by Mara Wells
“Noted.” Danielle had stuffed the bottle back in the bag and taken Pops’ leash in her hand. “Pops and I will be fine. My father is a vet, you know.” She’d felt a twinge of something, a bit of wrongness in the wording. She should be able to say she was the veterinarian. One class at a time. She would be doing her first one online, a composition prerequisite, while she sorted out the legalities of turning Homestretch into a fully functioning nonprofit endeavor. She might even take some business classes on her way to her veterinary degree.
“Pops likes you. That’s what’s important.” Grandpa William had spoken some gibberish about being a good dog to Pops and disappeared into the elevator, leaving Danielle alone on the rooftop dog park turned wedding venue.
She wasn’t exactly alone. Black-suited employees hustled, setting up chairs and constructing the gazebo where Riley and Caleb would say their vows. Florists made several trips up and down the elevator, arms and carts overflowing with every kind of flower that came in pink. It looked chaotic, but when they were done, Danielle had to admire how the groupings of flowers did define the spaces.
For her part, she kept Pops to the back, near the wall. He was content to sniff every blade of grass he encountered, a process that would keep him occupied well past the wedding if she let him. Knox and his brothers had appeared for a few moments, but then disappeared just as quickly. Knox hadn’t even noticed her in the corner on dog duty, which was probably for the best. The way the light-gray suit outlined the smooth flex of muscle under the fabric was enough to keep her speechless. At some point, her hormones had to calm down, right? But so far, the more time she spent with Knox, the more she craved him.
She didn’t regret her to-hell-with-it decision, but she did fear what came next. She knew Knox wanted to talk about it. She also knew she wasn’t ready. She didn’t want to tell him, didn’t want to see the disappointment on his face or hear false words of reassurance. And she for sure didn’t want to think about what him walking away again would do to her. The longer she kept her mouth shut, the more memories she could collect before it was all over, this time for good.
She brushed at the semiformal cocktail dress she was recycling from attending Bridget’s wedding last year. The neck revealed enough cleavage to feel sexy, and the shimmery bronze material lightened her eyes and inspired her to wear the eye shadow with a bit of sparkle in it. She hadn’t been too sure exactly what dog sitting during a wedding ceremony would entail, so she’d considered wearing more practical flats. Instead, she couldn’t resist the ridiculously high heels she’d bought with the dress. The hem hit an inch above her knees, and the heels made her calves look amazing. Besides, how many opportunities did a dog-rescue expert and soon-to-be part-time student get to dress up? Not many.
So far, her decision wasn’t disastrous. Her feet were a little achy from standing so long, and she’d only had one instance where the heel had sunk into the damp grass and she’d had to yank it out. She had the hang of it now, how she had to balance her weight as evenly as possible across the shoe’s sole, not letting the toe or the heel take too much weight.
“Danielle!”
Danielle turned to see Sydney flagging her down, her formfitting gown even more beautiful on her than in the picture. Danielle tugged on the leash, and a reluctant Pops followed her to the elevator where Sydney stood, hip propped out to hold the edge of her iPad.
“You look lovely.” Danielle commanded Pops to sit, and he did, eventually—after a minute of sniffing Sydney’s glittery shoes.
“Thanks.” Sydney blew a bang out of her face. “Honestly, I feel a bit naked without Chewy’s sling. And Chewy.”
“No one will know.” Danielle would normally have been more reserved around a woman like Sydney, someone who seemed to have everything together, but Sydney was so danged nice. The morning coffee ritual often included her, and Danielle had come to appreciate Sydney’s true and deep love for her dog, her quick wit, and her eagerness to help anyone, anytime. Sydney had kicked off the Homestretch YouTube presence like it was nothing, but it was everything to Danielle. Of all the dog park friends, Sydney was the one she felt closest to.
Sydney flipped her iPad around so Danielle could see it. “So far, everything looks great. Only problem? The groom and his brothers took off in the limo.”
“Took off?” That sounded bad to Danielle. She didn’t have a tremendous amount of experience with weddings, but it seemed like the groom should be nearby during the preparations. Groomsmen, too. What could possibly be more important than the wedding today?
“Disappeared.” Sydney snapped her fingers. “Riley’s not worried, but she’s overly sappy lately. You know, since she found out.” Sydney patted her belly and waggled an eyebrow at Danielle.
Danielle’s hands flew to her own belly. “I didn’t know!”
“That’s what happens when you skip out on the morning meetings.” Sydney’s disapproving frown didn’t reach her eyes. “All the hot gossip that goes with the hot coffee.”
“I, uh, overslept.” Danielle checked on Pops, sitting attentively at her feet, to make sure he wasn’t about to become an emergency. And also so Sydney couldn’t see the real reason she’d missed so many mornings this week—her inability to get out of bed when Knox was in it.
“Again, huh?” Sydney grinned at her knowingly. Danielle had mentioned she and Knox were seeing each other, much to the other women’s delight, but she hadn’t given much detail. Sydney was clearly making up her own, and she probably wasn’t wrong. “Well, now you know. Baby on board, though luckily, it’s too early to really see. I only had to let her dress out a smidge for today.” Sydney held her thumb and forefinger together very closely. “Don’t tell anyone. So far, she’s keeping it to just us girls.”
Us girls? Danielle hadn’t had a group of girlfriends since high school—and back then, it’d been Madi, Cassie, and her—but she liked it, the us part of us girls. She liked it too much. At the clinic, the front office staff and vet techs were mostly women, but she was the boss’ daughter and so never felt quite like part of their crowd. To think here she was now, being caught up on shared secrets and chastised for missing out on a get-together. Danielle’s face felt like it would break from the size of her smile.
“So”—Sydney shoved the iPad at Danielle—“Riley’s sure Caleb and company will be back in plenty of time, but this wedding planner is one nervous wreck. Can you double-check my day-of list? I’m worried I’ve forgotten something.”
Danielle scanned the multipage document, noting that everything was checked off with a pink rose petal by each completed item. “You forgot one thing.”
“I knew it!” Sydney grabbed the iPad back. “It’s something big, isn’t it? Like the rings or—”
“You’re forgetting to enjoy yourself.” Danielle reached over and turned the iPad off. “Everything is done, you look amazing, and there’s at least another hour before guests start arriving. Don’t you have to go take pictures or something?”
Sydney blinked her big, hazel eyes. “Don’t make me cry.”
“By stating facts? Come on. You’re tougher than that. Go enjoy this amazing event you planned.”
Pops huffed as if in agreement, and Danielle patted his domed head to let him know she appreciated his support.
“I’m so glad I ran into you. One more minute assuring Riley’s mom everything is under control would’ve driven me insane.” Sydney threw her arms around Danielle for a tight hug. “You’ll keep an eye on things up here? And text me if any of the groomsmen miraculously appear? And enjoy yourself, too? I’m sorry you got stuck with Pops. Grandpa William was insistent.”
Danielle hugged her back, careful of the applique on the front of Sydney’s dress. “Honestly, I’m happy to help out in any way I can, and I’m better with dogs than people. Go. I’ll be your eyes and ears up here.”
Sydney kissed Danielle’s cheek, first one and then the
other, and fled to the elevator with a backward wave. “You’re the best!”
“I am the best.” Danielle told an indifferent Pops. He ambled to his feet and followed her to a seat. She chose a spot close to the front but on the outer aisle so Pops would have room to spread out without tripping the wedding party as they made their way down the aisle. She passed a pleasant half hour taking photos of all the preparations and texting with her dad, who was puppy sitting until closer to the wedding. He responded by sending her short videos of the puppies tumbling over one another to get to the water dish. Pinto won the scuffle and launched himself so enthusiastically into the bowl that he landed muzzle first, splashing the others with a tiny tidal wave. Tilly rocked back on her heels, her expression dumbfounded. Danielle laughed out loud.
“Excuse me, ma’am?”
Danielle gritted her teeth. She might be in her thirties but that was still much too young to be ma’ammed in public. She flipped her phone facedown and gave her attention to a young man in a tailored suit. “Yes?”
“Groom’s or bride’s side?” He held out his arm like she was supposed to take it and wasn’t already situated exactly where she wanted to be for the ceremony.
Also, trick question. Technically, she was more Riley’s friend than Caleb’s. Together, they were two-fifths of Us Girls. On the other hand, she was pretty sure Grandpa William would want Pops on the groom’s side. Before she could make up her mind, a voice answered for her.
“Groom.”
She craned her neck to find Knox looming over her. She held up her finger in the one-minute gesture. She flipped her phone back over and messaged Sydney.
One groomsman accounted for.
Sydney’s response was instant. Thank God. Ask him where the hell Caleb is.
“Where the hell is Caleb?” Danielle was nothing if not literal.
Both Knox and the usher looked shocked at her abrupt descent into harsh language.
“He’s back.” Knox’s brows furrowed. “In plenty of time, I might add.”
“Tell that to Sydney.”
“I will.” He pulled out his own phone and texted. “You know my cousin?”
The usher. Danielle shook her head.
Knox talked and texted at the same time. “This is Danielle. Danielle, my cousin, Sean. Caleb dug up all the relatives for today. Some of them I’ve never even met before.”
“Hey, you know me. Mom showed me pictures of you at my baptism.”
“Right. You’ve gotten a bit taller. And learned to speak. Good for you.” Knox still texted, and the corner of his lip lifted like he was amusing himself. “Some relatives I have even less memory of. Mom didn’t like to have much to do with the Donovans after the divorce. If not for Caleb’s mom insisting on inviting me to every event of Caleb’s life, I wouldn’t even know my own brothers.”
“Hey, man.” Sean pretended to wipe a tear from his cheek. “Don’t get so emotional. The wedding hasn’t even started yet, and I don’t want to run out of tissues before I get a chance to hand one to a gorgeous, single lady in distress.” Sean flashed the inner pocket of his suit coat to show it stuffed with Kleenex.
“Stay away from this gorgeous, single lady.” Knox finally put down his phone and leaned a hand on the back of Danielle’s chair. “She bites.”
“Knox!” Danielle sprang up for her chair. “What will the children think if you talk like that?”
Knox grinned. “The children should do their jobs and leave the gorgeous ladies to me.”
Sean laughed a long, honking laugh that struck Danielle as so funny that she laughed along.
“I’m being serious here.” Knox didn’t let his face crack, but Danielle could tell he was laughing on the inside. His eyes crinkled ever so slightly at the corners, like they did when he smiled.
“Enough.” Sean used one of his hoard of tissues to wipe at his eyes. “The groom’s side is over there.” Sean offered her his arm. He was taking his usher duties pretty seriously, or maybe it was that she was the only guest to arrive so far and he needed the practice.
“Thanks.” She stood, tugging Pops onto his feet.
“Wait.” Knox put his hand on her elbow. Sean took the hint and moved over to loiter by the elevator. His day was made when two Dorothy residents emerged, and he was able to escort them to the bride’s side.
Danielle led Knox to the groom’s side of the chair setup. “What?”
“How are you?” Knox cupped the back of his neck, squinting at her like something wasn’t right.
“Why? Do I have something on my face?” Danielle wiped at the corners of her mouth. She’d downed a quick doughnut on her way to Fur Haven. Had she been walking around with vanilla custard on her mouth? Surely, Sydney would’ve told her. Or Sean would’ve totally been on it if she’d needed a tissue, right?
“No, you look great. Beautiful.” His eyes traveled up and down her shimmery dress, and Danielle was glad she’d gone with the ridiculous heels, because his eyes definitely lingered on her legs for an extra moment. “I–I saw my dad today.”
“In prison?” Danielle snapped her jaw shut. Somehow it had been hanging wide open, like she was some cartoon character getting shocking news. “That’s where you guys went?”
Knox stuffed his hands in his pockets, straining the tailored lines of the slacks. “Yeah, Caleb had some idea about getting closure before the ceremony.”
“How did it feel, seeing him after all this time?”
“I’m not sure. Caleb seemed relieved. Lance got angry.” Knox lifted a shoulder. “Me? I mostly felt sorry for him.”
“Didn’t he bring it all on himself?” Danielle shifted her weight from one foot to the other. The shoes were beautiful but not exactly comfortable. But beautiful. And Knox was looking at her legs again, so she pushed her aching feet out of her mind.
“I know a little bit about regretting past choices and mistakes.” Knox’s voice grew husky, and Danielle forgot all about her numb toes. “It can be hard to face how much you’ve hurt someone you love.”
Love. Danielle’s eyes locked with his. “So you forgave him?”
“I hugged him.” His mouth quirked like he couldn’t believe it himself.
“How’d that feel?” Danielle stroked a hand down his arm, shoulder to wrist, and entwined her fingers with his.
“It felt good to put the past to rest.” Knox inhaled deeply. “It doesn’t have to affect me anymore.”
Danielle’s gut clenched. Was that why he wanted to talk to her now? Did he want to put their past to rest, too? What kind of closure would he ask for? The kind where he gave her a hug and walked away because this week had been fun and all but they couldn’t have a future together? Was he figuring on getting all the unpleasant closure tasks behind him before the ceremony? Was she on some kind of wedding-day to-do list where he ticked off his items one by one with a giant X?
Knox pulled at his coat sleeves, even though the suit was perfectly cut to his frame. He fiddled with the cuff links and then let out a long, controlled breath. “It was funny because at first I was so mad, but then looking at him, I couldn’t hang on to it. All that anger, years and years of it. Danielle, he’s just an old man in a cell. He ruined everything good in his life. I felt nothing but pity.” Knox raised his other shoulder. “So I hugged him. And you want to know something really weird?”
Danielle held her own elbows, arms crossed over her stomach, waiting for the punch that was sure to come. “What?”
“On the ride back, all I wanted was to tell you about it. And then you were here, like you were waiting for me.” He stopped fidgeting and caught her eyes with his. Those blue tethers kept her from gasping like she’d taken one to the gut. It wasn’t the blow she’d expected; no, it was worse. When Knox Donovan looked at her like that, all she could think about was his hands on her body, his mouth on her skin, as quickly as possible, please.
“I’m watching Pops.” Danielle didn’t want to leak her feelings all over him or admit that she would’ve waited for him if he’d asked. Their present balanced on a thin line between the past that had hurt them both and the future they didn’t talk about. She didn’t want to be the one who pushed them too far in either direction. Taking it one day at a time had gotten her through her depression, and it would get her through this, whatever it turned out to be, too.
“But if you were waiting for me, then I would’ve rushed home to tell you. And maybe asked for a hug. Because I really need one.”
Well, that broke her. She launched herself at him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Yeah, that’s the stuff.” He tightened his arms around her and held her. Long moments passed. They swayed a little. Pops grumbled and settled at their feet. The hug went on and on, until Danielle lost the sense of her body being separate from his, until their hearts beat in the same cadence.
Until Knox’s phone buzzed. He pulled away to check the message. “I’m missing photos. Guess I have to go.”
Danielle was the first to step away. “Go.”
“Will I see you later? At the reception?” Knox ran the pad of his finger down her cheek. “I need to ask you something.”
“At the reception.” Danielle stretched up to peck his cheek. Knox turned his head at the last moment to land a sweet kiss on her mouth.
“I’ll look for you,” he said and was gone.
Pops snorted. Danielle didn’t blame him. This back-and-forth was ridiculous. It was time to define what they were doing. He couldn’t give her a hug like that and not wonder where this relationship was going. They were definitely more than hooking up. The question that dogged her thoughts as more and more guests arrived was: how much more?
Chapter 31
Danielle had to admit it was the largest wedding she’d ever seen. There were several hundred people in attendance, with chairs stretching as wide and long as most of the dog park. The sprays of flowers festooning every available surface covered up any lingering dog smells, and the groomsmen looked handsome in their gray tuxedos. Caleb, standing on the inside of the gazebo, wore a slightly darker gray than his two brothers and grandfather, who stood beside him in an open V formation.
