Home for a Hero

by Heatherly Bell

  “A date. You know, someone to go with.”

  “I... I don’t have a date but that’s okay. I might go alone.”

  “I’m free that weekend.”

  “You’re probably busy.”

  They both spoke at once.

  He laughed. “No. Want to take me?”

  “Why? You want to go?”

  “I give great date.”

  She blinked. “I h-hope Jill didn’t talk you into this. Really, I’m okay. I can go alone if I don’t find a date. Maybe I’ll ask Julian.”

  Not Julian. Sure, he was a nice guy, but Ryan wasn’t sure Julian was good enough for Zoey. Then again it was difficult to picture anyone who would be. He’d heard that Zoey and Julian had been on one date. One. No follow through. It didn’t sound like a love match. At this point, it was every man for himself.

  The other night when he’d brought over the puppies, he’d felt a connection with Zoey. Strangely, being in that small bathroom with her wrangling puppies was the most fun he’d had on a Fright night in a while. And it had felt oddly intimate somehow. He’d had...thoughts. Thoughts like how she’d react if he leaned down and kissed her. Just then he’d bonked his head on the shower curtain rod and talked himself out of it.

  But he didn’t see any harm in taking Zoey on one date. He’d get to spend more time with her, talk over the dognapping case and anything else that might develop.

  “You don’t want to ask Julian or anyone else. I’m the perfect date. Just ask Carly. I took her to a wedding before she met Levi. I like parties, know how to be a gentleman and I’ll even dance if you ask nicely. Did you know I can do a backflip? But I need to have a shot of tequila first.”

  “You took Carly out?”

  “Just that once. Yeah, it was no big deal. She was between boyfriends. I was between girlfriends.”

  She seemed to be mulling it over and what felt like roughly a decade later, finally spoke. “That would be great. If you’re sure.”

  “Wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.”

  “Thanks, buddy.”

  He bristled at the friendship designation, wondering why it bothered him. It was accurate.

  “No problem. Think nothing of it.”

  He’d take her on this date, behave himself and that would be the end of it.

  Max Pina greeted them at the front door of his modest-sized home on a three-acre parcel of land not far from Ryan’s own fixer-upper. Before retiring, Max had worked for the post office. Since then, he’d been breeding purebreds and had settled on Great Danes and golden retrievers. He raised them to eight weeks and then sold them. Some of the goldens were snatched up by programs that trained therapy dogs. It was all a respectable operation and Ryan had no doubt Max was a straight arrow despite the rumor. However, he might know something.

  And hell, they had to try. He’d do anything to wipe away that look of anguish in Zoey’s deep brown eyes.

  “What can I do for you, sheriff?” Max asked. “Surely I didn’t get any more noise complaints.”

  “You got any puppies for sale?” Ryan asked.

  At his elbow, Ryan could feel Zoey’s gaze trained on him. He wasn’t interested in a puppy. It just so happened that Max was a dyed-in-the-wool libertarian who could recite the constitution backwards and forwards. Off duty or not, Ryan wasn’t getting on his property without a good reason. He didn’t hold it against Max, or anyone else for that matter. Being the sheriff, or any member of law enforcement, carried with it ramifications he’d dealt with for years now. The number-one problem was that some people tended to censor themselves around him, in or out of uniform. A law enforcement label, sheriff or detective, tended to go with you wherever you went, and caused people to clam up.

  “Matter of fact, just had a litter four weeks ago. Have to say that four of them are spoken for but I have a runt. Of course, they won’t be ready to go for another few weeks.”

  “That’s fine.”

  Max turned to Zoey. “You here to help him?”

  “Yes,” Zoey said, playing along.

  “Good choice,” Max said with a nod as he stepped outside and led them to the side gate of his backyard. “I appreciate you bending your rules about adoption to consider one of mine.”

  Outside, Max led them to a fenced-in area where they found an older golden dozing surrounded by five small sleeping puppies. Younger looking than the ones he’d found on the side of the road. As they approached, the mother lifted her head as if to issue a warning. Don’t come any closer.

  “So sweet,” Zoey said, almost reverently. “In the animal kingdom, it’s instinctive to protect your own.”

  “She’s always a good mama,” Max said. “Fourth litter for her.”

  As Zoey and Max talked, Ryan casually surveyed the area. He hadn’t expected to find anything here and he’d been correct. This day would turn out to be more or less an exercise in showing her that he’d tried. Done his best.

  “You heard about Zoey’s missing dog?” Ryan asked.

  After Zoey explained the situation to Max, the man’s eyes narrowed and his scowl deepened. “Sumabitch. Some people. Did you check with all the shelters?”

  Zoey nodded. “He’s a good dog. Someone knew that.”

  “Let’s hope the idiots are taking good care of him, at least. I stopped breeding Great Danes. Too many health problems.”

  “If you hear anything, will you let me know?” Ryan asked.

  “Sure will.” Max turned to Zoey and slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Sorry this happened to you. It’s not your fault, you know.”

  It seemed to be what Zoey needed to hear. She brightened slightly, her brown eyes shimmering.

  “What do you think of my runt, sheriff?” Max asked, waving to his litter.

  “Need to think on it some more, but he is beautiful.”

  “Don’t think too long.”

  As they were leaving, Max offered another thought. “Don’t think this will amount to anything, but rumor is there’s a puppy mill just outside of town. When people will do anything for money, well, you just never know. If I hear anymore, I’ll let you know.”

  Ryan had no idea what a puppy mill could be but it didn’t sound good.

  “Puppy mill?” he asked Zoey as he started up the Jeep.

  “That’s when an irresponsible breeder is in the business strictly to make money. They mass-produce dogs, which leads to serious health problems. As of last year, puppy mills are illegal in California.”

  But Ryan realized this didn’t mean all breeders would stop the practice. One tended to see that problem a lot when money was involved.

  “I’m sorry, Zoey,” Ryan said. “I don’t know what else we can do.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” Zoey said. “You’ve done more than I ever expected.”

  “I wanted to do more.”

  He always did. It was like a sickness with him. Even when he told himself that he couldn’t be all things to all people. Not everyone could be saved, no matter how hard he tried.

  He dropped off Zoey in front of her home a few minutes later.

  “See you next week?” Zoey asked, climbing out. “I’ll call you with the time later. Don’t worry, dress is pretty casual.”

  “Actually, I’ll see you tomorrow at the pet wash.”

  Her brow furrowed in confusion. “You’re bringing Fubar?”

  Fubar was Jill and Sam’s dog, a very cool three-legged dog with a ridiculous name. Ryan could see why Zoey might think he’d bring Jill’s dog. He didn’t own a pet and the pet wash was a way to raise money for Pilots n Paws, the organization that used volunteer pilots to fly pets to their forever homes. The pilots from Magnum, the small regional airport nearby, participated in the program. This would be the second annual event. Zoey donated all the pet shampoo, tubs and other necessities. But the washing of the pets
was done by shirtless pilots as a gimmick. Suckers.

  “Our department got together and raised some money for the cause. It’s a big check.” He winced.

  “How much?” Her curious brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

  “No, I mean it’s one of those huge fake checks, which I’m assured is backed by a real one.”

  “Oh. Guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  With that she turned her back to him and walked toward her front door. And damn if he didn’t enjoy every minute he watched her cute butt wiggle away.

  Chapter 8

  The next morning bright and early, Zoey set up for the pet wash in front of her shop. Indie, Bella and Corky had come along, of course, and would get their own baths. Zoey always contributed to the cause.

  They’d sectioned off the parking lot and Zoey set up the three stations with tubs and bottles of shampoo. Susie from the Hair-Em Salon had used her sinks to fill buckets with warm water that they could use to fill the tubs. After she’d blow-dried the pet’s fur, she would place a bow tie or ribbon on them and take a photo that would later be uploaded to the website. Last year the event had occurred at the airport but since the regional airport was under construction, they’d switched locations. Luckily, all of the shopkeepers were fully supportive of the charity and brought their own animals.

  Zoey loved the pet wash but she’d be nervous this year because of Ryan. Especially now that he’d offered to take her to the anniversary party. She would be intensely aware of his every move today, even more so than normal.

  “Where’s Carly?” Zoey asked Jill when she arrived, Fubar in tow.

  “She woke up feeling sick so Levi is staying home to take care of her and watch the baby.” Jill pointed to Sam a few feet away. “I’m lending my own piece of man candy, you’re welcome very much.”

  Zoey observed as Sam stripped his tee off near one of the tubs.

  “Oh my god,” Zoey said, trying not to drool.

  Jill smiled. “I know, right?”

  Zoey shook her head, wondering what Ryan looked like without his shirt. Probably better than Sam, and that was saying something. She dumped a bucket of warm water into a tub. Jill followed.

  “Thanks a lot, by the way,” Zoey said, scowling a little at Jill.

  “Um, you’re welcome, but not sure what I did. Pretty sure it was awesome.”

  Zoey barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes. “Not this time. You got Ryan to offer to take me to the party, didn’t you?”

  Jill put her hand on her heart. “I did not.”

  “Well, you told him about it and he offered.”

  “Oh, yeah? So, did you accept?”

  “Of course.”

  “That’s good. He took Carly to a wedding.”

  “I know.” Zoey was aware that Jill was not matchmaking. She wasn’t very good at that, anyway.

  “And look what happened there.”

  “Why? What happened?”

  “She met Levi right after that.”

  “So...what? Ryan is some kind of good luck charm for meeting Mr. Right?”

  “You never know. Maybe he’s your charm. Some dude is going to see you at that party with Ryan and notice you for the first time.”

  Zoey swallowed hard. She would have hoped that man could be Ryan, but obviously Jill didn’t share her thoughts. Anyway, it would be crazy. Six years older, he was so much more experienced than Zoey in every way. She was his little sister’s best friend and it would probably take a seismic shift for him to see her in any other way. And Zoey wasn’t a fan of the ground shifting beneath her feet.

  “He’s the perfect date to my friends,” Jill said. “A complete gentleman. Won’t drink too much, and won’t make a move on you.”

  Yeah. Great. Just what the doctor ordered. “Okay, okay. You already sold me on him.”

  Once owners and their pets began to arrive, the lines moved swiftly. Pilots Stone Mcallister, Matt Conner and Sam took care of the washing. Shirtless. It meant a great deal of donations to the cause. Jill helped with the blow-drying, Zoey gave her pet massages and Susie put on the final touches of ribbons or bow ties. Zoey had been so busy that she hadn’t even noticed when Ryan arrived. But at one point she turned and there he was. Ryan was so good at representing. He was like a walking advertisement for law enforcement.

  She was cleaning up her station when Ryan appeared at her elbow. “Hey.”

  “Hi. Did you bring that big funny check?” She tried a smile.

  “Yeah, it’s propped over there.” He pointed. “You got a minute?”

  “Um, sure.” She dried her hands and followed him to the storefront of Pimp Your Pet where a photographer stood, working his digital camera.

  “The newspaper wants a photo of me handing over the check to someone involved in the pet wash.”

  “Oh, okay. Maybe one of the pilots or their wives.” She turned in a circle. “They’re around here somewhere.”

  “They’re all pretty busy and the guys don’t have their shirts on. I’ll just hand it to you,” Ryan said. “You’re a big part of this pet wash.”

  “Yeah, but...b-but this is all for Pilots n Paws.”

  “Not a local organization. And Magnum Aviation couldn’t do any of this without you. This is all community stuff. You know, rah-rah Fortune.”

  “But...”

  Speaking of the ground shifting under her feet. She did not want her photo taken. Not that it mattered to anyone else but she wasn’t presentable for a photograph. She wore denim shorts, her favorite rain boots, a T-shirt that, due to the German shepherd that had shaken his wet fur all over her, was still wet. Her hair was in a ponytail, other than the stray fly-away hairs, some of which were plastered to her forehead. Lovely.

  Ryan grabbed the check and the photographer set up the shot. Ryan stood next to her, the huge check in front of the two of them, his much larger form making her feel tiny. Then the photographer signaled Ryan over with a hooked thumb, and Zoey thought maybe she was about to get out of this. Surely the photographer understood someone else would be more appropriate. Someone dressed. Like, in a dress. While they conferred, she waved her arms, jumped a little and tried to catch Jill’s attention. But she was ogling Sam. Did she not get enough of that in the privacy of her own home? It took a few more waves over her head until Jill finally caught sight of Zoey.

  Help. Get me out of this, Zoey mouthed.

  What? Jill mouthed back and squinted. For the love of dogs, could she not read lips? Zoey enunciated and everything. She tried again, but then Sam grabbed Jill by the waist and it was all over.

  Zoey sighed. The photographer was explaining something to Ryan and it appeared to be somewhat important given the way he leaned in and gestured. Ryan nodded and glanced back to Zoey. His eyes widened, but then he gave a slow smile. It made every part of her light up like a Christmas tree. Like a wet Christmas tree. That meant electrocution, probably.

  He strode back to her and repositioned the check so that it covered her chest. Another easy smile. “We’re just going to put this right here.”

  That’s when she glanced down at her T-shirt and noticed her nipples protruding through the flimsy damp cotton, giving all who cared to see a free show. Horrified, she thought about running, thought about screaming, but she had cover right now. She was going to take this check with her after the photo and if anyone tried to stop her then she would scream.

  Ryan pulled Zoey in close, making the lights of her metaphorical Christmas tree blink in a possibly seizure-inducing pattern. He had one arm draped oh-so-casually over her shoulder and the other hand was holding the check. He hadn’t asked her to but she was also helping to keep this giant check positioned in place. Just try and stop her.

  “Thanks, Zoey. You’re a real sport.” Ryan turned to her when the photos were all taken.

  Well, crap, he might as
well have patted her head. “You’re welcome.”

  “I can take this now.” He pulled on the check. He was smiling again, his left dimple showing. Was he having fun with her?

  “Oh, no you don’t.” She held it in front of her like a shield.

  “Zoey,” he said, and his eyes smiled.

  She turned, walking with the check in front of her. “You’ll get this check back when I’m good and ready. After I change.”

  Ryan was pulled aside by another concerned citizen so he couldn’t follow her.

  “That was cute,” Jill said, coming up behind Zoey. “Why are you walking like that?”

  “Because I don’t want to flash anyone else!”

  “Huh? Are you naked under there?”

  “It’s wet T-shirt contest time down here.” She lowered her gaze to her boobs. “One of the dogs splashed me and got me big-time.”

  Jill covered her mouth with her hand, making no real effort to hide her laugh. “Oh my god.”

  “The photographer noticed and made Ryan move the check to cover me. Otherwise I’d be in the next edition of the Dispatch, my two nipples waving hello to the world!”

  “Oh, c’mon. You’re exaggerating. How bad can it be?”

  Zoey deadpanned and then lowered the check so only Jill could see.

  Again, she covered her mouth. “It’s not that bad.” Her eyes grew wide but then she smiled brightly. “Aren’t you wearing a bra?”

  “Yes! It’s much worse than I thought!” Zoey walked to her shop, the check in front of her. She was never going to wear this kind of flimsy sports bra again. To hell with comfort. “I’m going to change.”

  “Don’t worry. I bet the photo is really cute and the check covered the boobage. It should be in the Dispatch’s Wednesday edition.”

  “Great. Me, Ryan and my boobs.”

  She was going to be in the local newspaper with Ryan. She turned to see him, now surrounded by a group of residents, smiling, at ease, confident. And boy if that wasn’t a familiar sight to Zoey. She’d watched from the sidelines many times while Veronica took the spotlight, surrounded by fans, admirers and movie producers. Smiling easily, oozing confidence and sexuality.