“You know Luke has a ranch in Montana. He’d like to see if Lucy or any of the pups show aptitude for herding cattle. But even if they don’t, he says he can find homes for them. The only hiccup is Lucy can’t fly in her condition so you’d have to drive. I’ve found a few pet friendly hotels along the way. You can stay at Luke’s―”
“I won’t,” she replied hotly.
“Holster it, cowboy. He’s trying to help.” Carl’s voice held a note of warning.
Kat took a deep breath. Carl once told her that he thought she was in love with his brother. That they had a ‘pull your pigtails on the playground’ relationship. She’d hotly denied it and told him that his brother was the most annoying man on the planet. Only she had been way ruder than that. He had gotten angry then and hadn’t spoken to her for a week. She had to tread carefully. “I couldn’t put him out like that.”
“It’s your choice but there are no hotels nearby that will take Lucy so she’s got to stay on the ranch. I emailed you his address and number. Don’t wait too long to head out. Lucy isn’t going to be pregnant much longer.”
She sighed heavily. “I’ll get the rest of my stuff in the storage unit tomorrow and then we’ll head out. Do you think if I don’t get back in time to find a place, I can stay with you and Melissa?”
“Of course! I’ve got the day off tomorrow so we’ll come help you get your stuff in storage.”
“Thanks, Carl. You’re both really good friends. I’m lucky to have you.”
“Sure thing, now get your bags packed. You’re heading West, cowboy!”
CHAPTER TWO
Kat looked down at Lucy. Her GPS had stopped working ten miles ago and she was absolutely certain that Lucy’s water had just broken all over her leg and the front seat of her car. Finally, her cell got a few bars of service. She’d tried to dial Luke at least twenty times, without getting through, but now she hit send again.
The phone rang no less than fifteen times before a deep voice finally answered, “Hello.”
“Luke, is that you?” her strangled voice choked out.
“Kat? What’s wrong?”
“It’s Lucy. I’m almost at the ranch. At least, I think I am. But her water just broke and her breathing is labored and I have no idea how long I have until I get to your house―”
“How long ago did you turn off?” Kat almost forgot to be scared. She was immediately annoyed. He had interrupted her.
“Maybe twenty minutes,” she huffed out.
He gave a chuckle. “You’re almost at the house. I’ll meet you outside to help you bring in Lucy. The whelping box is all ready to go.”
She gulped. What the hell was a whelping box?
Every other thought left her head as the ranch came into view and Luke stepped out the door. Her entire body tensed. He had always been the tall, dark, and handsome type but now, his shoulders were even broader, his arms more muscular. Even in the setting sun, she could see his tan and it was damn sexy.
Pulling her car up by the barn, she cut the engine. Luke snapped the door open and she jumped out, nearly crashing into him. His hand immediately came to the small of her back to steady her. Electricity shot through her body and an ache started deep in the pit of her stomach. He was over six feet tall, compared with her five feet seven inches, and she had to tip her head back to look at him. He had a few more lines around his eyes, thanks to his time outdoors on the ranch, but it only made him more handsome.
“Hi gorgeous.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
Her face turned red. She knew he didn’t mean it. It was only meant to tease her. Normally she’d give a snarky comment back but she was too raw with Lucy and the truth ripped out of her mouth. “Why do you always have to say stuff like that? It hurts my feelings.”
He cocked his head, giving her a quizzical look. “Kat,” his voice was smooth like honey with just a touch of a drawl. “I’m not trying to hurt you. I say it because it’s true.”
Her mouth hung slightly ajar. There was no way he meant that. All those comments, she had just assumed were his way of actually putting her down. He was being facetious. “What?” she asked incredulously.
His hand came up to brush a strand of hair from face. “I’m glad you’re here, Kat. Is that better?”
No words came out as she looked at him. Something was shifting inside of her and, with his simple words, she was re-seeing every interaction they had ever had. A whimper from the car seat interrupted her thoughts and spared her from answering.
“It’s all right, Lucy,” she cooed softly.
His hand rubbed her back and even in this situation, she felt hot liquid pooling between her thighs. Jesus Christ, he was turning her on.
“Can I ask you a question?” His voice was deliciously close to her ear.
“Mmmm,” she murmured looking at Lucy.
“Why are you all wet?”
“What?” her strangled cry choked out of her mouth.
“Your pants. They’re all wet. Did you say Lucy’s water broke?” His eyebrows drew up and his lips parted as he looked at her with a question.
God, she wanted to kiss him. Had Carl been right? Was she attracted to Luke? She’d bet the sex was amazing. He looked strong, she could ride him like nobody’s business. “I think so,” she answered, forcing herself to look back at Lucy. She needed to concentrate.
“Let’s get her inside. Come on,” he called to Lucy. She gingerly got up and climbed out of the car. Luke opened up his arms and she went right to him. He picked her up without even trying and began carrying her into the house.
“How did you get her to do that? She didn’t even like Carl.” Kat stared at his back as she raced to keep up with his long strides.
“I’ve helped a lot of cows bring their calves into this world. She’s a smart girl and she senses that I’ll help her. Don’t you, sweetheart?” His soothing voice was meant for the dog, but it floated over her. She’d love to hear him whisper like that to her.
If it was possible to be jealous of a dog, then Kat was in that moment. How did it take her this long to realize that she was attracted to Luke? She grimaced. Because she had skipped over being attracted to him and jumped to the part where he was surely rejecting her. She always got defensive when she thought he was teasing her.
“Thanks for helping. I would have stayed and had Carl help with the delivery but then I would have had to transport all the puppies.” She bit her lip. That would have been a bigger mess than this. Kat opened the front door for him and he carried Lucy through.
“Carl says that you’re moving.”
“Yeah, though I don’t know where yet. I have to find a place when I get back.” If I can find a place, she thought to herself. Her eyes adjusted to the dimmer light and she looked around. Luke’s place was amazing. It was a little rough around the edges but it was clean as a whistle and it felt like a home. Old hardwood floors and big comfy couches. She could see straight down the hall to the kitchen and a giant butcher block table filled the eating area. It was the perfect family gathering table.
“Can I ask you a question? Why not just get a place that allows dogs and keep Lucy? You obviously really love her. You drove all the way to Montana for her.” Luke quirked his eyebrows at her in a way that was incredibly sexy.
“I’m off for the summer but I work so much during the school year. How could I keep her?”
“Ah, yes. Carl mentioned long hours and not a lot of pay.”
“Carl has been full of a lot of advice lately,” she huffed.
She heard him take a deep breath. “I know I am pushing the envelope here, but he just wants to see you happy. I know he’s worried about you.”
Her nostrils flared. “Now you’re meddling in what isn’t your business.”
“And you’re a tyrant who is being grumpy with people who care about you.” His voice was even but he turned to give her a pointed stare.
Kat glared back. She hadn’t been her five minutes
and he was already giving her a hard time. “This is why you drive me crazy.”
“Because I’m not afraid of you? You’ve made it clear what you think of me, but let me tell you what I think about you. You push people away who care about you and I know you have a good heart―” Luke stopped as Lucy let out a guttural noise. “Shit,” he hissed.
He moved quickly down the hall and through the kitchen, to a back family room. There was a large wooden box in one corner. The sides were close to three feet tall but the front was only a foot. The inside was lined with blankets and Luke laid Lucy down in the box.
The dog panted and then with a push, out came a puppy. It was wrapped in a sac and Kat gasped. She reached out to it but Luke gently grabbed her hand. “Lucy knows what to do.”
“Are you sure?” her voice trembled as Lucy began to lick at the puppy, removing the amniotic sac. Another was already being birthed. “Holy shit,” she breathed.
“It’s amazing, if you think about it.” His hand gently massaged hers. “Everything else is stripped away and it’s just life. Beautiful life.”
The puppy gave a tiny perfect squeal. Lucy cleaned its belly and Kat could see that it was a little girl. Her heart completely melted at the sight of this tiny little puppy. “I could use a little more of beautiful life.”
“Do you like being a teacher?” His voice was quiet now.
“I love it. Well, I love the kids. All the rest, the testing, the state standards, the parent expectations…” She didn’t bother to finish. It didn’t need to be said. “And Carl is right, I need to make some changes but I don’t where to start.”
“Why don’t you start by holding that adorable puppy? Lucy is cleaning the next one.” He pointed at the small pup that had stolen her heart.
Kat gently lifted the tiny bundle with its eyes tightly closed. She held it up to inspect it. It was so cute, It’s brown body the color of rich mahogany wood with a little white stripe between its eyes. It stretched in her hands the dog coughed twice, sending a stream of mucus out of its mouth. “Oh!” she cried as a torrent gooey junk hit her collarbone. “Crap!” She made her icky face as it dripped down her chest and between her boobs.
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ABOUT TAMMY ANDRESEN
Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.
You can learn more about Tammy by visiting her website. www.tammyandresen.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tammyandresen
Facebook: http://facebook.com/authortammyandresen
What the Critics are saying
“The characters are well-developed and interesting, the plot is edge-of-your-seat intriguing, and the setting is one with so much history. If you are a fan of history mixed with mystery and intrigue, you won't be disappointed.” Linda Thompson THE AUTHOR SHOW
“While the relationship between Lily and Eric is the primary focus of this story, the mystery/supense factor is what kept this from being JUST a historical romance. Lily in Bloom was a fast-paced, romantic read that I absoutely LOVED.” http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
”… it held not only a pure romance but the simple magic that goes with it. I was enchanted with this story from the beginning until the end and I didn’t want it to end. I wanted it to go on.” Robin
Table of Contents
Crazy Puppy Love
Copyright
Titles by Tammy Andresen
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Excerpt of Barking Mad Love
About Tammy Andresen
Crazy Puppy Love: Chance Romance with a Canine Helper! Page 6
