Finish What We Started

by Amylynn Bright

  “How about if I confess that this appointment isn’t about the snake. Can we leave him in there, then?”

  “Look, I’m very busy. I have other patients to see and an office to get open in a matter of weeks. I need to find a storage unit and buy a car. I have to go apartment hunting, something I abhor. I don’t have the time or the energy to feel bad about myself again today.”

  She placed her hand on the bag and made as if to open it.

  Lee made a squeaky sort of noise. “Wait!” He waved a hand in the international symbol of panic.

  She untied the first knot in the leather lacing wrapped around the pillowcase. “It’s a corn snake, right? They’re not poisonous.”

  “Please don’t open the bag. I’ll pay for the appointment, just stop.”

  She ignored him. Undoing the second knot, she unwound the string but didn’t open the bag. “Why are you here? It’s abundantly clear you haven’t gotten over what happened. You thought you could pretend we were starting fresh. I went along with it, and it didn’t work. I’m not interested in playing anymore games.”

  He took two wide steps across the room and placed his hand over hers on the bag. His gaze met hers and held. “Candy, I’m sorry about the other night. It’s no secret I was hurt about how things ended before. We each could have handled things differently. My point is, we’re both here now and we’re not going anywhere this time. I want to hear about Scotland and your classes and I want to get to know the woman you are now.”

  Mark cupped her face in his hands and then he was kissing her.

  The snake wiggled inside its case but she ignored it.

  It started sweet; a pressing of his mouth to hers. Then, slowly, purposefully, his lips moved, nibbling at the top before taking her bottom lip between his own. His tongue caressed the crease and she opened for him and angled her head when he took the kiss deeper. She draped her arms around his neck and tangled her fingers in his thick hair. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her flush to him, the length of their bodies molded into each other like a puzzle. It was every bit as hot and desperate as any kiss they’d shared five years ago.

  Chemistry had never been their problem.

  When he finally lifted his head, Candace was dizzy. “Can we try dinner again and let me prove it?”

  “I don’t want to go to dinner.” That was too intimate, too romantic. “But I’ll let you come help me with the kennels tomorrow.”

  He smiled and nodded. “That would be great.” Then before she had a chance to say anything else, he kissed her again. Oh yes, this was what she needed.

  For one moment, she forgot all her reservations. She forgot where they were. She forgot about the snake.

  Apparently Lee did too until the pretty red corn snake slithered into his sleeve. By the time he realized what was happening the poor reptile was trapped in his tucked shirt.

  There was screaming and laughing and Candace thought she’d never get both Lee and the snake out of there alive.

  Chapter Fourteen

  As soon she rescued him from the killer snake, and he confirmed that it was not, in fact, his pet, but borrowed from a kid of one of the guys on his baseball team, they made plans to meet back at the office the next day. Then he commandeered the scale and the stuff from the closet and found her a storage facility a block away from the new clinic.

  A week ago she’d never have allowed him that much access, but that kiss had been crazily convincing and her girl parts shrieked louder than her better judgment. She could enjoy herself with him and still keep her emotions under control.

  He showed up in a clean button-down and khakis. Candace smirked and then led him out to the kennels where they shoveled poop and sprayed down the concrete. Somewhere between when she sprayed him with the hose (totally an accident) and the exuberant golden retriever planting two muddy paws on his ass (she’d sort of encouraged that), Lee actively listened to her talk about school. She told him about her roommates and professors and the friends she’d made. When she told him how stressful the exams had been, he was sympathetic. She learned about his baseball team and the title they’d taken the previous year. The kiss they exchanged was a toe-curler. This was going to work out just like she wanted.

  Four days later, he dressed more appropriately when she allowed him to help her walk the boarded dogs. He was genuinely fascinated when she explained the highlight of her education in a summer internship in Thailand, of all places, working with the organization instrumental in the research and conservation of clouded leopards.

  “The goal, of course, is for the animals to breed naturally, but the males are hyper-aggressive and then, even if there is success, there’s such a high infant mortality rate.” She told him while he wrestled with the leashes of a beagle and a German shorthair pointer.

  “That sounds so amazing.” He turned in a circle to untangle his legs. “Why didn’t you go into that field as a specialty?”

  She waited while a corgi peed on a lamp post. “I thought about it, believe me. It was totally awesome, but I always wanted to be a family veterinarian. It’s the same as being a family doctor, you know. You get to know your patients and the people who love them. I love working in the clinic.”

  The dogs wrestled with each other when he stopped and kissed her, long and slow. He’d done that a lot, like he couldn’t get enough of her. It was heady stuff.

  “So tell me more about Sarah. How is she doing?” She changed the subject as soon as they came up for air again.

  He shook his head. “It’s so hard to tell with her. She had such a hard time accepting any help after the first couple months. I stopped asking her what I could do for her and just started showing up at her house to take care of repairs and stuff. She’s so independent. It’s frustrating.”

  Candy shook her head knowingly, but there was no possible way she could relate to whatever Sarah was going through. “She’s a tough girl.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but she doesn’t have to be. We’d all be more than willing to help more if she’d let us.”

  “How is Sidney?”

  Lee hushed the pointer when he barked at a butterfly. “He’s been hounding me for a puppy for his birthday coming up next week. I’ve been seriously considering it. The boy should have a dog, don’t you think?”

  “Do they already have any pets?”

  “No. Nothing. Not even a fish. He’s pretty adamant about the dog, though. He’s called me a couple of times about it. The last time I was over there, he showed me a scrapbook he’s been making with pictures of dogs he’s cut out of magazines and stuff.” He paused and looked mischievous. “I think I’m going to do it.”

  It had been years since she’d had a dog. She loved Romeo Darling, but she wished for the time and space to have a big, dopey puppy.

  “Have you discussed this with Sarah?” Candace suspected he hadn’t. It seemed like a decision he’d made on impulse.

  “Nah, but Sidney has. She’ll be cool with it.”

  Candace wasn’t so sure. A puppy was a big, expensive time suck. There was food and training to consider on top of all the other things Sarah had to take care of. But Candace didn’t want to be a Debbie Downer when he was so excited, so she said nothing.

  Several days later, he convinced her to go with him to pick out a fuzzy birthday present for Sidney. She directed him to the animal shelter. “Let’s see who’s up for adoption. There are so many dogs that need homes.”

  * * *

  When Lee showed up at his sister’s house before dinner on the day of Sidney’s birthday, he towed a giant, galumphing puppy along with him. He and Candy had found the Great Dane mix at the animal shelter. He’d originally shown up at the pound thinking of something a little bigger and hardier than Milo. He snatched the dog up before he’d even really thought the whole plan through. Candy hadn’t been as
enthusiastic about his choice. She’d tried to convince him that the Dane was too much dog. What did that even mean? Too much dog? It didn’t matter. Sidney was going to love him. Oliver was the cutest damn thing he’d ever seen. His floppy ears and soft brown eyes gave him an expression of constant curiosity. Cream with dark grey speckles, the pup stood on tall, spindly legs that ended in enormous feet. He was the original speckled pup.

  His sister was in the kitchen putting finishing touches on cupcakes when he and Oliver came in.

  “What the hell is that?” she asked.

  “This fine-looking fellow is Oliver,” Lee said with a giant grin.

  “Oliver?” She set a big dome lid over the cupcakes and came over to the dog.

  “Yeah. ’Cause he was an orphan.”

  She bent down and stroked the puppy behind the ears with both hands. “Hi, Oliver. You’re adorable.”

  “I’m glad you think so. Where’s Sid?” He tugged on the leash and collar the pound had given him when they’d adopted Oliver.

  “He’s with Mom at the store.” She straightened and narrowed her eyes at him. “Why?”

  “Oliver here is his birthday present.” Lee was so excited he was giddy.

  “Oh, hell no.” Sarah’s attitude turned on a dime. She pushed the dog away from the table, where he was already tall enough to poke his nose around and see what there was to steal. “You get that dog out of here before Sidney gets home. He cannot see him.”

  He walked Oliver around to the other side of the table to avoid his sister shooing them out the door. “Oh come on. You think he’s cute, and Sidney’s dying for a dog. He told me you hadn’t said no when he asked.”

  “Lee, you’re a great uncle and a good brother, but you’re an idiot.” She moved the cake plate deeper into the counter before Oliver’s nose discovered it. “When the hell do I have time for a dog? And I sure as hell can’t afford this...this...ox you’ve brought in here. Do you have any idea how much dogs cost?”

  “I thought of that,” he told, her with a grin. “I’ll pay for everything. Food, toys, everything. And I’m dating a vet, so that’s no worry at all.”

  “No. Absolutely not.”

  “He’ll be great for protecting you both. He’s a guard dog.”

  “That dog—as adorable as he is—will eat everything. Shoes, the couch, and perhaps a burglar if the fool should happen to wander into the house when the dog’s hungry or bored. Sidney and I are never home. I work and he’s at school or physical therapy. I don’t have time for a dog.”

  He straddled the puppy and squished his fuzzy cheeks with his palms into an adorable face his sister couldn’t refuse. “Look how cute he is.”

  Sarah closed her eyes and shook her head. “No.”

  “Come on. He’s like the ones Sid put in his scrapbook.” He was getting nothing encouraging from her. “Look, he’s even tall enough that a kid in a wheelchair can reach him.”

  Oliver gave a helpful woof.

  The head shaking continued.

  “I promise I’ll take care of all his expenses.” Still shaking. “Sarah, Sid needs a dog. Every boy should have a dog to play with.”

  She opened her eyes and looked at him with exasperation. “You never did and you turned out just fine.”

  “Sa-rah,” he cajoled, spreading her name out as long as he could.

  “Sid might be ready for a pet, but I’m not ready for a horse in my house. It’s not even really about the money. I am the most stressed out person I know. I can’t have the added responsibility of this dog.”

  He squished Oliver’s cheeks again and looked down into his silly face with resignation. “Damn it. I didn’t know what else to get him for his birthday.”

  “I don’t know, Lee. How about some freaking Legos?”

  Over the next two days, he discovered that Oliver was a maniac. Having never owned a dog, he didn’t have any idea what to expect. The puppy raced around his house at breakneck speed, barked for no damn reason at all, and had eaten an ottoman. Eaten it. An ottoman. Was that normal?

  Thank God he had an in with the world’s sexiest vet, because, oh my God, he was losing his mind.

  He hadn’t seen Candy since their visit to the shelter. Work had been a nightmare. He’d run into one problem after another and he’d returned home late and exhausted every night. That didn’t mean he ignored her. They spoke and texted frequently and she laughed at his troubles with Oliver, though she had the grace not to say she’d told him so. Sarah had been right. She’d have never managed with all the other irons she had in the fire. He still thought the boy needed a pet, though. He’d see what Candy recommended before he brought it up with Sarah again.

  Not that he needed one to see Candy, but now he had an excuse. A giant, slobbery excuse. He’d asked her to dinner repeatedly, but every time she’d refused. She wouldn’t go to see a play when he suggested it. She’d offered up other options, but he didn’t want to help inventory the storage shed, or jog with her in the morning, though of course he went anyway. He was frustrated by how she resisted all efforts at romancing her, but was more than willing to make out like they’d never been apart. Confusing. He’d just have to pay closer attention and figure out what it was she needed.

  * * *

  For the third time, Candace listened to the voice mail Lee had left her asking her to come by the construction site after work. That couldn’t be good, but it didn’t matter. Her conscience couldn’t come up with a single reason why she shouldn’t go, and her girl parts practically demanded that she did. She and Lee seemed to be at a stalemate. He was pushing for more time together and didn’t seem to be in any hurry to climb into bed. All she wanted was to jump his bones.

  She was distracted all afternoon.

  The parking lot of the new clinic was still just a dirt lot filled with construction trucks and the giant, filthy roll-off container full of refuse. Soon, though, it would be her clinic. She’d worked so hard, given up so much for this.

  She looked at the man she’d left behind when he needed her the most. Lee was sitting on the open tailgate of his truck, trying to do some paperwork. The huge puppy was romping around back there with him. She didn’t know any other breed that loved to lean on people as much as a Dane. The dog pushed against his shoulder time and again and Lee would push back. He said something to the dog, but it merely picked up a huge foot and pawed at his arm. She laughed when a slobbery ball fell from its mouth and landed on the papers. Lee tossed it over his shoulder toward the back of the truck bed and the dog bounded after it, returning immediately to start the whole process over again.

  When she approached the truck the puppy bowed at her in invitation. She chuckled. “Hello, puppy.” She touched her index finger to his nose. His tongue came out and swiped the spot.

  “Arf,” Lee barked and then pretended like he hadn’t seen the dog. “Oh, you mean Oliver.”

  “Oh, Oliver, you’re such a handsome, handsome boy.” The puppy bounced around in a circle and barked with excitement. “I think you’ve grown since I saw you last.”

  Lee watched the dog with a wry expression. “He’s a bit out of control.”

  “Puppies are like that, you know.” She gave the man a kiss. She’d been thinking about it for hours. He parted his legs and she came to stand between his knees. When they finally moved apart, she was decidedly warmer than before.

  “I guess I knew that, but I didn’t know it. Ya know?”

  Oliver insinuated himself between them, slathering Candace with kisses all the while. “So now what are you going to do?”

  “I’m keeping the galoot.” Lee grabbed the puppy’s head under his arm and gave him a noogie. Oliver bowed in response, then ran to the back of the truck like a maniac. “I’ve had to start bringing him to work with me because I can’t leave him alone in the house. Bad things happen.
” He looked at her with huge eyes, reinforcing the seriousness of the statement with his stare. “Bad, bad things.”

  Candace laughed, both at the man who was losing his naïve innocence as a puppy owner and the dog who couldn’t be happier with all the attention. “So what do you need me for?”

  He brought her back into his embrace. “Oh, I need you, Dr. Claesson.” He kissed her neck on one side and the puppy licked the other. “Look, dog,” he told Oliver, “this is my woman. You can’t have this one.” He pushed him back and held him with a strong arm. “I have some good news for you, but you’re going to have to promise me a reward before I tell you.”

  She rubbed a palm up his thigh and assumed she was more than willing to do whatever it was a virile man like Lee would want. “Tell me.”

  “You can move into Marisol’s place tomorrow if you want.”

  Out of her parent’s house. “Wahoo!” She moved to kiss him again, but he leaned backward and waggled his finger at her.

  “Now I get my reward.” He seemed very sure of himself. Did he know she was a sure thing? “You’re going out to dinner with me.”

  * * *

  Lee had told Candace that she and Marisol would get along once they got to know each other, and he’d been right. The woman was funny, smart and outgoing. Marisol also had an interesting career, and her stories were hysterical.

  After Lee’s introduction, Candace and Marisol had spoken over the phone about the logistics of Candace moving in to her townhouse and introducing their cats. When that went well, they’d agreed to meet for lunch at a cute little place around the corner from Marisol’s house with an excellent salad bar and the world’s best grilled cheese.

  “The second bedroom is a good size and has its own bathroom,” Marisol told her, then ate a French fry from the basket they were sharing.