Cupid to the Rescue: A Tail-Wagging Valentine's Day Anthology

by Lisa Mondello

  During the evening, Maggie called the vet twice and the nurses on duty said that Rosie had slept a few hours but now she was awake. She ate a few kibbles and drank water.

  That night, Lila flopped down on the bed she would share with Maggie.

  “Where are the girls?” Maggie asked. She’d been sitting against the headboard, checking her email on her phone.

  “Finally settled in the guest room. They’re binging on reruns of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.”

  “They like old shows.”

  “Hmm.” Her mother’s hmm always meant she was thinking about something else. She turned on her side to face Maggie. “So, why were you so rude to Noah today?”

  “Was I?”

  “Didn’t you realize it, sweetheart? I know how upset you must have been before you knew Rosie was okay.”

  “No, I know what I did. I wanted him to go.”

  “Mags, why?”

  “I think I’m mad at him.”

  Lila waited like she always did for a complete answer.

  “He kept saying how good I was dealing with everything. He even told our principal that.”

  “You were. I’m not sure I would have known what to do or be so calm with Dylan or Durango.”

  “I’ve had training in this, Mom. I know I did well. But it was like a surprise to him.”

  “And that’s bad?”

  She shook her head. “It hit me on the way home he expected me to fall apart. But instead, I…I guess I proved to him that I’m strong. I’m mad that I had to prove it to him.”

  “I can see where that would make you a bit angry. Is that all?” Her mother was a trained psychologist and worked setting up innovative programs for the VA.

  “I don’t think so. Maybe I was mad when we had the conversation about my cutting and his fiancé.”

  “As in, he didn’t take your word that you got past all that?”

  “Yeah. And like I had to prove it to him.”

  “After you talked, you both agreed not see each other.”

  “I know I did. But I could still be mad that he agreed, that he didn’t believe me about my mental state. But now that he saw that I’m not going to head for a knife when things get hard, he’s interested again.”

  “Brutal words, Mag.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “So, you didn’t see him in between that conversation and today? You seem more…involved with him.”

  “I did. The night before Rosie got hurt, he came over. We made love, Mom, and it was wonderful.”

  “Honey, that’s a big deal for you. There’s only been Nate, right?”

  “Right. And yeah, it was a big deal.”

  “Then you better think all this out. He’s obviously become important to you.”

  “I thought so, too.”

  “Another thing? He came to you that night without the so-called proof he got today.”

  “He was horny.”

  “Mags.”

  “I know. Okay, I’ll think about it.”

  “Why don’t you get some sleep and see where you are in the morning.”

  Teacher’s Pet: Chapter 8

  On Sunday, Noah was enjoying some alone time with Kurt at the breakfast table after the meal had been cleared. The weekend had been hectic with two active boys to wear Noah out, and great conversations with his oldest brother and his wife. “So, what are you gonna do?” Kurt asked now.

  “I have to know what’s wrong before I can do anything.”

  “Is she worth all this, Noah?”

  “I’ve come to the conclusion that she is. But I can’t fix something if I don’t know what’s broken.”

  “Huh. Kelly says that if I don’t know what’s wrong, that’s worse.”

  “Women! Maybe I’ll have an inspiration on the way home.”

  He left his brother’s house feeling better, if only for the camaraderie and sympathy. As he got to Maryland, he detoured to the animal hospital and brought Huxley inside with him. It was a vet’s place, after all.

  He found Maggie sitting in the waiting room. Other patients were there, waiting to see a doctor. She looked up. “Hey, hi, I was just texting you.”

  “Yeah?”

  She stood. “Hello, Hux.” The dog struggled to get to her. Noah handed him over and she cuddled him and they sat.

  “How’s Rosie?”

  “Even better. She could go home today, but Mark wants to keep her one more day.”

  “That’s probably what you should do. Any chance I could see her?”

  “She was sleeping, which is why I came out to make some calls. Let’s ask the nurse if we can go in.”

  She spoke to the nurse, then he followed her back. When they got inside the recovery room, Rosie raised her head, which was encircled by a cone. She gave a weak woof. Huxley barked and Noah brought him closer. When he put the dog near her, Huxley licked Rosie’s face and Rosie licked him back. “They’re kissing.” He turned to her. “Unlike us.”

  “About that. Let’s go out to your car for a bit.”

  After she donned her coat, they walked outside. When they got into the car, the dog settled on her lap. Without preamble, she said, “I’m mad at you, Noah.”

  He turned in his seat. “Yeah? Well, now, I’m mad at you.”

  “My mother thought you might be.”

  “What? You talked to your mother and not me.”

  She gave him a duh! look. “You should be glad. She said I should be having this discussion with you. I should at least tell you why I’m upset.”

  He waited and hoped he didn’t have to explain to her that he didn’t know what that was.

  “When I told you about my past, you said right away you couldn’t see me anymore. That I would be too great of a risk for you after Laura. But I didn’t know till later I was mad that you didn’t trust me enough to try. You didn’t believe I was better.”

  “You agreed!”

  “I did. So, I take blame for not protesting then.”

  Noah remembered their entwined bodies, their loving touches. “You didn’t protest in bed either.”

  “That’s not fair. We were both sad and couldn’t keep our hands off each other. Before we could even talk, all this happened with Rosie.”

  He took a deep breath. Let it out slowly. “Why the sudden realization?”

  “All day long you kept saying I was being so strong. So clearheaded. It was like you expected me to fall apart.”

  “Right now, I’m not sure what I expected. But I was proud of you.”

  “Which led me to think I’d proved to you I was tough enough for a relationship with you.”

  “That sounds awful.”

  “It is.”

  He hesitated. “I guess I can see how what I said when Rosie got hurt would make you think that. It might be true, Mags. If it is, I’m sorry.”

  “All right, I can accept that.”

  “So where do we go from here?”

  “I need a few days. Mom, Meli and Morgan are still here. Dad’s coming tomorrow and he’ll take the girls home and bring up my brother. Mom’s staying to be with Rosie when I go back to work on Tuesday.”

  “When is she leaving?”

  “Friday. The following week, I should be able to leave Rosie alone.”

  “I suspect so.”

  “Come over after school Friday. I’ll have a clear picture of what I want out of this relationship.”

  How kind of her! His hands fisted on the wheel.

  She covered one with hers. “I know this has upset you. I feel bad about that. Noah, I want to be with you.”

  “I guess that’ll have to be enough for now.”

  She got out of the car, opened the back door, and put Huxley in his harness seatbelt. She left without a word.

  Noah sighed. The outlook on their relationship was bleak and it hurt him inside.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  “So, she’s home?” Maggie smiled over at Rosie and settled her in a warm spot of the main room. Maggie’s dad
and Uncle Gabe had gotten Rosie to her house. He’d known how to ease her dog off the plywood onto a sheet then put her in her big purple bed.

  “Yep, kiddo. She’s home. She seems perky for two days out of surgery.”

  “Yeah, she does. That could be a problem.”

  Rosie groaned, as if she knew they were talking about her. Maggie soothed her and soon she fell asleep.

  “I wish we didn’t have to go, Mags,” Meli said from the other couch. Gabe was in the kitchen with her mother and Mattie.

  “Thanks a lot, Mel.” Dad was teasing.

  Morgan hugged him. “I’ll be glad to see you.” She raised an impish brow. “And the dogs.”

  “Oh, hell.”

  They ate a light lunch and Mattie entertained them all. Gabe asked, “How’s being here alone at the estate, Mags? Because if you’re lonely, we have an in-law apartment that’s empty.”

  “I’m doing fine, Uncle Gabe. I’ve seen Simon at school. He seems really mature.”

  “Yeah, he’s getting there. He’s mad Rosie isn’t in his class, though.”

  “So,” her Mom said standing. “Maggie, you clean up. Meli and Morgan, go pack. Gabe, watch Mattie, and all of you, come out to the car in fifteen minutes.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” they said together.

  When she and Dad left, Meli complained, “They’re going out to kiss and stuff.”

  “Isn’t that a good thing?” Gabe teased, holding the toddler on his lap.

  “I guess. You and Aunt Macy do it all the time even when we can see you.”

  When fifteen minutes passed, Gabe handed her brother to Maggie and hugged them both. As did the girls. “I hope we see you soon.”

  Meli bent over the bed on her way out. “Goodbye, Rosie.” Mischievous Meli’s voice was nonetheless hoarse with emotion. “I’m glad you’re getting better.”

  Soon, Maggie was alone with her mother and brother. “So, I’m going to take this little guy into the bedroom for his nap. I’ll probably lay down with him. You all right?”

  “Yes Mom. I am.”

  As soon as her mother walked away, she texted Noah.

  The gang’s gone. Mom and my brother are taking a nap.

  Good.

  How are you today?

  A little raw from yesterday.

  Me, too.

  Have a good day with Rosie and your mother.

  I’ll text you before bed. To tell you about Rosie.

  Fine. His tone said he was anything but fine.

  “What did I expect, Rosie?” she asked aloud, lying next to the dog on the rug.

  No answer. Maggie laid there until her eyes closed, too.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  On Tuesday, Maggie walked into the classroom about a half hour before the kids arrived. She looked fantastic in high boots, a denim skirt and a black sweater. “Hi, Noah.”

  “Hi.”

  She smiled and put her things away.

  When she came to the table where he sat, he dived right into business. “Since you don’t have Rosie, you’ll co-teach the class. There will be a ton of questions.”

  She slipped a computer stick out of her bag. “I figured. I have something we can do to allay their fears.”

  He nodded. “Brett’s back today, too. Did I tell you his parents got him a dog?”

  “Not about the dog. That’s great. But you did text me last night that if I agreed, it was decided he’d stay in our class.”

  “I had to get your permission, first.”

  “I’m glad he’s with us. I talked to him on the phone again.”

  “I know. I’m sure that helped.”

  Maggie was shocked that when the kids came inside, three hugged her, two stood close and touched her arm and the others welcomed her verbally. Brett sat down and soon everyone was settled in desks.

  Up front, Maggie smiled. “Know that I’m fine and Rosie’s better than you’d expect. But you must have questions about her.” She turned to the computer set up to project on the screen and pressed play. “This should help.”

  Rosie appeared in her cone. Maggie dropped down beside her. “This,” she said touching the headgear, “is to protect Rosie’s injury. So she won’t lick her injury.”

  Somebody said “Yuck.”

  Maggie pointed to the bandage on her tummy. “This is her incision, where she was operated on. It’s still got a bandage that has to be changed every day.”

  Noah laughed when Rosie growled on the screen.

  “That’s right she doesn’t like it.”

  She pointed to a bowl. “She drinks a lot of water. But it’s hard to get her to eat. My mother’s great at that.”

  Lila dropped down. She was lovely in jeans and purple sweater.

  “You look like her,” somebody called out.

  Maggie responded, “I’m lucky about that.”

  They went through other things the kids should know about Rosie’s recuperation, then the video ended. “Are there any other questions about Rosie?”

  Brett asked quietly, “Is she coming back?”

  “You’ll see her again, I promise that. But if you’re asking if she can continue her role with us, the answer is I don’t know. I did some research on other injured dogs who work in classrooms, and some of them came back after an injury, some didn’t. Every year, Rosie has to take a test to be recertified to work with you. She’ll probably have that after she’s fully recovered. If she passes, she’ll be back.”

  Lea raised her hand. “Will you come back anyway, even if she doesn’t?”

  “I hope so.”

  Noah sighed. He was happier about that than he should be.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  On Friday morning, Maggie walked into the classroom once again and was shocked to see all the kids already here. And Noah. More so, surprised by the banner across the back which said, Happy Valentine’s Day, Ms. Marino and Rosie.

  She stopped short. “My goodness, is it Valentine’s Day?”

  “You don’t know?” Veronica asked.

  “I do now. What a lovely thing to do for me. Thank you so much.”

  Truman came forward and handed her a bag of dog treats with a red bow on it. “Our parents got this. It’s the kind you use.”

  Her heart warmed. “Why thank you. Rosie will love them.”

  Brett rose and approached her, carrying a golden wrapped candy box. Staring at the floor, he murmured, “Our parents got you this too. I-I—”

  “Thank you.” Reaching over, she hugged him. Knowing she had to be careful with any signs of affection with these children, she risked it this time and whispered, “Everything’s going to work out, buddy.”

  The morning flew by. Maggie was glad because she was nervous about tonight. At eleven on the nose, her mother, arrived at the door. With Mattie.

  And Rosie.

  Mattie let go of Rosie’s leash and the dog lumbered in.

  The kids gasped, startled and said, “Ohhhhhhh, Rosie!”

  More exclamations. One or two shed a few tears.

  “Hello, Rosie.” Maggie bent down and adjusted the bow around the dog’s neck to give the kids time to compose themselves.

  With the bearing of a former military officer, her mother came inside with her brother in tow. Maggie said, “You remember my mother and little brother from the video.”

  “Hello everyone.” Lila leaned over and kissed Maggie’s cheek. “We’re heading out.” She waved to the class, stopped at Noah and hugged him, then left.

  “Can we touch Rosie?” Suzy asked.

  “How about if you all sit in desks and I bring her around. You can pet her head, but be careful of the cone. And don’t hug her body because that might hurt.”

  Maggie made her way around the circle. She gave each kid a few minutes with the dog, then brought Rosie over to the crate, while Noah did some closure exercises for the morning.

  When the students left for lunch, Maggie turned to him. He was sad. She reached up and hugged him. After she got Rosie ready to go, she w
as halfway to the door and turned back. “When you go get Huxley, I’d like you to pack a bag. If you want that too.”

  He gave her a beautiful smile.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  At five o’clock, Noah showed up on Maggie’s front stoop. As he pushed the bell, he practically dropped the bottle of wine he carried in one hand, and Huxley in the other.

  The door swung open and Maggie stood before him. He drank her in. She wore a pair of silky purple pants and the same color top, but it was printed with lilacs. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  “Happy Valentine’s Day.” He leaned over to give her a peck on the cheek. She grasped his neck, to deepen the kiss. Huxley’s squeals made them pull back.

  When he entered the guest house, he was instantly warmed. “You started a fire. I could have…” He swallowed hard. “Shit.”

  “You don’t have to watch everything you say, Noah. I’m sorry I’ve given you the impression you had to.”

  He gestured to the fireplace. “I could have done that for you.”

  “What a nice thought.”

  Rosie had roused from her bed, which Maggie had moved in front of the fire. She barked and Huxley squirmed to get down, then went running. He maneuvered his head into the cone.

  She took the wine from him. “Shall we have some of this?”

  “Sure.” They went to the kitchen which overlooked the living space, and he saw in the dining nook that she’d set the table with china and candles. He sniffed. “What’s the mouth-watering smell?”

  “Lasagna. My grandma’s recipe.”

  “My grandmother makes it, too.”

  Noah poured wine and they took it to the couch and sat. They clinked glasses, which sparkled in the firelight. “To us?” he asked tentatively.

  “Yes, to us. You have to know by now I want to be together but you have a say in that. So, if you’re mad because I waited or because of the original issue, I need to know now.”

  “I still have some mixed emotions, but as far as us is concerned, I’m all in, babe.”

  “So am I.”

  Maggie was relieved that they’d gotten to this place. They watched the dogs lie side-by-side, talked about his family visit and hers then she served the meal.

  The tangy sauce and cheesy filling melted in her mouth. She bit into crusty Italian bread that was light and fluffy. He dug in, too. There wasn’t much conversation during the meal, then he insisted he’d clean up.