The Good Guy on my Porch (Catalpa Creek #3)

by Katharine Sadler

  He chuckled and gestured to his car. “After you, my lady.”

  ***

  When we got back to our house, the trunk and back seat of Oscar’s car stuffed with everything the most pampered dog in the world could ever need, Molly was no longer on the front porch. I glanced back at all the stuff and smiled. We’d gotten two of everything, so Buddy would feel at home wherever he was, but he was probably a little old for dog toys, and the police officer costume was definitely overboard. “I’m going to propose the two of us never go shopping together, again,” I said. “Bad things happen.”

  “Bad things? Buddy’s going to love this stuff.” Oscar’s smile was warm in the dim light of the street lamp. “We make a great team.”

  There was no innuendo in those words, just kindness, and it made me all kinds of uncomfortable. I could do flirting, I could do sexy innuendo, I could handle crass jokes with the best of them, but kindness, especially from a guy I was lying to, made me feel like the worst kind of person. “Why don’t you keep Buddy at your place tonight?”

  “No. He’s your dog. I’m just the back up for when you’ve got a hot date.”

  I bit my lower lip to keep myself from blurting out the truth. “Okay. Thank you.” He probably wanted a night with his girlfriend, anyway.

  He helped me carry Buddy’s new stuff into my place and brought our boy over while I got his bed set up in the living room. I would have liked to have him in my room, but he wouldn’t be able to handle the stairs every night. “Here it is, Buddy,” Oscar said, walking in without knocking. “This is your new home.”

  I stood, feeling suddenly nervous. What if Buddy didn’t like it here? What if he didn’t like me? I had no need for worry. Buddy ran right in and almost knocked me over in his excitement. I knelt, my eyes welling with tears, and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tight.

  I looked up at Oscar, who was watching us with an odd expression, and feelings overwhelmed me. My two favorite living beings in the same room. . . I stopped that thought. It was ridiculous. I’d only really known Oscar for a few weeks. I was just overly emotional about Buddy. “Thank you,” I said. “For agreeing to all this.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “I’m glad to be part of Buddy’s life.”

  He left, letting himself out, quietly, and I dropped my face into Buddy’s fur. “I’m so happy to have you here.” I focused on Buddy and ignored my feelings for Oscar, because they could go nowhere. I led Buddy to the large, fluffy bed we’d gotten him. “What do you think of your new bed?”

  He looked up at me with his big sad eyes, like he didn’t know what to make of any of this. He was probably feeling as overwhelmed as I was. I sat in the bed and he came right over and curled up next to me, his head in my lap. “Are you sleepy, Buddy? Want to go to bed?”

  He let out a small whine and his eyes drifted slowly shut. I yawned as his breaths slowed and he fell asleep. I should have gone up to my own bed, but I didn’t want him to wake up alone in a strange place. “I just have to make a quick phone call,” I whispered. “I’ll be right back.”

  I slid from under him and made my nightly call to Mom, letting her know I was safe and she was safe and had nothing to fear. It was like waving my arms in a hurricane or shouting into a tornado, nothing I said or did would ever truly reassure her, would ever make any real difference for her.

  Buddy hadn’t moved from his bed when I walked back into the living room, so I curled up on the couch, snuggling in among all the pillows and cushions, getting comfy, and fell asleep in a matter of moments.

  I was woken up ten minutes later, to someone licking my face. Moaning, I opened my eyes to see Buddy’s big ones staring back at me. Sunlight was streaming in through the front window, which meant it was early. Far earlier than I normally got up.

  “Morning Buddy.” I forced myself into a sitting position. One thing I hadn’t considered were the crack of dawn walks Buddy would need. Luckily, I was still in my clothes from yesterday, so I wouldn’t be flashing anyone in my skimpy pajamas. “Want to go see the morning?”

  Buddy bounced a bit in place. I hobbled from the couch, feeling a teensy bit stiff, and grabbed his leash. I got him hooked up and stepped outside just in time to see Oscar walk toward the house, shirtless and sweaty. He grinned when he saw us, and my heart flipped even as my libido threw a party and decided early mornings weren’t so bad if this was the sight that greeted us.

  “How did the night go?” Oscar asked, his smile slipping as he scanned my body in yesterday’s clothes. “Did you get any sleep?”

  “I fell asleep on the couch. I was too tired to put on pajamas and I didn’t want to leave Buddy alone.”

  “And Buddy slept through the night?”

  “He did. Now he needs to use the lawn, so I better get him over there.”

  I slipped past Oscar and Buddy started down the steps. He appeared to be stiff, which Lola said was normal for him early in the day. He took his time going down the stairs and I waited.

  “Maybe it would be better if I carried him up and down the stairs,” Oscar said.

  “Lola said exercise is good for Buddy. He needs to work that hip to keep it functioning.”

  He nodded. “If I’m not needed here, I should hit the shower.”

  Buddy did his business and we went back inside. It was my day off and I had no plans. I had all day to show Buddy around and get him used to everything. I would not think about Oscar next door with Molly and wonder what they might be doing together in that shower. I would not think of Oscar’s bare chest with water sluicing down it. “Gah,” I growled. “What is wrong with me?”

  I swear Buddy grinned at me. “How about some breakfast?” I asked. “Are you hungry?”

  Buddy and I ate. Then, I called my mother and promised her I was spending the day at home. Buddy and I had another walk, and I cleaned a bit. None of it helped me stop thinking about Oscar and what he might be doing with Molly. I needed serious help.

  “What’s up?” Carrie asked, answering on the third ring. Normally, she’d be at work on a Monday, but it was spring break and Carrie and her family weren’t leaving for their trip to Disney World until the next day.

  “I know you’re probably busy packing and getting things ready,” I said. “But I could really use some shopping therapy.”

  “We’re all packed. But Cody’s at the vineyard and Kayla’s with him, so I’ve got Jenny and Simon.”

  “Why don’t you bring them to my place? I’ve got someone for them to meet, and you and I can do some online shopping.”

  Normally, I liked my shopping to involve walking, so I got a work-out in at the same time, but I wasn’t going to leave Buddy alone on his first day and I knew he loved kids. He always got excited when kids came into the shelter.

  “They’re so excited about the trip, they’re fighting every five minutes. Some time out of the house would be perfect.”

  “Awesome. I’ll see you soon.”

  On her end, someone screamed with impressive ear-shattering loudness and she sighed. “We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  I hung up and grinned at Buddy. “We’ve got company coming over. Do you want to see some kids?”

  He looked up from where he’d been resting in his bed and his tongue lolled out of his mouth in his expression for pure excitement. “You’re going to love these kids, Buddy.”

  I rolled my eyes at myself. I was talking to a dog. Pretty soon, I’d be imagining him talking back. I glanced toward the front of the house at the sound of a car door slamming. Oscar’s girlfriend was in the passenger seat of his car and he was getting into the driver’s seat. He sat behind the wheel and Molly’s lips moved. Oscar laughed at whatever she’d said, and my heart twisted. They looked really happy together. I was happy for him.

  “He deserves to be happy, Buddy. He’s a good guy.”

  Buddy dropped his head to his paws, uninterested in Oscar’s happiness.

  Fifteen minutes later, Carrie was there with a scowling Simon
and crying Jenny in tow. Carrie looked beyond frazzled, but she smiled and gave me a hug as soon as they were all inside. “It’s good to see you,” she said. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m great. Come on in and I’ll introduce you to Buddy.”

  Carrie raised her eyebrows, like she thought I’d date some guy named Buddy. I scowled and led them into the living room where Buddy was sitting up, his tail wagging. “This is my new friend, Buddy. He’s an older guy and he’s got a sore hip, but he loves gentle petting.”

  Jenny and Simon smiled, all their troubles forgotten, and knelt next to Buddy, petting him and loving on him. Carrie just looked at me and waited.

  “Lola was going to put him down. Oscar and I are co-parenting.”

  “Oscar?” I guess it had been a while since I’d really talked to her.

  “ Yeah, he said he’s been wanting to get a pet for a while. He’s going to share custody of Buddy, help me out if I ever need to leave him.”

  “You never leave Catalpa Creek,” she said. “Are you thinking about taking a trip?”

  And this is where I had to lie to my best friend. “No, but I might want to spend a night somewhere else every now and then.” I gave her my best saucy wink.

  “Are you seeing someone new?”

  One thing about lies in a small town, it was best if I told everyone approximately the same thing. As far as Carrie was concerned, I dated a lot more guys than I’d actually ever dated. A lot of pushy, demanding guys she disapproved of. “I am. It’s still really new, but he’s a great guy and so much fun.”

  She studied me for a long moment and my heart fluttered, sure that this time she was going to call me out on my lie. Instead, she smiled. “I’m happy for you, Dilly. Bummed that I’ve missed my chance to set you up, but happy for you. And Buddy seems like a great dog, look at him being so sweet with the kids.”

  I shifted in my seat, so I could see the kids on the floor. Buddy’s head was in Simon’s lap and he and Jenny were petting the dog gently. Their faces were now all smiles, their demeanors calm and sweet.

  Carrie sighed. “This is the happiest they’ve been all day. Maybe a pet would be worth all the extra work.”

  Simon’s head popped up at that. “I’d do all the work, Carrie. Please can we get a dog?”

  “I need to discuss it with Cody first.” Simon and Kayla still called Carrie and Cody by their first names, because they remembered their parents too well to call them Mom and Dad. Jenny called Carrie Mom, because she didn’t remember her mother, but she called Cody by his first name.

  “That means no,” Simon mumbled.

  “It means a pet is a big decision that we need to discuss as a family,” Carrie said.

  “Sorry,” I mouthed at her, but she just smiled and shook her head. She had more patience and love than anyone I knew.

  “How’s your Mom doing?” she asked.

  I started. When my mom had first moved to her apartment and decided to never leave it, people around town had asked questions for a while and then they just stopped. It was as though most people had forgotten about her, even Carrie. “She’s great. She’s got so much work coming in now, she barely has time for me anymore.”

  She smiled, but there was wariness in her eyes. “And she’s happy never leaving her apartment?”

  “She’s never complained to me. She likes her solitude.”

  “Maybe…You know, I’ve never visited her. Since she moved out of the neighborhood and started working from her apartment, I haven’t been to see her once. When we were kids, I saw her every day. She’s such a sweet woman and I’ve…” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “I’ve abandoned her, I guess.”

  I put a hand on her shoulder. “Mom chose to live alone, to stop seeing her friends. You didn’t do anything wrong. Where is all this coming from?”

  “Norma Jane said she ran into your Aunt Melly and the two of them…I don’t think they had an argument, but your Aunt made Norma Jane feel that she’d let your mother down, that we all had. Norma Jane’s talking about visiting your mother, and it got me thinking that I should, too.”

  My heart sank right to the bottom of my stomach. This. This was what woke me in the middle of the night, that word would get out about my mother, that people would find out what she’d really become, what a terrible daughter I’d been to her. They’d know how sick she was, and they’d wonder if I was the same, if I’d lock myself away in an apartment one day and never come out. They’d want to help, but they wouldn’t know how, and my mother would be terrified by their visits.

  People wouldn’t understand. I knew they wouldn’t because no one I’d ever tried to talk to about my mother had understood. Not my friends in college, not a single one of the men I’d ever dated, no one ever understood. They figured there had to be an easy fix, that if she didn’t get help it was because she was manipulating me, and I was being a doormat by letting her get away with it. They didn’t believe me when I said she was sick and couldn’t help herself.

  “That doesn’t sound like Aunt Melly,” I said. “And no one abandoned my mother. She made her own choices and she’s happy.” I linked my hands in my lap to stop myself from crossing my arms over my chest and looking like I was holding something back. “If she wanted to see anyone, she’d call them. Really. She likes her quiet and she adores her work.”

  “Okay,” she said. “But if that ever changes. If she does want to see someone, call me. I’d love to spend some time with her.”

  “Of course. I will absolutely do that.” By which I meant not before hell froze over.

  My cell rang, and I grabbed it. My Mom’s name flashed on the display. “Hi, sweetie,” I said, eyes on Carrie.

  “I need you,” my mom said, her voice choked with tears. “Your aunt is threatening to take me out of here. You have to help me.”

  “Of course. I’ll be right there.”

  “Don’t rush,” she said. “Take your time and be careful driving. It’s overcast today, and the visibility is not what it is on a sunny day.”

  “I’ll be careful. I’ll see you soon.”

  She hung up and I slipped the phone into my back pocket. “That was Jerome,” I said. “I’m so sorry to cut this short, but he…” Shit, what was a story I hadn’t used before. “His parents called suddenly to announce they’re stopping over and he needs my help getting his place presentable for visitors.”

  Carrie did not look impressed. “He called you to drop what you’re doing and come over and clean for him?”

  “Help him clean,” I said, only realizing then what a terrible lie I’d concocted. “He had a huge party at his place last night and there’s no way he can get it cleaned up on his own.”

  She pursed her lips, thoroughly disapproving now, but trying to be a good friend and not badmouth my new beau. She stood and gathered up her kids, who were as reluctant to leave as she was.

  “Have a great trip,” I said. “Text me lots of pictures.”

  “It’s not too late to come with us,” she said. “We’d love to have you.”

  She was so kind and such a true friend that she’d invited me on her family vacation. I actually wished I could go with them. “You’re the best friend in the world.” I wrapped my arms around her in a tight hug. “Thank you, but I can’t get the time away from work.”

  She stepped out of my hug, her eyes narrowed. “You never take time off, you must have years of vacation saved up.”

  “We’re short-staffed this week,” I said, hoping she never fact-checked me. “You go. Have a blast.” I looked to the kids for escape. “Say hi to Mickey for me. And come visit Buddy when you get back. He’ll miss you while you’re gone.”

  “We’ll miss him, too,” Jenny said.

  “He’s a cool dog,” Simon said.

  I hugged them both. The kids started bickering as soon as I closed the front door behind them. Poor Carrie.

  ***

  “What took so long?” My mother asked from her seat on the couch, her legs cur
led under her thin form, her arms wrapped around herself. “Did something happen?” My mother had been gorgeous once, with big brown eyes, thick brown hair, and the bone structure of a super model. She was tall, where I was short and had been curvy where I was straight. Now, her eyes looked too big in her hollowed-out face, and years of fear and anxiety had twisted her features, carving frown lines and worry lines on her soft skin. Her curves were gone, buried under layers of baggy clothing, muscles melted from years of inactivity. Her beautiful hair was tangled and unwashed this morning, but she usually managed to at least bathe and groom herself. She had to be beyond upset.

  “Carrie was visiting with the kids. I took a few minutes to say goodbye to them.”

  “Well, you worried me to pieces. I was sure you’d had an accident on the way over.”

  “I’m here and I’m fine, Mom. What’s going on with Aunt Melly?”

  Her eyes went wide, and her lower lip trembled. “She wants me to move to New Hampshire, Daffodil. She says I’m a burden on you, that I’m ruining your life. I’m not ruining your life, am I, baby?”

  “No, of course not.” Sure, I’d like to be able to leave town once in a while, but I had a good life. My annoyance with my aunt increased. “We don’t want you to go to New Hampshire because of me, we want—”

  She gasped, and tears slid from her eyes and down her cheeks. “You want me to go to New Hampshire, too?” Her voice cracked like an old woman’s. “You’d never see me again.”

  I sighed. There was no talking to her when she was this upset. “Why don’t I fix us some tea and a snack? Then we can talk about this reasonably.”

  “You want to talk reasonably about sending me away to a strange place where I know no one and I’ll never see you again?” she asked, her voice rising and her whole body shaking with the exertion of her anger. “You want me to be reasonable when you’re planning to throw me away?”

  I moved to the couch and sat next to her. She didn’t like to be touched, but I needed to be closer to try and get through to her. “No one’s throwing you away, Momma. We want to help you.”