Matching her stride, he fell into step with her. “Hey there.”
Her eyes flashed a genuine greeting. “Hi yourself.” “Successful day?” He gestured to the briefcase.
“Amazing. I sold much of what we had out and took special orders for dozens of others.” She shook her head in awe. “It’s just been great.”
“I know how to make it even better.”
She paused and turned toward him. “Oh, yeah?” A smile pulled at her lips.
After their serious conversation the night before, he’d deliberately kept things light between them and judging by her welcome now, his tactics were working. Instead of running scared, she was moving closer.
He wanted her closer still. “Did you ever make out at a drive-in movie?” he asked her.
Her lips pulled up in a smile. “Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure, why?”
“Tonight’s the annual slide show. It coincides with the sidewalk sale every year. They turn the football field into a makeshift amphitheater and recount town history. It’s not the most exciting thing to see but everyone shows up anyway. And I just happen to know a secluded place with the best view. Want to be my date?”
“You’re not working?”
“I’m officially off duty and all yours,” he said, leaning closer.
“I like the sound of that.”
Her voice dropped a husky octave and he liked that even more. But before he could concentrate on tonight, he had something he needed to discuss with Kendall. “I stopped by my mother’s this morning on the way to work.”
“All cleaned up from the party?”
He nodded. “Except the stack of gifts left over. I had no idea that everyone who showed up last night brought presents.” He felt ridiculous accepting gifts for his birthday and he wished he could return all of them.
All except one. He pulled the collar of his shirt down slightly to reveal the thin black piece Kendall and Hannah had made for him. He wasn’t a jewelry kind of guy, but this wasn’t a typical piece of jewelry. It was masculine and unobtrusive enough to make him comfortable wearing it. But most importantly, the necklace was a gift from the heart, Kendall’s heart.
“You like it?”
The hesitancy in her voice surprised him. When it came to her work, she was confident or so she’d seemed as he’d observed her from afar all afternoon. He hadn’t wanted to interrupt or cause her to lose a sale. The more successful she became in Yorkshire Falls, the better for him.
“I like it and you.” He stepped closer, bracketing her between him and the brick wall of the nearest building. His body reacted, something she obviously didn’t miss because a low moan escaped her throat, turning him on even more. “I need to thank you properly.” He treated her to a wicked grin. “After all, my mother raised me to be a gentleman.”
“She also raised you to take this sort of thing behind a closed door.” Raina’s distinctive voice and chuckle broke the seductive spell he’d begun to weave.
“Oh, God.” Kendall ducked beneath his arm. Dammit. He’d wanted Kendall excited and anticipating the evening to come, not distressed and mortified. “Hello, Mother,” he said through gritted teeth and stepped aside to let Kendall gather her composure.
“Hello, Rick.” Raina smiled. “Kendall.”
“I thought you were home resting,” Rick said.
“I was. Then Chase wanted to snap a few last-minute photos and I begged him to take me along for a quick trip to see the sale. I haven’t missed one yet and didn’t intend to this year either.”
“And now that you’ve seen and been seen?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll go home and rest up for this evening of course.”
Rick shot her a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding look. She was going out again this evening?
“There’s nothing unhealthy about sitting on a blanket with a doctor by my side.” Raina blushed but squared her shoulders as if daring him to argue that point. “Will you and Hannah be going to the show?” she asked Kendall, obviously turning attention away from herself.
It worked. Instead of his mother’s health, he focused in on Kendall. In his desire to be alone with her, Rick realized he’d forgotten about Hannah.
“Actually Hannah’s going to dinner and a movie with a friend.” Kendall stepped up beside Rick. “I don’t expect them back until around eleven and then they’re having a sleep-over,” Kendall said, obviously recovered from her embarrassment at being caught like two teenagers by his mother.
“Anyone I know?” Raina asked.
“Jeannie McKeever.”
Rick breathed a sigh of relief. Grace McKeever was known for having an open house for all her kids’ friends. With the girls sleeping there he’d have another night to let Kendall get used to having him around—in her life and hopefully in her heart.
“I’m having both girls sleep over in the guest house tonight. I’ve never had a sleep-over myself as a child so I thought I’d give Hannah the experience in a place that feels like home to her, you know?” Kendall asked of Raina.
“I most certainly do.” Raina touched Kendall’s cheek with her hand. “You’re such a sweet girl.”
He should have known better than to jump to conclusions about anything, especially when his love life was involved. He shook his head and laughed.
“Something funny?” his mother asked.
“Not a thing,” he said wryly. He’d just have to enjoy Kendall’s company before her duties as a parent resumed later on. Duties she’d obviously taken to with more ease than either of them had anticipated.
Though she and Hannah had rough patches, Kendall had an innate understanding of her sister’s needs. She had the ability to give the young girl a special life, if only she’d step back, realize and accept it. She’d make a great sister. She’d make an amazing mom. The thought stopped him cold, like a shot upside the head.
He glanced to his side where Kendall and Raina were in deep discussion about video rentals and the possibility of Kendall’s borrowing a VCR for the night in order to entertain the girls. From his mother’s wide smile, she approved of Kendall, of that Rick was certain. Although he’d never in his life let his mother’s input dictate his choice in a date or relationship, it eased his mind knowing that he’d made her happy and hadn’t added to her stress or weak heart. In fact, he made her happy. By choosing Kendall.
What unbelievable irony. He’d begun his relationship with Kendall to deter his mother and the women she’d encouraged in order to marry him off and get herself grandchildren. And he’d ended up wanting those very things for himself with the woman who he’d used to foil his mother’s plan. Now if only Kendall wanted those same things.
If only.
Kendall parked her car in the spot behind the guest house and walked to the front door. The day had been more fun than she’d had in a while. Successful too, she thought and smiled. As she unzipped her bag, a low whining sound reached her ears. She glanced around, but didn’t see anyone or anything. She shrugged and put her briefcase down so she could search her purse for her keys, which she’d stupidly tossed back in her bag so she could get her things out of the car.
The first thing she came up with was the real estate card given to her by Tina Roberts. The young woman had ordered an ID bracelet and then gone on to solicit business, asking Kendall what she planned to do with her aunt’s house and without waiting for a reply had offered to come by to give her an estimate should she decide to sell. She’d also boasted her many accomplishments and the reasons why she’d make the perfect listing broker. No hesitancy, no shame. No wonder she’d made Realtor of the Month, Kendall thought wryly.
But she couldn’t sell a house for above market value if it wasn’t worth the money and the broker’s card brought home an important point. Kendall hadn’t bothered to do any more work on the house in days. And she hadn’t given another thought to putting the place on the market.
The only thing she had decided was to put Pearl and Eldin in the guest house and make thei
r living there rent-free a condition of sale. She didn’t know who would accept such terms, but there was no way Kendall would displace the older couple completely. She just hoped they’d be happy in the smaller residence, but with Eldin’s bad back, maybe they’d be better off in a one-level place with less maintenance to deal with.
After her incredible day here, Kendall just wasn’t ready to deal with selling the house. Not when she’d just begun to let herself think about other possibilities in life besides running. Not when she’d just begun to play What If . . .
She had time. Kendall stuck the card back in her bag and continued to poke around until her fingers wrapped around her keys when the pitiful noise sounded again, closer now. Glancing down, she saw a dog. A sandy-colored, shaggy-looking dog staring up at her with deep, soulful eyes.
“Hi there,” Kendall said, approaching cautiously. When the dog’s tail began a metronomic wag with no menace in sight, Kendall bent down to pet her. Her coat was matted as if she hadn’t been cared for in ages but her demeanor was warm and friendly. She wasn’t afraid of Kendall and after a few minutes of head scratching, she rubbed against her legs and next thing Kendall knew she’d rolled onto her back for a belly rub, exposing her private parts for the world to see.
“Well, looks like I was wrong, Mr. Man. You’re a boy.” Kendall laughed. She felt beneath the matted fur on his neck. “No collar or ID. What am I going to do with you?”
She rose and he followed. She walked back to the front door and he tagged along. Twenty minutes later, after she’d given him a bowl of water, cleaned up the mess he’d made by the door because she hadn’t realized the single bark meant he had to do his business, and called Charlotte for the name of the local veterinarian, Kendall and dog were in Dr. Denis Sterling’s office.
“I didn’t know what to do with him,” Kendall explained as the doctor finished up his examination.
“Well, I’m glad you called. I never mind coming in for an abandoned pet.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
Dr. Sterling gave the dog a friendly pat on the head and Kendall an equally reassuring smile. Everything he did reinforced her initial impression of him as a kind man. He appeared to be in his late fifties, a good-looking man with blond hair, no gray, and a weathered face and gentle disposition.
“I didn’t want to page you but Charlotte promised you wouldn’t mind.”
“And she was right. Charlotte’s instincts are good ones.” His voice held warmth.
Charlotte had mentioned that the local vet had a crush on her mother, but Annie Bronson hadn’t returned his feelings. Instead she was working on repairing her broken marriage to Charlotte’s father. Dr. Sterling seemed no worse for the rejection though.
“Here’s what I can figure about your friend here,” the doctor said. “He looks like a soft-coated Wheaton terrier. You can tell by the beige- or wheat-colored coat and the terrier face. From his weight, I’d say he’s full grown, about two or three years old, tops. And from his exuberance around strangers, I’d say he hasn’t been abused.”
“Thank God.” Kendall released the breath she hadn’t been aware of holding.
Dr. Sterling nodded. “The wagging tail’s one clue. Wheatons stay puppies forever personality-wise, so this happy-go-lucky disposition won’t be disappearing anytime soon.” He placed the dog down on the table, forcibly rolling him onto his back. “See how he’s letting me pet his stomach and examine him? He isn’t afraid of this nondominant position. He’s a good, friendly dog. No worries there. You can feel comfortable having him in your home.”
“But . . .”
“I don’t have any reports of a missing dog and after you called me with a description, I made some inquiries to some friends and shelters in other towns nearby. No luck there either. But they all took the information and said they’d call if they hear anything.”
“Dr. Sterling, I’m . . . ” Not a permanent resident. She paused, the words not coming as easily as they would have a short time ago.
“Yes?”
“I’m not sure I can keep him. What about a shelter?” Even as she asked, the idea didn’t sit well. He was too cute and lovable to send away. But what would she do with him when she left? If she left . . .
“A shelter’s only an option if you want to risk having him put down. The Harrington Shelter is full to bursting in capacity. They’ll take him but the little dogs get taken home first. It’s a risk putting him there.”
As if he understood, the dog whined and began more furious tail wagging. Begging to be taken home, Kendall thought. With her. After hearing the doctor’s description, there was no choice. “Okay, no shelter.”
“I could ask around and see who wants a dog, but with you being engaged to Rick and all, I can’t see the problem. Rick’s a dog lover. When he was a boy, he’d bring home all sorts of strays. Drove his mother crazy.”
So Rick was rescuing even back then. “I wonder how many of the animals he saved were females,” she asked wryly.
Dr. Sterling laughed. “It takes a strong woman to handle one of those Chandler boys. You and Rick will be just fine.”
She realized then she hadn’t told Dr. Sterling they weren’t engaged nor had she corrected his assumption that she’d be around to handle Rick Chandler. Not because he wouldn’t listen like most people in this town but because the thought of taking care of Rick, of being the woman to handle him, held a great deal of appeal. More than she’d admitted to herself until now.
“Of course I’ll post some signs in case someone’s missing this fellow,” Dr. Sterling said, unaware of her inner turmoil. “In the meantime, he’ll need a bath and tomorrow when my assistant’s in we can update his shots to be safe.” Assuming she’d keep him.
And she would, Kendall thought, making a spur-ofthe-moment decision. Of course she’d have to make it clear to Hannah that if his owner reclaimed him they’d have no choice but to give him back. But if not, she had herself a dog. A responsibility and a commitment unlike any she’d undertaken before.
She eyed Dr. Sterling warily. “I don’t know anything about having a pet. And I don’t have dog shampoo or food or . . . ”
“Relax. Like infants, dogs don’t come with instruction manuals but just like babies, they let you know when they’re unhappy. They like to be cleaned, fed, and loved. I’m certain you can handle that. Plus you have me at your disposal. Rick too.” He gave her a reassuring smile, not realizing he’d hit at her weakest spot.
How could she trust anyone to be there for her? She’d never trusted anyone, never relied on anyone except herself. Oh, there was Brian, but because he’d needed something in return, she’d been guaranteed his cooperation. As for Rick . . . they’d passed the point of a bargain and Kendall felt as if she were free-falling without a net.
“Now for the specifics,” the doctor continued. “Any mild people shampoo will do just fine on him and I have a bag of food for you to get started. Wait here,” he said before disappearing out the examining-room door.
“What am I going to do with you?” she murmured to the dog who merely wagged his tail happily. Half an hour ago he was wandering the streets and now he looked at Kendall, trusting her to take care of him. Apparently they were taking that leap of faith together.
His tail swished back and forth. Happy. It seemed to be his permanent disposition. “Okay, Happy. I think you’ve named yourself.” She pet his head again, he licked her free hand and Kendall fell a little bit in love. Another jump into that new train of thought.
“Here’s a book. Seven Days to Successful Dog Training.” Dr. Sterling walked back into the room, dog food under one arm, book in hand. “I have a feeling you’ll be needing it.”
She laughed since the first thing she’d told the doctor was about his accident in the entryway. He’d told her to bring in a sample so they could check for disease. She shuddered at the unpleasant memory and had a hunch there’d be more incidents like it before she and Happy were through. “Thanks
, Doctor.”
“Denis, please. And you’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow. Call at nine to make an appointment. At least your aunt’s house has a big yard for him to run in. Rick can play catch with him. Wheatons need daily exercise.”
“No apartments?” she asked, thinking of her normal lifestyle when she wasn’t in Yorkshire Falls. A lifestyle that was beginning to seem more lonely and confined than she’d ever imagined. Yet how could having a huge stretch of highway and endless possibilities ahead seem lonely? The answer lay in this town, its people, and in her relationship with Rick. Whether she had the ability to trust in it all was something else altogether.
“An apartment is doable just not preferable. I always urge people to ask themselves what’s fair to the dog. This guy’s thirty-five pounds but he’s underweight. He’ll gain when you take good care of him and he’s an outdoor-type dog. He needs his space.”
Just like Kendall did. Or thought she did. Confusion swirled inside her. Her business had taken a huge step forward, her sister had made friends, and she’d inherited a dog.
“Will I see you at the slide show tonight?” Dr. Sterling asked.
“I’ll be there.”
“Good. Any questions that arise, you can ask me there.” He grinned and opened a drawer, pulling out a collar and a leash. “You’ll be needing these too. Once you pick up your own things, you can return them. No rush.”
Kendall nodded, dazed. In one short day, she’d further cemented herself into the fabric of this small town. She didn’t know if she was ready for Yorkshire Falls any more than Yorkshire Falls was ready for her.
Rick picked Kendall up at eight-thirty, knocking on her door as usual. An effusive barking greeted him from the other side of the door. If the sound of a dog wasn’t enough of a surprise, seeing Kendall swing the door open, her hand wrapped around the leash of a hairy pooch shocked him even more.
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