by Debby Mayne
She shrugged. “Then I’ll just have to make one if and when that happens.”
“Make one?” He studied her face.
“Yes. I can sew. In fact, that’s one of the first businesses I started.”
“Sewing? You were a seamstress?”
She shook her head. “No, I took a tailoring class. Do you know William Evans?”
“Absolutely. He has Mooreville Tailoring.” Brice paused as he thought about the last job he brought to William. “He’s the best tailor I think I’ve ever had.”
Emily grinned. “I know. He was the best tailor I had working for me, so that’s why I offered him the business when I was ready to sell it.”
Brice chuckled. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Of course.” She cleared her throat. “But if it’s something I want to know how to do, I find a way to learn it.”
“You’re pretty special.”
“I don’t know about special, but I am curious and enjoy learning new things.”
This woman intrigued Brice. He’d never met anyone like her, and nothing would make him happier than getting to know her better.
When they arrived at the hardware store, she took a long look around. “You’ve changed things around.”
“I wanted to add a few items, and this seemed the most efficient way to do it.” He gestured toward the closest aisle. “This is where I have all the seasonal merchandise.”
“Most people have seasonal in the back of the store so customers will have to walk past other merchandise to get to it.”
“I tried that, but a lot of folks didn’t know it was here, so I moved it front and center. Sales went up significantly after I did this.”
“Where’s the pet section?”
He pointed to the back of the store. “Until I figure out a better place, I have it over there.”
Without waiting for him to take the lead, she took off toward the direction of the pet aisle. He had to walk fast to keep up with her.
“Wow. You weren’t kidding when you said you had everything I’d need to get started.” She took a long look around. “Who needs a pet store when they can come here and get anything they want.”
“Not everything.” The moment she looked at him, he felt that shifting sensation once again. He turned toward the pet food to keep from losing his focus. “We only have a few selections of food. Pet stores have every kind you can imagine. And I only have three sizes of water and food bowls.”
“Okay, I get the point.” She picked up the biggest bowl on the shelf. “I’ll obviously need this.” She paused and glanced around. “I’m thinking I might need a basket.”
“I’ll go get you one.”
As Brice headed toward the front of the store, he realized he should have grabbed a basket on the way in. But he was so mesmerized by Emily, everything but her was a blur.
By the time he returned, she had quite a load lined up on the floor. She gave him an embarrassed look. “I don’t know what chew toys he’ll prefer, so I’m getting these …” She gestured toward her pile of dog toys. “What do you think?”
“Well, based on my experience with what most people with big puppies buy, I’d probably stick to a couple of things, like this.” He reached over and picked up a big, squeaky hamburger. “And this.” With the other hand, he grabbed a bag of extra large rawhides.”
“That’s all?”
“I think so, at least in the beginning. Too many new toys might confuse him. If you give him one new toy at a time, along with the rawhide, he’ll be able to enjoy it more.”
“That’s what I hear parents say about their kids.” She walked around her large selection of dog toys before bending over and putting them back on the shelf. “What else do I need?”
“Don’t forget about the bed … unless you want him sleeping in bed with you.” He grinned at her.
“No, that’s okay. Where are the beds?”
He took her to the end of the aisle, where he had the pet beds stacked high. “I’ll have to get a ladder to get the biggest one off the top. I hope you’re okay with the red and blue plaid.”
“Plaid, huh?” She tapped her index finger on her chin. “That’ll be fine.”
“Wait right here.”
As Brice got the ladder, rolled it over to the dog bed shelf, and climbed to the top, he was aware of Emily carefully watching him. He had to take a few deep breaths and force himself to focus on his task, rather than let his feelings for her throw him off balance.
When he placed the bed at her feet, she looked down at it and then up at him. “So you’re saying this won’t work when he’s full grown? It looks pretty big to me.”
“It might still work, but he’s going to be quite a bit bigger than he is now.” He pushed the ladder away to give them more room on the aisle. “Are you starting to have second thoughts?”
“Absolutely not. I already love Hank.”
“I get it.” The image of Emily walking Hank flitted through his mind. “One look at those big, soulful eyes, and he has anyone wrapped around his …” Brice laughed at himself. “I started to say little finger, but he doesn’t have fingers.”
“Then I suppose I’m wrapped around his toe.” She joined him in laughter.
Brice saw something coming toward them out of the corner of his eye. “Watch out.”
Chapter 3
The second Emily looked up and saw Hank coming toward her with determination she took a step back and stumbled. Fortunately, Brice was right behind her to keep her from falling into the shelves.
Hank glanced down at the bed on the floor and appeared to try to stop, but he slid about a foot and wound up falling onto it. Emily bent over to make sure he was okay, but when he looked into her eyes as he lay on the bed, she saw that he was just fine. He even seemed happy if the look on his face was any indication.
“I think he likes his bed,” Emily said.
“I’m sure he likes it much better than the old army blanket he’s been sleeping on. He’ll think he hit the jackpot at your house.” Mr. Friedman had come in with Hank, but until now, his presence wasn’t even noticed. “Right, Hank?” He bent over and rubbed behind the dog’s ears, eliciting a sigh from the humongous puppy.
Emily saw that Hank already took up the majority of the bed. “You’re right about needing something large. If he grows much bigger, he’ll need a new bed.”
“Now we need to pick some food.” Brice gestured toward the selection. “We’re somewhat limited, but I’m sure something here will suffice until you get to the pet store.”
Mr. Friedman pointed to one of the bags of puppy food. “That’s what I’ve been feeding him, and he seems to like it.”
“I suppose I should get the biggest bag you have.”
The older man nodded. “You got that right. He’s a big eater, but that will decrease over time. I hope you’re getting the biggest bowl here.”
“She is.” Brice picked it up and stuck it in the basket. “I’ll give you a discount.”
“I’m not asking for—”
Mr. Friedman interrupted her. “You don’t have to ask. He gives all his important customers a discount. Just take it.”
One of the reasons Emily was so driven was her pride. In spite of the fact that her ancestors founded the town, her parents didn’t have much. People assumed they were well to do.
“I’ll even deliver everything to your house,” Brice said, snapping her out of her thoughts.
“That’s sweet of you, but I don’t want you going to all that trouble.” She cleared her throat. “I’m not really getting all that much, so I should be able to handle it.”
“I need to run a few errands anyway, so it’s no trouble.” The finality of the tone of his voice let her know he wasn’t open for arguing.
“Okay, thank you.”
Mr. Friedman handed her the leash he’d taken off Hank. “You’ll need to put this on him before you leave the store. Hank is a friendly dog, and if he sees someone he knows, h
e’ll take off after them.”
Brice nodded. “And he’s not kidding. I’ve chased that dog more times than I can count.”
“I suppose I need to enroll him in some obedience training.”
“Not a bad idea,” Brice agreed. “They offer several at the Pampered Pet.”
Mr. Friedman grinned and tilted his head toward her. “Having second thoughts yet? It’s not too late to change your mind.”
“No, not at all. In fact, it’ll be nice to have something besides work to do with my time.”
“I agree.” Mr. Friedman took a step back. “Don’t hesitate to call if you need me. I have my shop phone calls forwarded to my cell phone at night.”
“Thanks. I’ll stop by tomorrow and let you know how things go.”
After he left, Brice gathered everything, put it into the cart, and started toward the front of the store. Once they reached the checkout, he placed everything on the counter. “She gets the Valued Customer discount.”
The cashier nodded and began ringing everything up. It only took her a couple of minutes, and as she finished scanning each item, Brice placed it back in the basket. Emily just stood there watching and holding Hank’s leash.
Once everything was back in the cart and paid for, he gestured toward the door. “I can follow you home with all this.”
As difficult as it was for Emily to accept help, she nodded and headed toward her SUV. “C’mon, Hank. Let’s go home.”
He hopped right up onto the backseat and sat there like a little man. She couldn’t help but laugh at the comical expression on his face.
Every now and then, she glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Hank’s face as he looked out the side window. Never once did he try to get in the front seat with her. In fact, he was extremely well behaved, until they pulled up in front of the house she’d purchased last year, after making her biggest sale ever.
The instant she turned off the ignition, Hank started jumping around and letting out a few soft, “Woof,” sounds.
She laughed again as she got out and opened the back door. “I can tell life will never be dull with you in my life.”
He tilted his head and gave her a curious look as she took hold of the leash. He got out and kept pace with her all the way up to the front door.
By the time she had the door unlocked, Brice was on the porch with all of Hank’s new things. “Nice place you have here.” He put down the bag of food and gave the dog a pat on the head. “You’re a fortunate dog to live in such a great house with such a nice lady, Hank.”
“I’m the fortunate one.”
Brice straightened up and looked her in the eyes. “This is a nice house.”
“Thank you.” Emily had to fight the urge to explain how hard she’d worked to get it. Based on prior experiences with anyone she’d tried to explain her life to, it would be futile. People either didn’t believe her, or they acted like they thought someone had given her a break.
“You did this all on your own, didn’t you?”
Maybe he did understand. She nodded. “Pretty much.”
“I’m impressed. I don’t know many people our age who would have been able to accomplish what you have.”
“Look at you.”
He gave her a questioning look. “What do you mean by that?”
“You own a business, and you’re on the city council.”
He smiled. “Yes, I own a business, but it was already up and running when I bought it with the money I got from a corporate buyout of my contract. That was much easier than what you’ve done.”
“I’m not so sure.” She decided it was time to change the subject. “Come on in while I get Hank’s things set up.”
At first, he looked like he might accept her invitation, but he slowly shook his head. “I need to go back to the store and get it ready for the big sale we’re starting tomorrow.”
She didn’t know much about matters of the heart like she was facing now, but taking care of business was one thing she completely understood. “Maybe some other time then.”
“Yes,” he said with a smile. “I’ll take you up on that.”
After he left, she turned to Hank and smiled. He’d remained sitting on the floor beside her, watching the back and forth conversation as though he understood everything they said.
“Are you thirsty? Let’s get you some water.” She picked up the bowl, washed it out, filled it with water, and set it on the floor.
He walked over to it and started drinking … and drinking and drinking until the bowl was completely dry. So she picked it up and filled it again. Apparently, he’d had as much water as he wanted because he didn’t even bother walking over to the bowl.
Over the next few minutes, Emily arranged all the new dog items she’d purchased. She put some food in the bowl and placed it beside the water. He had a few nibbles and took a break to follow her around the house. When she placed the dog bed beside her own, he looked up at her with that soulful expression that had grabbed her heart when they first met.
“You are an interesting dog, Hank.”
He tilted his head and let out another, “Woof.”
“Want to go outside?”
His ears twitched as he glanced at the window. Apparently, he understood the meaning of the word outside.
“Good thing this house had a fence when I bought it,” she said as they walked toward the back door. “I never would have thought to put one up.”
She opened the door, but he just stood there looking at her. So she stepped outside, and he followed.
As Hank walked around the backyard and sniffed everything, including every bush and flower, she stood and watched. There was definitely something special about this dog, and she didn’t have an ounce of remorse about getting him.
He took his time getting familiar with the yard, so she continued standing there, thinking about everything that had transpired in such a short time. That morning when she left the house, she had no idea she’d come home with a dog she adored and have thoughts of a man who’d wormed his way into her mind and wouldn’t leave.
Hank turned around and met her gaze. “Woof.”
“I’m still right here,” she said with a chuckle.
After he finished checking out the yard, he joined her by the door. Before she had a chance to say another word, her phone rang.
It was Mr. Friedman. “How are you and Hank getting along?”
“So far, so good.”
“Just making sure. I want you and Hank to be happy.”
She looked at Hank who stood facing the door as if waiting for it to open so he could go inside. “I’m happy, and I’m pretty sure Hank is too. He’s staying close to me, everywhere I go.”
“That’s Hank for ya.” Mr. Friedman chuckled. “He was like that with my wife too. I reckon we can call him a lady’s man.”
“I’ll probably take him around with me most days.”
“Not a bad idea. He loves being out and about—such a social creature. And he knows most of the people downtown. He’s up to date on his shots, but you’ll need to take him in for some boosters in a few months. Stop by the shop sometime tomorrow, and I’ll give you the information and paperwork you’ll need.”
After she got off the phone, she brought Hank inside and watched him finish eating the bowl of food. He was so entertaining to watch she realized she hadn’t even thought about her favorite TV show or the book she’d been reading.
“Want to go for a walk?”
Once again, his ears twitched with understanding. He stood very still as she attached the leash to his collar, and then he led the way to the front door.
It was nearly dark out now, but the streetlights provided enough light to see where they were going. A couple of her neighbors were out walking their dogs. She tensed, as one of them got close. This was the first time she’d even thought about how Hank might be with other dogs.
To her relief, he walked up to the dog that was about a third his size and wagged his tail. Her ne
ighbor, on the other hand, looked terrified.
Chapter 4
Brice arrived at the store the next morning before the sun came up. He’d done most of the preparation for the sale last night, but there were still a few things that needed tending to before he unlocked the doors to the public.
He put some of the change in the cash drawer and the rest of it in the vault behind his office. When he came out, he spotted someone standing outside the door. He flipped the light switch and saw that it was Emily and Hank, so he opened the door.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.” Emily made a funny face as she gestured toward Hank. “He woke me up at the crack of dawn, so I took him for a walk. He led me here.”
Brice had to stifle a laugh. “You’re the one who should lead the dog. You definitely need to take him to obedience training.”
“I know.” She remained standing there as if she didn’t know what to do. He suspected that was a different kind of experience for her.
“Would y’all like to come in while I get the place ready? We’re having our first sale of the season starting today.”
“I don’t want to bother you.”
Too late for that. Merely the sight of her bothered him—in a good way. “You’re fine. I have some coffee brewing in the break room, but maybe you can give me a hand with something first.”
“Sure.” She followed him toward the garden center. “I need to unwrap the cord around these pallets so the garden people can pull things out as the floor stock gets picked over.”
Hank plopped down as if he knew he’d have to wait. Brice smiled. “Smart dog.”
“I’m starting to wonder if he might be too smart for me.”
“I don’t think so. You just need some time to figure him out, and if you take him to training, it won’t be long before he knows who’s in charge.”
She smiled. “What I’d like to start with is the first-thing-in-the-morning thing. I’m an early riser, but Hank has me beat.”
Brice tried to put on a sympathetic face. “I’m sure y’all will work that out over time.” He walked around to the other side of the pallet. “Would you mind giving me a hand with this rope?”
