Hush, Puppy

by Roxanne St Claire

  “Oh,” Christian said. “Then you’re starting…kindergarten?” he guessed.

  “Destiny will be six later this month,” Summer told him. “So it’s first grade for us, and Destiny’s getting a dog for her birthday.”

  “Not that dog,” Christian said, pointing to Mav. “That’s my uncle John’s dog.”

  “I know.” Whoa, Destiny had no problem getting her point across there.

  “But maybe you can bring him to play Hide ’n’ Bark,” the little boy added. “It’s starting in a couple minutes.”

  Destiny lifted her head from nuzzling Mav’s neck, a question in the gaze she directed at Summer.

  “Hide ’n’ Bark?” Summer asked. “That sounds like fun. Would you like to play, Des? I think that’s what this nice boy is asking you.”

  She shook her head, silent.

  “She’s still getting to know everyone,” Summer said, breaking speech-therapy protocol and covering for her. “Maybe later.”

  “Oh, okay. Because Uncle Shane said we need one more dog and kid to play.”

  Destiny searched his face, obviously tempted. “How do you p-p-play?”

  “Like hide-and-seek with dogs,” he replied. “Plus, you get to learn how to train your dog not to bark.”

  “Hide ’n’ Bark is a Waterford special,” Liam explained. “It actually evolved from Manhunt, which we played a lot as kids—”

  “And adults,” Jessie added.

  Liam laughed. “Some of you play it as adults, but Shane’s reformulated the game, and it’s going to be part of the big camp launch next week.”

  “Oh, there’s a camp here?” Summer asked.

  “First year we’re having one,” Liam said. “Tails and Trails. Three weeks, fifty kids, and dogs that they bring or borrow. It’s a day camp for some, and a sleepover in our dorm for others. The kids learn everything they can about training dogs, with games, crafts, contests, hiking, campfires, you name it.”

  “Wow, that sounds like fun.”

  “There’s still room for a day camper,” he said, tipping his head toward Destiny. “Starts on Monday, and day campers have weekends off.”

  Her daughter’s tiny jaw loosened just enough for Summer to know that Tails and Trails sounded like sheer paradise to Destiny. But it wasn’t exactly in the plans.

  “I don’t know if we’ll still be here Monday,” Summer said. “But, Des, go get a taste of it by playing Hide ’n’ Bark now.”

  “C-c-can Mavvie play?” she whispered, looking up at John.

  “Sure,” John said. “Especially if you stick with Christian and Jag. And don’t drop his leash.”

  “We never lose,” Christian said to her. “You can be my teammate.”

  Destiny clung to the puppy and looked from the dog to the boy and back again, her little decision-making wheels going round and round.

  “Only if it sounds fun to you,” Summer said, putting a hand on Destiny’s shoulder.

  “It does,” she whispered.

  “We all get Popsicles,” Christian added, obviously knowing how to close a deal. “And dogsicles!”

  “Really?” she asked, eyes wide. “Can Mavvie eat th-th-that?” she asked John. At least she knew who was in charge of “her” puppy.

  “Oh, he can and he will,” John assured her. “His favorite is blue raspberry.”

  “Me, too!” she said, her enthusiasm giving Summer a shiver of sheer delight.

  “You can both have blue Popsicles,” Christian said, quite serious. “Just be sure Mav gets the one for dogs. There’s no sugar in it.”

  Very slowly, she inched the puppy away, who immediately started squirming at the first taste of freedom, which he hadn’t had a lot of since Destiny came on the scene. “Want a Popsicle?” she whispered in his face, then put his snout next to her ear, nodding. “Yes,” she said to Christian. “He w-w-w-wants one.”

  “Oh man,” John muttered, getting a look from Summer. “I know, I know,” he said under his breath. “But did you see that?”

  She put a hand on his arm, and not just for the thrill of feeling the corded muscles and dusting of hair. She had to make her point. “Be strong, Yianni.”

  He blinked at the name she suspected only his grandmother used, then laughed softly, shaking his head. “I don’t know…” he said.

  “I can’t go, Mommy?” Destiny asked, misreading the communication.

  “You most certainly can, honey. Go and have fun. I’ll be right here.”

  “There’s water stations and shade,” Liam assured her. “Plenty of supervision, too.”

  “I think it sounds great,” she said, encouraging Destiny with a squeeze.

  “Come and see Jag again,” Christian said, practically bouncing on his heels to get out there and play. “He’s the best dog in the world.”

  Destiny shot him a look that showed exactly what she thought of that statement. Then she took a deep breath and stepped away, walking with Christian, who was still talking. “Jag’s a Schutzhund, and that means he’s specially trained…”

  His voice trailed off as they disappeared toward the kitchen door, with Destiny not even looking back as if second-guessing her decision.

  “Don’t worry,” Liam said. “She’s in good hands.”

  “I’m not worried,” Summer assured him. “I’m thrilled she’s having fun. Even if she is scheming to steal another person’s dog.”

  They all talked for a few minutes, then John finally led her to the back porch to see Gramma Finnie and Yiayia, but before they made it, another man walked in, looking freakishly like John, but without the beard and glasses.

  “There you are,” John said to him, jutting his chin in greeting. “Didn’t think you’d ever make it.”

  “We held the wedding that wouldn’t end last night,” he said with a puff of frustration, then his gaze shifted to Summer, and he smiled. “Hello,” he said. “You’ve got to be Summer.”

  “I am,” she said, feeling the warmth of a blush on her cheeks.

  “You’re the talk of the farm,” John joked. “This is Alex, my twin brother.”

  “Oh, Alex. That explains the strong resemblance.”

  “It used to be more,” Alex said, rubbing his clean-shaven jaw. “But I gave up the beard to save a dog, and my fiancée liked the new look.”

  “Now he looks like the evil twin,” John joked.

  “And the one who can cook,” Alex added with a playful wink.

  “Alex and his fiancée, Grace, own the Overlook Glen Vineyards, just outside of town,” John explained.

  “Technically, Grace owns it, but I’m starting a restaurant there,” Alex said. “And right now, we are up to our eyeballs in events. Last fall, Scooter Hawkings and Blue got married there, and we haven’t had a weekend off since.”

  “Really?” She let her jaw drop, truly impressed. “Those are some big celebrity names.”

  “And good friends now,” he said proudly. “Their endorsement shot Overlook Glen to the top of North Carolina wineries, I’m happy to say. And my good brother here…” He put a hand on John’s shoulder. “Bought out my share of the deli and is officially the only Santorini left in the family business, ready to take it soaring to new heights.”

  John lifted that shoulder with a shrug. “With the financing.”

  “From the secret shopper,” Summer added, sharing a look with John.

  “He show up yet?” Alex asked.

  “How the hell would I know?” John muttered.

  “You’ll know if you get a call from the guy. Hey, listen, I can come in this week and help out if you need me in the kitchen.”

  “Thanks, but Bash is killing it, and the kitchen isn’t my problem,” John said.

  “I knew you’d love that chef,” Alex said.

  “Not as much as the servers do,” he joked. “It’s the front that’s my problem. And damn if Yiayia isn’t determined to show up every day and make it worse by trying to make it better.”

  Alex gave a look that said he
knew exactly what that meant. “You gotta make that hire, man.”

  “I can’t find the right person.”

  “Because you’re too picky. Just find someone who can greet and seat and keep order where there’s chaos.”

  John sent Summer a sideways look. “I did have someone amazing step in the other day…”

  A little shiver climbed up her spine at the look, the compliment, and the secret they shared.

  “Yeah?” Alex said. “So hire that person and call it a day.” He looked past John toward the kitchen. “Please, God, tell me there’s coffee. Those dogs had us up at six a.m., and that wasn’t wonderful at all. I told Grace to sleep in and bring them over later for the barbecue.”

  “Good, then Destiny will get a chance to meet Maverick’s cousins,” John said.

  “Destiny?” Alex asked.

  “My daughter,” Summer told him. “She’s developed an, uh, unrealistic attachment to John’s puppy, and I think she believes Maverick’s going to be tiny for the rest of his life.”

  Alex gave a soft choke. “Then stick around and see my dogs. They’re about fifty pounds each. Gertie still thinks she’s a lapdog, though.” He patted his chest. “And still likes to wake me up by sitting right here.”

  As the charming chef talked and asked Summer a few questions, she had the unusual opportunity to see exactly what John would look like without his beard and glasses. Handsome, for sure. But there was something about the way John looked that appealed to her. The facial hair made him incredibly masculine, and the glasses somehow fit his personality, which was much more understated and unassuming than Alex’s.

  And then she realized she was staring at him and he knew it.

  “It’s okay,” he said, giving her an easy nudge with his elbow. “We’re used to it. And yes, we’re identical.”

  “I can see that…sort of.”

  “We’re two halves of a whole,” Alex told her. “I’m the official right side, and he’s the left. I like food, people, a little drama, and a lot of music. Give this guy a spreadsheet, a technical challenge, or any problem to solve, and he’s happy.”

  “Not so fast,” John quipped. “Who is the one who always gets the DJ at Bushrod’s to play the music so we can do the sirtaki?”

  “True,” Alex conceded. “He can dance my ass off. And as far as movies, he’s Top Gun, and I’m Mission: Impossible.”

  “But you’re both Tom Cruise fans.”

  “Twin,” John said, giving a nudge to Alex. “Go get your coffee. We’re on our way to see Yiayia.”

  “Outside, holding court with Gramma Finnie,” Alex said, sticking his thumb toward the patio. “How long are you in town, Summer? You guys should come to the winery, and I’ll make dinner. And bring your daughter, of course.”

  “Oh, that’s so kind. I’m not sure how long we’ll be around, but thank you. It sounds like a wonderful place.”

  “It’s paradise with wine,” he said with a smile that softened his features and was absolutely identical to John’s. “But that just may be because I met the most amazing woman there. I do hope you’ll come and have some of our Three Dog Night Pinot Noir.”

  “I’d love to,” she said, adding a quick goodbye as John finally led her to the patio.

  “Overwhelmed yet?” he whispered as they reached wide-open doors that led to a huge deck-style patio populated with even more people and dogs.

  “Not yet,” she said. “But then, it’s time for the Dogmothers.”

  “Remember, they do have an agenda.” He led her through the doors, leaning close to her ear to whisper, “And if you think Destiny is hard to say no to…”

  “Well, if it isn’t our own Summer in Bitter Bark.”

  Summer turned to find Agnes Santorini in a rocking chair with the smaller of her two dachshunds on her lap. Next to her, tiny Gramma Finnie beamed from behind her bifocals.

  “You made it, lass.”

  They both shifted their gazes to John, and their smiles just grew bigger.

  “I did, and it’s so nice to see you again.” Summer stepped closer and reached down to give them both a hug and kiss on the cheek because it felt so natural.

  “Sit, sit.” Agnes gestured to the ottoman in front of her. “And where is that gorgeous girl of yours?”

  “Playing a game called…” She looked up at John, who leaned against the doorjamb, watching. “Bark ’n’ Seek?”

  “Hide ’n’ Bark,” he corrected. “But close enough.”

  “Then she’s happy,” Agnes said. “Did you find a dog for her yet, lass?”

  Summer made a face. “She’s still got her heart set on one that’s taken, but maybe after this game…” She lifted a shoulder. “I’m sure we won’t leave Bitter Bark without a dog.” She smiled at John. “Her own dog, not yours.”

  The two older women looked from John to Summer and back to John again, then at each other.

  “So, it’s going well, you two?”

  John gave an easy laugh. “I’m going to go get us a drink, Summer. I have no doubt you can handle this better without me. Sweet tea or something stronger?”

  “Tea’s good, thank you.”

  She settled a little deeper into the low seat, putting her just below eye level with Yiayia, where she suspected the woman wanted her to be for the inquisition she sensed was about to hit her.

  “So, you like my Yianni?”

  Hit and hit hard.

  “Agnes! For the love of Saint Patrick, put your sledgehammer away.”

  “Ladies.” Summer leaned closer. “Let’s nip this right in the bud, okay? I see where you’re going, and I understand that you’ve been there before, and quite successfully. But I’m not planning to be here for more than another day, two at the most.”

  Gramma Finnie let out a deep sigh and picked up a glass with a few inches of golden liquid. “Yer drivin’ me to the Jameson’s, lass,” she whispered before taking a drink.

  “I’m sorry, I—”

  “Don’t be.” Yiayia leaned forward and pinned her with a gaze. “I, for one, appreciate your honesty. You’re a busy single mother with a very active young daughter. And you have a job down in Florida.”

  Gramma Finnie shot her a look. “You can be subtle, Agnes, but there’s no need to put the kibosh on the whole thing.”

  Yiayia waved a hand and picked up a tall glass of “water.” “Nonsense. We’re matchmakers, not miracle workers. Let’s move on. I noticed a beautiful woman chatting with Darcy a while ago. Let’s find out her story and introduce her to Yianni.”

  Summer blinked at her, oddly bothered that the woman had given up on her so easily.

  “Well, I certainly understand why…” She looked toward the door where John had disappeared. “He’s a great guy.”

  “But not for you,” Yiayia said simply. “We’ll find him the right match. You just go…back to Florida. You’re not interested, you’re not local, and you’re not Greek.”

  Gramma Finnie’s jaw dropped at that. “I thought she might have at least made a nice summer distraction.”

  “We don’t do distractions, Finola. So, not for him. Fine. Next?”

  Summer bit back a quick laugh. “Wow, you sure give up easily, Yiayia.”

  “Not giving up anything. Just…” She made a point of moving one way, then the other, looking past Summer. “Seeking more fertile ground.”

  “Agnes, I do not understand you sometimes,” Gramma Finnie said, snapping at the collar of her bright pink cardigan. “There’s simply no need to be nasty to this sweet girl.”

  “I’m not nasty,” she countered. “Just on a mission, and she can’t be part of it.”

  Well, she could be if she wanted to. “Really,” Summer said on an awkward laugh. “You sure are giving up fast. I mean, is the right match for your grandson so simple that any woman off the street would qualify?”

  She leveled those dark, dark eyes on Summer. “Oh, I’ll find the right match. And she will be perfect and interested.”

  Just
then, Destiny came flying out to the patio, her wild curls bouncing, thick from the summer humidity. John was two steps behind her, holding his own puppy, for once.

  “Mommy!” She practically fell into Summer’s lap.

  “Honey, what is it? Are you okay?”

  “Yes!” she said breathlessly. “But please, Mommy. Please. I’m b-b-begging you.” She pressed her delicate hands together as if in prayer.

  “Destiny. You are not going to take this man’s dog.”

  “No, no.” She shook her head, sending the curls bouncing around her face. “I-I-I…” She closed her eyes and rooted for the focus she’d learned in speech therapy.

  “Breathe, honey,” Summer whispered, putting her hand on Destiny’s cheek, which was hot from the sun and damp with sweat. “Say it slowly.”

  “Please let me go to Tails and Trails! Pleeeeease!” She drew out the last word so long, it actually broke into song. And her audience reacted with laughter, claps, and a cheer from Gramma Finnie.

  “The camp?” For three weeks?

  “It’s so fun,” she exclaimed on another desperate breath. “There are so-so-so many dogs and games and Popsicles and dogs and…”

  “And more dogs,” John said, stepping closer and easing little Maverick to the floorboards. “So I’m sure she’d find one.”

  “Oh…” Summer’s mind spun through all the possibilities, the reasons to say no, and…then she looked up at John.

  “The offer still stands.” He added a smile and, with it, a twinkle in his eyes.

  “I can’t…” Take a free apartment. “And if you’re in camp…”

  “She’ll be havin’ the time of her life,” Gramma Finnie said.

  And Summer would be…

  Oh. Suddenly, the answer was clear and good and right and made perfect sense. She looked up at John, held his gaze, and lifted her brows.

  “I won’t take the apartment for free,” she said. “But you know what I can do?”

  He just stared at her, looking as if he were running through a whole list of things she could do and wasn’t sure what she was about to say.

  “I can meet, greet, and take people to eat.”

  “Mommy, you made a rhyme!”

  John’s eyes flashed as he realized what she was offering.

  “Let me tell you, Yianni…” Summer couldn’t resist a quick look at Yiayia. “There is no better job training for creating order out of chaos than teaching third grade. I’ll run your hostess stand.” Then, she rationalized, she’d be able to find out about Travis’s whereabouts in a natural, organic way. Maybe he’d even come into the restaurant, and she could have that conversation with him, and no one else would ever have to know. Plus, she wouldn’t have to leave this lovely place…or this handsome man.