by Leanne Tyler
“Woo—oolf. Woo—oolf.”
She looked around for anything that might distract him so he’d forget about what had upset him. A stick. A ball. Then she saw the water hose. She hurried along the chain link fence until she came to the gate, letting herself inside the yard. Picking up the hose, she turned on the water and filled the dog’s bowl with fresh water.
Duke ran over to investigate what she was doing and lapped up some of the water.
“Good boy,” she said, rubbing his head again.
He barked a few more times before he whimpered and laid down at her feet, resting his head on her shoe. He looked sad and that made her heart ache for him. “It’ll be okay. You’ll see. Alex is on his way.”
In the distance, she spotted an elderly man in a cardigan sweater standing on the opposite side of the fence. Was he the infamous Mr. Brubaker that Keely had told her about? The one they suspected was the reason the white dog had been taken away? The same man who had threatened to call animal control on Duke for howling at night while Jama stayed here?
Her blood pumped fast and furious within her head and she was tempted to march across the yard and tell the man what she thought of his meddling, but Duke whimpered when she moved her foot and she looked down at him.
“Come on, move your head. I can’t take a step with you like that.”
The dog ignored her and her level of frustration increased. She didn’t want to jerk her foot out from under him, but he wasn’t leaving her much choice. Moving her foot back and forth she tried to coax him off it, but he wouldn’t budge an inch.
“Duke. I mean it. You have to move your head.”
The dog jumped up and ran over to the fence again at the sound of a vehicle pulling in the drive. Alex had made record time coming home and she hurried over to the fence to wait with the dog.
“Hi,” she called as he got out of the truck.
“How’s it going?”
“Not bad. I think your neighbor has been watching me.”
He nodded, planting his hands on his hips. A muscle at his jaw twitched. “He’d better keep his distance is all I can say for him.”
Duke barked and Alex ruffled his ears with his hands. “I know, boy. He’s a meddling old man.”
“Maybe he’s lonely?”
“I thought that at first after his wife died and I tried to be nice to him, but then it became obvious he didn’t want a friend. Anyway, I called the local shelter while I drove over.”
“Do they have the dog?”
“Yeah they do and we can go get her.”
“That’s good.”
“When I explained the situation of how she’d come to be in my backyard, they informed me that the report said the complaint came from Mr. Brubaker. He stated a stray had gotten into my yard and he feared for my dog’s safety. The thing that really gets me is that the man knew I had been taking care of the dog for the last few days. We’d even talked about it because I didn’t want him doing anything like this if he should see her here.”
“You had?”
“Yeah. She came back the other night and I was able to get close enough to her. She doesn’t have any tags. And the shelter is going to check to see if she has a chip that might tell us who she belongs to. If not, then I can adopt her if I want. Or maybe you’d be interested in her?”
“Me?”
“Sure. Why not?”
She shook her head. “I live in an apartment complex that doesn’t allow pets. I—I’ve never even owned one before.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Don’t get me wrong.” She cautioned shifting her weight from foot to foot. “I like dogs. And I especially like Duke since I’ve gotten to know him through Keely and now you. A—and while I think I’m missing out on a lot by not being able to have a dog, I—I’m just not sure a large breed would be the right fit for me.”
Alex slowly grinned. “No problem. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. Come on, let’s go to the shelter and bring her home.”
“Sure. I gave Duke more water.” She hurried to the gate and Duke followed her. Opening it, she slipped through and latched it closed behind her. “We’ll be back, boy.”
The dog flopped down and looked up at her with a woeful expression. She glanced over at Alex. “Should we take him with us?”
“No. My truck isn’t large enough inside for the four of us. And I wouldn’t feel right putting either of them in the truck bed to ride.”
She nodded and looked back at Duke. “Sorry. You can’t come with us. Maybe another time, okay?”
The dog sighed as if he’d been rejected and laid his head down. She hurried to her car to grab her purse. When she climbed into the truck she turned to Alex. “Doesn’t he break your heart?”
He laughed, shaking his head. “No. Why is it that females fall for his moping around? You automatically assume there is something wrong with him. He’s perfectly content, that’s just the way he is. Keely fussed over him when she first moved in, calling me because she thought there was something wrong. And I’d say that is what got Jama too, except the only person she knew to call was his vet. That’s just Duke.”
“Good thing she did too or she and Kyle wouldn’t be together today.”
He winked at her and started the truck then backed out. Once he was on the road he reached over to take her hand. “How have you been this week?”
“Busy with work and crossing things off Kimberly’s wedding to-do list. What about you?”
“The same. With work I mean. Thank God, I’m not at your sister’s beck and call.”
She chuckled. “I wish I’d not been so willing to help, but if this takes some of the stress off of her then I’m glad to do it.”
They reached the interstate and he released her hand so he could keep both on the steering wheel. He merged into heavy traffic and changed lanes a few times to take the route they needed. “You know I’ll have to come up with a name for the white dog. I can’t call her girl all the time.”
“True. Her name should fit her personality too. The way she was so skittish around people, but comfortable around Duke is a good example. Does she think of herself as above others or was it because we scared her?”
“So you’re saying she’s cautious?”
Sue nodded.
“What about Lady?”
She shook her head. “Lady makes me think of something dainty and she’s definitely not that. She’s strong and bold the way she came into your yard. She didn’t let Duke frighten her away.”
“Hmmm.” He scratched his chin and she watched him, wondering how he kept his permanent five o’clock shadow so trim. Did he have a special attachment for his razor? Or did he use the disposable kind?
“Queenie!” His pronouncement startled her from her thoughts and she jumped.
“Queenie. Queenie.” She said it over a few times. “I think that works.”
“Duke and Queenie. I like it.”
Alex grinned while taking the next exit off the interstate which would allow them the reach the animal shelter. Sue had been staring at him. He’d caught her doing it while he was driving. He’d missed her this week, but he’d also recalled what Keely had suggested about giving them some space. He’d done that, but it had been murder to go even a few days without talking or seeing her after spending time together last weekend. He was sure it was the newness of their relationship making him feel that way. Compounded by the fact he’d spent the last three years in Alaska where he knew so few people. Sure he’d made a few new friends and he’d went out a few times, but for the most part it had all been about work.
He pulled to a stop outside the shelter and cut the motor. He leaned toward her and opened the dash, pulling out a leash. “I keep an extra one in here in case I need it. You never know when Duke is going make a run for it or break the one he’s using. I’ve had both happen before.”
She nodded, smiling at him. He breathed in her soft perfume, finding it hard to take his eyes off of her. Shutting the comp
artment, he moved toward her and brushed his lips against hers for a quick kiss. She leaned into him and returned the kiss before he could pull away. When he did, she started to protest, but he placed a finger over her lips.
“That’s what gets us in trouble.”
“Then why’d you kiss me?”
“Because I couldn’t stand being with you another moment without doing it.”
She smiled. “We’re doomed. Aren’t we?”
“Not doomed. Tortured.”
She sat back. “I enjoy kissing you.”
“So do I. But once we start I don’t want to stop.”
“Neither do I.” She touched his face. “What are we going to do?”
He shrugged and reached to open his door. “Not kiss.”
Her blue eyes enlarged when he said that and he knew she didn’t agree. He didn’t like that solution either, but what else could they do?
He got out and waited for her by the door. “Have you ever been to a shelter before?”
“No.”
He took her hand. “Don’t think about how many homeless animals are in here. Brace yourself because you can’t take them all home with you. Nor can you change the world.”
She nodded and took a deep breath. “Okay.”
He opened the door and a cacophony of barking assaulted them.
Chapter Ten
Sue stood under the shower head letting the hot water wash over her and cried. Alex had warned her and she’d thought she was prepared to see the animals in cages at the shelter, but the number had been more that she anticipated. She had not expected to see so many puppies and kittens either. She had never been so glad to leave that place, but when they did Queenie was all theirs. Alex had insisted even though he was adopting the dog, it was as much hers as his if she wanted to share ownership since she couldn’t have a pet at her apartment and he had more than enough room at his place.
Now she was kicking herself for agreeing. What if they broke up? What if it was a bad one and neither wanted to lay eyes on the other again. Wouldn’t she feel she was abandoning the dog?
Hearing the phone ring, she turned off the water and wiped the water from her face before opening the shower door and stepping onto the bathmat. She reached for a dry towel and quickly wrapped it around her body before sprinting into her bedroom to grab the phone.
“Hello?”
“Oh good, you’re at home.” Her sister’s cheery voice made her cringe.
“I was in the shower. Did the phone ring long?”
“Not very. Listen, I just got off the phone with the caterer. She has the mint mold ready for me to see and a new cake flavor she wants me to try. I thought you might like to go with me and give your opinion.”
“Sure. What time?”
“In about an hour? And I thought if you didn’t have anything else planned for this afternoon we’d go to lunch and see a movie?”
She took a jagged breath, nodding. “That sounds like a great idea.”
“Something’s wrong. I can hear it in your voice. Is it Alex? Did you have a fight?”
“No. It isn’t Alex. We went to the animal shelter yesterday afternoon, and I can’t stop thinking about those poor animals needing homes.”
“Why would he take you there? I know Knoxville is pretty much an eating out kind of town. We’ve got more restaurants than anything other than churches, but surely he could have found a better date spot than the animal shelter.”
Sue laughed before she explained to her sister why they’d gone.
“Well, you’ve always had a soft spot for animals. I can see why you’ve reacted this way and sharing a pet with him is sweet. It means he expects you and him to be together for a very long time.”
“But what if we aren’t?”
“Sue, dear, stop with all the what ifs and just enjoy it. You like him. He likes you. End of discussion. I’ll be by to get you in forty-five minutes. Don’t make me park and come up to get you.”
“Okay. I’ll be ready.”
“You better be. Bye.”
Hanging up the phone, she hurried back into her bathroom to blow-dry her hair and get dressed. When she finished, she looked at the time and saw she had five minutes to spare. So she grabbed her purse, a lightweight jacket for the theater and her cellphone, giving Alex a call to check on Queenie as she headed downstairs to wait for Kimberly.
“Hey, I was just thinking about you,” he said when he answered.
“All good thoughts I hope.”
“Of course. I know we have lunch plans tomorrow, but would you want to go hiking with me, say next Saturday? We can go to the mountains and see the fall colors. It’s almost peak time and it’s beautiful up there.”
“Hiking? I don’t really hike.”
“No problem. I thought we’d go to Cades Cove and explore. It’s not like I’d take you on a major hike. You don’t even have to have hiking boots for what we’ll do.”
She thought about it for a second. “Okay. It sounds fun.”
“Then, it’s a date.”
“Yeah. How’s Queenie?”
“She’s okay. We had a rough time last night. She had been sleeping on the back porch with Duke since the middle of the week, but she wasn’t so sure about it after being taken away and put in a cage. I guess the closed space seemed too confining for her. But I finally got her settled down.”
“I’m sorry you had to deal with that alone.”
“No problem. I made myself a pallet and laid out there with them until she fell asleep, then I came inside. I’ll do it again tonight if I need to and keep doing it until she feels safe being here.”
“What about Mr. Brubaker?”
“I already had a talk with him. He was out while I was raking the back yard this morning. I told him the dog was now mine so no need to call animal control again. And if he had a problem with my dogs he should call me first.”
“I bet that went over well.”
“He did seem shocked that I’d adopt her. And he warned me that a stray female could come with hidden baggage. Just be prepared.”
“Baggage?”
“Puppies.”
“Oh. You don’t think she is, do you?”
“The vet at the shelter who checked for a chip implant and then inserted one with my info did not indicate he’d found anything like that. They did blood work to check for worms, heartworms, and gave her a rabies shot. You’d think if she was, they’d have seen signs of it. But to be on the safe side, I’ll make an appointment with Kyle for next week and take her in to make sure there is nothing wrong with her.”
“Okay. That sounds good. Maybe after we get back from Mrs. Wright’s tomorrow I can come over for a bit to see her before you bring me home?”
“Definitely.”
“Good. I look forward to it.” She saw her sister’s car come barreling into the apartment complex’s parking lot. “I need to go. Kimberly’s here and we are going to go see her caterer.”
“Have fun.”
“I’ll try. See you tomorrow.”
Alex arrived at Sue’s apartment complex the next day at precisely noon. He picked up the cellophane wrapped flowers he’d bought at the local grocery store’s floral department and hurried up the flight of stairs to her apartment. Knocking on the door, he took a few calming breaths not understanding why he felt so nervous. So they were going to Darren’s mother’s for lunch. It wasn’t like he was taking Sue to meet his mom. And Lillian Wright already knew Sue. Maybe it was the whole having a meal with a mother kind of thing. Or maybe it was because Keely would be there as well.
When the door opened, he smiled, taking in the pretty dress she wore and how the color of blue complimented her eyes. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. Are those for me?”
“Yes.” He handed her the bouquet.
“Come in while I put them in water. You really didn’t have to bring me flowers, but I’m glad you did. That was very thoughtful of you.”
He closed the
door and followed her into the kitchen. She laid the flowers on the counter before she opened up a cabinet and tried to stand on her tiptoes to reach a crystal vase on the top shelf.
“Let me get that for you.” He stepped forward and brushed up against her as she moved out of the way for him. The maneuver brought them nose to nose and neither moved for a moment. He breathed in her sweet perfume, staring into her eyes.
He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her, but they’d had a long discussion on the subject Friday night before she left his place. No kissing except for a good night kiss until they were certain it wouldn’t lead to anything more. Which at the time sounded like a good plan, but now…well it sounded ludicrous. How could they be certain of anything where kissing was concerned?
He looked away and reached for the vase, sitting it on the counter. When he turned back, she was still standing there, staring at him like a deer in the headlights.
“This isn’t going to work is it?”
She shook her head.
“I want to kiss you.”
“And I want to kiss you.”
“But we can’t.”
“No.”
He stared at her for a moment more, before stepping away. “I’ll wait for you outside.”
“I won’t be long.”
Sue turned on the faucet and filled the vase with water, clipped the stay fresh packet and sprinkled the powder into the water before arranging the flowers. She washed her hands and dried them before she reached into her bra and fished out the blood-red stone that had sprung forth from the gris-gris when Alex brushed against her. Lucinda had said it would do it and it had. If she’d ever had any doubts about the charm’s powers, this proved they were true. She went into the bathroom and tried to see how she could put the stone back inside the charm, but it wouldn’t open which meant there was no feasible way for the stone to have escaped if it didn’t open.
Not sure what to do with the stone, she put it in the small side pocket of the dress and planned to ask Keely about it when she saw her. She felt rattled as she joined Alex outside.
