Love Unleashed

by Natalie Brunwick

  “I’d imagine it’s a lot like having a young child.”

  Kris nodded in agreement. “Anyway, if the client wants something changed that I find acceptable, I have a week to finish the revisions.”

  “And if you don’t agree?” Did that mean she didn’t get paid? My heart dipped into the pit of my stomach, mingling with the nerves that had gathered there. The few times I’d written content for someone else, it was always through a third party. If I never got paid… well, I wouldn’t have done it for as long as I did.

  “They take what they’re given or they can request a partial refund. I also include the cost of revisions into the initial bill, so if they don’t use them, I refund that amount. It’s complicated but I haven’t had any complaints. If they don’t want to work within my rules there are plenty of other designers out there willing to work for less.”

  “That’s good,” I said, adding a scoop of sugar and a bit of cream to my coffee before taking my first sip, almost choking in the process.

  “Sorry, I guess I should’ve warned you. I drink Columbian. I can’t do the house blends anymore.” She laughed at that, her smile hidden behind her own mug of coffee.

  I coughed and waved her comment away. “It’s no problem at all. I just wasn’t expecting it.”

  Kris offered me a nod, then averted her gaze. “So… this new family that might move in, I know you can’t tell me much about them and I’m sure I’ll meet them once they’re settled, but are they a good fit?” She didn’t look at me, her eyes focused on something I couldn’t see as she traced the rim of her mug with a fingertip.

  “They’re perfect,” I said, resisting the urge to touch her hand. I hated to see anyone like this, but for Kris to sound so unsure about the sale, my heart went out to her.

  “You’ll have to stop by once they move in,” Kris said, thumbing the handle on her mug of coffee. “I think I might throw a welcome party for them, you know? It’s what Mr. Baker did for me and… well…” She trailed off, offering me a partial shrug instead.

  “You thought you might continue the tradition,” I finished for her, smiling as I did. “I think it’s a wonderful idea and a great way to honor his memory. I’d be delighted to help out if you’d like. It’s the least I can do seeing as you’ve already been a wonderful host.”

  “Oh, this?” Kris lifted her mug and shook her head. “I have no problem sharing a good cup of coffee and some friendly conversation. It sure beats going through all of my font files again and planning the typography for another project.” She wrinkled her nose at that.

  “It’s the kerning, right?” When Kris looked at me with a surprised expression on her face, I continued. “I may have dabbled in a few odds and ends back in college. No matter how hard I tried, I could never get the spacing right.”

  “Typography is the worst and what I spend over half my time working on. Anyway, I’ll take a prolonged break over that any day of the week. Though I really should get back to it before the end of the day.”

  “I won’t keep you long,” I promised. “I suppose I could’ve called but I wanted to thank you in person for everything you told me the other day.”

  “You already thanked me, though,” Kris said, sounding a little unsure of herself.

  “I did, but I wanted you to know that what you told me was a huge help. The family I had looking at the house is a great fit. I can’t go into detail about it but you’ll get to meet them during this block party you’re planning. I’ll let them know once they pick up the keys.”

  “That would be a huge help. And if they seem lukewarm about it, just let me know so I don’t go too far out of my way.”

  “Even if they don’t, I’ll still drop by for a visit and to see how you’re doing.” I tried to pull the words back as soon as they passed my lips but it was too late.

  I rarely got on this well with one of my customers, especially not when it came to the person looking to sell the house. Even so, there was something about Kris I couldn’t explain. Something that tugged at my heart a little more than usual. And it wasn’t just because of Duke and his previous master, either, though they certainly helped.

  No. It almost felt as though we were supposed to meet, but I’ve never believed in fate or anything of the sort so I simply shrugged the thought away and finished up my cup of coffee.

  With the good news delivered and the room filling with silence once more, I let myself out, but not before giving Duke a few well-deserved scratches behind the ear.

  “So I’ll expect you in two weeks?” Kris asked, standing in the doorway while holding Duke by the collar to keep him from running up the street.

  “Make it three,” I said after giving it some thought. Three weeks would give me enough time to finalize the sale, get the Parks moved in, and all the paperwork filed away.

  “I’ll see you then. Maybe sooner than that if this one gets away from me again.” The way Kris looked at me then with a wry grin on her face, I couldn’t tell if she was joking or not.

  For both our sakes, I hoped she was.

  The last thing I wanted was to worry about Duke digging up the yard again. Maybe I should’ve mentioned Duke to the Parks before they signed the papers. Then again, with my boss expecting an update and Jerry yanking my chain, it wasn’t like I could go back to the office empty-handed, either. Mentioning Duke, even if the Parks had seen him once before, wasn’t something my boss would accept from me much less anyone else.

  No matter how charming Duke might be. Duke was starting to wear on me, and he wasn’t the only one. The time I spent with Kris was the first time I’d let myself relax in god-knows-how-long.

  Even when I stopped by the corner shop for coffee, I didn’t say more than a handful of words to anyone. The fact I actually sat down and had a moment to myself… I should’ve done it more often, not only to recognize my success but to enjoy it before moving on to something else as well.

  If there was one thing Duke taught me it was to take each day as it came. If everything lined up the way I wanted it to, then maybe I’d get to see them again.

  I insisted I was in love with the story behind the Baker house and those who lived inside its walls, but deep down, I knew that wasn’t true. Knowing its history certainly helped, but if I were completely honest with myself, my love of the house had as much to do with the man who passed away as the family he left behind.

  “Selling this place is a good thing,” I assured myself as I slipped into the driver’s seat of my car. More than that, it would offer Kris the finances she rightfully deserved after taking in Duke the way she had.

  As I looked over the Baker house and appreciated the newly manicured yard, my heart didn’t agree.

  Chapter Six

  Kris’ welcome party put my family gatherings to shame. Pastel colored balloons floated above her mailbox. Somehow, she’d found the time to weave a line of lavender tulle between the spindles of her porch, giving the same care and attention to the rest of the house. It was enchanting, to say the least, and I hadn’t even walked into the backyard where the gathering was supposed to take place.

  According to Kris, I was the only one to RSVP. However, if that were the case, what was up with all of the streamers? She didn’t do all of this just for me. Surely she’d heard back for someone else.

  “Oh, you’re here,” Kris said with surprise, pausing mid-step in the foyer with a tray of snacks in one hand and paper cups in the other. “I thought you weren’t supposed to arrive until four.” She must’ve realized the time as soon as she spoke because the moment the words left her mouth, she inclined her head, inviting me inside. “The door’s unlocked. You’ll have to excuse the mess. It probably looks like a tornado came through here.”

  I offered her a reassuring smile and followed her into the kitchen, my breath catching at what I saw. Kris’ artistic abilities weren’t just limited to graphic design. That much became painfully clear the moment I set my eyes on the fruit bowl made from a watermelon and the delicious looking i
ce cream cake she happened to pull out of the freezer for a final touch-up.

  “My mom would be so jealous right now,” I said in awe, watching as Kris ran a rope of icing around the edge of the cake before putting it in the freezer again. “I thought it was only supposed to be a couple of people.” Meaning her, Duke, and me. Not that I’d mind some more company, but last I hear—

  “I was already in the process of doing everything and had most of it on hand so…” She shrugged, then stepped over to the sink so she could wash her hands. “Besides, tonight is one we should celebrate.”

  “Oh?”

  “You closed the sale, we have a lovely new family up the street, and I just signed a big project with one of my longstanding clients. Today’s been a great day.”

  Her smile was contagious and did funny things to my stomach. The sale, while bittersweet, had clearly been taken over by the addition to a new family in the area and a large sale for Kris. I was happy for her, truly, but to do so much and go so far out of her way just for me…

  “Here, let me help,” I said, getting the back door for her when she tried to push it open with her hip. The door had latched in place, and with her arms full, there was no way to get it open without juggling the foodstuffs in her arms or getting some extra help. “At least Duke hasn’t learned how to open them on his own.”

  She released a nervous laugh and smiled her thanks. “I’m sure he could if he really put his mind to it.”

  “Where do you want these?” I asked, taking the plate of uncooked hamburgers and hot dogs from her before they fell to the ground. Duke would love that. Knowing how much Kris cared for him, he was probably going to get some anyway. Kris seemed like the kind of person who would do that—treat her dog when he was extra good.

  Considering the fact he hadn’t left her side since we entered the backyard, I’d say he deserved it. The promise of food obviously counteracted his interest in whatever was happening up the street.

  “You can just set those over there,” Kris said, oblivious to my thoughts.

  Once I put the plate of foodstuffs on a table by the grill, I crouched in front of Duke and rubbed above his eyes. “You’re going to be good, right? You can have one of those later, but not until we’ve eaten.” I looked at Kris for confirmation, and with a nod, I got exactly that.

  “He’s earned it,” she agreed, “but not until after we’ve had the chance to sit down and eat. I need to go back in the house and grab a few more things, but if you wouldn’t mind staying with him—”

  “Sure thing,” I said, sitting on the edge of the back porch while holding Duke’s collar. Cool concrete touched my legs, sending a chill up my spine.

  “This might help.” She dug a leash from her back pocket, handed it to me, then went back inside, whistling as she did.

  “You got really lucky with her, you know that, right?” I asked Duke once she was gone. Most folks would’ve handed him off to someone else or dropped him at the local shelter, but not Kris. The fact she was willing to take him in just like that told me more about the woman currently whistling away in the kitchen as anything else.

  She was kind, gentle, and would go out of her way for almost anyone, even a complete stranger like me after ranting about her dog in the Baker’s yard. She was different, but in a good way.

  As for Duke, he looked at me with a pair of big brown eyes, his ears perking when I clipped his collar to the leash.

  “Sorry boy,” I said, offering him a small smile, “but we can’t have you running off tonight.”

  Duke tugged at the leash, possibly to test my resistance, then whined while looking in the direction of the wooded trail behind the house.

  “No, no, no,” I said to him. “We’re staying here tonight, but maybe you’ll get to go there tomorrow.” I made sure not to say the word walk as most dogs went ballistic when I did. That and treat along with car rides. Dogs knew what they wanted and latched on whenever they could, Duke included.

  With his interest in the walk gone, Duke lay in front of me, his eyes fixed on those prized burgers. He was such a good dog. It was a shame I had to meet him the way I did. Kris had done her best with the time she was given, but I couldn’t help wondering if having Duke around helped or hurt her the most.

  “It must be hard,” I said to Duke as much as myself, “to see you every day and be reminded of him.” I’m sure that was how it felt for those who lost a loved one and had a child at home. I couldn’t begin to imagine that kind of pain or the love one would need to keep going.

  Somehow, Kris did. She kept moving forward, and as she did, she welcomed new people into her life. People like me or the Parks. Even after they declined and the rest of the street passed on Kris’ invite, she didn’t cancel. Instead, she went on with her day, claiming it was because she’d already planned out everything.

  However, looking around her beautiful yard without a hint of damage in sight, I realized she needed a friend almost as much as I did. We might not have known each other long, and we’d shared very little about ourselves outside of work, but there was no denying the fact I enjoyed spending time with her. And Duke, of course. I could never forget Duke. He was part of the package, after all.

  Off in his own world, Duke jumped when I ran my hand down between his shoulders. No doubt he was thinking of the food and how soon he might get to taste some of it. His tongue lulled out the side of his mouth as he rolled on his side, inviting me to rub his belly and the long fur he had there.

  “So this is how we calm the beast, is it?” I teased, leaning forward so I could rub the full length of his stomach.

  “That and the promise of food, usually,” Kris said behind me, walking onto the porch with napkins, cutlery, and a bit of seasoning and condiments for the burgers and dogs.

  Duke popped up as soon as Kris walked over to the grill, his tail swishing this way and that. Assured he wouldn’t run off when food was around, I let go of the leash and joined them soon after, giving the yard a better look now that I wasn’t so focused on Duke.

  A pair of large trees stood in the backyard with eye-hooks attached to them. I imagined Kris hanging up a hammock in the summer months and possibly reading a book or even doing work outside when the sun wasn’t so overwhelming.

  However, with fall fast approaching, she’d replaced the hammock with a string of multicolored paper lanterns which she’d hung from the branches, far above the ground. If the yard were fenced in, it would’ve been perfect. As it was, seeing the neighbor’s yard with a yellow patch of grass the size of a kiddie pool was a little off-putting.

  “Yeah, I know,” Kris said, following my line of sight, “it isn’t the prettiest thing in the world, but they had a blast when the pool was out. Duke got to play in it as well, if you can believe it.”

  Looking at Duke, I didn’t doubt it. “I guess you’ll have to get him one of his own next summer,” I mused aloud, eying the small picnic bench on the opposite side of Kris’ yard. “This really is a cute place you have here.”

  She shrugged, then placed the first handful of dogs and burgers on the grill before closing the lid. “It’s a roof over my head.”

  “But it doesn’t feel like home?” I asked, joining her when she sat down on the edge of the porch again.

  “I guess I haven’t gotten used to it yet. I’ve been here several years, but it doesn’t feel like how it did when I was a kid. It’s safe, sure, but the calm that comes from a childhood home isn’t something you can get back.”

  “Sure you can,” I told her, staring at the space between my feet as I did, “but it has to be the right house.”

  “Is your house a home?” she asked, offering me a kind smile when I met her gaze.

  “It feels like it some of the time, but it’s also an afterthought the rest of the time. This is why I work so hard when it comes to placing families in the right homes. Most folks in my industry just take the money and run, but I’d rather see folks happy in their new home than to have it pop back up on the marke
t a few years from now.”

  Kris nodded her understanding and left it at that, busying herself with the burgers and other foodstuffs she’d brought out with her. Duke was beside her in an instant, his eyes never leaving her, not even when a fork fell onto the ground.

  “Who needs a leash when you’ve got food, right?” I asked, standing up to join them.

  “It has to be the right food,” Kris said matter-of-factly. “He won’t do this for just anything. Watch out, bud, otherwise I’m going to step on your toes.” Inching around Duke with a plate of burgers in one hand and the condiments tucked under her other arm, Kris slowly made her way toward the picnic table, mumbling as she did. “I forgot the tablecloth. Shoot.”

  “We’ve got paper plates,” I said, taking the tray of foodstuffs from her before she tripped over Duke or fell. “We don’t need anything else.”

  “Are you sure? Because I could—”

  “Stay,” I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve done more than enough, though I suppose we’re going to need something to drink.”

  “That’s something I did remember.” She stepped away from the table after dropping the condiments off, then pulled a red cooler out from behind the grill. “I have soda, water, and iced tea. I don’t drink so I apologize if that’s something you’d prefer.”

  “It isn’t a problem at all. Soda would be fine. Man, I haven’t been to a cookout in years.”

  “My family used to have them all the time,” Kris said, carrying a pair of soda cans over to the table before finally sitting down. “Fourth of July, birthdays, other summer holidays, and even on the weekends. We pretty much made up any excuse we could think of to bring out the paper plates and plastic utensils. I don’t do it much anymore since it’s a waste, but the summers we had… there was always a reason to celebrate.”