.

  She really had been without a man for too long.

  “Domino, sweetie, here’s something just for you,” Lucy cooed to her dog, picking him up and setting him on her lap.

  “For someone who’s said in the past she isn’t interested, you’re giving off some very powerful signals,” Cathy said.

  “Who’s giving off signals?” Ginna asked her mother as she took a free chair.

  “Shouldn’t you be cheering your husband on to victory?” Lucy asked her sister-in-law.

  Ginna twisted in the chair. “Great spike, sweetheart!” she shouted, clapping her hands. “Keep it up!”

  “Always do, darlin’,” he called back with a hot grin.

  Ginna sat back, looking the picture of a well-satisfied woman. “He’s so damn cute when he thinks he’s being macho.”

  “You’re still in the honeymoon phase, I see,” Lucy commented.

  Ginna glanced over at the volleyball game then back to her friend. “You should try it.”

  “Oh no!” She put up her hands in a back-off gesture. “That kind of matchmaking stays within your family and I’m just enough of an in-law to be immune to the disease.”

  “Now, Lucy, I need to repay you for all you did for me,” Ginna insisted. Laughter danced in the brilliant blue eyes that were a Walker trademark. “If Logan’s not your type, I’m sure we can find someone who is.”

  “Oh, Logan’s her type,” Cathy said. “She just refuses to admit it.”