Bayside Destinies

by Stacy Claflin

  “Do they sell older dogs?”

  “You don’t want a puppy?” The girl turned to her puppy and spoke in baby talk to the dog before turning back to Audrey.

  The elevator door opened, and they stepped into the parking garage.

  “I’m looking for one that’s already housebroken,” Audrey said.

  “Hmm.” The girl paused. “I don’t think they sell older dogs. Sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll figure something out.” Audrey headed for her car.

  “Wait!”

  Audrey spun around. “Yeah?”

  “There’s a place around the edge of town, it’s like a doggie daycare and boarding place, but sometimes the lady who runs it has dogs for adoption. Try there. I think her name’s Clarissa or something.” She gave Audrey directions.

  “Thanks. I’ll head over there.”

  “Ask for Clarissa.”

  Audrey’s mind spun as she climbed into her car. Might she be a dog owner by the end of the day?

  She followed the directions and found herself at the entrance of a large lot with two buildings. One had Doggie Daycare painted across it with paw prints and the other had Doggie Hotel.

  Which one would house adoptable pets? Maybe the hotel. That sounded more permanent than daycare.

  Audrey opened the door and found herself amidst chaos. She walked into the noisy waiting room and was surprised to find it filled with barking dogs and kids running around.

  She stepped over a bulldog, a French poodle, and a chocolate Lab on her way to the reception desk. A parakeet flew past, nearly getting caught in her hair.

  “Sorry about the bird,” said the lady behind the counter. “She escaped this morning, and we haven’t been able to catch her. Can I help you?”

  “I heard you might have pets for adoption. I’m supposed to talk with Clarissa, I think.”

  The lady smiled and tucked some dark hair behind her ear. “I’m Cassidy Jones. I own this zoo, and we do have a few animals looking for homes. What are you looking for?”

  “A dog that’s house trained. Hopefully protective.”

  Cassidy nodded knowingly. “I get that. I live alone. We have one that might be a good match. Follow me.” She motioned toward a door and rose from her seat.

  Audrey went through the door then followed Cassidy down a maze of hallways. Dogs barked from every direction. They passed several windows which showcased enormous play areas for pets. This was more than an animal hotel—it was more like an amusement park for dogs and cats.

  At the end of a long hallway, Cassidy opened a door. Inside was another elaborate play space. A rat terrier and a cocker spaniel tugged on two sides of a chew toy, both with tails wagging wildly. An orange tabby sprawled across a cushion on the top of a counter, its tail twitching.

  Cassidy closed the door behind them. “These are the ones available for adoption now. If none of these meet your needs, I can take your number and let you know when someone else comes in needing a home.”

  Audrey just nodded, wondering if either the rat terrier or the cocker spaniel would be very protective. They both looked active, which was a good sign.

  “Don’t forget about Charlie over there.” Cassidy gestured toward a dog sleeping in the corner. Charlie appeared to be at least part Rottweiler.

  “Is he good tempered?”

  “The sweetest dog you’ll ever meet.” She knelt and clapped. “Charlie, come here!”

  The dog opened one eye and closed it again.

  So much for being a guard dog.

  “Charlie!” Cassidy whistled.

  He rolled over and ambled over to Cassidy, yawning.

  “Hey, boy.” She rubbed the top of his head, and he licked her repeatedly. Cassidy glanced up at Audrey. “As far as we can tell, he’s half Rott and half boxer. He’ll definitely scare away anyone who doesn’t know how sweet he is.”

  Audrey bit her lip and considered the dog. Aside from his constant licking, he did appear intimidating. If he was sitting alone somewhere, Audrey wouldn’t dream of approaching him.

  Maybe he was exactly what she needed.

  She knelt and called him.

  He raised a floppy, pointed ear and tilted his head.

  “Go on.” Cassidy patted his back.

  Charlie pranced over to Audrey and sniffed her outstretched hand. Then he licked it with his very wet tongue.

  Audrey giggled, for a moment feeling like a kid again.

  “What do you think?” Cassidy arched a brow.

  “I think—”

  Charlie licked her face, getting his tongue in her mouth.

  “He definitely likes you.” Cassidy grinned and rose. “He’s never taken to someone so fast.”

  Audrey gave Charlie her hand to lick instead of her face. “Really?”

  “Yep. He’s been pretty shy with everyone here until he warms up. It’s taken a few days with some of the guys.”

  “He doesn’t like guys?”

  “I wouldn’t say that. He just doesn’t trust them right away, is all.”

  Audrey rubbed Charlie behind the ear, and he licked her elbow. “What’s involved with the adoption process?”

  “We have a questionnaire about where you live and such. It’ll be a breeze. You and Charlie are obviously meant to be.”

  Six

  Logan wandered around the flower shop, overwhelmed by the amount of choices. He’d wanted to pick up a simple but pretty bouquet for Audrey, but he couldn’t decide among so many options.

  Big flowers or small? Bright or subdued? Which one said friendship? He didn’t want to give her the wrong idea, but at the same time he wanted to be a good date. It was a delicate balance. This might be a date, but it wasn’t leading to a wedding—and he already knew that was on her mind.

  How had he ever agreed to a marriage pact? At least it wasn’t a legal contract.

  Audrey did intrigue him, though. If nothing else, they would have a nice time catching up.

  The day before, they’d spent more time talking about mutual friends than about their own lives. Aside from finding out she had been a foster kid, he really didn’t know anything about her. And she didn’t even know he was an attorney—and only had a summer to give to her. Then he’d return to his “wife,” the job that loved him as much as he loved it.

  “Can I help you?” The cheery masculine voice next to Logan surprised him.

  The really tall, dark-haired and big-nosed man holding half a dozen bouquets next to him startled him even more. “You work here?”

  “Since I was a kid and my parents opened the shop.” He held out a hand and balanced the flowers in the other. “I’m Platt.”

  “Logan.” They shook hands.

  “What are you looking for?”

  “A pretty bouquet for a friend.” Logan emphasized the word friend.

  Platt scrunched his nose and glanced around. “Any particular occasion?”

  What was this, twenty questions? It was a date, but not a date. How could he explain that to this stranger? “It’s kind of a welcome back to town bouquet.”

  “I have the perfect arrangement. Follow me.”

  Ten minutes later, Logan climbed into his car with a bouquet of white lilies with some pale yellow flowers he couldn’t remember the name of mixed with some baby’s breath. It was perfect—pretty but also screamed friends. It was something he might give to a client or maybe one of his sisters.

  He studied the flowers as he headed for Audrey’s building. After she buzzed him in, he took the elevator up.

  His pulse raced. What was he supposed to say when he handed the bouquet to her? It had been so long since he’d been on a date, he was sorely out of practice.

  It’s not a romantic date. It’s a lunch date. Just like with a client.

  A gorgeous client.

  He cleared his throat and rang the doorbell when he found her apartment number.

  Barking sounded from inside.

  A moment later, the door opened. Audrey greeted him wi
th a smile, but that wasn’t what caught Logan’s attention.

  It was the large dog with a Rottweiler face attached to a boxer body running toward him.

  Logan nearly dropped the flowers.

  Audrey spun around. “Sit!”

  The dog skidded to a stop and sat.

  “Sorry.” Audrey turned back to Logan. “Didn’t mean for Charlie to startle you.”

  “It’s no problem.” He eyed the dog and handed her the bouquet. “This is for you.”

  “Oh, that’s so sweet. Come on in, and I’ll put them in water. I think I have a vase.”

  Logan stepped inside the dimly lit apartment and bumped into Charlie’s wet nose with his hand. The dog sniffed him and immediately wagged his tail and licked Logan. And he licked him again. And again.

  He wiped his hand on his pants, but the dog just kept licking.

  Audrey’s eyes lit up. “Oh, he likes you.”

  “Does that surprise you?”

  “He’s usually nervous around guys.” She disappeared around the corner. “Give me just a sec.”

  “No problem.” Logan patted Charlie’s head, hoping to distract him from the licking. It didn’t work.

  He stepped away from the pooch, but the dog followed, licking Logan happily.

  Audrey set the flowers on a window sill. She wore a striped multi-colored dress that clung in all the right places and had her hair down again. After she finished arranging the flowers, she spun around and locked her gaze on his.

  He could get lost in those green eyes.

  No.

  Friends. They were friends. The flowers were friendship flowers. Nothing more.

  “Where are we going to eat?” she asked. “Is this dress okay?”

  “You’re perfect.” Logan’s stomach twisted into a knot. He cleared his throat. “I mean, we’re going to Roosevelt’s—unless you’d rather go somewhere else.”

  The corners of her mouth twitched. “No, that’s great. I remember eating there years ago. It was really good.”

  “The best in Enchantment Bay.” He glanced at Charlie. “Mind if I wash my hands before we leave?”

  “Sorry about him. He’s a licker. I’m not sure what to do about that.”

  “It beats the alternative. Nothing worse than a biter.” He headed toward the kitchen.

  Charlie followed him and licked his other hand.

  “Sit, Charlie!” Audrey called. “I’m so sorry!”

  “Don’t be.” Logan chuckled. He wasn’t used to pets, but the overly happy pooch was already growing on him.

  By the time they reached Roosevelt’s, it was already crowded. Luckily, he’d made reservations, knowing how popular the restaurant was. They were seated right away.

  “All the staff knows you,” Audrey said after the waiter left.

  “I come here a lot for work.” And he also often met his siblings here for meals, but he didn’t want to say that and have her feel bad since she didn’t have a family.

  After ordering, Logan sipped his wine and studied Audrey, who was looking around the restaurant. She seemed interested in one of their expensive paintings of a little girl with her mother in a field of flowers.

  Logan took in her features. She was truly breathtaking. He’d spent time with plenty of beautiful woman, but there was something different about Audrey. He couldn’t put his finger on what that was exactly, but he couldn’t deny how much he liked her above all the others.

  His gaze landed on her cheek. It was darker than the rest of her face, like a bruise. There was also a mark on her chin.

  How had he not noticed those before? He’d been distracted by the licking dog at her apartment and that side of her face had been looking away from him in the car. Now they sat by a picture window and the sunlight exposed everything.

  She turned to him, and her eyes widened slightly as she noticed him staring.

  “Are those bruises?” he asked.

  Her mouth gaped and her hand went straight to her cheek.

  Definitely a bruise. He’d seen that reaction plenty of times in his work as a lawyer.

  “What happened?” He kept his tone gentle, not wanting her to shut down about it.

  “I… uh… Um, excuse me.” She scrambled out of her seat and fled toward the bathroom.

  Logan twisted his napkin. He probably shouldn’t have said anything—he wasn’t her attorney. They were on a date.

  Even so, he was concerned. Given the marks, something serious had happened and he wanted to make sure everything was okay.

  A few minutes later, the waiter brought their appetizers, but Audrey still hadn’t returned.

  “Do you need a few minutes, Mr. Hunter?”

  Logan glanced toward the bathrooms. “Yes please, Emilio.”

  The waiter said something and left. Logan just continued to twist the cloth napkin and waited for Audrey to reappear.

  Seven

  Audrey stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her makeup had covered the bruises, and yet Logan had noticed them? After being with Bryson for so long, she’d nearly become a pro at covering up.

  Usually nobody noticed her long sleeves in the summer, and it had been a long time since anyone had seen anything underneath her makeup.

  A waitress came in and smiled. “Are you Audrey?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mr. Hunter asked me to check on you.”

  Her face warmed. “I’ll be right there.”

  Had she really been in there that long? She turned to the sink and washed her hands to buy a little more time. What was she supposed to say to Logan about the bruises?

  She was good at the excuses, but she didn’t want to lie to him. Not that she wanted to admit the truth, either.

  Audrey drew in a deep breath as she dried her hands. She released it slowly, then made her way back to the table.

  Why had Bryson needed to show up? Couldn’t he just let her go and find someone else to terrorize? That was a horrible thing to wish upon someone else. What he really needed was therapy. Or to be in jail so he couldn’t hurt anyone.

  She forced a smile as she took her seat across from Logan.

  Please forget about the bruises.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked. “What happened?”

  “There was a line in the bathroom.” That was at least true. There had been one girl waiting when she’d gotten there, and Audrey made two. That was a line.

  Logan reached across the table and put his hand on hers. “No, I mean the bruises.”

  His touch felt so good, but the question made her want to run away again.

  “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

  Audrey sat taller. “Charlie wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”

  Logan arched a brow.

  She slunk a little. “What I mean is, I’m fine.”

  “How did you get the bruises?” His tone and expression only held concern.

  Audrey looked at the crab cakes in the middle of the table.

  “Did someone do this to you?” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

  Her heart thundered in her chest. It was comforting that he cared, but it was also humiliating that she had let Bryson treat her like that.

  “Audrey?”

  She glanced up at him and met his amber eyes. A lump formed in her throat. She nodded.

  “Who did this to you?” His brows came together.

  Audrey nodded again. The lump doubled in size. Tears threatened. She should’ve stayed home. Or just moved on. Bryson couldn’t chase her forever.

  “Who?” Logan’s fingers tightened around her hand. “When?”

  Her lips trembled. If she spoke, tears would fall. They might, even if she didn’t talk.

  “Audrey, talk to me. Please.”

  She drew in a deep breath and pulled her gaze away from him. This was not the conversation she wanted to have on her first date with Logan. Or any date, ever.

  “Who hit you?”

  Audrey cleared her throat, trying to get rid o
f the lump. It didn’t work. “It was really more squeezing and pushing. No hitting. But he is an ex.” Her voice wavered.

  “When? You didn’t have the marks yesterday.”

  “It was after I saw you.” Her voice cracked. She looked back at the crab cakes. “Then I got Charlie. I’m not going to leave the apartment without him.”

  Logan’s hand tightened around hers again. “Has he done this before? The ex?”

  Tears blurred her vision. She nodded yet again.

  She really should have called off the date. This was turning into a disaster.

  “Did he follow you here from Spokane?” Logan’s voice was gruff.

  Audrey glanced up at him. “Yeah. I don’t know how. I was careful, but he found me anyway.”

  Logan’s expression tightened. “We need to do something about that. Press charges and file a restraining order, for starters. Have you done that much?”

  She shook her head. “He said he’d—”

  “Did he threaten you if you turned him in?” Logan’s brows knit together.

  Audrey felt about two inches tall. “Yeah.”

  His face contorted. “Typical. You’re sure he’s here in town?”

  She nodded.

  “Good.”

  “Good?”

  “It’ll make it easier to process everything.”

  Audrey pulled her hand away from his and leaned against her chair. “I don’t want to do any of that.”

  “You have to. You need to put a stop to him.”

  “A piece of paper isn’t going to stop him. It’ll only make him more furious.”

  “I can get the paperwork filled out and turned in before the afternoon is over.”

  She froze. “You can?”

  “I’m an attorney.”

  Audrey stared at him. Logan was a lawyer? How had she missed that? She’d managed to get his home address, but had overlooked that one major detail?

  He had to think she was pitiful. Abused and humiliated by an ex and living in a studio apartment. No family. There was no way Logan would want to have a relationship with her. In fact, he probably wouldn’t even want her as a friend—not with all the baggage she had. Being an acquaintance was probably too much for her to ask.

  Her vision blurred again. “I should go. This was a mistake.”