Lucky in Love on Hound Island (Island County Series Book 8)

by Karice Bolton

  “I teach elementary.”

  “That’s got to be fun.” I smiled, leaning back toward the table.

  “It has its moments. Pays the bills.”

  “I think it would be so much fun to help little ones reach their full potential, especially nowadays with all the computer apps and—”

  “You sound like a public education billboard.”

  I laughed and shrugged.

  This was going to be a very long dinner.

  “So have you lived on Fireweed long?” I asked.

  “I moved here about three years ago.”

  “Do you like it?”

  “Hate it.”

  My brows shot up. “How could you hate a place like this? Everyone’s so nice.”

  “Exactly.” He shook his head and let out a deep sigh as if being nice in the world was somehow the cardinal sin. How crazy was that?

  The server came over and we ordered our dinners.

  “So you’re not a fan of nice people?” I tried again.

  “I’m sure they’re fine in small doses, but I know that it can’t be real.”

  “Wow. That’s pessimistic.”

  “You spend enough time around the people I do all day, and you’d know where I’m coming from.”

  “Second graders?” I asked, cocking my head in confusion.

  “You bet.” He nodded. “That’s where you can really see it. The parents come in all nice. The kids come in all nice, but underneath it all…”

  “Huh.” I wasn’t so sure this guy should be teaching. “Well, I’m sure soon enough you’ll run into some assholes, and you’ll feel right at home.”

  “I can hope.”

  “Yes, you can.” I nodded, wondering how in the world I could escape this dinner. There was dating and then there was this.

  I definitely needed to make some rules for myself if I was determined to get back out here. First of all, I should make sure there was chemistry. Second, I should ensure that there was something in common, so maybe I should hang out at dog parks more often. Third, I needed to get their name beforehand so I could Google them.

  “Wow, I’ve never been on a date where I’m talking to myself this early on.” His nose was scrunched as he waited for me.

  “But it does happen to you eventually on all the dates?”

  “It can, but that’s just part of the process.”

  No, it really wasn’t. I wanted to sigh, but I was worried that might kick him over the edge.

  The guy obviously didn’t understand sarcasm, so that was going to be my fourth requirement. Someone who could laugh at himself.

  “Do you have any hobbies?” I asked, not really because I cared, but I needed something to fill the time.

  “I don’t have time. With all the papers I have to correct and lesson plans I have to get ready.” He shook his head. “I’m a slave to my job.”

  “Even on the weekends?” I asked.

  “Especially on the weekends.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “You probably wouldn’t understand.” He took a sip of wine. “It’s not like dogs can keep a person that busy.”

  “Nah. They pretty much take care of themselves.” I rolled my eyes. “In fact, some nights they even cook me dinner.”

  And he nodded. “Yeah. I’d assume so.”

  Wow, he really didn’t get sarcasm.

  “So you don’t have pets.”

  “What makes you say that?” His brows furrowed as if I’d suddenly struck a nerve.

  “Because pets are like children. They are a lot of work.”

  Just when I thought I might take a fork to my wrist, the server came over with our meals. I about wanted to jump up and kiss him, but I stayed calm and thanked him.

  We ate mostly in silence and every single second was completely uncomfortable. My mind unwillingly went back to Billy, and I shoved him right back out. There was nothing I could do to force that situation, but I could at least get out there.

  Billy proved that I still had a beating heart. I just needed to find the right man.

  “This is really good.”

  “It’s one of my favorite restaurants,” he agreed.

  At least he liked good food.

  “Do you cook?” I asked.

  “No. I can put together a mean turkey and provolone sandwich, but that’s about it.”

  I nodded and focused on my manicotti.

  When we’d finished our meal and the server brought the check, I felt like a million dollars. I was free. Any second, I’d be free again.

  He slapped his credit card down on the bill, and I felt really conflicted about letting him pay. I never wanted to see him again, and chances were on this island, I would.

  “How about we go back to my place for a little fun?” Stew’s eyes stayed on mine, and I tried not to laugh.

  “Stew, I’m flattered. But I actually don’t do fun.” I smiled. “At all, but I hear there is a great app called Tinder that might fit the bill for you.”

  I quickly slid my card out of my wallet and placed it next to his.

  “Seriously? We’re two good-looking people, why not just have a little fling?”

  My stomach turned over, and I had to signal the server over so I didn’t wind up laughing in this guy’s face. Everything about him had turned creepy, and I just wanted out. I texted my poor mom to come get me. She’d been hanging out at a coffee shop down the street. I think I needed to at least wait until the cast was off before trying this again.

  “I’m not into that,” I muttered, grateful the server was already on his way back with our receipts. “But like I said, there’s an app for that.”

  “You think I can get women to come to this Podunk town on Tinder?” He tossed his napkin on the table.

  “I don’t know why not. You’re completely charming and irresistible.” I took my card back and signed my receipt.

  “I know,” he agreed and that was the time I stood up and grabbed my crutches.

  “It was really lovely getting to know you,” I lied. “But my ride is here. Thanks again.”

  I turned around to leave a sulking Stewart in the Italian restaurant, and all I wanted to do was call Billy and laugh about what I’d just encountered.

  My mom was parallel parked right in front of the restaurant and gave me a sympathetic smile as she saw me hobbling as fast as I could to get out of the place.

  “How’d it go?” she asked as I tossed my crutches in the backseat and hopped around to my open door.

  I climbed into the car just as my phone buzzed. It was close to nine, so it was probably my sister.

  “Beyond awful. Like so awful it reminded me why I didn’t do that.” I shivered as my mom turned toward the ferry.

  “Well, I’m proud of you for getting out there.”

  “Thanks.”

  I slid my phone out of my purse and looked down at the text that had come over. It was from Billy and my heart literally froze.

  How did your date go?

  How did he know I was on a date? Was it my parents? Holly?

  “I got a text from Billy asking me how my date went.” I glanced at my mom, who didn’t look surprised. “Did you tell him?”

  “Heavens no.” She shook her head. “I can’t for the life of me figure out what’s going on between you two, so I’m staying out of it.”

  “Huh.” I started typing my response back to Billy.

  About as good as I should have expected. He wanted to have a little fun (his words not mine) so yeah...onward and upward.

  “I can’t believe how creepy that guy was, and he’s a school teacher.” I shook my head. “He actually wanted to sleep with me. Tonight.”

  My mom laughed. “Did you point him in the direction of Winder?”

  “You mean Tinder?” I chuckled.

  “Exactly.”

  “Finding someone can’t be that hard, right? I mean people do it all the time.” I stretched out my leg and wiggled my bare toes. They were freezing.
/>   “They do, but it takes something special to find that one person that just…fits.”

  “Those weren’t quite the words of encouragement I was hoping for.” I smiled and leaned my head on the window. “How did you and dad know?”

  “It was simple for me. I didn’t want anyone else.” She let out a happy sigh. “He just made me happy. He added to my life.”

  “I realize I barely know Billy, but I felt that way about him.” I turned to face my mom. “The moment I saw him, I knew there was something about him that was just…” I couldn’t put my finger on it and didn’t bother to try. “But it doesn’t matter. He’s on some adventure, and I’ll be long gone before he’s back.”

  “Anyone who’d let a little road trip come in the way of love is beyond me,” my mom whispered. “Why don’t you just go for it?”

  “First of all, it’s not love. It’s too soon.”

  “But it could be.”

  “You’re such a helpless romantic,” I teased. “And second, he doesn’t want a relationship.”

  “I still don’t believe that.”

  “Regardless, the message has been sent loud and clear. It took me going on a date to get him to text.”

  My phone buzzed again and I looked down.

  So he didn’t steal my place?

  A ripple of annoyance ran through me. Billy had no place. He made sure of that when he left.

  At this point, all I could do was be honest. I texted back my response.

  Billy, last I heard, you had no place. You didn’t want one.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I woke up to several texts from Billy, none of which I wanted to look at. For some reason, not hearing from him for the first week of his trip didn’t bother me. But hearing from him only when he knew I was out with someone else did.

  What did concern me was the email I got from Lucky’s parents.

  They weren’t coming home.

  They weren’t coming home?

  I reread the email and couldn’t believe the words floating in front of me.

  What did they mean they weren’t coming home? I groaned and fell back on the bed. This was crazy. Who goes on a three-month cruise and decides not to come home? I glanced at Lucky, who was sprawled out next to me on the bed, and petted his ear.

  I scanned the email again, completely confused, and finally understood why they’d been ignoring me. They’d known this from the beginning.

  I looked over at Lucky and couldn’t imagine how someone could leave their little fur baby so easily… and what did they expect me to do with him?

  “Oh, Lucky.” I pulled him into me. “This is nuts.”

  My mind was racing with what I was supposed to do. I reread the last sentence. They’d bought a place in Belize and a real estate agent would be coming by in two days to put this one up on the market. They’d already prepaid me so that wasn’t an issue, but what about Lucky? How could they just act like he didn’t exist? Why wouldn’t they bring him down there?

  I stared at the ceiling and wondered what I was going to do. If I kept him, I couldn’t bring him to my pet sitting jobs. You don’t show up with a dog of your own to someone’s house, but I couldn’t bear to let him go.

  Not to mention the fact that where I rent my room, my friend is deathly allergic to dogs.

  I let out a groan just as I heard the front door open and shut, and my parents’ happy voices ringing through the house.

  “You up yet?” my mom called up the stairs.

  “I am, but you won’t believe what I just got from Lucky’s parents.”

  My mom and dad made their way into the bedroom.

  “What? Are they okay?” My mom asked, knowing I’d been concerned about not hearing from them. “They didn’t get kidnapped, did they?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “No, but they might as well have.”

  My dad covered Lucky’s ears and I chuckled some more.

  “They’re not coming back.” I scooted up in bed.

  “You’re kidding. Who does that?” My mom was in as much disbelief as I was.

  “Beats me. They bought a house in Belize and they aren’t coming back. Plain and simple. They aren’t sending for Lucky. They’re just done.” I shook my head. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with him. I can’t take him home and when I go on jobs, I can’t take him with me.”

  My dad paced the room, staring out the window. “This is the most bizarre pet sitting job I’ve ever heard of.”

  “Tell me about it,” I moaned. “The thing is that I absolutely love Lucky, and word on the street about him is that he has quite the reputation for being a scamp. He’d been brought back to the shelter three times. I can’t let there be a fourth.”

  My father agreed. “No, you really can’t.”

  “I think I’m going to have to find a different place to rent in between my jobs and then just take it one step at a time.” I sighed.

  “I think that’s all you can do.” My mom nodded. “He’s too good of a boy to go back up for adoption. I can tell the way he looks at you that he really, really likes you.”

  “I’ve heard that before,” I teased and my mom chuckled.

  “Well, I’d be willing to bet I’m right both times.”

  Billy’s text flashed into my mind, and I realized I should look at those too. I might as well top off my morning.

  “Well, come on Lucky,” my dad said, patting his knees.

  Lucky reluctantly crawled out of bed to follow my parents out of my room to let him potty. I couldn’t believe I needed to find a place to live with Lucky so quickly, broken leg and all.

  I let out an exhausted sigh at the thought of it and grabbed my phone. I scrolled through Billy’s texts, and my heartache grew into complete perplexity. I was never very good at being a bitch and that text last night kind of qualified, but he didn’t come back at me with any attitude. Instead, his messages made me like him even more.

  Text one

  I deserve it

  Text two

  I shouldn’t have waited until I heard you were out with someone to reach out to you. That was a prick move on my part.

  I doubted Billy could ever be a prick, but it did touch a sore spot.

  Text three

  The truth is I miss you. This isn’t nearly as fun as I thought it would be.

  Text Four

  But I have a lot of things I still need to tell you. It’s the only fair thing to do.

  And Text Number Five

  I don’t blame you if you never want to see me again. Just say the word, and I’ll follow our initial plan.

  My heart was caught in my throat. What was he saying? Did he want to try something real? Did he want to come back? Or was this going to lead back around to the same problems.

  I thought about what I wanted to say very carefully. I liked him. There wasn’t a hesitant thought rattling around in my mind when it came to him. He made me laugh. He was thoughtful. He was extremely loyal. He loved dogs. My parents liked him. He was hot as hell, and I couldn’t ever get him out of my head.

  And the biggest plus was that his name wasn’t Stewart. A shudder ran down my spine, and I laughed at that awful turn of events.

  Okay, I could do this. I didn’t want to say much in text. I wanted to tell him in person, but I was dying to let him know about Lucky’s parents.

  I heard my dad outside my window playing with Lucky and my heart warmed. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have my parents, and the thought of having to deal with what Billy did growing up was literally unimaginable to me. I didn’t quite see why that would make him so hesitant with commitment, but I was sure there was more I didn’t know or maybe because I’d never been through it, I just wouldn’t know.

  I looked at my blank screen and decided to go for it. My mom was right. Why let a silly road trip come between two people who might actually have a bond?

  Sorry for being bitchy. It’s not usually my style. But I was hurt. Not that I think that’s an excuse
, but I really like you. I tried not to, but it just doesn’t seem to work that way. Anyway, whenever you’re next in town, I’d love to get together for coffee or something, and maybe, we can start over.

  I hit send and waited.

  And waited.

  When I got tired of waiting, I grabbed my crutches and very carefully made my way down the stairs, step by step. Lucky and my dad came inside as I’d hit the bottom to see my mom bringing me a giant cup of steaming coffee.

  “I have to say Stacy never brought me coffee in the morning,” I teased.

  “Well, I’m your mother.” She grinned and I took a sip. She’d even remembered a splash of nonfat milk.

  “Thanks, mom.”

  She took the cup back while I made it to the recliner and set it beside me as I got situated.

  “Your dad and I were discussing things and since you won’t be needing to stay here, you can always come home with us for the next couple of months. Lucky can roam the house and you’ll always have people to help out.”

  My parents were so sweet.

  “Well, I only have a few more weeks before I get a walking cast and then dealing with Lucky should be easy breezy.” I heard a rumble outside and craned my neck to see out the window, but didn’t see anything.

  “Then come for a few weeks,” my mom offered.

  I nodded, noticing the rumble was only getting louder.

  “I might take you up on that offer.” I grinned and Lucky circled in front of the fireplace and plopped down. “I can’t believe his parents would do that.”

  “They aren’t parents. They’re owners at that point and bad ones.” My dad shook his head.

  “Do you guys hear that?” I asked.

  “Sounds like a truck or something,” my mom said, glancing over her shoulder.

  “Or one of those big RVs,” my dad said a little too casually.

  “What do you mean?” I narrowed my eyes on my dad. He wasn’t great at hiding things and this time was no different.