"Look at you—Brutus wouldn't win any beauty contests. There are other people like you who'll take the puppies. Maybe we should give Ned and Madge one. It'd give them something to do other than spying and stirring up trouble."
"You heard about the petition." Shane unlocked his front door and allowed Leah to enter his house ahead of him, taking another deep breath of her scent as she passed him.
"Some kid told Sam, who told me."
Shane placed his black bag on the table by the door. "Have a seat in the living room. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"No, thank you."
She turned then, and he saw her for the first time in the full light. His chest expanded with a deep breath. She was beautiful. There was a fragile quality about her that was emphasized tonight, and he had to fight to keep himself from walking to her. A haunting look in her blue eyes tore at him. None of what had been happening was easy for her, but he knew she would never ask for help or admit she needed someone. She was determined to stand alone, her emotions behind a high barrier. He recognized that in her, because he was like that. It was easier to rely on only yourself, not to give another the power to hurt you.
She didn't sit. "What can we do about Princess and Arnold?"
"Please." He waved his hand toward the couch. After she had a seat, he sank down beside her. She tensed and inched toward the arm of the couch. "What do you want to do?"
"If you won't let me have Princess, I'll give you Arnold. You told me you love dogs."
He swallowed past the tightness in his throat. "You'd give up Arnold?"
Tears swam in her eyes. "At this point I'll give him away if I have to."
Tender, protective emotions swelled inside his chest, making each draw of air difficult. He wanted to hold her so much that it hurt. "You won't have to. As you said earlier, Princess is just as bad as Arnold. It wouldn't have been too much longer, and I would have had to admit defeat"
She sagged back against the couch. "Good. I didn't relish the idea of telling my sons that Arnold had to go. They love the dog."
"And you don't?"
"Ask me that this afternoon when I discovered he had slipped out the door when Joey went out and I would have said no. Now, in truth, I would have to say yes. He's Freddie Filmore. My books about him have made it possible for me to stay home with my children, to provide a roof over their heads after my husband walked out. And he's—well, he's my dog. I have to love him."
Shane tried to ignore the mention of her ex-husband. Something akin to jealousy festered inside him if he thought too long about the man who had Leah and let her go. "You know what amazes me is that Brutus lets him into the backyard every time. Some watchdog he is. He's four times Arnold's size, yet your dog intimidates him. What would a burglar do?"
"Let's hope you never have to find out"
"Well, there isn't much of that kind of activity in Shady Oaks. That's one of the things I love about this town. We have problems, but they're more on the order of Ned Shiplock's nosiness, not murder and mayhem."
"That's one of the reasons I moved here. That, and the excellent school system. Shady Oaks is close enough to a big city to enjoy what a city can offer, but far enough away to have the peacefulness of a small town."
"Yeah, I can't imagine living anywhere else. This has been my home all my life, except when I went to college and medical school. I couldn't wait to get back here to go into practice. My father was the pediatrician before me. He died while I was an intern. The town was without one for a while, and it put quite a burden on everyone until I finished up."
"It must be wonderful to be needed so much."
"The townspeople helped me work through my wife's death. I don't know what I would have done without them."
"I've never been able to put down roots. I've moved so much in the past ten years that movers give me a discount."
He laughed. "I hope you'll be staying here a while."
"As long as we're welcome."
He took her hands within his and drew her closer. "As town mayor I officially welcome you and your family to Shady Oaks."
He cupped her face and leaned closer, brushing his lips across hers once, then twice. He started to pull back, but desire sizzled along his nerve endings, causing every inch of him to want her. Before he could dampen the lustful feelings, he locked his arms about her and slanted his mouth across hers in a deep, soul-searching kiss.
He shoved the logical part of himself into the background and put everything he had into the mating of their lips. He felt her length along his and savored her softness, which perfectly complimented his hard contours. Heat surged through him, overwhelming, searing.
He should stop soon, he told himself as he pushed her back on the couch and lay half across her. But something drove him that went beyond anything he had ever known. He needed her. He liked feeling her against him as though they were a perfect match.
As his tongue delved into her mouth, exploring the sweetness within, she moaned, and his desire heightened. Her hands roamed restlessly over his back, pressing him into her, and that was all the encouragement he needed. While nibbling a path to her ear, he loosened the top button on her blouse.
Suddenly he felt something yank his pant leg, heard a growl sounding behind him. He jerked up and glanced down. Arnold had a bunch of his pants leg in his mouth, and he was shaking his head as though he would be able to rip off a chunk of material any second.
The moment of passion evaporated as Shane struggled to pull his pants leg from Arnold's mouth. Leah was trying to button her blouse and straighten her hair. A blush stained her cheeks, her lips red and swollen from his kisses.
Shane slid to the side of her, knowing from the dazed expression on her face they wouldn't be returning to where they had left off before Arnold interrupted. "Obviously your hound is ready to go home," he muttered, realizing he would have to put up with this dog in his house from now on.
"He's protective of me."
"He's just jealous because he isn't getting any attention. Princess must be tired of him. At last she's finally thinking straight"
"I'm offended. Arnold is a wonderful dog."
Shane noticed that Leah had pulled herself totally together. She rose to leave. He didn't want her to. He didn't want to be alone just yet. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back down on the couch beside him.
"I don't think—"
"Shh." He placed his fingers over her mouth while Arnold growled again. "I just want to talk to you. That's all. What else could we do with our little chaperone sitting here?"
Her blush actually deepened to a pretty shade of pink. "I've always said Arnold has impeccable timing."
"Depends on your point of view." The impulse to touch her was strong, but Shane kept his hands at his sides, clenched in frustration. "We should discuss what just happened here tonight."
"Let's chalk it up to a lapse in judgment."
"It wasn't and you know it. This very thing has been brewing for several weeks. We are attracted to each other."
She blew out a breath of air. "You are blunt. Do you always greet the newcomers to Shady Oaks like this?"
"No, but I'm thinking it definitely has its advantages. I'm not going to let you get away with avoiding the subject we were discussing."
"I wasn't avoiding, just postponing."
"I know neither one of us wants a long-term relationship, so what are we going to do about this?"
Leah ran her hand through her hair. "I don't know."
"We could be adults about it and give in to our lust." The very thought made his body tighten.
"Or, we could date first and get to know each other better."
"No strings attached?"
"Of course."
He could feel the beginnings of a frown and forced himself to grin halfheartedly. At least she didn't know that he was bothered by her reply. "Well, then, why don't we have dinner this weekend? We never did get around to it a few weeks ago at my mother's."
"That's
a great idea. Gramps will be thrilled."
"He will?" Both eyebrows rose.
"I think he has a crush on your mother. He didn't complain once when he had to go back to see her at the clinic. That's something that has never happened. You should hear him when I have to take him to the doctor."
"What does your grandfather have to do with our dinner?" Shane asked, aware Leah was nervous, twisting her hands together until her knuckles were white.
"I thought we could eat at my house and invite your mother, too."
"I know I've lost touch with the dating scene, but I'm sure that taking your mother on a date isn't a happening thing."
"Oh, you meant going to a restaurant."
"People have been known to do that."
She stared down at her hands clasped in her lap. "Well, yes, but—"
"But then, I've never been famous for keeping up with the trends," he said hastily. "Now, what can I bring besides my mother?" He couldn't believe he had just asked that question. What sane man would have said that to a beautiful woman? But then, he had known deep down that with Leah the situation wouldn't be conventional.
"Nothing."
"Saturday night?"
"At seven."
"I feel as if I should do something. I'm the one who asked you out, and you'll be doing all the work." He made the mistake of leaning toward her and heard the warning growl almost instantly. He braved the thought of being chewed by Arnold and took Leah's hand in his. "Let me at least bring the wine."
"Fine. We'll be having steaks," she said over the protest of Arnold, who had now advanced to barking.
"Grilled?"
"That's the only way to have them."
"A woman after my own heart," he replied before he really thought about what he was saying. Her face clouded, as if that was the last thing she would ever want from him. It reminded him they were dating with no strings attached because they both wanted it that way, he as much as she.
He almost released her hand but couldn't quite relinquish his hold on her. He liked the feel of his skin next to hers and realized he had been too long without a woman. If holding Leah's hand was turning him on so much, he didn't even want to think about kissing her again. She wasn't ready to go beyond a kiss, and he knew if he took her into his arms as his body was screaming for him to do, he would be hard pressed to stop short of one, simple kiss.
As his mind tried to tamp down his amorous fantasies, she eased her hand from his grasp and rose. "I do need to go. Gramps will wonder where I disappeared to."
"He probably only needs to consult with Ned to find out."
"True, but I don't think Gramps and Ned could speak two civil words to each other. After Gramps heard about the petition, he wasn't too subtle when he discussed it with Ned. There was a moment there that I thought the police would have to be dragged into the middle of their discussion."
Shane stood, only a foot separating them. "It won't be the first time that's happened to Ned," he said, contemplating how to kiss her without being attacked by her beagle. He just couldn't rid his mind of the idea, even though his better judgment told him not to.
"Nor Gramps. He's rather volatile when he feels someone is being unfair."
She lifted Arnold into her arms and ended any chance of him kissing her without being eaten alive. And he knew she knew what he had been thinking about doing. The walls around her emotions were even higher than his. She probably had taught her dog to attack when a man came too close, he thought as he showed her and Arnold to the door. Well, if he wanted to kiss her—scratch that, when he wanted to kiss her—he would just have to outsmart that hound, and he intended to do that Saturday night.
At the door Leah turned, with Arnold between them. "Why don't you let Princess spend the day with us tomorrow, since you'll be at work?"
Shane's attention was riveted to the movement of her mouth as she spoke, and it took him a few seconds to realize she had asked him a question. He mentally shook his head and said, "Fine," realizing he wasn't sure what he had agreed to.
"Good. You can bring her over any time after seven."
"Who?"
"Princess."
"She's coming to the dinner party Saturday night, too?"
"No. I'm talking about tomorrow morning," Leah replied, a frown furrowing her brow.
"Oh, yeah, right. I'll bring her over when I go to work."
Her smile chased away her frown, and the whole room lit. "Good. I'm so glad we could reach an agreement concerning our dogs."
He shrugged. "You can't fight Mother Nature."
"Nor Arnold, when he sets his mind to something."
He would just see about that, Shane thought as he opened the front door, sure that the dog in question had a look of pure triumph on his face. Arnold was sure he had won this round, and he had, but the war wasn't over yet, by any means. As Shane waved goodbye to the pair, he was thinking of ways to make sure the hound was nowhere near him Saturday night. As an idea began to form in his mind, his own triumphant smile slid across his features.
Chapter Six
For the tenth time Leah looked at herself in the mirror before mentally shrugging and deciding this last outfit was it, whether she wanted it to be or not Shane and his mother were due to arrive in a few minutes, and she couldn't greet them half dressed. But still—
She heard the doorbell and frowned. He would arrive early when she needed every second to prepare herself. Hurrying from her bedroom, she almost collided with her grandfather, who was straightening his only tie as he headed for the front door, too.
"How do I look?" they asked each other at the same time.
Leah laughed, amazed he had dressed up when it was almost ninety degrees outside. He hated anything that constricted him, especially a tie. He must really have it bad. "Great. I've always said you look good in a suit. I'm glad it still fits."
"Girl, I haven't gained a pound in the past ten years." Her grandfather puffed out his chest, his stance tall and proud as he eyed her. "You don't look half bad, yourself."
"Thanks," Leah murmured while the doorbell rang again. After spending an hour deciding what to wear, half bad wasn't what she had wanted to hear. She had finally compromised between elegant and casual by wearing white sandals and a simple blue sundress with a skirt that fell to her knees in a soft flow. But suddenly she felt half naked, as the thin spaghetti straps exposed more of her shoulders than she cared to display.
"Ready. It's show time," her grandfather announced as he swung the door wide.
The lesson she learned in that moment was to always check before opening the door even when expecting guests. Ned Shiplock stood on the porch with a thunderous expression on his face, wearing the usual stained T-shirt that barely covered his beer belly, his hairy, not too attractive legs revealed by the shorts he had on. It was more than Leah ever wanted to see of her neighbor.
"What are you doing here?" Gramps all but shouted at the man.
Ned brought a plastic bag from around behind his back and shoved it at her grandfather, who stepped back. "This belongs to you."
Leah stared at the contents of the bag and could have sworn it contained something she could fertilize her garden with. It certainly wasn't a belated welcome-to-the-neighborhood gift. The look on her grandfather's face forced her to cover her mouth so he wouldn't see her smile. The expletives that blasted from the old man, however, propelled her forward, wiping what grin she had from her face while she put herself between her grandfather and Ned.
"We appreciate the gift, but we just can't accept it," she said while maintaining a somber expression meant to calm two raging bulls about to go at it.
Ned released the plastic bag, which landed with a plop at Leah's feet. "It isn't a gift. I'm returning what's yours."
Her mouth fell open at the man's words. Ned Shiplock was definitely crazy. She picked up the bag and tossed it on the table by the door, to dispose of later.
"Your dog left his calling card in my yard. Make sure he doesn't ever do th
at again, or else," Ned said, then pivoted to stomp down her steps.
"Let me at the slob." Her grandfather charged forward, and Leah had to grab him from behind before he made the situation any worse. "I'll make him eat the sniff."
She hung onto Gramps, who dragged her across the porch until he slowed to a stop at the top of the steps. His hands were clenched at his sides, his eyes like poison darts that followed Ned all the way home. She didn't dare let go—no telling what catastrophe would happen. After the firemen the other day, she couldn't afford anything else to go wrong.
"Let me go, girl. He needs a lesson in manners."
"You don't have time. Our guests will arrive any second. What would Margaret say if she found you all beat up?"
"She wouldn't. The only thing Shiplock does for exercise is switch TV channels. That old blowhard couldn't get a lick in if his life depended on it, which it might."
"Gramps! Please don't talk like that. I would like to stay in this town for more than a few months."
His body relaxed its rigid stance. "Yeah, I've seen how you've looked at the good doctor."
"He's just a neighbor."
He glanced over his shoulder at her, one of his eyebrows quirked. "Like Shiplock?"
"Good heavens, no."
"I didn't think so. It's good to see you join the human race again, Leah."
"I never left it."
Her grandfather had started to say something when Margaret pulled up in the driveway and climbed from her car. As the woman approached the house he whispered, "We'll talk about it later."
Not if she could avoid it, Leah thought as she greeted Margaret with a smile that was too bright So far the evening wasn't turning out the way she had planned it.
Leah had started to follow the pair into the house when she spied Shane leaving his place and walking across the street with Princess and a bottle of wine cradled against him. She waited for him, anticipation humming through her veins at the picture of a man very physically fit and very masculine, even when he carried a beribboned dog more suited for a woman.
"I thought Princess should have a treat tonight, too," Shane said as he passed her to enter her house.
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