“Maybe a little bit of both?”
“Probably.”
He put food on the table and sat next to me. I scooped up a bite, and the buttery goodness of perfectly cooked scrambled eggs made my tongue very happy. “This is delicious,” I told him.
“Thank you.”
We were mostly quiet while we ate, except for a bit of good-natured teasing. I began to believe everything was fine. Maybe my fear had gotten the best of me, and I’d imagined things that were never there. By the time we finished the meal, I was relaxed and feeling good about being with this amazing man.
“I’d like to talk, if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure.” And my relaxed got up and ran out the door.
He shifted in his seat, looking around as if gathering information, or strength. I swallowed so hard it hurt my throat.
“I’ve moved a lot over the past few years. Most people aren’t as accepting of me and my rescue as they are here in Ugly Creek.”
“This is a very accepting place.”
He nodded while swiping his thumb and forefinger over his eyes. “I was freaking amazed at what happened yesterday.”
I touched his arm. “A lot of people care about you.”
He looked at me as he smiled. “And I plan to thank God every single day for that.” He looked away again, and his frown returned. “As I was saying, most places aren’t so accepting. You’re right about my loving this town, especially now that I see how great the people really are and how many friends I have here.” He took a hard, deep breath. “For a while there I was sure I’d have to leave. I was convinced I would have to keep moving and maybe never find a place where I really belong.”
He looked at me then with those beautiful green eyes.
“I couldn’t ask another person to make that sacrifice with me. Even if I love her more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my whole life.”
Stunned into silence, I could do nothing but stare into those gorgeous eyes. My cell sounded a message alert, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was the man in front of me.
Ace’s phone chirped from across the room but he too ignored the sound. Then mine sounded again, and I pulled the damn cell out of my pocket so I could throw it out the window. When it sounded again I automatically swiped my finger across the screen. Then I saw the text and my breath sucked in. It was from Terri. “Home. Nine-one-one.” I moved it so Ace could see, just as his phone sounded again.
“Let’s go.”
He started to stand up, but I grabbed his arm. “I love you too.”
There was a second of connection between us before my cell sounded again. Then we ran.
****
When we arrived at the house, Miz Carlisle stood on my porch, screaming. Vanetti stood near her with a rope in his hand.
As soon as the Xterra stopped, we bailed out on either side. Ace was right beside me as I rushed up the steps.
“What the hell is going on?”
Our neighbor glared hard at me. “That mangy mutt of your cousin’s attacked my sweet Bumpkins. He’s at the veterinarian’s right now.”
I glared right back. “Trixie didn’t hurt him.”
“How would you know? You weren’t even here.” Her glare jumped from me to Ace and back.
“I know Trixie,” I told her.
“I agree,” Ace said. “Trixie wouldn’t attack a smaller animal.”
My cell sounded and I pulled it out of my pocket. The text was from Terri. “A bobcat attacked Bumpkins. Trixie saved the cat’s life.”
I showed the text to Ace, and he nodded. “Makes sense.”
The sound of a car stopping had me looking over my shoulder.
Ken Bennett slid out of his cruiser and came toward us. I was relieved to see a friend, but seeing him reminded me of Lily with another man. I so wanted to punch that idiot woman.
“I’m glad you’re here, officer,” Vanetti said. “There is a vicious dog in that house, and I mean to take it to the pound.”
Ken raised an eyebrow. “When was it you became dog catcher?”
“It’s my understanding that private citizens are allowed to do their part to help police our wonderful little town.”
Ken shook his head. “If this animal is as dangerous as you’re claiming, a professional should handle the capture and containment. If I stood back and allowed you to do this I would be remiss in my duties.”
Vanetti’s face went red. “I have assisted my cousins many times when they grabbed dangerous dogs. I can handle this as well as anybody.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I can’t allow you to do something that might cause you harm.”
Miz Carlisle took a step toward Ken. “How about my Bumpkins? Nobody protected him from that horrible animal!”
Ken took his notebook out of his pocket. “Did you see this attack, ma’am?”
“Yes.”
“No!” Terri shouted from inside the house.
Miz Carlisle’s nostrils flared. “What else could have hurt my baby?”
“We live next to woods,” Ace pointed out. “There are a lot of animals out there capable of hurting a housecat.”
“You’re telling me some kind of wild animal came out of the woods, when the most likely culprit is that mangy beast holed up in your house?”
“Trixie didn’t hurt your cat,” I told her, knowing I was wasting my breath.
Ken pulled his phone from a pocket, frowning when he looked at it. “I have to take this,” he said as he took a few steps away from the porch.
“That beast has been after my sweet baby ever since you moved into Ruth’s house. Believe me, she will hear all about this when she gets back.”
Ken, his face drained of almost all its color, returned. “Look, there’s nothing I can do until I get the report from the vet.” He pointed at Vanetti. “You go home. Miz Carlisle, you too.”
“That dog hurt my baby.”
“There is nothing I can do until we get the medical report.”
“I can take that mutt to the pound where it can’t hurt anybody.”
“Go home, Vanetti. I don’t have time to deal with you right now.” He looked at us. “Keep the dog in the house until this is straightened out.”
“We will,” I said.
“You’d better.” Vanetti puffed like a steam engine trying to climb K2.
Ken spun around. “Go home, Vanetti. You need to stay the hell out of things that don’t concern you.”
The man opened his mouth, but when Ken stepped toward him, he turned and stomped toward his house.
Miz Carlisle gave me an eat-dirt-and-die glare, then headed home.
“Keep Trixie inside and try to hold things together.” He lowered his voice. “Lily’s in FBI custody. I have to go.” He rushed to his cruiser then pulled out and tore down the road.
Ace’s hand settled on my shoulder.
“It’s not your fault.”
Maybe not, but it sure as hell felt like it was.
Chapter 22
“Trixie would never hurt another animal. How can anybody even think that?” Terri pranced around the living room like an over-stimulated puppy, and she’d been doing it for a good hour. Who needs television?
“We know. Ken knows. Everybody knows except Crazy Woman and Hateful Man.” I was wasting my breath, but I really should try to calm her down. Right?
Ace laughed quietly. “Crazy Woman and Hateful Man. Sounds like a superhero cartoon.”
“Most people don’t know Trixie. They don’t what a good dog she is.” Terri looked at me. “You need to walk her so people can meet her. It’s not like I can do it myself. Well I can, but some idiot like Vanetti would probably grab her and put her in the pound.” She shivered, looking for all the world like a dog shaking water off her fur.
Ace chuckled. “How could I not have seen it sooner? It’s so obvious now.” His cell buzzed. He swiped and sat it on the coffee table. “Hey Ken, you’re on speakerphone.”
“The official report from the vet
says the cat’s going to be fine. And that the injury was caused by a large feline.”
“See,” Terri said, “I told you.”
“I called Miz Carlisle, the vet even talked to her, but she’s convinced there’s a conspiracy and we’re all in on it.”*
“She’s nuts,” Terri said.
“You might be right, Terri.” The sound of a deep breath came through the phone. “I’d come back out there, but I really need to be with Lily right now.”
“Take care of your family,” Ace told him. “We’ll deal with the crazies.”
“Thanks. Let me know if anything happens.”
Ace looked from me to Terri and back again.
“We’re on our own, ladies.”
“I’m starving,” Terri said. “What do you want to do for lunch?”
“How about we order pizza?” I was really not in the mood to cook. “Terri can pay.”
“You’re just jealous because Trixie’s fur is so soft and shiny.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I’m jealous of you because of your alter ego’s nice fur.”
“See, you admit it.” As she turned, I saw the smile she was trying to hide.
“I’ll call in the order. Ace, meat or veggie toppings?”
“Both.”
She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Humans!”
He didn’t miss a beat. “Dogs!”
She snorted as she turned to get her phone.
“I should call and make sure my dogs get taken care of.”
He kissed me quickly then pulled out his phone.
I smiled as I looked back and forth between them. They acted like brother and sister. That thought brought another, and I shoved it out of my head. No way would I let myself consider marriage and family. I’d been caregiver all my life; I didn’t need to tie myself down to that kind of situation again.
Something about that thought seemed wrong, but I refused to consider what that might be.
****
“Brave of you to risk your life to save your mortal enemy.”
Terri looked at me as she grabbed the last slice of pizza.
“Bumpkins may be the spawn of Satan, but he doesn’t deserve to be eaten by a bobcat.”
For a moment, I was afraid Ace was choking, but then he started to laugh.
“Who would have thought the words ‘Bumpkins’ and ‘spawn of Satan’ would be used in the same sentence? And it even makes sense.”
Terri grinned. “’Tis a strange family you have chosen to align yourself with.”
“I’m a strange fellow. I should fit right in.”
I leaned back and watched the teasing play until they started clearing the table. “I can do that.”
“No.” They looked at each other and laughed at their shared rejection of my offer.
Why I was stung by the opportunity to relax was beyond me, but I was. “Fine.”
Ace turned to look at me. “Why can’t you just let somebody else handle things for a while?”
“Because she’s a control freak.”
Terri winked at me.
“But we love her anyway.”
Ace gave me a big sexy smile then grabbed the garbage to take out.
A few minutes later, the kitchen was spotless and the three of us were back in the living room. Conversation was minimal but I was fine with sitting quietly on the couch next to Ace. He held my hand in his, and I felt more relaxed than I had in a long time.
Terri wiggled in her seat, but that wasn’t abnormal for her. The girl was human, but her canine side was always just under the surface.
She shot to her feet, startling a yelp from me.
“I don’t think I can stay cooped up in here all night. Trixie needs to run.”
“She can run through the house,” Ace suggested.
“It’s not the same.” She paced for a while, then stopped and looked at us. “I could drive somewhere, far enough away nobody would know, and Trixie could run in the woods.”
“No.”
She glared at me so hard I thought her eyes might pop out.
“You are not my mother, Shay. You really need to stop acting like you are.” With that she turned and marched into her bedroom.
I stared until I realized my mouth was hanging open. I closed it as I realized Ace watched me. “I don’t act like her mother.”
Ace’s raised eyebrow told me what I seriously did not want to hear.
“She’s so irresponsible.”
He looked away for a moment, then met my gaze.
“She seems pretty responsible to me. She’s kept her secret all her life. She couldn’t have done that if she wasn’t responsible.”
Realization hit me hard. I’d come to Ugly Creek determined to enjoy not having to take care of anyone but myself. Instead, I’d spent the whole time looking for people to take care of. I groaned and leaned my head back against the couch.
“You don’t have to take care of everybody.”
He cupped his hand under my chin and tipped it up.
“You could let somebody take care of you.”
His lips gently touched mine.
“You know what I think?” he murmured against my mouth, “I think you’re afraid if we don’t need you, we won’t love you.”
He looked deep into my eyes.
“You’re wrong.”
Before I could stop myself, my greatest fear popped out, “Mom could relapse.”
He gently brushed a lock of hair off my face.
“If she does, we’ll make sure she gets the help she needs.”
“We?” The thought was incredulous.
“I want you in my life, Shay. If that’s okay with you.”
“I’m scared. Wow, I can’t believe I just admitted that to you.”
He kissed me softly then whispered against my mouth. “Don’t be scared, sweetheart. I’d never hurt you, and I’ll kill anybody else who tries.”
He tugged me against him.
“You aren’t alone anymore.”
I leaned against his warm strong body, enjoying the feel of loving arms around me. Tears stung my eyes as I realized how much I’d needed this feeling, how long it had been since I’d felt it, how grateful I was to Ace for giving me such a wonderful gift.
A high-pitched scream shattered the quiet.
Chapter 23
I leapt to my feet and rushed toward the door just behind Ace. Terri tore from her bedroom, all of us reaching the porch together then sprinting down the steps and across the yard. Movement toward the back caught my attention, and I saw a streak of orange and black fur leap over Miz Carlisle’s back fence and head into the woods.
Miz Carlisle stood on her side of the fence, her face pale and her hand on her chest, which heaved in an effort to take in air.
Ace got to her first and actually had his hand on her shoulder. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“I thought it was a dog.” The woman’s voice shook. “But it was some kind of wild animal.”
“Bobcat,” Terri said.
“How do you know?” The words were more an honest question and not so much the sour attitude Miz Carlisle always seemed to have.
“I saw it heading back to the woods,” Terri replied. “It was the same cat that attacked Bumpkins earlier.”
“It really wasn’t your dog that attacked my baby.”
Terri walked over to our neighbor.
“Look, I know Trixie and Bumpkins don’t get along very well, but I can’t imagine either of them seriously hurting the other.” She shrugged. “In fact, I think their conflict is more playful than real.”
A glance at my cousin attested to the sincerity in her voice. Well, this was an interesting turn of events.
“Maybe not,” Miz C said. “But I still don’t trust that mutt.”
“I understand.” Terri said. “Trixie doesn’t trust Bumpkins either.”
I glanced toward the back where the bobcat had made its hasty exit. That cat had hurt Bumpkins and just a while ago it ha
d come close enough to Miz C to scare her pretty badly. If it hadn’t been for her scream and our rush into the yard, who knows what it would have done. “We need to report the bobcat to wildlife control.”
“I agree,” Ace said. “I’ll be happy to call, but I think we should all go inside until this is dealt with.”
“Excellent idea.” Miz C glanced furtively toward the back then turned her gaze on her house. In spite of her words, it wasn’t hard to see the worry in her eyes.
Ace jumped the fence and offered the woman his arm. “Allow me to escort you to your door.”
She hooked her hand through his elbow and he led her toward her house. At one point I heard what sounded suspiciously like a female giggle. I shook my head in an effort to kick myself back into reality.
“Brave man, that Ace.”
“He’s a nice guy.” Pride rose in my chest as I spoke. I watched him as he headed back our way.
He leaped the fence, then grabbed an arm of each of us.
“I was serious about going inside. We know nothing about this bobcat, except it’s vicious.”
Terri jerked her arm away from his hold. “He’s not vicious! He wants to play but he doesn’t realize how big and strong he is.”
I searched her expression and decided she was serious. “So, this huge wild animal likes to play with housecats?”
Somehow Terri had slid behind Ace and me, and was nudging us firmly toward the front door. Ah, collies are herding animals. She was herding us. I bit back the laugh.
“He’s just a kitten,” she said, as she pushed us through the front door.
“So the bobcat’s a kitten, and you and Satan’s spawn are buddies.”
Ace frowned in her direction. “I wanted to talk to you about that. I’m pretty sure Hugh doesn’t share your new affection for Bumpkins.”
Terri looked at the floor. “I don’t think Bumpkins meant to hurt Hugh. He’s used to Trixie and she knows when to duck.”
I let out a big sigh. “I think maybe Bumpkins getting hurt upset you more than you want to admit.”
Her lips tightened and she turned away but not before I caught the glisten of tears in her eyes.
“I was so scared. Blood was everywhere and he was making this little crying sound.”
She wiped at her eyes. “I couldn’t even stay with him. I barked to get help, and Miz C ran out screaming at me, and I had to get away before she hurt me.”
Doggone Ugly Creek Page 19
