He eyed the two-foot-wide passage through the plants. If Bailey was game, so was he.
Halfway in, a wayward branch scratched his jacket. No rip, but a mark remained. Walking through the tall walls of weeds reminded him of the corn mazes at pumpkin patches, only this wasn’t planned. “I hope the dog is here. Somewhere.”
The gap narrowed ahead. Bailey walked sideways. “I remember a staircase that leads to the back deck. We can stand up there and look for him.”
Justin followed her up the steps, enjoying the view from behind. This was his first time seeing her in jeans. He wouldn’t mind trading places with the denim cupping her butt. Sexy and a turn-on.
She stood at a wooden rail. “The backyard is worse than the front, but maybe we can see the dog walking around.”
He stopped next to her. A view of the bay greeted him.
“Wow.” If the Broughton Inn had a million-dollar view, this one was worth double. Given the waterfront location, this property was a find. “I wonder why Mr. Potter’s son hasn’t sold his dad’s old house.”
“Wanting to buy up the entire town now?” Her voice sounded stiff, almost suspicious.
“Curious, that’s all.”
Justin’s father had taught him to keep his hand hidden from both friend and foe. The distance to the water and elevation of the bluff where the house sat was far enough to stave off high tide or storm surges. He estimated the lot size to be a quarter of the Broughton Inn, but the bay frontage more than compensated and a smaller rolling lawn could be added.
“Any sign of the dog?” she asked.
He’d forgotten their reason for coming. He scanned the yard. “No, but I’ll take a closer look.”
That would give him a chance to get a better feel of the slope to the shoreline. He wondered if he could find the exact dimensions of the lot on one of the town websites.
“I don’t see the dog.” Bailey sounded disappointed. “Here, puppy.”
No dog appeared.
The breeze tossed the ends of her ponytail about. She shook her bag of dog treats. Nothing. She gave the bag another shake. No movement below. She whistled.
Bailey’s gaze met his. “I don’t think he’s here.”
“Look at the brush down there. If he’s skittish...”
“I just wish we could find him.” Her lips parted slightly, pink and soft and smooth.
He needed another taste of her, a longer one. “I wish...”
“What do you wish?” she asked.
He lowered his mouth to hers. Slowly. To give her time to decide if she wanted a kiss or not.
She didn’t say no or back away. Justin took that as a yes.
He covered her mouth with his, the urge to kiss her stronger than common sense.
Her kiss was as sweet and as warm as he remembered, a tasty confection he wanted to devour. His lips moved over hers, but he kept his hands at his side. He’d made the first move. Twice now. He was leaving the next one up to Bailey.
This time she didn’t stiffen, but leaned into him. Her muscles remained loose. She pressed against his lips, kissing him back. Her eagerness surprised. Now, this was a real turn-on.
Heat roared through his veins.
Her hands didn’t touch him. Lips locked together, but nothing else.
He wasn’t complaining. Her kiss was as spectacular as she was. Unique. Perfect.
She wrapped her arms around him finally. Her breasts pressed against his chest.
He circled his arms around her, pulling her closer. This was what he wanted. All he needed.
A moan escaped her lips. She backed away from him, her eyes clouded, her lips swollen.
“Kissing isn’t going to help us find the dog.” Her tone was stunned, amused.
He’d take it. “No, but consider the kiss a warm-up for our search.”
“You think we needed one?”
He shrugged. “When it comes to you, I have no idea what we need.”
She’d crashed into his life like a runaway train. Okay, she’d been standing there, unmovable, but he hadn’t been the same since that morning at the inn.
Justin knew one thing...he was happy he’d kissed her again. “I do know this kiss was better than the first one. I can’t wait to see how the next one turns out.”
Bailey’s mouth gaped. She was speechless, a memorable occurrence.
He bit back a smile. “I’m going to check down below. Care to join me?”
* * *
Join him? The man had some nerve. That was the last thing Bailey wanted to do. Her ragged breathing matched her rapid pulse. Cheeks burning, she didn’t want to acknowledge how much she’d wanted to keep kissing Justin.
Her lips didn’t tingle. They throbbed. Her body ached for more.
She clutched the deck railing, thankful the weathered wood was smooth beneath her palms, not full of splinters. Her skin felt hypersensitive as it was.
What had she done? And what was she going to do now?
Justin McMillian had kissed her again, unexpectedly and thoroughly, as if she were his to command with a touch of his lips. Worse, she had been willing, eager, hungry. Responding to him like a woman starved for kisses. She’d wanted to gobble him up. A part of her still did.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
For all she knew, her reaction was exactly the response he wanted. Tyler’s warning seemed more ominous post-kiss. Nothing good would come from spending time with Justin. Conflict of interest. Uh, yeah. Kissing was not exactly professional behavior. The inn’s staff and their families were counting on her to win.
She needed to keep her distance from him and keep her guard up. He could be playing her. Why wouldn’t he? A charming hotelier and construction hottie who oozed sex appeal must be good at that kind of game.
Thank goodness she’d remembered the dog or she might still be kissing him. And happily enjoying the kisses.
She tightened her grip on the railing. Her gaze narrowed on Justin heading down the stairs. He looked like a fashion model, handsome in his worn jeans, Henley shirt and flannel jacket. His boots were durable enough to withstand the weeds and rocks below. Handsome, check. Capable, check. Under control, check.
The opposite of her.
The urge to bolt was strong. So what if doing so would be rude? But she doubted she could walk home without doing some serious damage to her foot, and she had the dog to consider.
Justin waved from the bottom of the staircase. “I want to see if the dog is by the shoreline. Come on down if your foot’s up to it.”
Her foot was fine. Her heart, she wasn’t sure.
Bailey gave him a half wave but didn’t answer. Her nerve endings jangled as if they were dancing and wanted a new song.
He disappeared into the weeds.
She breathed a sigh of relief. A second kiss changed nothing. This was a spur-of-the-moment action brought on by worry over the dog. Once they found the stray or confirmed he wasn’t here, she wouldn’t see Justin until another meeting at Tyler’s office or in a courtroom. That made the most logical—
“Bailey,” Justin shouted. The way he said her name made her stomach drop. “I need your help.”
His words rushed out.
Concern shot through her. She hurried down the staircase and followed his path, mindful of her foot. The mix of weeds and rocks and uneven ground made walking difficult, but she didn’t slow down. “Justin?”
“Over here.”
A moan.
The deep guttural noise prickled the hair on the back of her neck. “Are you okay?”
“I found the dog. He’s stuck in some rocks. Hurt.”
Oh, no. Picking up her pace, she followed the sound of Justin’s voice talking to the dog until she found him, one knee on the ground. He steadied the dog’s head with his hands. The scruffy dog lay next to him, bar
ely moving, covered in mud and dirt and burrs. So thin. Her heart broke.
“I freed a leg that was caught between two rocks, but there’s a bad gash on his back leg. He doesn’t have much strength.”
She kneeled and let the dog sniff her hand. “Hey, pup.”
A lick was her reward.
“What a sweetie.” She removed her jacket and covered the animal, careful to avoid the injured leg. “You’re a nice doggy.”
The dog’s tail wagged.
“That’s a good sign,” she said. “How did you end up here?”
“No collar.”
“A vet can check for a microchip. That’s the easiest way to see if he has, or had, an owner.”
Justin scratched behind the dog’s ear. “You’re going to be fine, buddy.”
Bailey hoped so. She rubbed the dog’s dirty face. “Some doggies don’t like to go to the vet, but you look brave.”
Justin looked over at her, an odd expression on his face. “You’re good at this.”
“I watch Chinook and babysit my niece and nephew.” Bailey eyed the wound on the dog’s injured leg. “We need to get to the vet now. You carry the dog. I’ll call to let them know we’re coming.”
“Come here, buddy.” He picked up the dog.
The stray yelped, a pathetic sound that physically hurt Bailey to hear; then a soft whine emerged, constant, but fading.
Justin cradled the dog as if he were a fragile, premature baby, only bigger and covered with fur.
His tenderness and concern melted her heart. Nothing solid remained, only a warm puddle. He might not have had a pet before, but he was kind and gentle and caring with the dog. She had a feeling he would be the same way with children.
With their children. Her pulse quickened. Everything she’d dreamed of having suddenly felt in reach. All because of this poor stray dog.
He continued to talk to the dog.
Cell phone in hand, she followed Justin to the stairs. “I’m calling Declan’s vet. It’s nearby.”
The dog rested its head on Justin’s arm. The whining had become quieter, not more than a whimper.
“Let’s hurry.” He speeded up. “The pup’s not looking so good.”
* * *
Bailey opened the door to the animal clinic. Justin carried in the dog. A gurney was waiting.
“What happened?” a scrub-clad vet tech asked.
“He’s a stray. His paw was caught between rocks. There’s a bad gash.”
“We’ll take a look.” She pushed the gurney through a door that closed automatically behind her.
“I need some information about the dog,” the receptionist behind the window said. “Name.”
“Buddy,” Justin said without any hesitation.
“You said the dog’s a stray.”
He whipped out his wallet and handed the woman a credit card. “As far as we know. Do what needs to be done with him. I’ll cover all expenses.”
Bailey whispered, “Vet bills can be expensive.”
He smiled at her. “I can afford it.”
Not only kind and nice, but also generous. Justin’s actions warmed her heart. “That’s very thoughtful of you.”
The receptionist nodded. “Would you mind filling out this treatment authorization form?”
Justin did. Bailey went to sit. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air in the waiting room, slightly masking a lemony-bleach scent. A television hung on the wall, a home-and-garden channel playing with the sound muted. Phones rang and doors opened and closed in the distance.
Bailey sat on an upholstered chair. The thin layer of padding didn’t offer much comfort, but she was in a better place than the dog.
And Justin.
For the next hour and a half, he paced the length of the waiting room, staring at the screen of his smartphone. He’d been checking missing pet websites trying to find info about “Buddy,” the name he’d given the dog when they checked in. He’d also contacted Animal Control again, too, who had little information on the dog other than multiple sightings since spring.
The bell on the door sounded. A man entered the clinic with a black Lab on a leash.
Too bad Tyler wasn’t here. If her cousin saw Justin in action today, he might change his mind about the guy trying to take advantage of her or exert “undue influence” to get the inn. Okay, she still had concerns. His being worried about a dog wasn’t enough to make her dismiss all misgivings, but she liked this side of Justin. Liked it a lot.
He sat next to her. “No one has reported a lost or missing dog that looks like him.”
“The vet should know soon if he’s got a microchip.”
An elderly couple with a meowing cat in a pink carrier checked out at the receptionist counter.
“They’re taking a long time. I hope he’s okay.” Justin stared at the door to the exam area. Lines on his forehead deepened. “I thought we’d hear something by now.”
The worry in his voice tugged on Bailey’s heart. She reached toward him, then pulled her arm back, resting her hand on her lap.
Yes, she wanted to comfort him, but she was unsure if that was okay or crossing a line or giving him the wrong idea. Boy, that second kiss was messing up her thought process. “We should hear something soon.”
Justin rubbed his lips together. “I’ve never been to a vet office before.”
“Tests and X-rays take time. Just like with people,” she said. “I’m sure they want to be thorough with the exam and not jump to any conclusions. He looks like he’s been on his own for a while.”
“Makes sense.” He stared at the closed door leading to the exam rooms. “But I wish I could do more.”
“You found him. You’re paying for his medical treatment. You’re doing plenty.” Her words didn’t change the serious expression on Justin’s face. Bailey wished she could bring back his smile. “And this is an excellent vet clinic.”
“I knew you’d pick the right place.”
She straightened. His words meant more than they should. “Want another cup of coffee?”
“No, thanks.”
“The Burger Boat is across the street. I can get sodas or milk shakes.”
“Appreciate the offer, but I’m not thirsty.” His gaze returned to the closed door. “Buddy’s paw didn’t look that bad. All he needs is a bath and a few good meals to put some meat on his bones. He’ll be fine.”
She recognized something in Justin’s tone. Years ago, she’d sounded the same way after finding a baby bunny in the field by their house. She’d waited for hours for the mother rabbit to return, but that never happened. She’d begged her parents to let her bring the young bunny home. Instead her father took the bunny to a nearby farm, saying their house was already too much of a zoo. He’d never told her where. She’d cried for days. “You seemed to hit it off with Buddy.”
“Yeah, it’s weird.” The edges of his mouth curved slightly. “I hadn’t considered getting a dog. But Buddy’s all I can think about. Crazy?”
“Yes, but I’m all for crazy.”
His mouth swooped down for a quick kiss. “Figured you would understand.”
She was the one smiling now. “I do, but if you’re serious, you need to take some time and think about it. Adopting a dog isn’t something you do lightly or temporarily. Dogs get attached. They can be expensive and need attention. You’ll need to figure out what to do with him when you’re at a job site. Or here in Haley’s Bay. My aunt doesn’t allow pets at her B and B. So there are logistics you’ll need to work out. If you’re not committed—”
“I am.” A surprised expression flashed across his face. “I can’t believe I said that.”
“Why not?”
“I haven’t committed to anything in a long time. But that mangy mutt...”
“Stole your heart.”
> His gaze met hers. “Yes.”
Her heart melted. “Everything happens for a reason. That’s what my grandma always says.”
Bailey expected him to look away. He didn’t.
“This feels...right,” Justin continued.
Being with him felt that way. She kissed him. He tasted the same as he had before—delicious, one minute some fresh-from-the-oven baked goods, then a gourmet entrée the next. His warmth seeped into her as if she was home, comfortable and warm, wrapped in a bed of handmade quilts.
His lips took hers, awakening something deep within, a longing for...more. He brought his arm around her back. A fire ignited low in her belly. A wanting heat. She leaned into him to get closer.
A ding sounded. The clinic’s door.
Bailey jerked away, nearly falling off her chair, but Justin caught her. A blue carrier was being brought inside. A cat meowed. Next came...
Risa. Her sister-in-law.
No. No. No. Bailey slid down in her chair, wishing the door to the restroom wasn’t next to the receptionist’s desk where Risa stood.
“What’s wrong?” Justin asked.
Bailey placed her finger at her mouth. “Shh.”
By dinnertime, every single Cole, including Tyler and AJ, would know...whatever Risa had seen when she entered the clinic. Bailey didn’t want to make this worse.
Risa turned. Her gaze met Bailey’s. “What are you doing here?”
“Found an injured dog over on Bay Street.” She didn’t like the way Risa studied Justin, as if he were on display in a department-store window. “How about you?”
“Annual exam for Skippy.” Risa gave Justin another once-over. “Who’s your friend?”
He stood and approached her. “I’m Justin McMillian.”
Risa looked impressed. “McMillian Resorts?”
Justin nodded, shook her hand.
“I’m Risa Cole. Bailey’s sister-in-law.”
“She’s married to Ellis,” Bailey said in case he didn’t remember.
“I met your husband last week,” Justin said. “He’s a lucky guy.”
Risa grinned as if she’d won a year’s worth of mani-pedis at the nail salon. “Why, thank you. Grandmother Cole was right when she said you were sweet as her graham-cracker pie.”
Falling for Mr. Right: Still the One ; His Proposal, Their Forever Page 32
