The Perfect Couple

by Valerie Hansen

  “I tried washing it off, like you'd told me, but that didn't seem to help, so I called Tyler. Boy, was he steamed.”

  Rather than dwell on thoughts of anger, Kara busied herself filling the glasses while Louise went on with her story. “First, he tried taping up the frayed parts but the whole thing was such a mess the tape didn't stick. Then he got the brilliant idea that if he put hot sauce on it, Road Kill would leave it alone.”

  “Oh, no.” Kara could picture all sorts of results, none of which were desirable. “Did it work?”

  “I suppose it might have if the dog hadn't loved the taste and licked at it so fast.” She stifled a giggle. “You should have seen it. One minute, Tyler was positive his plan would work, and the next minute we were both chasing that crazy puppy through the house. We wouldn't have caught him, either, if he hadn't stopped to rub his face on the carpet. What a mess!”

  Kara sank into a chair, her fingers pressed to her lips to help stifle her amusement. “Oh, how funny. Poor Roady. I can see it now!”

  Relieved, Louise asked, “You mean, the stuff won't make him sick?”

  “Hot sauce? No. I'm sure he didn't like it, once he realized how spicy it was, but there shouldn't be any lasting harm.” She did, however, have one other concern. “What finally became of the cast on his leg?”

  “Last I saw of the dog, Tyler had him tucked under his arm and was headed for the barn, talking to himself.”

  Thinking of her life with Alex she reacted instinctively and jumped to her feet. “Tyler wouldn't hurt Roady, would he? I mean, I never would have left him there if I'd dreamed anything bad would happen.”

  “Tyler? Hurt an animal on purpose? Not in a million years. I know that boy as well as I know myself. There's not a mean bone in his body.”

  “Oh, thank goodness.” Kara sagged against the edge of the table. If the same misfortunes had happened to Alex, she'd have been certain someone or something would get hurt.

  “I do think Road Kill may need a new cast, though. I don't know how long it was supposed to stay on, but it's only been a couple of weeks, right?” Looking very apologetic, Louise added, “I'm really sorry I made such a mess of things and upset you so.”

  “You didn't upset me,” Kara assured her. “As long as Roady's all right, there's nothing that can't be fixed. I'll go to the office and get things ready. You bring him to me and we'll either patch up the cast he has or fit a new one.”

  “Oh, dear.” Louise's hands started to flutter like two pale butterflies caught in a whirlwind. “Didn't I mention? I just stopped by on my way to my first day on the job.” She beamed. “I'm going to be one of those shopper greeters, like you see all the time at Wally-World.”

  “You're kidding.”

  “No. Not a bit. I decided I'd been retired too long and needed to get out more, so I applied and they hired me! Isn't that wonderful?”

  “Peachy,” Kara grumbled. Her mind was churning faster than Speedy had run when he was in his prime. “Okay. Use my phone. Call Tyler and tell him to bring the dog to the hospital. I'll get Susan to meet us there.”

  “Um…that may pose a problem.”

  “Why?” Kara was beginning to get a sinking feeling in her stomach, not to mention a doozy of a headache.

  “Because I already suggested that,” Louise explained. “And he absolutely refused to consider it. Kept saying something about money and honor and…oh, I don't know. It made absolutely no sense to me.” She cast a hopeful look at Kara. “I don't suppose you make house calls, do you?”

  “Not if I can help it.”

  “That's what I was afraid of.” Louise shrugged. “Oh, well, thanks for the lemonade. I have to be going.” She started for the door, then paused. “And don't worry, dear. Tyler's very resourceful. I'm sure he'll find a way to mend the cast and keep Road Kill from chewing off the rest of it.”

  Kara just stood there. Louise knew very well she couldn't abandon any animal that needed her, even if it meant another trip back to the Corbett ranch and another head-to-head dispute with its owner. There must be another way. By the time she heard Louise's car start and back out the driveway, she was already dialing Susan's number in the hopes she could persuade her to bring the puppy to town instead. No one answered.

  Talking to herself, Kara slammed down the receiver. It wasn't Roady's fault he was in trouble. If she didn't give in and go to the ranch to repair the damage Louise's folly had caused, he might lose enough support to rebreak his leg where the bones were starting to knit. She was stuck. Trapped. If only Louise hadn't had to report to work…

  Kara's eyes widened. Her lips pressed together into a thin line. Every other time she'd seen Louise Tate, the woman had been dressed impeccably. This morning, however, she'd been wearing blue jeans and a plain blouse. Would she have worn that kind of outfit her first day on a new job? Not likely.

  “I've been had,” Kara muttered as she began to throw medical supplies into a duffel bag. “If that puppy doesn't really need my help, there are going to be a couple of people who hear exactly what I think about their interference. And that's a fact.“

  Kara found Tyler alone in the main barn. He still held the puppy in his arms. She burst out, “Oh, thank goodness!” without stopping to consider anything but her own relief.

  Scowling, he faced her. Sunlight was streaming through the unshuttered windows and the main door. The brim of his cowboy hat shaded his eyes, making him appear even more gruff than usual. Kara didn't care. She was too elated to give his disposition more than a brief notice.

  Tyler raised one dark eyebrow. “I see nothing in this situation to be thankful about, unless you count the fact that you've finally come to collect your useless dog.” He tried to pass Road Kill to her.

  “Oh, no, you don't.” She held up her hands, palms out, to ward him off. “I'm only here because Louise told me the cast needs repair.” Peering at it, she leaned a little closer. The dog's whole leg was swathed in so much excess elastic bandage it looked three times its normal size. “What have you done to it?”

  “Kept it together with whatever I could find,” Tyler said dryly. “I don't dare put him down because the minute I do, he starts ripping it off.”

  “That figures. He's a smart pup. It only took one experience to teach him he didn't have to put up with bandages if he didn't want to.” She smiled proudly. “I knew he was special the first time I saw him.”

  “I'm so glad you're pleased,” Tyler said cynically. “What do you suggest we do about it?”

  “We?” Kara's smile widened.

  “Yes, we. This is as much your problem as it is mine.”

  “Oh, I don't know about that. It seems to me that you have possession.”

  “Only because you forced it on me.”

  “Well,” she drawled, “the way I see it, you can either ask me nicely to repair the cast, or you can hold on to him like that for another four to six weeks, until his leg heals.” The astonished expression on Tyler's face made her snicker. “Hey, don't worry. It's a plus. You two will form a much closer emotional bond that way.”

  “I don't want to bond with this troublemaker. I want to get rid of him just as soon as he's well. Understand?”

  “Oh, sure. No problem. So, what'll it be?”

  “What will what be?” Tyler knew the kind of response Kara was waiting for but he didn't intend to give in unless she forced the issue.

  Her smile never faltered. “Okay. I'll spell it out. Do I go home and forget about helping you, or are you going to ask me for my expert assistance?”

  Tyler's jaw muscles clenched. “Okay. I'm asking.”

  “No, no, no. Politely. The way you'd treat anybody else, if you wanted them to do you a favor.”

  One corner of his mouth twitched, lifted slightly, before he got it back under control. Kara Shepherd was obviously enjoying aggravating him and he couldn't help admiring her spunk. It was an aspect of her personality that seemed to strengthen every time they met, which meant the present situation was
unlikely to improve on its own.

  He decided to capitulate and get it over with. Tucking Road Kill under one arm, he doffed his hat with a flourish, bowed from the waist, and said with an overly sophisticated air, “My dear madam, would you kindly do me the honor of repairing this flea-bitten excuse for a dog before I toss him out on his ear?” He straightened and put his hat back on, resuming his normal tone of voice. “There. How was that? Polite enough for you?”

  Kara laughed gaily. “I guess so. I brought some supplies so we could take care of everything on the spot. Would you like me to work on his leg out here, or shall we go into the house to do it?”

  He was about to answer when he noticed a familiar-looking shadow inching across the bare ground in front of the barn door. Louise was trying to sneak up on them to eavesdrop! That gave Tyler an idea. If she hadn't heard all of his prior conversation with Kara, she wouldn't have any idea they were discussing veterinary care instead of something a lot more personal.

  Raising one finger to his lips, he whispered, “Shush,” and softer, “Louise.”

  Kara's gaze followed his. Sure enough, they had company. “What now?”

  “Watch and learn.” He was grinning. Raising his voice and enhancing it with alluring sweetness, he said, “I'd like to do it in the house, darlin', if you don't mind.”

  Blushing, Kara understood the ruse perfectly. Trying not to snicker she made her voice a sultry purr and played along. “No, not at all. I never did like doing it in the barn…even when I was with my husband.”

  Behind her, Kara heard a sharp intake of breath that ended in a high-pitched squeak. If she hadn't quickly clamped her hand over her mouth she'd have burst into laughter in spite of her temporary embarrassment.

  Still in character, Tyler shifted Road Kill to one side, slipped his other arm around Kara's waist, pulled her close, and ushered her out the barn door toward the house. As they passed the place where his nosy, former mother-in-law hid, he leaned down to place a believable kiss on the top of Kara's head.

  The kiss was meant as a prank. A farce. It wasn't until after he'd acted that Tyler realized it didn't feel nearly as much like a joke as he'd thought it would.

  Kara cleared the kitchen table, laid a plastic sheet over it, and told Tyler to spread a layer of newspaper on top of that. Placing Road Kill in the center, she began to unwrap his leg while Tyler held him still.

  Thoughts of Louise's clumsy attempt at matchmaking wouldn't stop running through Kara's head. After the illusion of flirtation she and Tyler had created she felt like a misbehaving teenager. A fresh blush warmed her cheeks. “I hope we didn't shock poor Louise too much.”

  “I hope we did,” Tyler countered. “Her curiosity is getting out of hand. Next thing we know, she and Susan will actually join forces. Then we'll really be in trouble.”

  Kara finished unwinding the elastic bandage and laid it aside while she concentrated on the tattered cast. “They do seem to think they have to coerce us into seeing each other.”

  “They sure do.” He wished he could let go of the little brown pup and finish this conversation from a safe distance…like maybe Mars! Going across the room or across town definitely wouldn't be far enough. He couldn't believe he'd been so simpleminded, so preoccupied with fooling Louise, that he'd actually kissed the top of Kara's head. What a mistake. Not only had he liked the feel of her silky hair on his lips, it was the first time he'd noticed the clean, floral scent of her shampoo. Worse, he was still close enough to enjoy its lingering fragrance.

  Kara looked up at him, studying his expression. “They only feel they have to push us at each other because we haven't done a good enough job of convincing them otherwise.”

  “I suppose you're going to tell me you have another wonderful plan,” Tyler grumbled. “I didn't think much of the last one.”

  “Oh? And I suppose it was my idea for you to manhandle me and waltz me past Louise just now?”

  “That was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

  Nodding, Kara agreed. “That's been our problem. We've ad-libbed too often. What we need is a definite script and mutually acceptable rules of conduct.”

  “You mean make a list?” He was incredulous.

  “If need be.” She turned her attention back to the job at hand and cut away what was left of the cast as she continued to explain. “I think it would be best if we talked it all out and made notes. Then we'll each keep a copy of what we've decided, so we know ahead of time what to do.”

  “Or what not to do.”

  “Exactly.”

  Tyler leaned down to look her in the eye. “You're serious, aren't you?”

  “Completely. If you have a better idea, I'll be glad to listen to it.”

  He snorted in self-derision. “I'd rather just tell everybody off and forget it.”

  “Get serious. Susan's too stubborn to take no for an answer. And Louise is overly sensitive because of losing her daughter.” Kara paused. “Sorry.”

  “It's okay.” His voice was purposely empathetic. Maybe she did have a valid point. If they made an agenda and worked out specific guidelines, there'd be no chance of error…like the unforgettable one he'd made when he'd forgotten himself and kissed her. Twice.

  Remembering made him decidedly uneasy. “Let's start with a No-kissing rule.”

  “Fine with me.” She refused to look up at him as she spoke. “We'll probably have to hold hands once in a while, though, or nobody will believe we like each other.” Waiting, she expected Tyler to respond with, “We don't like each other.” Instead, he remained quiet, stroking the puppy evenly to keep it calm while she resplinted its leg.

  Finally, he said, “I suppose you're right. Do you mind going that far? Holding hands, I mean.”

  Kara was glad he had no clue as to how attractive and appealing she thought he was, especially when he was ministering to the injured puppy. She watched the steady rhythm of Tyler's touch on its short fur and marveled at the gentleness in the man's large, capable hands. Would she mind holding one of those hands? Not hardly. Instead of saying so, however, she alibied. “I'll muddle through if you will.”

  “Good.” He sighed in quiet resignation. “Okay. That's settled. What else?”

  “I think we should go out to dinner. Somewhere we can talk without being overheard.”

  Tyler seemed taken aback. “Dinner?”

  “Dinner. Tonight works for me,” she said flatly. “I'll pick you up. If we're going to get the most out of this, we'll need to be seen leaving together. I can't think of a better place for that than right here.”

  “I can. Why don't I come to get you at work someday next week? We can make a big deal about it, then.”

  “Okay. That'll do.” Finished with the puppy, Kara washed her hands, dried them on a paper towel, and smiled. “Tomorrow's Sunday, so we're bound to run into each other anyway.”

  Beginning to see what she was getting at, he studied her upturned face. “You mean…?”

  “Of course.” The complaisant smile widened. “I'll meet you in church. Save me a seat and we can impress Louise, too.” She lifted the puppy and held him close, ruffling his droopy ears. “In the meantime, I'll take our little friend with me and fit him for an Elizabethan collar so he won't be able to reach his leg to chew on it.”

  “What about our list?” Tyler was backing away.

  “You make one, I'll make one, and then we'll combine them,” she said brightly. She eyed the table. “I put all my instruments back in my bag. You can just roll up that plastic and throw it away. Want me to stay and help you clean up?”

  “No.” He waved her off as if she were a pesky insect. “No, just go. Go. Leave me in peace. Please.”

  Giggling, she tossed a mock warning back over her shoulder and headed for the door with the puppy. “Watch it, Corbett. If I didn't know better, I'd get the idea you didn't like me.”

  Chapter Nine

  When Kara had finally given up and gone to bed that night, her list of no-nos had begun with,
“No kissing.” It had ended with, “No hugging.” There was nothing else in between.

  The more she'd thought about Tyler on a personal level, the worse her dilemma had become. Naturally, she wasn't going to embarrass them both by listing the most obvious things she wouldn't do. He knew what kind of woman she was. And she was certain he was the kind of man who wouldn't press her for unacceptable intimacy. That was one of the main reasons she'd agreed to their mutual deception in the first place. She trusted him. It was that simple.

  The rest of her feelings, however, were much more complicated. By dawn Sunday morning she'd developed a sizable tension headache. What she'd wanted to do was pull the covers up over her head and pretend it wasn't time to get ready for church. What she'd done instead was choose the most attractive dress in her closet, put on light makeup, and head for town to keep her promise.

  The old stone church sat atop a rise, giving it a heavenly quality when viewed from the base of the hill. Folks parked all the way around it. Kara pulled into her usual spot. She'd often heard it said that the pickup truck was the official vehicle of Arkansas. Church parking lots helped confirm that idea. There were at least as many trucks as there were cars, and a lot of the people who drove cars on Sunday had a truck at home, as well.

  Kara gathered her bible and purse and hurried into church before she could change her mind. Pausing in the rear of the sanctuary she scanned the backs of the parishioners who were already seated. It was easy to spot Tyler. Dark-haired and taller than half the men present, he was sitting in almost the same spot he'd occupied the week before.

  Kara smoothed her softly draped, sea-foam-green dress, gathered her courage, and was just about to start down the aisle to join him when she felt a tap on her shoulder. As usual, she jumped. As usual, it was her sister.

  “Morning, kiddo,” Susan said brightly. Her husband, Mark, came up behind her. She gifted him with a loving smile and took his hand. “We swung by your place on our way, to offer you a ride, but you'd already left.”