The Dog Town Collection

by Sandy Rideout

  “Well, I didn’t tell her anything,” Arden said. “Anyway, you’re not the person you were and I’m sure he isn’t either.”

  “He was good with that woman in the hills,” Remi admitted. “And he can be fun. But that doesn’t mean he’s trustworthy. He stabbed me in the back once.”

  “Unless he killed someone and made you help dispose of the body, it’s probably worth discussing.”

  “Uh uh. Things were going great until he arrived back in town. Now I don’t even know my own dog.”

  “Leo’s still Leo.” Arden slipped a doggie bow tie over Leo’s formal collar and hooked on his leash. “I’m so glad Marcus relented.”

  “Only because Hannah called and twisted his arm. How could he say no to a billionaire heiress?”

  “It took guts for you to ask her. Old Remi never would have done that.”

  “New Remi is hopping on hot coals, trying to hold it together. It’s exhausting.”

  Arden compared several shawls and settled on gray cashmere. “I bet you’ll have a blast tonight if you can just relax.”

  “How can I relax when so much is riding on it?”

  “Marcus has never fired anyone. Despite all the grief he gives us, he likes us and wants us around.”

  Remi turned at the door and stared at her. “Is it possible I’ve just been deluding myself that I hate him?”

  “It’s just the beard. Underneath he’s not a bad guy. No one would work as hard as we do if we hated him.”

  “Huh. It’s a day of revelations.”

  “Kick up your heels, Cinderella.”

  “Come and help me hail my coach.”

  Hannah was sparkling in a silver sheath, with large diamond-crusted hoops peeking out of her glossy waves. She left the hospital president’s side and hurried over to Remi when she came into the courtyard of the Barton Gallery of Art. The entrance had been cordoned off with red velvet ropes, but the main doors to the gallery were still boarded up. It was odd for such a formal occasion, but the twinkle lights strung over the bushes helped.

  “Thank goodness you’re here,” Hannah said. “I was about to suffocate from being so proper. I wasn’t raised to mingle with powerful people, you know. Dad hit it big far too late to train me properly.”

  “You blend seamlessly,” Remi said. “Although there was a trapped look in your eyes.”

  “When I’m done here I want to go down to the lake and walk barefoot on the shore.”

  “Sure. But first, there are hands to press and ribbons to cut.”

  Hannah bent to stroke Leo’s ears. “The mayor told me he commissioned an installation in my mother’s name but the details are still a surprise. That worries me. Mom had an aesthetic and integrity.”

  James came over, looking like a movie star in his black suit and crisp white shirt. “Remi, you look beautiful. I hope you’ll help me with this mingling business. It’s no fun at all.”

  Remi felt pretty much the same way about mingling with Dorset Hills’ upper crust, but she took a deep breath and smiled. “Of course. Leo and I will do what we can. Where’s Rocky?”

  “Declined the invite,” James said. “Actually, he hates crowds. I’m embarrassed to say he nipped a New York socialite who took petting liberties once.”

  Remi laughed. “He didn’t.”

  “Isn’t it nice to hear about other people’s dogs misbehaving?” Tiller asked, joining them with Roxy. He’d upped his style game to a nice sports jacket and wool pants, but beside James, he looked homespun.

  “It certainly is,” Remi said, trying to hold Leo back from jumping all over Roxy. Now that the dogs were ‘pack,’ it was all horseplay between them.

  Mayor Bradford stepped onto a podium beside the boarded-up gallery doors. He looked classy yet overdressed in his tuxedo. Somehow it seemed to make the event more about him than the Pembertons. Taking the microphone, he cleared his voice until the crowd fell silent.

  “Good evening,” he said. “It’s an honor to be here tonight to welcome back Hannah and James Pemberton and open an exhibit of their mother’s work. Mavis Pemberton’s talent is finally getting the recognition it deserves, and how wonderful for us that Dorset Hills was her muse.”

  The crowd applauded politely. Remi knew most of the faces from fundraising events for the hospital. Most were older, and the shoes were sensible.

  Hannah and James joined the mayor on the podium. James looked completely at ease, with his white teeth and blue eyes flashing. Hannah, however, seemed to have shrunk. Her shoulders slumped and her hair fell into her face.

  The mayor continued. “It’s my great pleasure to reveal the pieces we’ve commissioned to honor Mavis Pemberton. The family’s generous endowment allowed a local artist to create something very special indeed. Something unique to Dorset Hills. Something that will attract even more attention to our city and our citizens. Our reputation as the best place on earth for dogs and dog lovers will grow.”

  The mayor turned and signaled four men in City coveralls, who were standing beside the front doorway. They raised crowbars over their heads, hooked into the boarding and pulled until everything fell away all at once. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Hannah’s eyes widened in horror and she covered her mouth. James put his arm around his sister.

  Two huge bronze wolfhounds now flanked the front door to the gallery. Even in repose, the craggy canines were nearly eight feet tall and far longer. The vast double doors looked tiny now, like those on a dollhouse.

  There was a hush and then muttering as people decided how to react. The mayor helped them along by raising his hands and clapping with enthusiasm. Others joined in slowly. Hannah’s face was frozen in shock, but James actually laughed. The mayor gave him an uneasy look; it wasn’t the reaction he’d expected.

  Hannah had been asked to deliver a short speech, but the mayor changed direction on the fly and hustled everyone inside. One by one the audience trailed up the stairs, ogling the statues. Up close they were even more fearsome, with lolling tongues double the size of Remi’s hand. Leo pulled to the right to avoid them, nearly snarling Remi’s feet with his leash. Roxy refused to pass at all, and Tiller had to carry her inside.

  “Well, that went over like a bronze balloon,” he whispered. “I take it Hannah and James didn’t get a say in this.”

  Remi shook her head. “Marcus said City Council’s moving in a new direction. I guess this is a sample of how that will look.”

  Inside, they walked to the airy gallery where Mavis Pemberton’s work was on display. There were tiny tasteful sculptures, and pretty watercolor paintings of the hills and even City Hall. It was all done with a light, fanciful hand, completely at odds with the clunky wolfhounds outside.

  When she joined them, Hannah’s eyes were glassy. “My mom would have thrown a fit. Look at her work. So delicate and restrained. And then those big monsters sitting outside… I bet they cost 20 grand. Think of how far that money should have gone.”

  Remi didn’t know what to say. It had been an awkward misstep on the part of City Hall. Worse, Hannah probably wouldn’t invest more money in Dorset Hills. Why would she, if she felt her mom’s legacy wasn’t being respected?

  “I’m sorry, Hannah,” Remi said. “I had no idea.”

  Hannah’s eyes welled up, so Remi did the only thing she could think of doing: offered Leo. It was like a hug, only better. Hannah seemed to agree because her face brightened slightly as the dog settled in her arms. Passing Remi her clutch, she started circulating with her canine accessory. Leo lolled back against the silver dress, placidly accepting pats and offering the occasional lick to outstretched hands. Hannah’s posture improved, and soon she was smiling. Remi’s heart lifted, too, knowing her little troublemaker was paying it forward in the world.

  Tiller joined Hannah with Roxy. As long as Leo was travelling upstairs, like an infant, the dogs behaved. Leaning in, Tiller whispered something in Hannah’s ear that made her flush. She shifted Leo to one arm so that she could take Tiller
’s hand.

  Remi felt another stab of jealousy, this time undeniable. What had previously felt like an old wound now felt fresh and raw. Their adventure in the hills that morning had shown her a side of Tiller she still liked. He was funny, and gallant, and oddly self-effacing for a handsome, successful man. But he wasn’t hers—hadn’t been for 12 years. And even then, he had betrayed her.

  She wrapped the cashmere shawl tighter and shivered. She wanted Leo back. What had she been thinking letting him go? Hannah already had everything she needed, and if she were to favor the hospital with a donation, it would surely be by way of the handsome man making her blush, not the quirky loner with the dog baby.

  “You okay?” James asked. “You look chilly.”

  “Fine,” Remi said. “How’s the socializing?”

  “Painful. Everybody’s got their hand out. They don’t realize Hannah holds the purse strings.”

  “Why is that?” She forced a smile. “You seem like an excellent ambassador for the family.”

  “Why, thank you. I guess Mom thought I’d waste her money on expensive dogs and say yes to everyone who asked for some.”

  Remi laughed. “Is it true?”

  “Mom was a sharp cookie, as well as a talented artist.” He pointed out a delicate figurine of a toy poodle sitting on platform atop a pillar. “Although I have to admit I never liked that one.”

  “Armpit,” Remi said.

  “Pardon me?” He looked from her to the figurine, confused, and then laughed in realization. “Yes! Hannah told you about David.”

  The mayor clapped for silence and they turned to see Hannah with him on the podium. With Leo dangling happily from her arms, she delivered a touching tribute to Mavis Pemberton. Although her voice quavered a few times, her head was high and her eyes bright.

  “Beautiful,” Remi said. “I’m so pleased for you two. And pleased for Dog Town that we have access to your mom’s work.”

  “Come walk with me and ease my pain,” James said, pulling her arm through his. No doubt it seemed like a small thing to ask, but it was increasingly difficult for Remi to make small talk without her canine talisman. The panic that lurked at the fringes of her mind threatened to close in. She swallowed hard and pinched her own arm to stay present.

  Suddenly there was a scrabbling sound of claws on hardwood, followed by a crash and then screams.

  “Roxy!” Tiller bellowed.

  It was too late: the little statue of David the poodle was in smithereens and Roxy was cowering at Tiller’s feet. Hannah stood by, wringing her hands.

  Her empty hands.

  Remi rushed over, stepping lightly around bits of the figurine, although it certainly couldn’t be reassembled. “Where’s Leo?”

  Tears poured from Hannah’s eyes, and she mumbled, “David… David…”

  Looking around at the feet of the crowd, Remi asked again. “Hannah, where’s Leo?”

  “What?” Hannah was too upset to respond sensibly.

  Tiller took Hannah by the arm and led her away into an alcove. Roxy followed meekly with Remi, who was getting more agitated by the second.

  “Where’s my dog?” This time, her voice spiked.

  “I just dropped his leash for a second,” Hannah finally answered. “He started playing with Roxy and she knocked over David.”

  “Remi, it’s okay,” Tiller said. “You stay here and I’ll go look for Leo. He can’t have gone far.”

  He disappeared into the crowd and Remi started to follow. Hannah grabbed her arm. “Don’t go. I just lost David.”

  “Hannah, I know it’s awful to lose a piece of your mother’s work. But this is my dog. Let me look for him, please.”

  “It’s only been a few minutes.”

  “It only takes a few minutes for terrible things to happen. The patio doors are wide open onto Main Street.”

  “You’re overreacting,” Hannah said.

  “I’m overreacting?” Fireworks went off in Remi’s brain. “You didn’t even like Armpit! Leo’s everything to me.”

  “Just relax. Tiller will have him back here in minutes.”

  Remi shook off Hannah’s hand. “How can you just stand here? Don’t you remember how it felt when Samson went missing? You cried your eyes out. I spent half the day helping you look for that dog, and I found him, too.”

  Hannah’s mouth fell open. “What?”

  Reaching into her purse, Remi pulled out the old photo and handed it to Hannah. “We were 10 years old and you left your gate open and Samson took off. You asked me to help and I did. And now you don’t give a crap about my dog.”

  Hannah still looked confused. “I remember that day, but… That was you?”

  Remi glared at her. “Yes, that was me. Why don’t you pull your head out of—”

  “Remi!” Tiller was back. He grabbed Remi’s other arm and yanked her away from Hannah. “Stop. Just stop it,” he said. “Panicking won’t help anything. It never did.”

  She jerked her arm out of his hand. “Don’t speak to me. You don’t care about Leo. All you care about is—”

  There was a shriek in the distance, and Remi turned and fled toward it.

  Chapter 14

  Dorset Hills oozed charm by day but as darkness fell over Main Street, the city took on a strange distorted menace. Or so it seemed to Remi as hurried along, calling Leo’s name. Never had she felt so lost and alone in her hometown. The old buildings that formed the backdrop of her youth looked unfamiliar. Without Leo, she no longer knew the place.

  Her plaintive voice drifted through nearly-empty streets. Summer was well and truly over now, because there was hardly a soul to be seen.

  The town that felt too small most of the time was too vast tonight. She had no idea where Leo might go. He’d last been seen running out onto Main Street with a stolen roast quail from the art gallery’s kitchen. If a vehicle hadn’t killed him, the quail bones probably would.

  Remi combed Main Street twice, asking the few pedestrians she met if they’d seen a small dog with a quail. Some people laughed, despite the fact that her mascara was around her ankles.

  Finally, an old gentleman stopped and offered the first clue. He’d seen a small white and brown dog trailing a leash down near the boardwalk. Remi squeezed both his hands in gratitude and reversed course. It made perfect sense that Leo would head to the lake, where they walked every day.

  She followed their usual route from Main Street down past the Law Society building and the various corners he liked to sprinkle. But when Lake Longmuir stretched out before her she found the boardwalk vacant and the beach barren.

  “Leo,” she called. “Leo!”

  “Save your breath,” a voice called back. “He’s not here.”

  She turned and saw three people walking towards her, sneakers thudding softly on the damp wood. It was a mild evening, but they all wore black hoodies and baseball caps. Remi might have panicked if it hadn’t been clear from their gait that they were all women. Well, except for a big black dog that looked familiar. When they were just a few yards away, a flutter of orange struck her eye.

  “Cori!” The word shot out of Remi’s mouth. Her face spasmed and she sobbed. “I’m so sorry. I lost him.”

  Cori stopped in her tracks and the other two women came forward. Bridget reached Remi first and hugged her. Duff followed suit. Only Cori held back, and Remi saw that as a sign of condemnation.

  “You were right,” she said. “I spoiled Leo and he wasn’t behaving.” Tears ran down her cheeks and she wiped them with the back of her hand. “Now I lost him.”

  “Settle down,” Cori said, pushing gloved hands into the pockets of her jeans. “There’ll be time to beat yourself up later, and maybe I’ll throw some punches then. For now, we’ve got a dog to find.”

  “Don’t panic,” Bridget said. “Leo knows the downtown core inside and out, doesn’t he?”

  “I guess so,” Remi said. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I think I overestimated his intelligence.”

&
nbsp; “No, you just humanized him,” Bridget said, stroking Beau’s ears absent-mindedly. “Trust me, we all do that sometimes.”

  “I don’t,” Cori said. “A dog’s a dog. Why would you want it to be anything more than that?”

  Duff turned to glare at Cori. “Saving your punches, right?”

  “You call that a punch?” Cori’s lip twitched and for some reason, that eased Remi’s terror. If Cori could joke, maybe the situation wasn’t completely dire.

  “Leo’s just enjoying the last night of summer,” Bridget said. “He’s on a joyride. I heard he got a quail.”

  “You heard that? How?”

  “A friend on the catering crew,” she said. “That’s why we’re here.”

  “We have moles everywhere,” Duff said. “It helps when we need to—”

  “Duff? Shut it,” Cori said. “Remi doesn’t need to know our business.”

  “What business?” Remi asked.

  “Dog rescue,” Bridget said. “Sometimes we help search for lost dogs. We’ve developed a certain talent for it.” Glancing over Remi’s shoulder, she added, “There’s Nika, and Maisie. The crew’s all here.”

  Nika was dark haired, with exotic amber eyes, whereas Maisie was blonde with corkscrew curls. Each one squeezed Remi’s arm and offered condolences.

  Cori cleared her throat. “Save the pity party,” she said. “It’s time to deploy.”

  “Grid formation?” Bridget asked.

  Cori nodded. “Three pairs, three streets. Let’s hear voices. We’ll give it an hour and then call in reinforcements if needed.”

  Despite their bickering, Cori and Duff immediately paired off and claimed Main Street. Maisie and Niki took the street north, and Bridget, Remi and Beau took the street closest to the lake. The waves of anxiety that had wracked Remi earlier settled in the rescuer’s calm presence.

  “We do four blocks on one side, four on the other, and then switch to the cross streets,” Bridget said, leading the way. “After that, we do allies and yards. Most dogs don’t get further than four blocks in such a short time.”