Hounded (Going to the Dogs)

by Dawson, Zoe

  “So, what are you going to do?” Brooke asked.

  “I don’t know.” Poe brushed back her hair as the slight breeze blew it into her eyes. “He’s trying so hard, but I think it’s what Callie said.”

  Callie frowned. “What did I say?”

  “That it might be mind over matter. He just doesn’t want to look stupid.”

  She nodded. “Oh, yes, that was profound.”

  Poe grinned at her.

  “How about a dance instructor?” Callie offered, unwrapping what looked like tuna on rye.

  “Are you saying that I can’t teach him myself?”

  Callie tilted her head, thinking as she took a bite of her sandwich, then chewed. “I’m sure you can teach him a thing or too, but maybe your nervous tension is rubbing off on him?”

  “I have taught him a thing or two.” Poe said.

  Callie gave her a sly smile. “I bet you have. You saucy wench. But I heard that he taught you a thing or three in a row.”

  “Wow, he must really eat his spinach,” Brooke said, holding up a leaf of the substance in question from her chicken salad sandwich.

  Poe giggled and gave Callie a saucy wench smile. “I guess I inspired him.”

  “Or you are a really good student,” Callie offered.

  “Did you get an A…um…I mean an O,” Brooke asked, wry smile teasing the corners of her mouth.

  “I bet there were a lot of…oh’s,” Callie said with a breathless, Marilyn Monroe inflection, “…being thrown around.”

  “Excuse me,” Poe said, matter-of-fact. “I always get top grades.”

  “Right, so that would be an O+, my bad,” Brooke said, smirking.

  “That answers the question on whether or not we can keep this conversation on track,” Poe said, shaking her head. “But there isn’t anyone I’d rather jump the rails with than you all.”

  “I was serious about the dance instructor.”

  “At this point, I’m screwed, so I don’t have anything to lose and plenty to gain. Do you have someone you can recommend?”

  “Yes, a former client. She had a little dog I helped her with. I’ll call you when I get back to work.”

  Poe nodded. “Thanks, Callie.”

  After lunch, Harper offered to drop Poe back at St. Mark’s. “Are you sure this competition is just for fun?”

  “It is for fun.”

  Harper bit her lip. “You look so worried. If it’s for fun, just go and compete and let it flow.”

  “That’s good advice.”

  “And, Jared. What’s going to happen after the competition?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, sounds like you might be open to continuing a relationship with him.”

  “I don’t know.” It was Poe’s turn to bite her lip. “I like him very much and, all kidding aside, the sex is amazing, the best I’ve ever had in my life.”

  “Why are you undecided?”

  “I don’t know that, either. I just feel…uneasy.”

  “Jared gives you the creeps?”

  “No! Not like that. He’s…well, he’s simply wonderful. Attentive, sweet, kind, gentle, handsome, sexy with a sense of humor that won’t quit. I could go on and on. He has integrity. I can tell that, and it’s hard to find.”

  Harper sighed and looked away. “Poe, you know I love you like a sister, right?”

  “Of course. I’m sorry you’ve been going through this difficult time with your family. Aiden will come around. I’m sure it takes a lot to re-acclimate to life outside of the military, and he went through a terrible ordeal. Just give him time.”

  “You know me. I don’t like to see my loved ones struggling. You know I’m a big meddler.”

  Poe laughed. “Yes, you are. But, believe it or not, people can work out their own difficulties.”

  “Maybe.”

  The limo pulled up to the curb. “Thanks for the ride,” she called to Harper’s Hulk-like chauffer as she exited.

  He met her eyes in the rearview and nodded. “My pleasure, Dr. Madigan.”

  She hugged Harper, thinking about how that light, floral scent that was so subtlety Harper made her feel grounded.

  “See you.”

  As Poe stepped out of the limo, she saw a cockapoo streak across the parking lot. Then Mr. Leonard, the janitor, ran past, along with one of the techs. Poe stopped short as he passed, her eyes riveted to his retreating form. Something nagged at her, something about the way he was running sparked a memory. But she couldn’t put her finger on it.

  Shrugging, she went back to work.

  #

  “Not bad, Mr. Taylor, but I sense that disco is not exactly your cup of tea.”

  Poe had been sitting and watching Jared move around the dance floor with the instructor for the last half an hour. The woman was quite good, but Poe wasn’t sure it was going to be enough to win the competition.

  She drew her knees up to her chest, remembering the last conversation with her mother. How could she be so serene when she was losing her house? It made Poe feel all the more guilty that her mother had made such a sacrifice. At this moment, she missed her dad with a deep ache in her gut. Her whole family had always tried to shelter her, cocoon her, and baby her. She was sensitive and idealistic, that was true. Ever since she’d seen the condition of the animals in that shelter and her foundation of trust with her father had been shaken, she had been determined to make a difference.

  Now she wondered if her blind crusade had ruined her mother financially, her mother, who had worked so hard to support them all after her father had died.

  Poe was so close to her dream. A dream her mother had helped make a reality. She was already helping so many animals and making a difference in their lives.

  She covered her face and tried to hold on to her composure.

  “Poe? You alright, darlin’?”

  The soft, southern cadence of his voice soothed her immediately, and she looked up into his warm, concerned, moss-green eyes.

  Gratitude filled her and she wrapped her arms around him, burrowing her face into his neck. He smelled so good, all musky and male. He smoothed his hand down her head and cupped the back of her neck.

  “Talk to me, puddin’”

  She laughed softly into his neck.

  She released him enough to look into his face. “Puddin’?”

  He gave her a lopsided grin. “Sorry, cain’t help it. Sometimes the Texas can’t be stifled.”

  “In your case, most of the time the Texas is too big to contain.”

  “I sure agree with that. Speaking of Texas, I noticed there’s a Texas-type honky-tonk next door, serving authentic Tex Mex. What do you say?”

  “After all that you’ve put yourself through for me? Let’s go.”

  The music was pumping out of the place as they approached, and she caught Jared’s enthusiasm.

  “It must be tough to be so far away from what you know and love.”

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “There’s no shame in loving what you love, Jared.”

  He tightened his hold on her. “Smells great in here. Let’s have a seat and see what’s on the menu.”

  The place was packed. There was a bar in the corner, and tables surrounding a large dance floor in the middle of the room. Off to the side, in a pit, was an honest-to-God mechanical bull.

  Jared held up two fingers to the bartender, and he slid two beers down to him. “Tab,” he said, and the waitress nodded.

  They found a table close to the dance floor, and the waitress brought over two menus and indicated she’d be back to take their orders. The girl looked busy and frazzled.

  Poe opened the menu and read through it. “I think I’m going to need some stuff translated.”

  “And my big brother is the one to do it.”

  The deep voice of the man standing at the end of the table was so like Jared’s. She looked up and was struck by the shock of midnight black hair and the dark green eyes examining her with the sa
me intensity that Jared stared at her, only this man had more of an edge to him. A lot like her brother Wilde. He was definitely in the bad boy camp.

  His drawl was much more pronounced, as if he couldn’t give a crap what anyone thought of his accent. He wore a black cowboy hat pulled low over his brow, a western-style shirt that was more New York than it was Texas, and a pair of sinfully tight jeans that hugged his impressive form in all his impressive places. His belt buckle looked real, though, complete with a bucking bronco.

  “He’s the official ambassador of Texas. Aren’t you, Jared? All howdy ma’am, hand-shaking and baby-kissing, down-home country boy.”

  “Shut up, Nate.”

  Jared’s brother Nate grabbed a chair from a nearby table without even asking, flipped it around and straddled it, giving his brother an innocent look. “Hey, you said to call you for a drink some time. This is a good time as any.” He turned that laser-like gaze on her again. “Hello, Dr. Poe Madigan.”

  “Poe, I’m sure you know by now, this is my brother, Nate.”

  Several women at nearby tables were checking him out, whispering to their girlfriends about his lean, rock-solid physique and the confidence he exuded.

  He gave her a lopsided grin, so much like Jared’s that it made her smile.

  “Yeehaw, son. That’s a fine-looking woman. All dark and mysterious with just a bit of whimsical added for flavor. No wonder you want a taste.”

  “Nate,” there was a real warning in his voice.

  “There he goes, feeling like he’s got to protect little ole’ you from big, bad me. But I figure you can protect yourself, so pay me no never mind. That’s what my brother does. He protects people. I’m a damn stockbroker. All I do is fleece ‘em and drive around in my Porsche.”

  “You’re drunk.”

  “Yup.”

  “Poe, I’m sorry. We should go.”

  Poe studied Nate, and instead of seeing his bravado, his brashness, all she saw was a man in pain.

  “No, Jared that’s all right. Nate’s just spouting off and being a jackass. But even jackasses have their own layers and depth.”

  Nate threw back his head and laughed. The unmistakable humor in his tone gave her another glimpse of a man who could be not only forthright, but playful. “I like her.”

  “So, tell me, Nate. What’s her name?”

  “What you talkin’ ‘bout, darlin’?

  She was amazed at how comfortable she felt with this man she’d just met. Normally it took her a long time to warm up, but his obvious distress, his attempts to mask it, and the similarity to Jared put her more at ease. “The one who broke your heart.”

  He raised his bottle. “She’s a perceptive one. ‘Cept I don’t have a heart. Ask Jared.” The flash of pain that was there and gone in his eyes belied that comment.

  This time Jared just sounded weary. “Nate, come on.”

  He waved his hand in the air at Jared. “To answer your question, Dr. Poe. Her name is Prudence, Pru for short and she sounds snooty, but she’s not. She’s got those solid Midwest values and she knows how to put a man in his place with just a look. She’s got some Indian blood in her and knows how to skin and dress a deer like a seasoned hunter. Her daddy’s a senator in the great state of Wyoming, and she’s pretty as a picture, and she takes them, too. She’s a photographer.”

  “And you screwed it up?”

  “Yeah, I screwed it up.” He blinked a couple of times, setting distance between him and his pain. His green eyes twinkled with charm, transforming him from sexy to boyish in a flash.

  Jared watched the byplay, and realized that, while there weren’t many women who were totally unaffected by his brother’s magnetism, Poe seemed utterly immune. He figured out what it was a few minutes later. She wasn’t attracted to him, therefore, he didn’t affect her. Other than Pru, whom Jared had never met, he was pretty sure Poe’s unaffected demeanor was a first for Nate. He was also sure that threw Nate a bit.

  The other issue with his brother was Daisy could come up in this conversation. Nate didn’t know about the promise to Harper or the reason he was willing to make a fool out of himself on the dance floor for Poe, but he could cause a big problem with the dog.

  Right now he had enough problems. He didn’t need his lovesick, drunk, and impetuous brother causing a scene.

  “You showed her your cowboy moves yet?”

  Jared groaned. “Don’t go down that road, Nate.”

  “No, no, you misunderstood.”

  “What cowboy moves?”

  “I’ll show you, Poe, since Jared is obviously too shy.”

  Before Jared could stop him, Nate grabbed Poe and pulled her out of her seat and dragged her to the dance floor.

  He spun her into his arms and started moving with her. Poe stumbled a couple of times, but it wasn’t long before she got the hang of the two quick steps and the two slow ones. Jared clenched his fists. When the waitress came by he ordered for all three of them.

  He watched them for a couple of minutes—a recipe for disaster. Unable to stand it one minute longer, he rose and strode out to the floor just as the song ended and a slow waltz started up. Nate saw him coming and whispered something in her ear. He tipped his hat to her and smoothly transitioned her right into Jared’s arms.

  Texas two-step was like second nature to him, and he moved right into the rhythm of the music just like it was a down home country barn dance.

  “I’m sorry. He broke up with his girlfriend and is having a hard time.”

  “So Daisy isn’t your dog.”

  He sighed. “No.”

  “I don’t understand. Why did you call me for this competition?”

  “I was doing Miles a favor. He was really upset about dropping out. I needed a dog and my brother had one, so that’s the answer to that.”

  “Nate was the one who neglected her. She belonged to his ex-girlfriend, Pru.”

  “True.”

  “And, why couldn’t you stay with him?”

  Jared cleared his throat and was forced to lie outright which made him feel like a complete shit. “He has roommates and there wasn’t any room.”

  “Oh, that would have been crowded. When I saw you two together it was hard not to compare you. You can tell you’re brothers. But your physical appearance is where it ends. You’re very different men.

  “You’ve been tempered by war and trauma,” she mused. “You’ve changed and grown from that experience. Nate is still struggling with his own personal demons, but you, you’ve already won that struggle.”

  “I don’t know that I’ve won. There are still times when I…have to face off with my own head stuff again, but it’s true. Nate always hated ranch life. He moved to New York City to make money.”

  “You followed him here to keep an eye on him. Your dad sent you, right?”

  “He was worried Nate would need guidance. After I got out of the Marines, I intended to go back home, but…”

  “You wanted to make sure Nate would make it. Would be all right.” She cupped his face, and he knew then, to his bones, there would be nothing he wouldn’t do for Poe. “You’re a good man, Jared.”

  “He’s my dumbass little brother.”

  He kissed her as the song wound down to the end.

  When they headed back to the table, Nate was entertaining three women. The waitress was just delivering their meal.

  “Wow, that was quick work,” Poe said.

  All of a sudden Poe stopped walking, turned to look out at the dance floor, then at him.

  “Oh my God. Callie was right.”

  Callie was right about what?”

  “Your comfort zone. I’ve been going about all this the wrong way. We can win The Fur Ball!”

  “Poe, slow down. What do you mean?”

  “I don’t need to teach you to dance. You already know how to dance.”

  “Two-stepping.”

  “Yes, two-stepping. All we have to do is change the routine. In fact, you could probably come
up with something better than I can. You work on that and you choose the music.”

  Jared smiled, then out of the corner of his eye he saw a burly guy approach the table and grab one of the girls. Nate rose and words were exchanged.

  “Damn my brother. He’s instigating a fight.”

  “What? Why?”

  “He thinks he needs a good thrashing.”

  “He doesn’t?”

  “No, he does, but if anyone going to kick his ass, it’s going to be me.”

  The guy threw a punch and it landed heavily on Nate’s jaw. Jared got there in time to stop Nate from throwing his own fist. “We’re leaving, little brother.”

  Poe rushed over and grabbed her bag, indicated to the waitress the food was to go, and followed her to pay for it while Jared escorted his brother out of the place.

  When she showed up with the food, she said, “Let’s just take him to my apartment, Jared. He shouldn’t be alone.”

  Back at her apartment, he stewed while Poe doctored up her brother’s fat lip. Fat head was more like it.

  Nate stumbled out of the bathroom and disappeared into the room Jared had been sleeping in.

  “Let him sleep it off.”

  “Thanks for putting up with him.”

  “It was no problem. I’m used to doctoring up alphas who’ve been in a fight.”

  When she saw the rope in his hand, she looked at him, confused.

  “I have a bargain for you.” He pulled off his t-shirt and set Nate’s black Stetson on his head. Poe breathed deep.

  “What’s the bargain?”

  “You are so hell-bent on taking care of yourself, let me teach you some moves that will incapacitate an assailant so you can get away.”

  “This involves tying him up with the rope.”

  “Nope, as incentive to master these moves, I’ll show you some rope tricks I think could be incorporated into our routine.”

  “And the bare chest?”

  “Oh, darlin’, that’s purely for you.”

  “Okay, but a little dinner first, okay?”

  After they’d eaten the delicious Tex-Mex, he couldn’t remember what they’d eaten. Poe had been ogling Jared’s bare chest. He led her to the roof. “Since you were actually mugged, let’s start with some moves you can use in that type of situation.”