Bark to the Future (An Alpine Grove Romantic Comedy Book 5)

by Susan C. Daffron

  “You must have learned a lot from doing that.”

  He shrugged. “Mostly I learned that people are the same everywhere. I kept thinking I’d find deep answers if I traveled enough. But when it comes to life, it seems like everyone’s just kinda making it up as they go along.”

  Beth laughed. “That’s good to know. What did you do with all the notebooks?”

  “That’s some of the junk in storage in North Carolina. But I had one story that I couldn’t get out of my head. And all that time, I kept dreaming about you, too. It all got muddled in my mind and finally I got a laptop so I could try to type it up, and maybe stop thinking about it.”

  “Is that when you wrote True Alibis?”

  “Yup. I did this massive brain dump over the course of a month. Thank goodness I took that horrible typing class with Ms. Hightower in high school. My fingers could barely keep up with what I was thinking.”

  “That’s remarkable. You just sat down and wrote it?”

  “Pretty much. So then I had a hundred-thousand words that I didn’t know what to do with. I got a book from the library on how to get a book published. I figured if I could get someone to publish it, that would be great, or if it was garbage, I could just chuck the whole stupid mess in a drawer and forget about it. So I called a few places and found an agent who was willing to take a look. The woman flipped for the thing, shopped the manuscript around, and a couple of publishing houses were interested. There was a bidding war and it was auctioned for, well, a lot of money.”

  “That was the six-book deal?”

  “Yup. So then little ol’ slacker me had to start coughing up more words. I kinda freaked out, if you want to know the truth. But I went back to the notebooks. And thought a lot about you, obviously.”

  Beth smiled. “Yes, I got that impression. I dreamed and thought about you too.”

  “Writing can be cathartic. Anyway, by the time I got to book six, I was figuring, okay I finally had you out of my system. But as you know, I had a little trouble ending the series.”

  “I think it was more than a little.”

  “Okay, yeah, I was stuck in a horrendous way. The stories and dreams in my head…they just all evaporated. That’s when another one of those cheerleaders called me about the high-school reunion for the ninety-fifth time. And she said she’d seen you at the bookstore. That’s when I decided to go. I had to find out what it would feel like to see you again. I thought it might help.”

  “You found out.”

  “Yes. So I met my deadline. I finally killed off Liz in the book and I figured that would finally get you out of my head.” Drew looked into her eyes. “Except it didn’t work. I might have gotten you out of my head, but not out of my heart. It seemed to have other ideas.”

  “I see.”

  “I tried to blame it on too much naked Monopoly, but it’s not just that.”

  Beth raised her eyebrows. “You seemed to enjoy yourself.”

  “Don’t get me wrong—I’m all for nudity and board games. But then I figured that even though we love each other, we just couldn’t stand to live together. And then we found out that wasn’t really true either. Being with you is easy. You’re so smart and sexy, and you even put up with my off-the-wall impulsive ideas and moody behavior. After what you said earlier, I realized I’m just afraid to take a risk.”

  “You? I am the one who tends to be risk-averse. I’m scared of uncertainty, not to mention people I don’t know and public speaking.”

  “That may be true. But I was afraid to actually trust that you could actually love me.” He gestured toward the windows. “I was afraid you’ll decide I’m really the lazy underachiever you said I was, and bail again. After what happened before, I didn’t want to take the chance. But then I’d miss out on what could be the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  Beth touched his arm. “What are you saying?”

  “That if you’re serious about making a commitment to being together, I am too. Whatever it takes.”

  “Really? So you’ll spend time with me here?”

  “Yes. I was thinking that depending on what happens, we could spend the winters here and the summers in Alpine Grove, since you won’t be in school then.” He grinned. “You might have to miss some of that 110-degree heat though.”

  Beth threw her arms around him. “Oh Drew, I’d love that. I miss Alpine Grove so much in the summer with the lake and the trees. We could go hiking again. By then I should be in better shape.”

  “Yeah, I plan to move the boat down from Lake Tahoe too.”

  “You still have it?”

  “Of course. I was living on it for a while when I was writing one of the books. Until it got too cold. It’s in dry- dock storage at the moment.”

  “It’s been so long since I’ve been sailing.” She kissed him. “We had so much fun on the Carpe Diem.”

  “Don’t worry, sailing will come back to you.” He pulled her arms away gently and looked into her eyes. “There’s just one thing. You have to promise to talk to me if you are interested in another job. We’re definitely not good at a long-distance thing. That means we’ll have to figure something out together.”

  “I will. I promise. I made a horrible mistake before and missed you for ten years. I won’t do that again. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Wherever that might be.”

  Drew gave her a long look. “Me too. We’ve known each other for a long time, Bethie. I don’t think anyone knows me better than you do.”

  Beth smiled. “I’m positive no one understands me like you do either. As the Grateful Dead would say, it has been a rather long, strange trip.”

  “You’re right. And we should take the rest of it together.” Drew moved and knelt on the floor in front of her, taking both of her hands in his and looking up into her face. “Will you marry me, Beth?”

  A tear slipped out of the corner of her eye as Beth nodded vigorously. “Oh Drew…yes. Absolutely. Yes, I love you.”

  He moved up next to her and enveloped her in his arms. “I love you too. I never stopped.”

  Beth took off her glasses, wiped her eyes, and grinned. “I guess you’ll have to change the dedication in the book to L.L. Emerson.”

  Drew hugged her again and looked into her eyes. “All right, but one last question. How about coming back to Alpine Grove with me? Just for a week or so? Then we can drive back here to Tucson with Dixie.” He grinned. “I’m talking major road trip. With a puppy for added excitement and rest stops.”

  “That sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to see little Dixie again.”

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Drew navigated his old Ford Bronco around the mud holes and ice patches in Kat’s driveway. He looked at Beth. “Spring break-up is gonna be bad this year.”

  “I think you’re right. It’s only a matter of time before this driveway turns into a morass of sucking mud. I hope Kat is aware of that fact.”

  “Well, she’s gonna find out pretty soon now.”

  They got out and as she looked up at the trees, Beth took a deep breath and said, “It smells wonderful here. And it’s starting to have that clean, light feeling in the air like spring might actually arrive soon.”

  Drew walked around the vehicle, took her in his arms, and kissed her. “Yeah, but it’s still cold. This wimpy Southerner is glad we’re heading south again for a while.”

  “I am too. Spring in the desert is pretty in its own way. The desert in bloom is striking.”

  “Not to mention the fact that spring arrives a whole lot sooner there.”

  Kat opened the door and walked down the steps carrying Dixie. Joel followed with the puppy’s crate. At the bottom of the steps, Kat put the puppy down and Dixie ran toward Drew until she was halted by the end of her leash. “Easy there, Dixie.”

  Drew grinned and ran over to Dixie, crouching down. “Hey there, Dix! I missed you.” The puppy wagged frantically and yipped, practically levitating at the sight of her favor
ite person.

  Kat handed Drew the leash. “Here you go.”

  Drew collected Dixie in his arms and stood up. He looked at Joel. “You must be Cindy’s brother. She told me a lot about you on our walks through the neighborhood.”

  Joel smiled. “I’ll try not to think about what she probably said, but it’s nice to meet you.”

  Beth walked up to the group, and Kat said, “Hi Beth. How’s Arlo?”

  “He’s fine.” Beth waved in the general direction of town. “We just came from my mother’s house. She took him to the vet for a follow-up visit to discuss the new medication. I’m pleased to say that Mom got to experience the fat-dog lecture too, so she knows I wasn’t kidding.”

  “I’ve heard that’s one of Dr. Cassidy’s favorites.” Kat looked at Drew. “So it’s kind of difficult to sneak up on this place, given the level of barking. I, uh, looked out the window when I heard the dog-alarm. I guess you two know each other…um…really well.”

  Joel looked down at Kat and arched an eyebrow.

  Kat glanced at Joel and turned to Beth. “I’m sorry if I’m being nosy. I just didn’t know you had met.”

  Drew grinned. “We met in high school. Actually we’re getting married this summer. And you’re officially invited.”

  Beth held out her left hand to show Kat her new ring. “Yes, we’re engaged. I just told my mother and she is very excited. Although perhaps a bit surprised.”

  Kat shook her head. “Well, I sure had no idea. Congratulations!”

  Drew readjusted Dixie in his arms. “Thanks. We’re taking Dixie on a road trip back to Tucson now, but we’ll be back later this spring after it warms up.”

  Beth said, “Drew is buying a house here, so we’ll be migratory.”

  “Migratory?” Kat gestured toward the sky. “You mean like birds?”

  Beth nodded. “We’ll spend summers here and winters in Tucson. I’m finishing up my PhD and then it looks like I may be working for the University of Arizona. I’d just be an adjunct professor to start, but there is an assistant professor position that will be opening up in the computer science department. Someone was just let go because of a...well... a departmental personnel matter I suppose you might say. My dissertation adviser is putting in a good word for me.”

  Joel said, “Beth, that’s great. With your experience, you’ll be an excellent teacher.”

  Beth shrugged. “I am a bit nervous, since I am not used to speaking in front of people. But I definitely know the subject and my adviser is very supportive. So is Drew.”

  Drew smiled. “Once Beth sets her mind to something, she tends to figure it out. Anyone who can give a speech at graduation in front of half of Alpine Grove can deal with a few nerdy undergrads.”

  Beth said, “This summer my mother wants Drew to do a book-signing at her store.”

  Drew glanced at Beth. “I’m not sure that’s a great idea.”

  Beth put her hand on his arm. “You realize that now that my mother knows, in this town, there is no secret anymore. Virtually every resident of Alpine Grove will know within approximately thirty-six hours.”

  Kat said, “Know what?”

  Beth said, “Drew writes novels. Are you familiar with the works of A.J. Emerson?”

  Kat nodded vigorously. “I love those!” She turned to Drew. “Wait, you’re A.J. Emerson? When is the next book coming out? I am dying to know what happened with Preston and Liz.”

  Drew smiled. “Yeah, I am. But I swear on my great-granddaddy’s dear departed soul that if I tell you what happens, my editor would kill me and yank my new contract from my cold dead hands.”

  Beth looked at him and grinned. “It’s true. He’s not making that up.”

  They said their goodbyes and Drew and Beth loaded up Dixie and her crate into the Bronco. As they bumped down the driveway, Beth said, “People seem a bit surprised that we’re getting married.”

  “I don’t see why. If you know someone really well and being with that person makes you happy, why wouldn’t you get married?”

  “I don’t know. There might be good reasons. All I know is that I’m glad I’m choosing to be happy with you.”

  “Me too, Bethie. Me too.”

  The End

  You’ve reached the end of Book 5,

  but not the end of the series.

  For more Alpine Grove adventures,

  check out Book 6!

  Thanks for Reading

  Thank you for dedicating some of your reading time to Bark to the Future. I hope you enjoyed Beth and Drew’s adventures in the fifth novel of the Alpine Grove Romantic Comedy series.

  If you would like to be notified by e-mail when I release a new book, you can sign up for my New Releases e-mail list at SusanDaffron.com.

  I know that not everyone likes to write book reviews, but if you are willing write a sentence or two about what you thought of Bark to the Future, I encourage you to post a review at your favorite book vendor site or share a message with your social networking friends.

  If you would like to share your thoughts about the book with me privately, you can reach me through the contact page on the SusanDaffron.com web site.

  I look forward to hearing from you!

  ~ Susan C. Daffron

  Dedication

  Like all of my books, Bark to the Future is dedicated to

  my husband James Byrd,

  my best friend and biggest supporter.

  Thanks for everything!

  Acknowledgments

  Writing a novel is never easy and I’d like to thank my husband James Byrd for his support and encouragement throughout the writing and publishing process.

  I’d also like to thank my alpha and beta readers for their eagle-eyed reading and great feedback:

  James Byrd

  Cynthia Daffron

  Dian Chapman

  Sheila at Frostbite Publishing

  About the Author

  Susan Daffron is the author of the Alpine Grove Romantic Comedies, a series of novels that feature residents of the small town of Alpine Grove and their various quirky dogs and cats. She is also an award-winning author of many nonfiction books, including several about pets and animal rescue. She lives in a small town in northern Idaho and shares her life with her husband and two really cute dogs.

  Books by Susan C. Daffron

  Alpine Grove Romantic Comedy

  Chez Stinky

  Fuzzy Logic

  The Art of Wag

  Snow Furries

  Bark to the Future

  Howl at the Loon

  The Good, the Bad, and the Pugly

  Treasure of the Hairy Cadre

  Susan is also the author of a number of award-winning nonfiction books, including several about pet care and rescue. A complete list is available at:

  www.susandaffron.com/books/

  Get book release notices by email:

  www.susandaffron.com/releases