Rescue Me
Page 17
“I thought a therapy dog would be more like a pillow.”
He glanced at Holly, plastered against his leg Velcro-dog style. His emotional-support dog? And what did that make Mary Hannah? “I tried to tell my boss at the police station that I just need to go fishing, but they gave me an antisocial dog instead.”
“Fishing? In the winter?”
He shrugged, trying to shake off a sense of unease, that the conversation was making him face something he’d been avoiding. That Mary Hannah might see him as a patient. “I never would have thought the ‘emotional-support dog’ thing was for me. But I’m enjoying this. Holly and I need each other. I get to check a box on my eval at work. She needs someone to decompress with, to learn to trust people and pick up training.”
“She’s one of those dogs from the big meth-house raid, isn’t she?”
“She is.”
“Don’t you worry she’s dangerous? That she could hurt another animal—or person? She had to have been exposed to a lot of horrible things in that cabin.”
“Mary Hannah says she’s timid and undersocialized, but not aggressive. We’re making progress. She just takes a while to warm up to new people.” He leaned down to pry one of the tennis balls frozen to the ground. He tossed the ball. Holly galloped off to chase it, then raced around in circles without picking it up before she ambled back to his side.
Trooper shot past her, grabbed the ball and dropped it in front of Holly. Then the two of them tore off to run crop circles in the snow.
AJ raised the camera again, snapping more photos, unable to ignore the fact that he was using the task as an excuse to watch Mary Hannah. And with each picture, each additional tug of attraction, he realized how much he needed to take a step back. Especially if Mary Hannah was thinking of herself as his counselor rather than a dog trainer helping with a fund-raising mission.
Until he had the answer to that, he definitely needed distance.
After tucking Trooper into the play yard, AJ started back to his cabin, Holly at his side with her leash trailing in the snow. With every step, he knew his decision to take things slow was fading faster than a snowflake on the hood of a car.
Fourteen
I have the answers now. I wish the people could hear me the way I hear them.
—HOLLY
THE SESSION WITH the Roberts family had left Mary Hannah feeling drained and energized at the same time. Declan had made major strides, but even with professional boundaries in place, she was still human. His pain affected her.
She had to get herself together before working with AJ and Holly. The last thing she needed was to burst into tears and cry out her pain on his warm, broad chest because that little boy resurrected dreams of having a family.
Damn it, her job and her volunteer work with the rescue filled her days and her life. It was important she not lose sight of that, now more than ever. Was it too much to dream of more?
Eyes fixed on AJ’s cabin, she braced herself for another training session with a man who tempted her more and more every day. She did most of her training with Holly outside. The boxer seemed to prefer the outdoors after so long inside, and the socialization with other animals and people was good for her. They just had to be careful not to let her paws get too cold since she still wouldn’t tolerate snow booties.
“Hey,” Sierra called from her mother’s porch, her blond ponytail trailing from her hat. “Wait up. Mind if I walk with you? I just want to get Mom’s camera back from AJ so I can help her download the photos.”
Mary Hannah stopped, hugging her scarf up to her cold face. “I can bring it when I finish up.”
Sierra grabbed the porch rail and picked her way down the steps carefully, wearing men’s boots on her swollen feet. “I need to walk off all that lunch I ate.” She patted her seven-month-pregnant belly covered in a wool overcoat. “Besides, we haven’t had much time to visit and I’m leaving tomorrow.”
Mary Hannah winced with guilt. “That’s my fault. I’ve let myself get caught up in work and preparing for the competition. I’m so sorry.”
“You have no reason to apologize. I don’t expect you to stop working every time I’m in town. It’s been nice having you live on the property. Think how tough it would have been to visit if you lived clear across town.”
“I’ve missed you, too, my friend.” She gave her a quick hug along her shoulders. “I’m sure you know how much time the rescue can take up. This fund-raiser has kept us all busy.”
“How is your dog bite? Does it still hurt?”
Mary Hannah preferred not to think about it at all. “Not bad, really. The bruise from the force of the jaw is actually lasting longer than the puncture wounds. Crazy, huh?”
“You should take some time off,” Sierra insisted, trees rustling overhead and showering snow around them. “No one would blame you, with the holidays and the bite.”
“I’m fine. Maybe after the competition.” The follow-up vaccines made her ill, but she was finished. And the dog had completed his ten-day quarantine and wasn’t infected. So she was clear. Safe. And now vaccinated as well. “How can I complain about a little bite when I have patients like Declan Roberts? Besides, I’ve got dogs to train. Just think what a win could mean for the shelter.”
“You wouldn’t happen to be rooting for a certain cop and his gorgeous boxer partner?” Sierra leaned closer, hooking arms. “So? Spill some details about all that time you and AJ are spending together.”
“There is no ‘us’ . . .” There couldn’t be, in spite of the attraction that only increased, and talking about him in that way only made it worse. “But I am running late for my training session with AJ and Holly. Just training. I really can bring the camera back for you.”
“I’m taking a walk away from the watchful eyes of my constantly worried husband.” She held up a hand. “Don’t argue. I promise to stop asking about AJ.”
Good. Mary Hannah changed the subject. “Where’s your mom?”
“Asleep on the sofa. I think she’s coming down with a bug.” Sierra frowned with concern. “She’s really been dragging since the big Christmas dinner. I’m worried she’s taken on too much with expanding the rescue. That’s why I want to help her with the photos. It’s something I can do with my feet up.”
Mary Hannah understood too well the pitfalls of putting too much pressure on yourself. She took her glasses off and dried the snowflakes off with her scarf. “I can try talking to her about delegating and letting the volunteers do more.”
“Thanks, I would appreciate that.” Sierra stayed silent for a couple of steps, something clearly on her mind. “What do you think of Wyatt?”
“I’m not sure what you mean?” Mary Hannah punched in the security code to open the gate between the rescue and AJ’s cabin.
“Do you think Wyatt’s a good match for my mom?”
She pushed the gate closed again. “I thought Lacey wanted to take things slowly.”
“Me, too. But I’m picking up vibes that Wyatt wants more. Sooner.” Sierra stopped at the frozen stream and grasped the bridge railing.
“What does your mother say about that?” Mary Hannah scanned the wooden bridge, seeing no ice but plenty of salt.
“She changes the subject anytime I mention them dating.” Sierra huffed in frustration—or exhaustion—or both?
Mary Hannah thought back to her impressions of Wyatt, not much to go on. For the first time she realized how very superficial the man kept things. He was always smiles and politeness, but never deeper. “Whatever we think or don’t think is moot. I trust your mother’s judgment.”
“You’re right, of course.” At the other side of the bridge, Sierra stopped and leaned back against a tree. “I just don’t want her to stay in a relationship because she’s lonely.”
“Seriously?” Mary Hannah laughed. “Your mother lives in a well-populated zoo that’s constantly overrun wi
th volunteers.”
“It’s not the same as having a spouse, someone to love in your life . . . Ah, damn. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” She clasped her friend’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” Mary Hannah reassured her, and meant it even though right now the words truly did hit a vulnerable, lonely spot inside her. “I understand what you meant.”
“You just don’t speak of your ex-husband often.”
“I don’t want to bore people with reliving my marital breakdown.” What a time to realize she was every bit as secretive as Wyatt, keeping things superficial to protect herself from becoming vulnerable to rejection.
“Supporting a friend is never boring. If you ever need to talk, I’m a phone call away.”
“Thank you.” And how she wished she could take her up on that. Maybe after the baby was born and she didn’t have to worry about stressing out her pregnant friend.
Sierra shook her head, blond ponytail swishing. “You always thank me and never take me up on the offer.”
Mary Hannah bit her lip, considering spilling all, including the reason that pregnant belly upset her and how very tempted she was to risk letting herself get close to a man again . . . The cabin door opened, the squeak breaking the moment. Then Holly barked as she bounded out, which meant AJ wasn’t far behind.
Later that night, after training Holly, after supper, she would make a point of having a real conversation with Sierra, preferably over a bowl of caramel popcorn.
Holly galloped over to the two of them, her powerful paws jettisoning snow behind her.
“Holly,” AJ called with calm command, striding down the porch stairs with the camera in his hand. “Sit.”
The boxer screeched to a halt and dropped onto her butt promptly, her nubby docked tail wagging.
A sense of joy welled inside Mary Hannah. She was so proud of both Holly and AJ. She blinked back tears. AJ may have groused initially, but he’d gone all in on the training.
Holly leaned forward while still keeping her bottom planted. She sniffed Sierra’s belly. Sierra laughed and stroked the boxer’s cropped ears.
Holly still kept her eyes averted when close to people, but she wasn’t trembling and she leaned into the touch now. Huge progress in such a short time thanks to AJ.
He passed the camera to Sierra. “I assume you’re here for this.”
“Yes, thanks,” she said. “Mom wants to upload the photos tonight. The ones she took of Holly yesterday have been getting so much positive attention for the event. I just know she will find a home at the event. Right, girl?” She gave Holly’s ears a final scratch before backing away. “See you later. Thanks for helping with the pictures this afternoon.”
Mary Hannah watched Sierra walk the entire way home, before turning to AJ. Just the two of them. Alone. Her willpower dwindling by the day.
* * *
WYATT UNLOADED THE last of the dishes so the kitchen would be clean for supper. He’d already sent Nathan out to pick up pizza to have a farewell dinner for Sierra and Mike. Not that Lacey would be able to eat any. She’d come down with some sort of flu, and he’d done his best to make things easier for her.
Tomorrow, her daughter and son-in-law would leave and he would have her to himself again. Well, relatively speaking. Her son still lived at home, but Nathan was so caught up in his new girlfriend, he was rarely here. And what little time they saw him, the girlfriend was in tow slicking on cherry Chap Stick.
Finally, Wyatt could press Lacey on the proposal.
He closed the dishwasher and dried his hands. He tossed the hand towel in the laundry on his way to the family room. That obnoxious cuckoo clock of Lacey’s squawked five in the afternoon. She didn’t even stir on the sofa. Her curves called to his hands, each dip and swell enticing even covered with an afghan.
It had been so long since they were together. Her company and preparing for the February event had taken up her time. He only stayed the night at her house when her son was on a camping trip or some overnight school field trip. And when they had sex at his place, she left well before dawn.
Since Sierra’s visit, he and Lacey hadn’t slept together at all.
He didn’t push the point. She was already skittish, and he didn’t want to spook her. He dropped into the recliner and picked up the iPad to surf the news. Turning on the television might wake her.
His fist gripped the iPad too tightly, and he forced his hands to loosen. He powered up the tablet and Googled area news sites, looking for coverage on the meth-house bust, seeing what the press knew and checking to ensure there weren’t any leaks.
He was concerned about the way the case on the meth-house raid was coming together, with too many loose ends. He was half certain one of the volunteers here at the ranch had bought drugs from that place based on how the individual looked at the meth-house dogs with guilty eyes and had avoided him since the bust. Which shouldn’t surprise him since this was a small area.
This was his town, his little corner of the world. His old man and his uncle liked to tout being big-city Atlanta cops. But there was a special talent to keeping the peace in a small town where everyone knew one another and all were connected in some way. Every bust sent ripples throughout the community.
He refused to let any of that touch Lacey or her family. A family he hoped would be his, if he could just persuade her they belonged together. He’d waited too long to give up on his second chance at marriage.
The back door opened and Lacey startled, tossing aside the afghan and blinking fast, her eyes wide with disorientation. She looked at the clock, then over at him in the chair. She didn’t smile, either. Not at first. So when the grin spread across her face, it came too late.
Awkward as hell. But he just had to wait one more day to have her all to himself and romance his way back into her life.
The door closed, and Sierra stepped out of her boots before walking into the family room. She braced a hand on the sofa before lowering herself to the couch with an exhausted sigh. “Here’s your camera, Mom. I hope the photos generate more support for little Barkley and the Roberts family.”
“Thanks, sweetie.” She took the camera from her daughter. “I think we can make a difference for that family. They’ve sacrificed and lost so much.”
Wyatt loved Lacey’s giving spirit. But he couldn’t help wondering if she identified with that military family because of her own loss. Would he ever be able to step out of the shadow of her hero husband? There were reminders of Allen McDaniel everywhere in this house. Not to mention around the town that was so close to an army post.
Patience, he reminded himself.
He pretended to surf for more articles while Lacey and her daughter talked. Maybe he could pick up ideas for new ways to win over Lacey’s daughter. Nathan was easier. Just give him money for dates with his new girlfriend and the teen seemed happy.
Sierra propped her feet up on the coffee table and stroked the cat beside her. “I’m sorry I can’t come back for the My Furry Valentine event. It sounds like it’s going to be amazing.”
Lacey leaned her head on her daughter’s shoulder. “Your doctor doesn’t want you traveling anymore. That’s understandable. I’m glad we got to spend Christmas together. Just be sure the baby holds on until after Valentine’s Day. Okay?”
“I wouldn’t mind a week early, but mid-February? No way. Not a chance do I want to go that early.” She rubbed her stomach. “And right now the baby needs pizza. What is taking my brother so long?”
Standing, Lacey combed her fingers through her sleep-tangled hair. “When he’s with Kaitlyn, there’s no telling how long an errand will take.” She sighed. “I’ll call and give them a nudge. How about I get you an apple? No? Banana? No to that, too? I have trail mix with M&M’s so you can be healthy and decadent.”
“Perfect.” Sierra smiled. “Thanks, Mom.”
A little support from the rest of the family couldn’t hurt.
He closed the iPad and looked at his soon-to-be stepdaughter. Hopefully. Might as well dive right into his campaign before Lacey came back into the room. “I want to marry your mother.”
Her eyes went wide for an instant before she nodded. “I figured as much.”
“Do you have a problem with that?”
“Whatever makes my mom happy makes me happy.”
He’d been a police officer for long enough to recognize evasiveness when he heard it. “That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement.”
“It is, actually.” She tugged at her blond ponytail absently. “In my family we trust one another’s judgment. So if my mom says you’re cool, then you’re cool.” She pushed back to her feet again. “Sorry to be abrupt, but I’m going to get that trail mix.”
The cuckoo clock blared as she walked away, each squawk slicing through his aching head. He needed to ramp up his efforts and get her family on board. If not Sierra, then maybe Nathan.
Because biding his time wasn’t working, and hell, he’d been waiting for over a year and a half. He’d almost lost her to that veterinarian friend of hers, but the idiot had left town in the interest of being honorable and giving her time to grieve.
Wyatt wasn’t letting up for a second. The longer he waited the more he worried she would slip away altogether. So he would keep persisting.
She would be his, one way or another.
* * *
I THOUGHT I was so smart because of all those game-show quizzes. I knew all the continents. The US states and their capitals. I considered myself well-rounded, with a solid foundation of knowledge on great artists and classical musicians. Science? No worries. My nose could sniff out elements in a heartbeat. Zero margin of error.