Hot Under the Collar

by Roxanne St Claire

  All characteristics that made for a great scent-detection dog. “Don’t tell me. Her olfactory system is A-plus-plus.”

  Uncle Daniel laughed. “You know we can’t test for that, but she hasn’t been scent trained at all. So there’s no untraining to do, which will make it so much easier for you to work with her.”

  “Easier than, say, Jelly Bean.” He couldn’t keep the unhappiness out of his voice, and the look he got from his uncle said it came through loud and clear.

  “Like I said, I know what it feels like to love a dog. But with a job as critical and potentially life-saving as a canine arson investigator, a working dog can’t be selected on emotion and connection. The dog has to have special qualities.” He added a meaningful look. “Not everyone is cut out to be a firefighter, as you know. Doesn’t mean a person can’t want it, but you know there are certain physical and mental characteristics required. It’s no different for a working dog.”

  He let out a noisy exhale, but didn’t reply.

  “You want this dog to do his or her job flawlessly. Now, no dog is flawless,” Uncle Daniel added quickly. “They lose interest, they get tired, they might not be on that day.”

  “Jelly Bean never loses interest, is tireless, and is always on.” He managed a dry laugh.

  “If I sound defensive, it’s because I am.”

  “I get it,” he said. “And I respect your opinion. But come and meet Jazz. She really checks off every box for what you need.”

  Couldn’t he be the judge of that? Braden made no effort to step into the kennel, swallowing hard against all the objections he had. But one had to be said.

  “I can’t manage two dogs, Uncle Daniel. I’m gone for twenty-four hours several days a week, and I have to bring my dog to work. I can’t bring two there, it’s against policy. Jelly Bean…” Damn. He couldn’t even think about that.

  “Someone was in here this week looking to adopt a Weimaraner.”

  Braden grunted and closed his eyes. Of course. “My ex?”

  Daniel tipped his head. “I was going to tell you, but I wanted to get your reaction before including that bit of information. Does it matter?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “It matters because I’m not giving up on Jelly Bean. I don’t care if the greatest ADC that ever lived is standing right here in front of me. I’m sure this dog is astounding, and she should have her job, whatever it is. Give Jazz to another handler and get her trained. I’m committed to Jelly Bean.” He held up a hand, hating to be anything but respectful to this man. “Sorry, but it’s important to me.”

  “There’s nothing to be sorry about, Braden. If anything, I apologize for blindsiding you. Are you sure there isn’t any way to keep Jelly Bean and work with a different arson dog?”

  “Maybe. Possibly. I don’t know, because I’m not mentally there yet.” Of course, Uncle Daniel was right. If JB couldn’t be retrained and his scent-discernment issues fixed, he would never be an ADC. He wouldn’t check all the boxes, like Jazz did.

  After a second, he stepped into the kennel and knelt down in front of the dog.

  “You’re a beauty,” he said, scratching her head. “A showstopper.” He looked up at his uncle. “But I love the one I have.”

  Next to him, his uncle shifted from one foot to the other as if he didn’t like what he had to say. “But if you can’t get Jelly Bean certified, Braden, you are going to have to either give up your dream or get another dog.”

  “I don’t want another dog,” he said simply.

  “I know, but the right ADC doing the job could mean life or death. If he stops one arsonist in his lifetime, he’s a success.”

  Braden stood slowly, holding his uncle’s gaze. “I know about life-or-death decisions, Uncle Daniel. And I know you’re telling me to make this one with my head and not my heart. But I’m not ready to give up yet.”

  “I’m not suggesting you give up, just looking for another option.” Uncle Daniel gave Jazz a treat and another head scratch, then walked out with Braden, latching the kennel. “I do know a little about making decisions with the heart and not the head.”

  Braden gave him a quick smile. “That’s what makes you the Dogfather, right?”

  His uncle’s features relaxed. “I think my reign is over, based on the way my mother and her new best pal talk. But I am taking credit for this string of weddings we have coming up.” He added a sly and totally unsubtle look. “Three, is it?”

  Braden just smiled. “At the moment.”

  “Hey, an old uncle can hope.” He added a playful elbow jab. “You know if you and Cassie work out, you’d get a promotion from nephew to step-son-in-law.” He laughed. “At least, I think that’s a promotion.”

  But right then, Braden didn’t find anything amusing. “Don’t get your hopes up, Uncle Daniel.”

  The other man looked genuinely disappointed. “You mean it’s not serious?”

  “It’s…” Temporary. Qualified. Provisional. And even my dog knows that. “New,” Braden said. “Very, very new.”

  “Can I offer unsolicited advice?” he asked as they stepped outside into blinding afternoon sunshine.

  “I guess as my uncle and Cassie’s stepfather-to-be, you have every right.”

  “Only if you want it.”

  Braden nodded, slowing his step to look at a man he admired with every bone in his body. “Yes, sir, I do.”

  “Very simple advice,” he said. “When you know you have the right one, don’t let go.”

  Braden hoped his smile belied the thud of worry in his chest. “You mean a dog or a woman, Uncle Daniel?”

  “Both.”

  * * *

  “Considering what Daniel’s proposing, I guess it’s a good thing Braden left Jelly Bean at home.” Mom settled back down on the glider after the men headed to the kennels, picking up her lemonade for a sip. “But why do you think he did that?”

  “Because that dog hates me,” Cassie said dryly. “Loves his ex, though. Hates me.”

  “Ooh, Cass. Jealousy is not a good look for you.”

  She snorted. “I’m not jealous, Mom. Worried that I’m the wrong girlfriend for him, but not jealous.”

  “Why would you be the wrong girlfriend for him? At the risk of sounding like a pushy mother, I think you two are perfect together. Daniel’s always thought that, to be honest. Long before you two got together.”

  “He can’t take credit for this,” Cassie told him. “This little…” What should she call it? Romance? Relationship? “Thing…is all Yiayia’s doing.”

  “That’s what she claims,” Mom said.

  “Well, she did push for me to help Braden raise money, and then with all the time together…” She shrugged. “But it wasn’t out of the kindness of her heart.”

  “Wait. Her heart has kindness?” Mom joked, then held up her hand. “I didn’t say that. She has changed.”

  “Oh, come on. You know as well as I do she’s up to no good.”

  “Well, it can’t be all bad if she got you two together.”

  “Mmm.” Cassie covered with a sip of lemonade. It wasn’t like she was lying to her mother, because she and Braden were together, at least at the moment. But it was temporary, and she really didn’t want to get into that level of detail with Mom. Not yet, anyway. No reason to break her heart in advance.

  “What do you think he’ll do?” her mother asked, gesturing toward the kennels.

  “If I had to place a bet?” Cassie thought about Daniel’s plan to offer a new, better-equipped dog for the ADC training. “He’ll keep fighting for Jelly Bean, but at some point, digging your heels in for something destined for failure seems kind of dumb, and if there’s one thing that man is not, it’s dumb.”

  Cassie leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes, enjoying the summer breeze.

  “Honey, while we’re here alone, I need to talk to you about something.”

  At the serious note in her mother’s voice, Cassie leaned up to see if her expression matched. It did. “I
s everything okay?”

  “Yes, of course. Couldn’t be better. What I need to talk about is the wedding.”

  “Oh, good. What do you need?”

  “A wedding planner.” She lifted her brows. “You know anyone good with event management?”

  Cassie stared at her. They were getting married in late October. Four more months? After all these years of waiting?

  “What do you need a planner for?” she asked quickly. “You said you want to keep it to under sixty people, Santorini’s will cater, and you’re getting married here.”

  She shifted in her seat. “We agreed we’re not going to get married at Waterford Farm.”

  Cassie drew back, eyes popping in surprise. “Since when?”

  “Since…” Her mother let out an uncomfortable sigh. “I want a real wedding, honey. You know I didn’t have one when Dad and I got married because I was ‘in the family way.’” She rolled her eyes. “My mother refused to book the country club, and Yiayia didn’t think my non-Greek pregnant self would have been welcome at Saint Catherine’s.”

  Cassie shook her head. “Imagine if anyone had known that baby you were carrying wasn’t even half Greek?”

  “Everyone’s life would have been so different,” Mom mused. “And Daniel and Annie married here, for the same rushed reason. So we both agree we want a real wedding. I don’t mean a long white gown and veil, obviously. But we don’t want the reception in our house, and I feel like we should find somewhere grand and glorious. And I don’t want it catered by the family restaurant. I want my son to be in the wedding party, not cooking for it. I want waiters with trays and a jazz band and a big cake and…” She cringed as if she’d just heard herself talking. “Would you die of embarrassment if we had that kind of wedding?”

  “Not at all.” But she didn’t want to stay here for an additional four months to plan it. “I understand wanting that. It’s just that…” She looked out to the yard, past her mother, trying to think of a gentle way to get out of the responsibility of planning it. “I thought I was going to be the maid of honor, not wedding planner.”

  “Of course you’re the maid of honor!” Mom patted her arm. “You don’t think you could do both? Isn’t most of the planning work done by the time the day rolls around?”

  “I could, but…” She swallowed. Maybe it was time to tell her mother what her plans were. Why wasn’t she? “It’s just that—”

  “Oh my gosh, Cassie. I didn’t think this through.” She put her hands on her face. “How selfish of me.”

  “Think what through?”

  “Planning a big, fancy wedding when you haven’t…you aren’t…you are…”

  “An old maid?” Cassie gave a hearty laugh. “Please, Mom.”

  “But you’re the right age for a big splashy wedding, and I should be out shopping for that MOB gown you told me years ago I’m not allowed to wear to it.” She leaned closer. “You know, with one of those matching jackets that covers everything.”

  “In lavender with sequins.”

  Mom took her hand, holding her gaze, both of them smiling at the old joke, a feeling of affection welling up in Cassie’s chest.

  “I’m so happy for you, Mom,” she said as the laughter faded. “You worked so hard taking care of Dad when he was sick, and Daniel is truly a great guy who adores you.”

  She bit her lip and nodded. “I love the hell out of him, I’m not going to lie. He makes me feel so alive and secure and grounded, all at the same time.”

  Cassie blinked at her, the description settling on her heart. Alive and secure and grounded. What a beautiful testament to love. “Well, then you should have the wedding of your dreams, Mom.”

  “Will you help me plan it?”

  She could do that, couldn’t she? Even if she ended up moving? Maybe she’d just stay through the holidays and move in the new year?

  Oh God. How many times had she said those very words, year after year after year?

  “No.” Mom shook her head. “Never mind. You’re right, you shouldn’t plan it.”

  “Yes, I should.”

  “No, I can see you don’t want that responsibility, and you’re absolutely right. I want you by my side as my maid of honor, not running around checking on the appetizers. I’ll hire a planner, if I need one. Or maybe I’ll find a venue that offers planning services. But this isn’t your worry, honey. You have a life to live.” She leaned in to whisper, “And a brand-new boyfriend to think about.”

  Cassie glanced at the kennels. “It appears that way,” she said.

  “He sure seems smitten,” her mother said, pressing her hand on Cassie’s leg. “Are you?”

  “He’s…” Hot, funny, sexy, adorable, and perfect. “Going to be your stepnephew. That’s kind of weird, don’t you think?”

  “There is no such thing as a stepnephew, and is that what’s keeping you from falling hard for him? Because, before you try to deflect that with a quick one-liner, I’m going to remind you that this is me, and I know pretty much your every thought.”

  “Not every,” she said dryly. “Some thoughts I have about Braden, I’m relatively sure you don’t want to know.”

  Mom laughed softly, but didn’t disagree. “Well, he’s not related to you. But as for the family thing? Just think how easy the wedding plans will be—people can sit on both sides of the—”

  “Mother!” She laughed, but held her hand up to stop this line of conversation.

  “Sorry. But we’re curious.”

  “We. You and Daniel?”

  “That’s who we are now. A couple.”

  “A couple of what?” Cassie joked, making Mom give that bittersweet smile she saved for a nice Dad memory. “Do you think Dad would like him?”

  “Yes,” she answered without a nanosecond of hesitation. “So, is it serious?”

  “It’s…fun,” she replied, the closest thing to the truth she could come up with. If she admitted this relationship suffered from planned obsolescence, Mom would pester and needle until Cassie told her she wanted to leave Bitter Bark.

  Just then, she was saved by Daniel and Braden leaving the kennels. “Oh, here they come.”

  “I wonder how Braden took the suggestion.”

  She squinted at him, studying his serious body language as Daniel talked, then suddenly Braden laughed. “He said no,” Cassie decided. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t find anything funny.”

  “Oh well,” Mom said on a sigh as some cars and trucks pulled into the driveway. “And here comes Yiayia. Let’s see if she’s still drinking her Nice Kool-Aid.”

  But Cassie’s attention was on Braden, where she knew it would stay all day.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jelly Bean trotted through the crowds in Bushrod Square like he was the reason they’d all come to the Date with a Dog bachelor auction. The dog was proud, fierce, confident, and…unaware he’d failed every scent-detection test Braden had attempted that week. Braden blamed himself for a crazy schedule that had him at the fire station on duty far more than at home, so how could he work with the dog?

  The week hadn’t just been rough on JB. Braden hadn’t seen much of Cassie at all, and that left a weird emptiness he didn’t understand. Fortunately, that was about to end in five minutes.

  “Where you going?” Connor asked as Braden started to veer away toward the bleachers that had been set up and would stay for the whole month of events.

  “I’m meeting Cassie first, then I’ll go backstage. Declan’s over there already.”

  “Of course he is.” Connor laughed. “Because it’s fifteen minutes early.”

  “And he’s doing the opening with the chief,” Braden reminded him. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  “You better not bail,” Connor warned.

  “Why would I bail? I already know who’s bidding on me. You, on the other hand, could get ignored by God knows how many former flings you have running around this town.”

  Connor laughed. “It’s not me they’ll want, it’
s Jazz.” He gave the leash a tug, but it was obvious the tether wasn’t necessary. A dog like Jazz would walk next to her owner into a fire…and when it was over, back in to find the cause.

  Uncle Daniel had given Connor his choice of any of the dogs in residence at Waterford, and it was no surprise he’d picked the best and brightest. And their cousin Darcy had groomed her to gleaming perfection, complete with a hot pink bandanna.

  As Braden moved away, Connor shot him a look.

  “Or are you just tryin’ to hide, bro?” Connor asked.

  “From what?”

  “Who.” He notched his head to the right. “Incoming. Two o’clock.”

  Jelly Bean saw Simone at the same time, jerking forward with a loud bark. A quick tug and command got him to stop, but there was nothing Braden could do to slow down the woman coming right at him.

  She tipped her head to the side and gave a wave, blond hair flying and a short skirt fluttering around her legs as she picked up her pace.

  “Jelly Belly!” she called, arms outstretched, but Braden held firm to the leash.

  Connor shot him a quick look. “Speaking of former flings.”

  “She wasn’t a fling,” he said.

  “Then it looks like you might have two bidders today.” Connor grinned as he nodded hello to Simone, then headed for the stage as she reached Braden and Jelly Bean.

  “Hey, baby.” It sure sounded like her greeting was directed at him, but Simone crouched down to love on the dog. “I bet you make the fire department oodles of money today.” She looked up and winked. “And Jelly Bean should do okay, too.”

  He gave a quick laugh. “Well, it’s for a good cause.”

  “Mind if I join in the fun?”

  He frowned, not sure what she meant.

  “If I bid,” she clarified. “I don’t want you to be upset if I…win.”

  She’d bid on him? “Simone, I’m seeing someone.”

  “Your cousin?”

  “She’s not my—”