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Lucy instantly felt out of her depth. She looked around, desperate for some assistance. She breathed a sigh of relief when Logan looked her way and started walking over. “I don’t think—” She tightened her hold when the puppy wiggled in her arms.
“Hello, Mrs. Crenshaw, it’s nice to see you,” Logan said smoothly.
The woman turned to him. “Hello, Logan. As I explained to your helper, I want you to find a home for this dog.”
“What’s wrong with him?” Lucy asked, tightening her hold on the wiggling puppy.
The woman stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “You can’t see it? All you have to do is look at him. He looks like a patchwork quilt. My house is French provincial, not country or even modern.”
Logan smiled as the puppy stretched out his head and licked his fingers. “He looks like a healthy terrier to me.”
“Oh, he is. It’s just that Harry got it wrong again. Just as he did with that poodle. And the shih tzu. And that horrid little Pekingese with the strange face. You can understand, can’t you?” she appealed to Lucy. “My husband feels we need pets in the house. He thinks because we live in a rural area we should act more rural. I love animals, but he just doesn’t understand that they have to be the right kind of animal. This one isn’t it.”
Lucy looked over the woman dressed in pale-blue capris, a blue-and-pink striped boat-neck knit shirt and matching blue leather high-heeled slides. The designer sunglasses were propped on a nose that Lucy was positive had known a cosmetic surgeon’s skill. As a former travel agent, she’d dealt with enough women who had too much time on their hands and too much money to spend that she could understand their convoluted thought processes. She held the puppy protectively against her chest and felt the warmth of a slightly rough tongue sweeping across her chin.
“Have you thought about setting up an aquarium?” she asked.
The woman looked at her. “An aquarium?”
Lucy nodded. “You might consider setting up a salt-water aquarium. I’m sure you’ve been to the Caribbean.” The woman nodded. “Did you do any snorkeling when you were there?”
“Harry enjoyed swimming in the ocean. I never liked getting my hair wet.”
Lucy wasn’t surprised to hear that admission. “Then I’m sure he told you about all the colorful fish he saw while snorkeling. I don’t know how your house is set up, but I can imagine you have a large living room where you entertain a lot. The kind of room in which something unique can really stand out.” She paused long enough for the woman to nod her head. “That is the kind of room that is perfect for a large aquarium filled with beautiful exotic fish. You’ll find that the fish in a salt-water aquarium are more brilliant in color.”
“I see,” the woman drawled, her interest aroused. “I can imagine that some of them would be very rare.” Meaning expensive, Lucy thought.
“I’ve seen some rare fish that are just beautiful. Since the upkeep isn’t easy, I understand it’s best to have a professional come in to handle the upkeep of the aquarium.”
Mrs. Crenshaw considered Lucy’s suggestion. “With an aquarium I could choose a color scheme that would go with the furniture much better than I could with a dog,” she mused aloud. “I’ve seen those specialty fish stores. Someone there could assist us in setting up a salt-water aquarium.”
“Definitely.”
Mrs. Crenshaw smiled just enough to show she was pleased with the suggestion but not enough to cause lines. “What a wonderful idea. Thank you, dear. I’ll look into that.” She patted Lucy’s arm that still cradled the wiggling puppy. She turned to Logan as she pulled an envelope out of her purse and handed it to him. “Thank you, Logan. I’m sure you can find the right home for the dog.” She started to walk away.
“Wait! What’s the puppy’s name?” Lucy called after her.
The woman looked over her shoulder. “He doesn’t have a name.” She gave a little wave and hurried over to her Mercedes convertible.
Hugging the puppy against her chest and stroking his back the way she would comfort a baby, Lucy watched the woman drive off.
She looked at Logan. “She’s done this before?”
He nodded. “The poodle didn’t like her. The Pekingese had an ugly face. Then there was the Afghan that didn’t match the furniture. She said she couldn’t bear to return the dogs to the breeders, so she always brought them to me to adopt out. The problem is she has a husband who indulges her every whim.” He shook his head in frustration. “How did you know she goes to the Caribbean?”
“It was pretty much an easy guess. In my former life as a travel agent, I met women like her. I’d also say she enjoys Vienna, Paris and Geneva for their shopping and costly facial treatments.”
Logan absently stroked the puppy’s head as he opened the envelope and pulled out a check. Lucy glanced over. Her eyes widened at the amount written in a graceful script.
“She not only leaves the dog but gives you money to boot?”
“I think it’s guilt money on her part. Thanks to Mrs. Crenshaw’s donations I’ve been able to add four more dog runs, set up the cat palace and give Kristi and Jeremy much-needed raises,” he told her.
“But she basically abandons her dogs here.” Lucy looked down at the puppy, now happily snoozing in her arms. She didn’t want to put the dog down.
“Better she leaves them here than dumps them on the road.” Logan started to reach for the puppy but Lucy danced out of his way.
“He’s fine with me.” She cupped her hand over the back of the puppy’s head in a protective manner. “Besides, he’s upset. He just lost the person he thought was his mother. He needs some TLC before you can even think of putting him in one of those cages.”
“I have to check him out before I can put him up for adoption,” he pointed out in a low voice. “Besides, those cages keep him safe.”
“I want to adopt him.” The words left her mouth before her brain engaged. She took a deep breath as she looked down at the puppy snuggling contentedly against her. Feeling she needed him to understand she was serious, she repeated the words. “I want to adopt him.”
Logan was silent as he studied her. Lucy felt the rest of the world around them recede as she returned his gaze. Looking at the way his red Adoption Day T-shirt covered his chest, she was convinced that red was most definitely his color.
“That’s a pretty quick decision considering you said you know nothing about dogs.”
“He doesn’t deserve to be just dumped here like…like…” She found herself at a loss for words. “It’s as if that woman returned a dress that was the wrong color.”
“True, Mrs. Crenshaw isn’t the most thoughtful woman in the county, but she does have her good points. She knows I’ll find the puppy an appropriate home,” he explained. “I’m just hoping the next time around I won’t end up with a tank full of fish.”
The puppy sighed with contentment as Lucy lightly scratched between his ears. “I don’t think you will. It sounds like she’s happier when she’s spending her husband’s money. She’ll spend a small fortune setting up a salt-water tank that her friends will ooh and aah over. That’s all she wants. Having a dog didn’t give her that kind of joy.”
“She didn’t have that joy with a cat either,” he said. “The Persian had a habit of shedding fur on the furniture and she was positive the Siamese didn’t like her. Luckily, she didn’t try exotic birds.”
Lucy winced. “Then we’ll just hope that she loves fish.”
“Or the clinic will end up with a fancy tank in the waiting area.”
“Just don’t put it on the cat side,” she quipped. “Now, where do I sign the papers to make this baby boy mine?”
“I’ll stop by Mrs. Crenshaw’s house tomorrow to have her sign the dog over to you,” he told her. “And I’ll give you some puppy food to take home.”
She nodded. “After here, we’re going shopping at the pet store,” she cooed to the puppy. She studied the rhinestone-studded baby-blue leather collar with its matching leash. “She didn’t name you, but she gets you a fancy collar that doesn’t go with your personality. Don’t worry, I’ll find you a collar that’s more you and all sorts of toys for you to play with.”
“I have to say, when you decide to get a dog you don’t do it by half measures.”
Before she could reply, Jeremy called Logan and walked quickly away.
Lucy looked down at the puppy as he opened one eye and stretched his mouth in a jaw-cracking yawn.
“I wonder what Luther will think of you,” she murmured.
“Hey, Mom, cute dog.” Nick walked up to her. He frowned as he studied the puppy. “Where’d he come from?”
“You always said we should have a dog.” She stared into the face that stole her heart right away. “Meet Domino. He’s going home with us.” She laughed at the shock on his face. “Once we’re finished here we’ll have to do some shopping.”
Nick shook his head as he walked away. “When I said we needed a dog I was thinking more like a lab or German shepherd.”
By the end of the day, Lucy was exhausted. She could only sit on a folding chair and stare at the ground. Domino lay curled up in a tiny ball on her lap. Nick had collapsed on the grass beside her chair.
“No wonder you only do this once a month. It takes that long just to recover.”
“A lot of dogs found good homes and so did most of the cats,” Logan said. “I want to thank all of you for your help.”
“Forget the thanks, when are you feeding us?” Jeremy demanded.
Nick opened one eye. “Food?”
“Logan always orders pizza at the end of the day,” Kristi explained.
“No mushrooms,” Nick said.
Lucy looked down at her son. “We really should go.”
“Stay and eat with us,” Logan invited. “You don’t need to make any stops tonight. As I said earlier, I’ll send some puppy kibble home with you.”
“Yeah, Mom,” Nick said. “Besides, it’s part of my community service.”
“Do you really think I’ll believe that eating pizza is part of your work?”
“I’m a growing boy.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” Lucy turned to Logan. “He can eat his weight in pizza,” she warned.
His grin did strange things to her insides. “So can I.”
SATED FROM sausage pizza and cheese garlic bread, Lucy sat back in the chair and allowed herself to relax. The puppy snoozed by her feet.
“You know Luther’s going to have a fit when he sees the puppy,” Nick said as he flopped down on the grass.
“Luther has issues, but he’ll get past them,” she said.
“Yeah, he hates everyone.” The boy leaned forward and picked up the puppy, setting him in his lap. The dog stood up on his hind legs and licked the boy’s face. “Okay, fella, time to run and play.” He stood up, taking Domino with him.
“A boy and his dog,” Logan said, taking Nick’s place by Lucy’s chair. “I guess I should say your dog.”
“It’s a shame I can’t get him to work this hard at home,” she commented, watching her son herd the puppy into the enclosed area. The puppy took off running.
“I always worked better anywhere but home.” Logan swiped a slice of pizza off Lucy’s plate.
“Did you always want to be a veterinarian?”
“Since I was five and watched our cocker spaniel have puppies. She had some difficulty with the birth. I thought the vet was magic because he helped her. My dad always wanted me to be a lawyer then a judge like him. He never forgave me for not going into the law.”
Lucy studied him through a narrowed gaze. “I have a pretty good imagination, but I can’t see you in a three-piece suit delivering an impassioned summation to a jury.”
“Neither could I.” Logan half turned when a cold nose nudged his arm. Magnum sat on his haunches with his eyes fixed on the pizza in his hand. Logan heaved a sigh and held out the remainder of the slice. It disappeared in one bite.
“So he does put down the cell phone,” Lucy commented, watching the dog carefully pick the phone up.
“Only when he eats.”
“Have you ever been tempted to call it and see what happens?”
Logan grinned. “I did that once. The minute it rang, he looked at me with one of those ‘you should know better’ looks. All he ever allowed me to do was take the battery out of it. At least he doesn’t chew on shoes or furniture. Besides, he’s a good guard dog.”
“He’s a lucky dog.” She looked over to where Kristi and Nick played with her puppy. Domino stayed at Nick’s heels.
Logan studied Lucy’s face highlighted by the fading afternoon light.
Today was the first time she’d seemed fully relaxed around him. He didn’t know exactly what there was about her that called to him. When he’d first noticed her at Cathy and Lou’s house he’d sensed an incredible energy about her. It was apparent that while technically she was an in-law, she was considered a full part of the Walker clan. He could tell that even if her brother wasn’t married to Ginna, the Walkers would still have gathered her into their family fold. Logan had gone to school with Brian Walker and knew how readily the family adopted any friend of their children’s.
Today he saw a softer side to Lucy. Even after their long day, a faint hint of perfume drifted toward him. What little makeup she’d worn was now gone, but he doubted she wore very much.
“I want to thank you for all your help today,” he said. “We sort of threw you into it and you didn’t run off screaming.”
She looked amused. “You mean some people have?”
“A few. I always thought a T-shirt and pizza was a more-than-adequate bribe, but some people didn’t see it that way.”
“Maybe the T-shirt wasn’t their color,” she kindly pointed out.
“That must be it,” he agreed. “I’d still like to offer you more. Maybe we could have dinner.”
“We just did.”
“Actually, I mean dinner not served on paper plates with dogs begging for their share. A place with some ambiance.” He silently prided himself on his choice of words.
“Ambiance,” Lucy repeated. “If I didn’t know any better I’d swear you were asking for a date…again.”
“I’m stubborn that way. Think you’ll give me a break this time?”
“Trust me, Dr. Kincaid, women with teenage sons aren’t good prospects for dating. We have to worry about our sons’ social lives instead of our own.”
“Nick doesn’t seem all that interested in the opposite sex yet.”
Lucy flashed him a who-are-you-kidding look. “You were once a teenage boy. Can you honestly tell me you weren’t interested in girls when you were Nick’s age?”
“I was too busy bumming rides to the beach. I planned to have an animal clinic across the street from the beach, so I could go surfing anytime I wanted.”
Lucy had an image of all those Sixties’ beach movies, but this time Logan was the star on a surfboard instead of Frankie Avalon romancing Annette Funicello or Moon Doggie enchanting Gidget. She imagined a younger Logan, with a tanned bare chest and a surfboard by his side. He must have been a chick magnet.
She shook herself back to the present. She looked from left to right in an exaggerated manner. “There’s something missing. Namely, the ocean.”
“I worked here summers when I attended veterinary school and came back to work full-time after I graduated. When Dr. Mercer retired, he offered me a good deal on the place. I decided I’d just drive to the beach on my days off.”
“Was the shelter a part of the clinic then?”
He shook his head. “That happened about four years ago when I found a box of kittens sitting by the clinic’s front door one night. I was able to find them all good homes. I guess the word got out because it wasn’t long before more animals turned up.”
“A man who helps children and animals. In some circles you’d be considered the perfect catch.” She smiled. “I’d think women would be beating down your door. So why me?”
“Maybe I like a challenge.” He edged his fingers toward Magnum’s cell phone. The dog’s low growl was more than enough warning. “See?”
Lucy shook her head. “Maybe I just don’t like you,” she countered, even though she knew that was far from the truth. Whether she liked it or not, Logan Kincaid was growing on her.
“Are you kidding? You just said I’m a prime catch.” He held his arms out from his sides. “Upstanding member of the community, respected businessman, kind to children and animals. You couldn’t do any better.”
“The children come courtesy of the juvenile court system.” She pointedly glanced toward the dog park.
“My dad was the one to come up with the idea of some of the kids working here. Luckily, it’s turned out well.” The feel of a paw on his arm distracted him. He turned his head and found Magnum staring at his plate, or rather, at the slice of pizza still sitting there. “I should have named you Mooch,” he muttered, handing over his pizza. The huge dog stared at his now-empty plate, stood up and moved on to another source of food.
“He’s very well trained. Was that your doing?” Lucy asked.
“That’s all Magnum. I think it’s more he trained me.”
“It’s amazing no one claimed him. He’s a beautiful animal.” She smiled as she watched the large Malamute pause by Nick’s abandoned plate and soon have it licked clean.
“Some people prefer puppies. Once the dog grows up, they get rid of the adult dog and start fresh.” Logan’s voice hardened. “Or they end up as pawns in a divorce case. Sometimes the one getting the family pet isn’t the one who really wanted him. It’s not just the kids who can end up the losers.”
“Luther didn’t have that problem. I was the one who wanted him and I got him.” Her airy voice didn’t totally hide the old pain.
“And here I thought you were the loser in the battle for Luther the Wonder Cat.”
Lucy chuckled. “Ross and Luther didn’t get along at all and that was putting it mildly. Luther’s idea of fun was shredding Ross’s favorite ties.”
“It sounds like you got the better deal.”
“I did.” Lucy pushed herself out of her chair. “I should go. Nick!”
Her son waved at her to indicate he heard. “I’ve got to put the dogs back first,” he called back.
“Don’t forget to get out a bag of puppy kibble,” Logan told him.
“Thank you for the pizza,” Lucy said. A smile curved her lips. “And the puppy.”
“I don’t think I had a choice where the puppy was concerned.”
She crouched down as the puppy ran over to her. She picked him up and cradled him in her arms. “You’re probably right.”
It wasn’t long before Nick returned from the shelter with a bag of kibble draped over one shoulder. Logan walked them to Lucy’s car and watched them drive away.
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