Entangled (Free Indeed Book 1)

by Jenesse Bates

  She had hoped to one day find a man as wonderful as those she read about in her books. A tall, dark, and handsome man who would swoop in and rescue her from the bondage of her lifestyle. Instead, she got Paul. The Uber-Douche. The really awesome part about it all though, was that in the end she didn’t even need a man to save her, she had saved herself and had gotten out of there. Feminism at its finest. Take that father, she thought, knowing he would hate the woman she was becoming now.

  Allie placed the borrowed book in her purse and then went back to work at the front counter. Today she was organizing receipts and entering the expenses and donations into the spreadsheet for the month. Rayne had walked her through how it was done and sat with her until she was confident that Allie knew what she was doing. It definitely wasn’t hard work, it just took some getting used to. Especially using the computer. At Free Indeed, computers were so rarely used because of all the evil that was out there, so most of their data and finances was all done on paper. This was so much easier.

  Allie heard the front door chime, indicating someone had just walked in, and looked up with a smile on her face ready to greet their visitor. And her smile froze. Not him again. It was Jason, her knight in plaid fabric walking towards her with...a tiny bundle of fur in his arms.

  “Well hi there.” Jason’s eyes lit up as he realized it was Allie sitting at the desk in front of him. A smile quickly spread across his face, emphasizing the twin dimples, one in each cheek. Actually, they were really cute dimples now that she noticed them.

  Wait, what was she doing? Bad Allie.

  Instead of getting suckered in by his twinkling eyes and downright sexy grin, she sighed, “Hello again. How can I help you today?”

  “Well, for starters, how about telling me your name, Little Bit?” He leaned slightly over the counter while clutching what looked like a little puppy, no more than a foot long, close to his chest.

  Deliberately ignoring him, she focused instead on the filthy puppy in front of her that was snuggling up into the red, flannel shirt that he was wearing, “Oh, you poor thing!” Allie reached out to pet the tiny, little head covered in mud.

  The puppy was very young. She couldn’t have been more than eight weeks old. Only barely the size of a football, she cuddled right into Jason’s arms as she nuzzled her head into his chest. For the most part, yellow short haired fur covered her body, but there were some white spots on her mouth, neck, and belly. And it was all complete with a black tipped tail, just the very end. The little puppy turned her head to look over at Allie as she gave her head a scratch. She was so adorable, even in her filthy mud-covered state. Oh well, hands could be washed, but that little thing needed some lovin’. “Is she yours? Or did you find her somewhere?” Allie finally looked up and made eye contact with the gorgeous eyes that she was trying so hard not to look at. Only to find Jason’s deep, blue eyes were still staring at her very inquisitively.

  “I found her limping down the interstate. Looks like one of her paws may be sprained, at least I’m hoping it’s just a sprain and not broken.”

  “What, do you just troll along the interstate, looking for damsels in distress to save?” Allie couldn’t help the snarky response from coming out of her lips.

  “What can I say,” he shrugged with a mischievous glint in his eye, “I guess I’m a sucker for a stranded little lady with blonde hair and beautiful eyes.”

  Allie looked into two gazes giving her the puppy dog eyes...one brown eyed with a floppy tongue hanging out, and the other the most beautiful oceanic blue that she could just gaze into forever. Shaking her head, she broke his hypnotic gaze and muttered, “Um, I’ll go get Dory. Be right back.” And then she fled to the back area before she did something stupid like jump in his sexy arms.

  His little bit flew out of there faster than Deputy Dumbass, who only got the job because he was the mayor’s son, handing out speeding tickets at the overpass. Jason hadn’t expected to see her at the shelter of all places, but he had to admit, now he was happier than ever that he found the little pup limping down the road. If it meant seeing her again and forcing her to have to talk to him, then he was all for it.

  After a minute or so, Allie came back out to the front with Dory in tow. The older woman instantly took charge and gingerly lifted the little bugger from his arms. Being careful not to jostle the injured leg, she cradled the furball and then looked back over at him, “Just a drop off today? Or do you want to come back while I check the little lady out?”

  “I’d like to come back and make sure she’s ok, if that’s all right?” Heck yes, he'd like to stay. Dory nodded and then turned to head back into one of the examination rooms with Jason and Allie following behind. Making sure the pup was ok, was all well and good. But getting even a few extra minutes with his little, disgruntled hitchhiker was a bonus he couldn’t refuse.

  He stood to the side to let Little Bit walk through the doorway first. He definitely didn’t mind her going first. Actually, he enjoyed getting the chance to check her out while she was in front of him. She had such a natural grace and elegance about her, even in the way she moved. It just exuded a sense of classiness. And not in a snotty better-than-you type way either, it was just a subtleness that seemed to fit her. Now that she was out of those absolutely hideous clothes she had been wearing and in a pair of jeans, he found he didn’t want to take his eyes off of her or her perfectly curved backside.

  Dory turned to his hitchhiker and stated, “Allie, would you hold her head still so she doesn’t move while I examine her?”

  “Of course,” she replied as she got into position next to the dog’s head. Huh, so his little bit’s name was Allie. One of the great mysteries of the universe, finally answered. It was about time he finally found out. Jason watched her as she got close to the puppy’s face and made silly faces at it, all the while talking in soothing, calm tones. The name fit her. Pretty, sweet, and simple.

  The puppy responded to Allie’s comfort by giving her a lick across the nose, and he watched as Allie laughed out loud. He couldn’t help but smile. Something about this woman’s happiness was just infectious. The dog licked her again on the mouth this time, and Allie giggled, “Well aren’t you just a friendly pup.” She reached over to scratch behind the puppy’s ears, which the pup didn’t seem to like nearly as much as kisses because she just turned her little head to Allie’s hand and started licking it from wrist to fingertip. “Aww, she’s such a little sweetie!” Allie exclaimed.

  “Yeah, she sure is,” Jason agreed, “she just cuddled in my lap the whole drive over here. It’s a shame she was just abandoned out there. She’s definitely people friendly. I didn’t think she’d have too much trouble finding a good home.”

  A quick look passed across Allie’s face so fast he almost missed it, it seemed like a cross between sadness with maybe just a little bit of hope. She turned her attention back to the little puppy and her seemingly never ending supply of kisses. Jason watched her interact with the dog for a moment, before he finally put his finger on what that look meant. “Why don’t you take her?”

  Allie’s head jerked up to look at him with wide eyes, “Oh no, I couldn’t!”

  “Why not?” he inquired, “You have an apartment, a job, and you obviously are attached to her...everyone should have a dog.” Jason summarized very simply. He watched as a little sparkle of hope started to glimmer in her eyes, and he smiled.

  Allie’s gaze darted between him and Dory who just smiled back at her. “But, I don’t even know if I’m allowed to have pets at the apartment. I wouldn’t want to make any trouble just moving in and all.”

  “Do you want the puppy, Allie?” Jason narrowed down the question.

  Allie looked down at the adorable, little face in front of her and the dog’s tiny wisp of a tail slowly started to thump against the table beneath it. A smile slowly spread across her face, and she whispered so softly he almost couldn’t hear her, “Oh yes.”

  That was all he needed to hear. If his little bit
wanted the bundle of cuteness in front of her, well she was darn well going to get it. If for no other reason than to just keep that smile on her face. Jason slid his cell phone out of his pocket and flicked through his contacts until he found the one he wanted. After initiating the call, he held it up to his ear. Allie turned a questioning look in his direction, but he just winked.

  “Hi Annie,” he greeted when the phone connected, “I found a poor, helpless, starving, abandoned, little puppy out on the interstate and brought him by the shelter to be checked out. Allie took one look and fell in love with the helpless thing on the spot. Are you ok if she keeps her?” Allie’s eyes widened, and her jaw dropped open.

  “Of course, darlin’!” Annie’s instant response came through the phone loud enough that even Allie could hear it, “If she wants a puppy, you tell her that she is more than welcome to have one.”

  “Thanks Annie, you’re the best.” Jason hung up the phone and returned it to his pocket. “There.” he turned his full attention back to Allie, “That’s taken care of, so it just comes down to do you want her.”

  Then two things happened. First, her beautiful smile got even bigger and even more beautiful so much so it seemed like a burst of sunshine filled the room. And second, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a big hug as she cried, “Thank you!”

  He was so surprised that all he could do for a moment was hug her back. His arms threaded their way around her waist and held her tight to his chest. It slowly dawned on him that his little bit was full of curves and softness in all of the right places, which caused him to hug her even tighter trying to prolong it as long as possible.

  Allie finally pulled away, her cheeks turning red with embarrassment. Go figure, she even looked cute when she blushed. She dropped her hands to her sides and turned back to face Dory, “Um, if that’s ok with you, Dory?”

  Dory just laughed as she nodded her consent, “Of course it is. I’ve seen how you are with the animals around here, and I know you’ll give this little girl a good home.”

  Allie beamed. She was so happy, and it seemed to light up the entire room. “What are you going to call her?” Jason asked.

  She pursed her lips as she considered his question for a moment. Finally, her eyes lit up, “Well, since she’s a little kiss monster and obviously loves kisses more than anything, I’m going to call her Shuggy Von Shuggs.”

  Jason burst out laughing followed quickly by Dory. What the hell kind of name was that? It was quite possibly the dumbest and cutest name all rolled up into one, and somehow it fit Allie and the little pup perfectly.

  Allie turned back to her brand-new puppy and nuzzled its face with her nose, “How do you like your name, little Shuggy?” Little Shuggs replied by giving a quick yip of delight, and then proceeded to cover her new mistress’s face in kisses. Looks like the little lady wanted to prove she was worthy of that name. Allie laughingly turned her head to the side to try and avoid the onslaught of kisses. But not to be deterred, Shuggy then started licking and nibbling on Allie’s ear instead. “She’s nibbling on my ears!” Allie laughed, “That feels so weird!”

  Dory chuckled as she finished up wrapping the leg. When that was complete, she turned to Allie and Jason, “It was just a mild sprain, so I’ve got the leg braced for now. If you want to go ahead and give her a bath to get her cleaned up, I’ll finish wrapping it when you’re done. When you take her home, just make sure the brace stays on and that she gets a lot of rest. For your work days, you’re more than welcome to bring her in with you for the day. That way I’ll be able to check her status and make sure she’s healing ok. If she gets worse or starts to swell, we may have to put her on anti-inflammatory meds, but we’ll see when if it gets to that point.”

  “Thank you so much!” Allie exclaimed as she gingerly cuddled up Shuggs in her arms and turned to give the pup a bath. Just before she walked through the door, she turned and looked back at Jason, “Thank you. For bringing her in, I mean.”

  “My pleasure,” he simply replied. She gave him one last smile and then walked away.

  Jason watched her leave the room, staring even after she was gone until a snort from Dory jerked his attention back to reality. At the seemingly knowing look on her face, he just shrugged and said, “What?”

  “Mmhmm,” she raised an eyebrow in his direction as she scrubbed her hands.

  Jason just grunted back. Whatever, so what if Dory thought he liked Allie. He did like her. He actually liked her a lot. And if she could possibly be interested in him back, well then, he’d quite happily announce it so the whole world knew.

  Chapter 8

  “Allie, are you coming tonight, or what?” Rayne’s question came from across the room where they were busy cleaning out the animal cages.

  “Umm, I haven’t really decided yet honestly.” Allie replied.

  “Seriously, you’ll be missing out if you don’t come. And it’s no pressure. It’s just some girls getting together at Garb & Gab to do the gabbing part while we enjoy some wine and watch tv at the store. Have you seen her set up there?”

  “No, I don’t think so. I mean, I saw a room set off to the side when I was clothes shopping, but I didn’t go inside.”

  “It’s so awesome.” Rayne practically gushed, “We get together after the store is closed and locked, and set up in the gabbing room. She’s got this huge tv set up on the wall, with couches, loungers, and chairs to relax on. Then we just sit back, relax, have some wine, and watch as the latest contestant painstakingly debates over thirty eligible bachelors, until she narrows down which one she wants to marry. And we gab—the whole time—lots of gabbing. It’s so much fun!”

  Allie laughed, it really did sound like a lot of fun. She had never been allowed to even watch tv growing up, not to mention even look at wine. Plus, she really liked Stacy and Rayne, and it would be fun to spend more girl time with them.

  “If you’re worried about Shuggy, you know Dory will let you crate her up here while you go. And then you can use your key to come get her when you’re ready to go home.” Stacy continued trying to address any roadblock Allie may have, “That way Shuggy can get some gab time in with the other animals too.”

  Hearing her name, Shuggs suddenly dashed into the room and across the floor, stopping only for a brief second to give Rayne a quick kiss on the leg before turning and running back to where she was playing with a brown and black pug named Jayne, “I got drive-by-Shugg’d!” Rayne and Allie both laughed. Shuggy was such a little kiss monster; it was as if it were her favorite pastime. She frequently did this thing where she dashed into a room to make an appearance just to lick a foot, leg, arm, or whatever she had access to, and then she would run off to continue whatever she had been previously doing. They called it getting drive-by-Shugg’d because it all happened so fast. It never ceased to amuse them. It was like Shuggy just wanted to let them know she was there, and that she loved them for being her family.

  “I’d love to go,” Allie finally decided to just go for it.

  “Great! We can leave straight from work and walk over there together.”

  “Sounds good.” This was going to be a fun night, she just knew it. And apparently this favorite show of theirs was on once a week right now, so they’d be having gab-togethers on a weekly basis as well.

  “Ack! I got drive-by-Shugg’d!” Dory’s shriek was suddenly heard from the other room. Both girls looked and each other and laughed.

  Allie and Rayne made their way over to Garb & Gab. They had finished all their work for the day and had left Shuggy crated up next to her friends. It was a nice night out for a walk, still relatively cool even with summer approaching.

  They arrived at the storefront and Rayne tapped on the locked door. Stacy must have seen them coming because the door opened within seconds. “Hi guys,” she grinned, “so glad you made it. Showtime is in about ten minutes, so go ahead and make your way back, and help yourself to some wine and snacks.”

  “Thanks Stace.�
�� Rayne replied while Allie smiled over at her. They both walked to the back of the store and through the curtained doorway to a media room. Allie’s jaw dropped open as she took in the seventy plus inch tv mounted on the wall in front of them.

  “Oh my gosh! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tv that big.”

  Stacy just laughed, “Guys have their football and basketball, but us girls need our tv time too. Now let me introduce you around.” She led Allie around the seating area and introduced her to the seven other woman that came. Allie nodded and smiled. There were too many names to remember for right now, but she’d get it by the end of the show’s season.

  Finally, they made their way to one of the couches just in time for their show to start. Not ever having seen a reality tv show before, Allie really didn’t have anything to compare it to, but after watching the single woman meet, flirt, and date thirty really fantastic looking guys...she had to admit, she was quickly becoming hooked.

  “So Allie, do you have a special man in your life?” One of the women, Hana, asked her during the commercial break as she topped off her wineglass.

  “No. No, I’m really not looking to be in a relationship right now.” Allie replied honestly, “I’m more trying to find who I really am right now, instead of trying to find someone else.”

  “But…” Rayne drew out the word as she elbowed Allie with a lighthearted wink, “Allie has totally gained the attention of none other than our very own Jason Connors!”

  At that news, the room totally erupted. Between the squealing and the fanning of faces, Allie quickly realized that Jason was a very hot commodity with the women in this town.

  “Oh my gosh!” Cynthia exclaimed, she was one of the swooning fanners, “You’ve actually caught Jason Connors attention! Serenity’s number one bachelor and sexiest man alive! You are like my best friend right now!”

  “Her car broke down on the interstate and Jason gave her a lift into town,” Rayne interjected, happy to share the gossip with the ladies.