Big Catch: An Avery Barks Dog Mystery (Avery Barks Cozy Dog Mysteries Book 7)

by Mary Hiker

  I watched as Betty and the handsome Victor raised their bubbly in a toast to the future. “So?”

  Don leaned in and pointed to the edge of the screen. “Look at the background, the place where they’re standing.”

  I squinted slightly, focusing first on the bar next to them and then on the teal railings behind. “Oh. My. Goodness.” My mouth dropped open.

  “They weren’t on a big cruise vacation like Margaret thought.” Don took the phone back out of my hands. “They were on a little dinner cruise right here in Betty’s hometown.”

  “I wonder why Betty let her sister think otherwise,” I wondered aloud, frowning at the phone.

  “She might be subconsciously keeping up a fantasy.” Don forwarded the video a couple minutes further and handed it back to me. “Now study the other people on the boat.”

  I watched as several old women mingled with younger men, and before long, Wyatt showed up at the edge of the boat, flirting with a bone thin woman who looked to be in her eighties.

  “Whoa.”

  “Like I told you, there’s no doubt in my mind that Wyatt’s taking advantage of Miss Marion.” He took his eyes off the screen and studied the waves as they broke on the shore. “That’s how these guys make a living.”

  “Boy, you’re good.”

  I dropped the phone back in my beach bag, impressed with Don’s investigative skills. I followed his gaze out over the water as the warm breeze and peaceful surroundings stimulated all my senses.

  “I’m good at other things, too,” he murmured.

  Before I fully understood what he meant, Don slipped his arm around my back, gently guided my body to meet his, and…

  He kissed me.

  Chapter 9

  I paced back and forth across the light grey carpeting in my hotel suite, trying to ignore the phone as it blared out for my attention. Chevy and Daisy rested on the sheet-covered couch, watching me with worried eyes. I’d ignored the phone twice in the last half-hour and decided it was best to go for a third. I just wasn’t up for a conversation with Don right now.

  I had to get my racing thoughts in order first.

  The sea shell clock hanging near the kitchen sink read five minutes before midnight. Wow, the night had gone by so fast, the last couple hours turning my whole day upside down – my whole life, actually – and everything was still a blur.

  That kiss, the shock of it all, the apology, the second kiss, the non-apology, a flood of confusion, my quick retreat to the hotel.

  Good thing my room had been within easy walking distance.

  Had Don been feeling this way for a long time? No, couldn’t be. I bet this was just a fluke thing, the byproduct of finally getting in a relaxed beach environment. It probably didn’t even mean a thing.

  I’d instantly felt so safe with his arms wrapped around me. Why hadn’t I ever noticed his strong arms before? Because, we’re just friends… you idiot! I admonished myself for no apparent reason.

  Chevy jumped off the couch and leaned against me as I stood at the sliding glass door, gripping the door handle and gazing at the moonlit waves breaking in the distance. My dog’s wet nuzzle against my leg only distracted me for a brief second.

  Why did Don jeopardize a great friendship by kissing me like that? I slid the glass door open and took a deep breath, filling my lungs with fresh air.

  I hung my head. Darn it, why did I like it so much?

  “Okay, this is ridiculous.”

  I blew out a breath and tapped the green icon, answering my phone. “Hey.”

  “Avery, are you okay?”

  There was a brand new tone to Don’s voice, a smoother more masculine tone. Or was I just imagining it?

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” I fibbed. “Sorry I bailed on you like that, but you did freak me out.”

  His voice grew even warmer. “You’re freaked out because you liked it, too.”

  I looked at the phone and shook my head. Men were so arrogant…especially when they were right.

  Don broke the short awkward silence.

  “Listen, we’ve still got to work closely together to help Betty, so how about we forget about what happened.”

  See, I knew it was just a fluke. “Okay.”

  He cleared his throat. “I’ll give you a week to think about it.”

  “About what?”

  “A- about us!” he sputtered.

  “Us?” My thoughts started spinning again.

  “No pressure.” Don’s voice was soothing. “But you need to let me know within a week. I don’t plan to sit around waiting for any longer than that – even for you.”

  That was true to form.

  “Hey, Avery.” Don broke into my thoughts. “I almost forgot to tell you…”

  “What?” I rested my hand on top of Chevy’s head.

  “You’re a great kisser.”

  I hyperventilated.

  He laughed.

  “Knock it off,” I said.

  “Okay, I’ll meet you downstairs tomorrow morning.”

  “At eight, we can let the dogs run on the beach before Daisy goes to her new home.” I glanced over at the little dog, now fast asleep on the couch.

  “Have a good night, get some sleep.”

  I hung up the phone.

  Yeah, right.

  Chapter 10

  Don was gracious enough to walk back down to the restaurant’s parking lot and pick up the van where I’d left it the night before, although it was his fault I took off on foot down the beach to begin with.

  I’d given him the van keys about six a.m. – I don’t think either of us got much sleep - after we’d bumped into each other down at the dog potty zone on the far side of the hotel, a long strip of grass outfitted with a generous supply of black plastic baggies and several decorative garbage cans.

  The dogs now frolicked in the sand while we waited for Don’s return down at the beach. Chevy and Ace chased after the sticks I threw while Daisy investigated snails and seashells. I watched the silhouette of a fishing boat out on the water, created by the many shades of pink and yellow peeking around smoky blue clouds as the sun rose on the horizon.

  We were accompanied by the ever present seagulls as they scampered about on skinny twig legs, calling out to each other as they looked for breakfast. We were the only ones out on the beach this morning, and it was glorious. It almost made my sleepless night seem very worthwhile.

  Ace raised his head and cocked his ears, looking up towards the mainland and finally broke out in a full sprint when he was sure it was Don standing on our side of the parking area, waving us over.

  Chevy raced up to me, crashing into my legs, and flashing a huge doggie smile that revealed he was missing a small tooth from the lower front portion of his mouth.

  “How the heck did you do that?” I asked my dog, bending down to make a quick examination.

  Chevy didn’t seem to notice the loss nor feel any pain, picking up another stick before chasing after Ace. There’d been no blood, and I wasn’t even sure when it actually happened, so I chalked it up to the cost of a dog having fun and carried Daisy up to the van.

  “We’re not meeting Betty for a couple more hours, so I thought we’d swing by your mom’s place and surprise her with breakfast,” Don said with a big grin. “You mentioned she lives close-by.”

  He rearranged several bags overflowing with food as the dogs jumped in the back of the van. The passenger side door was already open, proving that as usual Don expected things would go his way.

  “She’d probably love that,” I admitted as the smell of bacon made my stomach growl.

  “Then get in.” He smiled and patted the seat.

  Beach music played on the radio for the short drive. Mom lived just a couple miles down the road from the hotel, in a quiet, well established neighborhood filled with pretty two-story homes and perfectly manicured lawns. My mom lived in one of the nicest ones.

  It was still early in the morning - only seven-thirty - so we tried to keep
the dogs quiet as we made our way up her sidewalk. Chevy realized he was at grandma’s house and ran in place, salivating at the thought of jumping in her swimming pool and chowing down on the guaranteed dog treats.

  “Maybe she won’t want our dogs tearing through her nice house,” Don said with a wrinkled brow. He lugged our breakfast in one hand and held Ace’s leash in the other. “They’re covered with sand.”

  I laughed and rang the doorbell. “Don’t let the outside fool you, this beach house is very dog friendly.”

  Mom peeked through the eye hole, swung the front door open, and appeared with outstretched arms straining to welcome us. After passing out hugs – even to Don, who she’d never met before – she ran inside for the dog treat jar, handing out generous portions to all three dogs.

  “Oh, I love this little one,” my mom exclaimed as she scratched Daisy’s back. “She reminds me of my Ollie.”

  “Her dog died a year ago,” I whispered to Don as he emptied the bags of food on my mom’s kitchen table, carefully removing the wrapping on the to-go boxes.

  “Wh-What’s that?” Mom said, her voice more anxious than it had been a second earlier. I noticed her glancing nervously at the stove.

  “Breakfast,” I said and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don thought it would be nice for all of us to eat together.”

  Mom’s face twisted in what looked like an agony of indecision and she blurted out, “Um… really… thanks for coming by and bringing breakfast.” She glanced at the clock on her stove again and placed a hand on her chest. “Um… I’m… I’m afraid I have an early appointment with the doctor and will have to eat this later.”

  She hurried over to the table, gave Don a quick hug, and placed one of the plates of food in her refrigerator. “You know how doctors are,” she said, brushing off a few stray dog hairs from her thigh-high skirt. “They never want to reschedule.”

  I frowned as my mom tossed the dogs a few more treats. She hadn’t worn a skirt above the knees since I was in grade school. And what was with all the jewelry?

  Something suspicious was going on.

  “I’ve never in my life seen her dressed to the nines at seven in the morning,” I whispered to Don. “Normally, she wears elastic waist jeans for a doctor’s appointment.”

  He raised an eyebrow and hurriedly packed our meals back in the delivery bag as my mom handed me the dog leashes.

  “You’ll come back tomorrow and visit me for Mother’s Day, won’t you?” She glanced at herself in the hall mirror and patted her hair.

  Ugh. That reminded me, I still needed to buy her a gift and still had no idea what to get.

  “Yes, Mom, of course I will.”

  “We both will,” Don said, stepping forward and giving her a hug. “And I’ll cook you a nice lunch while we’re here.”

  Every muscle in my back tensed. What is he doing?

  “Ooh, I like him,” my mom whispered as she hugged me goodbye. “He’s a keeper.”

  My back tightened even more, and my cheeks grew warm. We’re just friends!

  “See you tomorrow around lunch time,” my mother chirped, and half pushed us out the front door. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  I stumbled back out to the street in confusion and climbed in the passenger side of the van as Don loaded the dogs in back. The time on my phone read seven forty-one.

  Our visit had lasted exactly eleven and a half minutes.

  Don jumped into the driver’s seat, and we sat in silence for a minute munching on bacon, eggs, toast, and cheese covered hash browns, following it down with fresh squeezed orange juice.

  Don started the van and pulled down the street only to make a U-turn several blocks down and turn into an empty parking space.

  “What are you doing?” I asked him, taking another sip of juice.

  “Not sure,” he said and popped another piece of bacon in his mouth. “Just want to check something out.” His eyes never left my mom’s house.

  “I can’t believe she pushed us out like that,” I finally said, reaching into the bag for another piece of toast. “I’m still trying to figure out whether or not I should be hurt.”

  “Actually, I think you should be scared stiff.”

  I followed his gaze and my heart fell out of my chest.

  A black car pulled into her drive and a very handsome man, dressed to impress, waltzed up my mother’s sidewalk holding a bountiful bouquet of red roses. He smoothed his salt-and-pepper hair, rang the doorbell with confidence, and scooped my mother into his arms when the door swung open.

  Wyatt Stockton was on the prowl.

  Chapter 11

  “We’re not letting this happen.”

  Don’s face tightened as he watched my mother stroll hand-in-hand with Wyatt out to his sleek black BMW.

  “But… she doesn’t date,” I mumbled.

  At least, that’s what I thought until my mom’s face lit up when Wyatt opened the shiny black door and swept her inside his sports car.

  The car’s engine purred to life, pulled out onto the empty street, and whisked my mom off to who-knows-where. Don didn’t miss a beat and pulled out right behind them. Wyatt obviously wasn’t expecting to be tailed and seemed oblivious to our presence, just fifty feet behind his back bumper.

  Don leaned closer to the steering wheel. “She’s not going to be dating him for long if I have anything to do with it.”

  Wyatt’s car turned left onto the main street, and Don followed suit, ducking in behind a red Ford F150 traveling in the same direction. I tried to call my mom’s phone, but she wouldn’t answer.

  “Why’s he after… her?” I grabbed the dashboard when we took a hard right turn. “It’s not like she owns half the town like Miss Marion.”

  Don gave me a quick glance then turned his attention back to the road. “Did your dad have a life insurance policy when he died?”

  I nodded, a sudden stab of sorrow spearing my heart and causing my eyes to well up with tears. My father’s death still stung, even after ten years’ time.

  “I’m sorry.” Don handed me a left-over breakfast napkin to wipe my tears. “But, a guy like Wyatt will take it all.” Don checked the side mirror before darting over to the next lane. “Even worse, he’ll max out her credit and leave her in deep debt.”

  The BMW slowed and made a right turn into the parking lot of one of the better restaurants in the area, coming to rest at a spot close to the entrance. I’d never eaten in the place, but it boasted a stellar reputation and a dress code to match. No wonder my mom was all dressed up. She was attempting to fit in with the hoity-toity social scene.

  My sorrow boiled over into rage as the memories of how hard my father had worked to provide for her flashed in front of me. There was no way some jerk was going to swindle my mom and tear apart that legacy.

  “This ends now,” I said, throwing the balled-up napkin to the floorboard.

  “You get your mom.” Don pulled the van to a stop behind the BMW as the couple stepped out of the car, forming a steel blockade. “I’m going after him.”

  Don was in Wyatt’s face before I even got my door open. I rushed to get out and pull my mom aside while the guys got into a heated discussion.

  “This might get physical,” I warned her as my heart raced. “Come with me.”

  “Wha…?”

  I grabbed my mom’s hand and pulled, leading her to the passenger side of the van before she had a chance to speak, using the vehicle as a shield to block any contact with Wyatt Stockton.

  “Get inside,” I half-barked at my mom.

  “I’m…” She tried to explain while I herded her into the van.

  “Don’t get out.” I looked her straight in the eye and squeezed her hand. “Just trust me.”

  Her eyes were wide, and her mouth dropped open, but she gave me the nod I was looking for. I slammed the van door shut, ran around the back, and skidded to a stop where the two guys were toe-to-toe.

  An elderly couple dressed in formal wear looked
on from the parking lot with horrified faces before retreating back to their Mercedes convertible, obviously having decided to dine at an alternate establishment.

  The dogs sensed a problem and started barking from inside the van. Don’s black lab, Ace, took over the driver’s seat and watched the events taking place through the window, letting us know he had our back.

  The veins in Wyatt’s neck bulged, and his eyes were narrow as he jabbed a finger at Don’s face. “I already warned you once.” Specks of spit shot out of his mouth along with his threats. “Now, you’re history.”

  Don’s hands clenched. “You’re going to forget you ever met that woman.” He stood his ground and stared the man down. “If you ever attempt to contact her or come within a mile of her, I’m coming after you.”

  “You’ll need more than fists for this fight,” Wyatt growled, reaching into his car after who-knows-what.

  “I’ve got a whole lot more than fists.” Don pinned Wyatt’s back against the BMW after a brief scuffle and flashed his deputy’s badge in Wyatt’s face. “Do I need to call in some friends?”

  The con-man raised his hands in front of his face -palms out - in an act of surrender and Don loosened his grip.

  Wyatt let out a string of cuss words, hunched his shoulders a few times, and adjusted his tie and suit jacket.

  “She’s peanuts compared to the others, anyway,” he said through clenched teeth as he got in his car and slammed the door. “Get that ragged piece of junk out of my way.”

  I already had the van’s driver door open and wasted no time ordering Ace to the back as I jumped in the driver’s seat. My hands trembled as I slipped the key into the ignition and turned – nothing. I attempted to crank it again – nada.

  My mother’s soft sobs made it harder to concentrate, not to mention Chevy pushing his way to her lap and straining to lick her tears away. Ace climbed all over me, trying to keep an eye on Don’s safety through the driver’s side window. Daisy was the smartest one out of all of us, hiding out in the back of her crate.

  I jumped out, and Don took my place in the van, attempting to get it started.