Once a Marine (Those Marshall Boys)

by Loree Lough

  Cecile Murphy looked up into Zach’s face. “Well, that’s a surprise.”

  He decided it was safer not to ask what she was talking about.

  “We all know there’s something going on between you two.”

  The statement was a trap. No matter how he answered, he’d sound guilty.

  “Class starts in five minutes,” he said. “Plenty of time to finish your warm-up exercises.”

  “Funny. I’ve never heard you tell Summer to warm up.”

  Maybe that’s because she does the right thing, all on her own?

  “I don’t know about the others,” the woman continued, “but I’m not at all pleased that you consistently show her preferential treatment. We’re all paying the same amount of money for these lessons, after all.”

  Zach inhaled deeply, summoning patience and self-control. He’d worked hard not to show any partiality. Not an easy feat, for a host of reasons.

  Alex joined them. “Phone call. In your office. Your sister, I think.” He looked at Cecile then back at Zach. “Sorry if I interrupted anything.”

  “You didn’t.” Zach faced his agitated student. “Say the word, and I’ll give you a full refund.”

  He waited for a reply. When none came, he walked toward the office.

  “You don’t really have a call,” Alex said, closing the door. “When I heard what was going on, I figured an interruption was called for.”

  “Thanks, kiddo.” He squeezed the boy’s shoulder. “But for future reference? Don’t lie on my behalf. Never lower your standards for anyone.”

  Alex nodded. “You think she’ll want her money back?”

  “I hope not, because she’s the type who’ll spread her crazy assumptions all over town.”

  “You’re right. Mostly, her complaints are way off base.” He hesitated, blushing as he said, “But she’s right about this.”

  “Really.”

  “It isn’t that you spend more time with Summer, it’s that when you work with her…” His brow furrowed as he searched for the right word. “Let’s just say your face changes when she’s around. If I noticed that you’re always watching her, the rest of them have, too.”

  This was all news to Zach.

  “She has that look, so I get it.”

  “What look?”

  Alex shrugged one shoulder, tucked his fingertips into his pockets. “Kinda like Keeper looked the first time I saw him. Scared, worried, lost…I dunno. Y’know?”

  Yeah, he did. In fact, he was picturing that look as he realized she was minutes from being late. And Summer was always on time.

  Cecile was his most vocal student. She’d said “we all know,” or words to that effect, but he’d dismissed it as petty nonsense. But what if she’d only given voice to what the rest of them were thinking? What if she’d been their self-appointed spokeswoman? If that was the case, Summer could cost him clients now and in the future. Through no fault of her own, she’d put him in one heck of a predicament.

  No, he was the problem. First thing tomorrow, he’d go through his files. Several former students had gone on to earn teaching certificates. Hopefully, one of them would be available, and if he could talk them into taking his place in the classroom, Zach would stay in the background from now on.

  “So where is Summer tonight?” Alex wanted to know.

  “Not sure. Her excuse last week was that she didn’t want to leave Keeper alone so soon after he moved in.”

  “Want me to get her on the phone?”

  “Nah. If she doesn’t show up, I’ll check on her after class.” In person. “How would you feel about running the session tonight?”

  “Me?” Alex beamed. “But I’m not certified!”

  “So you’ll take the hands-off approach—stay up front, showing them what to do. Tonight’s lesson is pretty easy. Plus, I’ve got a video lined up. Just run the PowerPoint and answer questions.”

  His excitement waned slightly. “Where will you be?”

  “Right there, if you need me.” He winked. “But you won’t.”

  Alex wrapped him in a huge, clumsy hug. “Thanks, Zach! You’re the best!”

  As he ran off to teach his first class, Zach smiled at the feelings of fatherly affection that had welled up inside him.

  *

  ON HIS WAY to Summer’s town house, Zach picked up a pizza, and as an afterthought, stopped at the local convenience store and grabbed a small package of dog treats.

  She didn’t answer the doorbell, but her car was in the driveway, so he walked around the side and peered over the fence. Sure enough, Summer was out back in the dark, flipping a Frisbee to a happy, romping Keeper.

  The gate squealed as he opened it, putting a complete halt to their game.

  “Oh, look,” she said dully. “It’s Mr. Trickster.”

  Zach didn’t even want to think about what that might mean—especially considering the way she’d said it—so he hoisted the pizza on his palm.

  “Wasn’t sure what toppings you like,” he said, grinning. “So I got cheese.”

  “How very thoughtful of you,” she returned, bending to pick up the toy.

  The dog followed her up the steps, and so did Zach.

  “Alex and I were worried when you didn’t show up for class. I tried calling,” he said, thinking his surprise visit had annoyed her. “But when you didn’t pick up, I took a chance that you’d be home.”

  Summer cleared a space on the counter, and as he opened the pizza box, she grabbed paper plates and napkins.

  “Bottled water or iced tea?”

  “Uh, water’s good. Thanks.”

  He filled the uncomfortable silence with talk about Alex leading his first class alone. Summer said things like “That’s nice,” and “Good for him,” but her lack of enthusiasm reminded him of how she’d behaved when they first met. This is a prime example of why you need to back off, he thought, way off.

  After two slices of pizza, Summer leaned back and patted her flat stomach. “I’m stuffed. I skipped lunch, so that really hit the spot. Thanks.”

  She hadn’t strung that many words together since he stepped into the backyard. Had she gotten over whatever was bugging her? he wondered, helping himself to another slice.

  Zach glanced around the tidy kitchen, searching for something—anything—to focus on besides Summer. He spotted a plate of sticky buns on the counter behind her, arranged neatly on a red-and-white-checkered plate, and covered with blue plastic wrap. He’d seen both enough times to recognize the owner.

  He pointed at it. “I see Rose was over here today.”

  She followed his line of vision. “Unfortunately for you, yes, she was.”

  And then it hit him: he hadn’t wanted to involve Alex in his slightly dishonest plot to give the dog to Summer, but for the plan to work on delivery day, he’d needed Rose’s help. She’d been so happy to help him surprise Summer that when he asked her to keep the plans to herself, she’d crossed her heart and hoped to die, held up the Girl Scout salute and zipped her lips. He should have known better than to believe she’d keep the details under wraps forever.

  “Do you play poker?”

  Summer’s question caught him off guard. “Played once in Afghanistan. I don’t like to lose, so once was all it took.”

  He unscrewed the water bottle and drank like a man who’d spent too long in the desert.

  “I’m not quite sure how to approach this, or even where to begin,” she said, her forefinger tracing the pizza shop’s logo on the box. “So bear with me if I ramble.”

  Zach recapped the bottle and folded his hands on the counter.

  “Rose told me what you did, getting Keeper here.”

  The dog raised his head, ears perked at the mention of his name.

  “As far as I’m concerned, he’s mine, and if his former owners ever show up, it’ll break my heart because I’m crazy about him.”

  “From that look on his face, I’d say he feels the same way.”

  Her expres
sion softened, but only for a moment. “But I resent the way you went about it.” She paused. Leaned forward slightly. “Why didn’t you just come right out and ask me if I wanted a dog? Why did you feel the need to sneak around behind my back?”

  Sneak? Zach wouldn’t have put it that way…exactly.

  “Because I thought you’d say no. And I wanted to surprise you.” Both statements were equally true.

  “It worked. I was surprised. But what made you think I’d say no?”

  Because you’re an emotional wreck? Because sometimes, you can be a little self-centered? That wasn’t it, and he knew it. If he thought for a minute she couldn’t shift the focus from herself to Keeper, Zach wouldn’t have set up the whole adoption thing. He knew next to nothing about the dog’s background, but the dog deserved better than that.

  “I just figured with everything you’d been through, the responsibility might prove to be too much pressure.” He shrugged. “And then I realized that was a bunch of hooey. You wouldn’t have taken the class, or gone to the ranch or volunteered at the fund-raiser if you couldn’t handle stress.”

  “Well, I guess I can’t blame you for thinking I might be too self-absorbed to devote myself to a dog. I haven’t always behaved like a sane, rational adult, and at times, even I wondered if I’d ever get my head together.”

  He was about to thank her for so graciously letting him off the hook when Summer added, “But that doesn’t change the facts. What you did was manipulative and disrespectful.”

  “Sorry I made you feel that way.” Also true. “I never meant to insult you.”

  Zach tossed his empty water bottle into the trash can. “Guess I’d better hit the road. Got a stack of Marshall Law bills waiting for me back at the studio.”

  She walked beside him to the door and stood cross-armed while he put on his coat.

  “Thanks again for supper.” She glanced at Keeper. “Thanks for him, too. What you did…it’s one of the nicest, most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me.”

  Zach had no idea where he stood with this woman. The only upside to that was, maybe this time, he could stick to his guns and stay away.

  “Coming to class next week?”

  She looked at Keeper. “I think he’s adjusted well enough to be left alone for an hour and a half.”

  Zach took his keys from his pocket. “See you Monday, then.”

  As he descended the porch steps, he heard the dead bolt click into place. A few things clicked in his mind at that moment, too.

  His frosty breath floated in front of him as he climbed into the pickup. Ironic, he thought, that although the dash clock said twenty-nine degrees, he’d just survived a Summer storm.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  LIBBY SAT CROSS-LEGGED on the floor playing tug-of-war with Keeper.

  “No one would ever guess you didn’t get him as a puppy.”

  And it was true. In the weeks he’d been with Summer, the dog had settled in, roaming the house at will. His doggy smile seemed as much a part of his face as the soulful eyes that held the secrets of his former life. Trust, he had taught her, wasn’t something easily or quickly won.

  “I can’t imagine getting rid of a sweetheart like this.” Libby hugged him then kissed him right between the eyes. “Still no response to the newspaper ads and flyers, huh?”

  “Not a word, and when I wonder about all the different scenarios that could have put him here, I hope his former owners never call.”

  “Me, too.” Scrambling to her feet, Libby gave Keeper a final pat and joined Summer in the family room, helping herself to a handful of popcorn. “Did you ever meet somebody and instantly feel as though you’ve known them all your life?”

  Summer nodded then met Keeper’s steady gaze. “Y’know, that’s a great way to describe what happened when he walked onto my deck that day.”

  “No, silly. I’m not talking about you and the dog. I’m talking about you and me!”

  She liked Zach’s sister. Who wouldn’t like a smart, personable, kindhearted woman like Libby? But Summer didn’t share the known-you-all-my-life thing. Then again, she’d told Libby things she’d never shared with anyone else.

  “I mean, seriously?” Libby said. “I’ve told you things nobody else knows.” She ran down the quick list of guys she’d dated and dumped, excuses she’d made to avoid family vacations, stupid things she’d done at psychology conventions. “If you tell anyone about what happened last year in Chicago…” Groaning, she hid behind her hands.

  “Oh, I can see the headlines now—Doctors Caught Enjoying Themselves at American Psychological Association Convention.’”

  “I just don’t know what might happen if that story got out. The big jerk lied. I break a lot of rules, but ‘don’t mess with married men’ is not one of them.”

  “Yeah, I suppose a rumor like that wouldn’t be good for either of you.”

  “Oh, I’m not worried about our peers finding out. We’d just cite some psycho-babble excuse, and all would be forgotten. If my patients found out—or worse, my brother?” She shuddered. “Let’s just say I don’t have the personality to deal with the lectures I’d get every time I registered for a conference.”

  “Has he stayed in touch?”

  “Hank?” Libby blew a raspberry. “He called soon after I got home and told a bunch of ‘my wife doesn’t understand me’ lies. I told him never to call again, and much to my relief, he hasn’t. And speaking of relief,” Libby said, “I guess you feel better, getting all that ‘you’re not the boss of me’ stuff off your chest, huh?”

  The moment she’d opened the door, Summer suspected Libby hadn’t just been in the neighborhood. Part of her wanted to know what, exactly, Zach had told his sister about their conversation. Mostly, she hoped her new pal hadn’t been in on the scheme.

  Libby sat on her feet. “Methinks thou protesteth too littleth.”

  That inspired a chuckle. “Careful,” Summer said. “This friend knoweth things.”

  “Zach is right. You were doing great before the mutt showed up. But since?” She nodded knowingly. “You’ve really blossomed.”

  Libby’s words, no doubt. Summer couldn’t imagine Zach saying something like that.

  “I’ll admit that Keeper—and the Petersons and your family—helped me make some important changes in my life.”

  “Zach’s right about something else, too. You’re harder to read than Latin.”

  “And here I thought I was speaking English.”

  Libby frowned. “Sarcasm does not become you.” She sipped her hot chocolate and stared into the mug. “I like you, Summer, but I love Zach. I can’t sit idly by and watch him be hurt again.”

  She’d never hurt him, not intentionally, anyway. Set him straight, yes. But hurt him? Never.

  “I’ll admit he went about the whole ‘get Summer a dog’ thing in his typical jackboot way, but his heart was in the right place. Now he’s worried that you’ve lumped him in with that monster who attacked you. He’ll beat himself up for days over this.”

  Summer had been looking for a rationale to maintain a friends-only relationship with Zach, but letting him think she compared him to Samuels was beyond dishonest. It was downright cruel, and he deserved far better than that.

  Libby glanced at her watch. “Rats. I have to run,” she said, draining her mug. “Or I’ll be late for my next patient.” She put on her coat. “I know my brother. He’s in love with you.”

  Summer laughed. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but that’s ridiculous.” But a small part of her selfishly hoped what Libby had said was true. Too bad she was the last thing Zach needed.

  “Everything he says and does is proof that he cares about you.”

  “Yeah, but caring is in his nature. Being a father figure for Alex. Fixing stuff in Rose’s house. Giving 110 percent to his students. He’s paying Emma’s bills while she’s off helping her grandmother. Thank goodness the poor woman has insurance, or he’d probably be paying those bills, too. An
d I wouldn’t have Keeper if it hadn’t been for Zach. I agree, it’s all proof that he’s a big-hearted guy. But it doesn’t prove anything more.”

  “And if you believe that, you need an eye doctor and a therapist.”

  Summer thought about Libby’s parting comment as she loaded the dishwasher, and decided it was long past time to make some changes. Big changes.

  And she’d start by calling her agent to see if he’d lined up any auditions.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  “OH, HONEY, THAT’S so exciting!” Summer’s mom said. “But are you sure you’re ready? This is such a big step, and you haven’t traveled anywhere in two years.”

  Summer had to admit, her heartbeat doubled at the mere thought of crowded airports and the confines of an airplane. But if not now, when?

  “I’ll be fine,” she fibbed. “Honest.”

  “Let us know when your flight gets in, and we’ll meet you. Oh, and the sofa in our sitting room opens into a small bed. I’ll ask housekeeping to make it up for you.”

  “You’re sweet to offer, but I’ve already reserved a rental car and booked a room at your hotel.”

  “I can hardly wait to see you. Have a safe trip.”

  Summer promised to call with her itinerary, and while waiting for the taxi to take her to the Eagle County Airport, she went next door.

  “As promised, a few of Keeper’s things,” she said when Rose answered.

  Her neighbor took one look at the enormous black trash bag and said, “You are coming back, aren’t you?”

  “It’s just a few of his toys. Some kibbles. His favorite blanket and food and water bowls. The dog bed takes up a lot of room in the bag.”

  She crouched beside Keeper, held his face in her hands. “I know this won’t be easy after all you’ve already been through, but don’t you worry. Alex and Rose will take good care of you, and I’ll be back soon.” She kissed the top of his head. “Promise.”

  He held her gaze for a long moment then treated her to a happy, breathy bark. Wagging his tail, he got up, grabbed his leash and waited until Rose took it. Keeper-speak, she knew, for “I believe you.”

  Summer had barely closed the door when her taxi pulled up. She fought tears as the driver tossed her suitcase into the trunk, and as she climbed into the backseat. Fought them all the way to the airport. At the gate. As she settled into her assigned seat. A few minutes after takeoff, when the flight attendant began reciting flight safety instructions, the urge to cry finally lifted.