“Can the calls wait? Because I’d like to take that dress off of you and enjoy the last of my partially clothed vacation day.”
“I think I can work that into my schedule.”
Chapter 11
Fur Ball
The night of the Alpine Grove Fur Ball, Kat glared at herself in the mirror as she attempted to deal with her hair. Putting it up was always an exercise in frustration. She braided, tucked, squished, and approximately four-hundred and seventeen bobby pins later, her tresses seemed willing to stay put. After dousing it with a noxious cloud of hair spray, she declared the coiffure complete.
She crossed the hallway into the bedroom, where Joel was sitting on the edge of the bed fussing with a cuff. He looked up at her. “Whoever came up with the idea of cufflinks had a really twisted sense of humor. You think you’ve got the little thing lined up, then you drop it on the floor. Then repeat. It’s like a loop in programming.”
Kat laughed. “Only you could compare a male fashion accessory to something so incredibly geeky.”
“Hey, you’re wearing makeup.”
“Try not to look so appalled. I can do the girly thing every once in a while.”
“It’s just startling. I’m used to the au naturel you.”
“Now I have to see if I can get into this dress. It fit when I tried it on at Brigid’s house, but it was a little dicey.”
“This could be fun. Can I watch?”
“Only if you promise to help and not distract me. Brigid will kill me if we’re late and miss the announcements. I have to wave when she names the new board of directors.”
Joel gave her a mock serious face and made an X across his chest. “I will be good. This is like getting dressed up for the prom.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” Kat slid the blue dress up over her body. “Could you zip this over here?”
“This dress is an architectural marvel. I don’t understand how it stays on.”
“You’re getting distracted.”
“I’m conducting an analysis.” Joel hooked his index finger into the bodice and peered down. “Why doesn’t it fall off?”
“According to Brigid, Robin told her it has interior structure. She said it has spiral steel boning in the corselette.”
“I have no idea what that means.”
“Me neither, except it won’t fall off. Everything I’ve got is supported and wedged into place.”
“Nice.” Joel ran his hand across her bare back. “I like this. I can stand around looking like I’ve just got my arm around you, but really be imagining you’re naked.”
“You’re getting distracted again.”
Joel put his jacket on while Kat continued to readjust various body parts within the structurally advanced dress. She looked up at him and gasped slightly. “Wow.”
He looked down. “What? Am I already covered in dog hair? I hope everyone realizes that’s going to be a problem at this event.”
“No. You look like you’ll probably look when we get married. It was like a flashback, except into the future.”
“A flash forward? I suppose we’ll have to get dressed up for that too.”
“Probably. How do you feel about eloping?” Kat smiled. “Although I think Maria would hunt me down and kill me if we run off like that.”
“Whatever you want to do is fine with me.”
“You do realize that after the squeal, every woman is going to ask us when we’re getting married, right?”
“What’s the squeal about?”
“It’s the ring. Women squeal about engagement rings.”
“Interesting.”
Kat put her arms around his waist. “You think I’m making this up, but I’m not. You should have seen Brigid. She practically tore my hand off trying to get a look.”
“I guess that whole thing about diamonds being a girl’s best friend is true.” He ran his hands across her back and pulled her closer. “I like this dress a lot.”
“You’re getting distracted again. I can’t wait to see the pugly puppies. The photograph Michael took of them for the posters was adorable.”
“Making it look like a movie poster was a good idea. ‘The Alpine Grove Fur Ball, featuring Shelby and the Puglies!’”
“I know. And the word pugly is fun to say.” Kat stepped back and smoothed the front of her dress. “I think this is as good as I’m going to look. We should grab your dog and go.”
“You think Lady is the best option?”
“Well, she’s the least bad option. Tessa the hyperactive nutball or Chelsey the shy weird dog are obviously not candidates. Linus’s size freaks people out and Lori has been known to eat things she shouldn’t. Since you’ll be there, Lady will behave herself.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
When they arrived at the North Fork Lodge, the buildings, trees, and even a boat in the cove were strewn with little white twinkly lights that reflected on the water, making the lake look like it was sparkling in the twilight. Joel held Lady’s leash while Kat got out of the truck and discreetly checked to made sure all of her assets remained securely contained within the blue fabric of her dress. She took his hand. “Okay, we’re good.”
They walked down the hillside, where crowds of people were standing around under a huge white tent that had been set up on the lawn. Many people had brought dogs and there was lots of laughing and chatting. Kat nudged Joel and pointed, “Who’s that guy with your sister?”
“I’m not sure. Is it the electrician who worked on the kennel?”
“Really? That’s surprising. Maybe…”
“Don’t say it.”
“What?”
“I know where you’re going with this. I don’t want to hear the words turn on, electricity, or electrical impulse in relation to my sister.”
“I would never say that.” Kat turned and looked down toward the lake. “Oh, look at Dixie! The tiny adorable puppy is all grown up.”
They walked up to a couple with a fuzzy brown dog and the woman smiled and let go of the necklace she’d been fiddling with. “Kat, Joel! I’m so pleased to see you here.”
“Hi Beth. Hi Drew.” Kat bent to pet the dog. “I can’t believe how big Dixie is now. The last time I saw her, she was able to curl up in my lap.”
Beth squealed and waved her hands, “Wait, I forgot…my mother informed me! Let me see the ring.”
Kat stepped back from Dixie, held out her hand, and gave Joel an I-told-you-so grin. She turned to Drew, “I loved your latest novel.”
Before he could answer, a woman ran up to the group with a small shepherd mix in tow and tackled Kat in a hug. She let go and said, “Kat! I heard you guys are getting married. I have to see the ring!”
Kat held out her hand again and the woman uttered a small squeak as she leaned over to examine the ring. Kat said, “Hi Becca. Where’s Jack? Didn’t he come?”
Becca let go of Kat’s hand. “He’s here somewhere.” She pointed and quickly rattled off locations of trees on the lodge property. “There were some cedars he wanted to look at over there too. After he finishes his tree-viewing excursion, I’m sure he’ll turn up. Joel, we wondered if you could stop by. Jack said something about a tree out behind the Shack that he wants to remove. But he wants to make sure it’s okay with you.”
Joel nodded. “I’m sure it’s fine.”
Becca said, “But it’s your house.”
“I’ll talk to him.” Joel put his palm on Kat’s back and she glanced up at him. He arched a single eyebrow at her and she tried not to giggle at the suggestive glint in his green eyes.
At the sound of the microphone being tapped on the stage, everyone turned around. The owner of the lodge, Alec Montgomery, thanked everyone for coming and introduced Brigid, who said a few words about the newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Alpine Grove Animal Adoptions, and named the board of directors, who were welcomed with hearty cheers.
Brigid then introduced the Chief of Police Kirby Russell, who took the microphone and praised h
er efforts to help the homeless dogs in the community. He also encouraged everyone to reach into their pockets and make a donation. Pointing to a big thermometer display on the stage, he proclaimed that if they reached the lofty financial goal, he would walk naked down the main street of Alpine Grove. The police would close off the thoroughfare for an hour redirecting traffic, and he’d let it all hang out.
Along with everyone else, Kat burst out laughing. “I’m not sure I want to see that. I had no idea the police chief was a closet nudist.”
Joel traced an intricate design on her back with his fingertip. “You just never know when nudity will be on the agenda.”
“You’re getting distracted again, aren’t you?”
“I have a very active imagination.”
Chapter 12
Epilogue
A week later, Brigid stood in front of the bookstore next to Clay, clapping along with everyone else in the crowd at Kirby Russell, who was walking down the middle of the street waving at the spectators along the sidewalks of Alpine Grove.
In front of him on a leash was a dog that appeared to be a Labrador retriever mixed with Great Dane. The police chief was dressed in his formal dress uniform, and the big dog was wearing a dog vest with “Naked” emblazoned on it. Strutting proudly, the dog seemed thrilled by all the attention, his long tail wagging merrily behind him.
Clay nudged Brigid and bent to whisper in her ear, “So what’s the dog’s real name again?”
“For today, he’s Naked, but really that’s Ziggy. His foster mom already took him to be neutered and he has a permanent home all lined up when he’s done showing off here.”
“Kirby is loving this too. What a ham.”
“He has a great sense of humor. And he was thrilled when he found out we made enough money to start setting some aside for building a shelter. I’m going to drive out and look at how Kat’s kennels are being constructed.”
“You are a planner.”
After the event was over and the crowds had dispersed, Brigid and Clay walked back to her house. She opened the door and they were greeted by Gypsy, who toddled over wagging her tail. It seemed odd to not have Judge galloping around barking at them, but he had gone to his new permanent home. Brigid picked up Gypsy and ruffled her ears. “So do you want to help with some more packing?”
Clay stroked the dog’s head. “I should get back and return to my task.”
“How is it going?”
“Cleaning out the bunkhouse reminds me how disgusting those ranch hands were. The cows left less of a mess in the barn. You don’t want to know.”
“You’re right, I don’t. But I appreciate you letting me rent the space after my lease here is up. My many books and I will have somewhere to live this fall.”
“I’m assuming you’ll be spending lots of time at the house as well.”
Brigid grinned as she put Gypsy back down. “I anticipate many sleepovers.”
“I certainly hope so. Waking up next to you is part of my morning routine now. Even more important than coffee.”
Brigid looked at the clock and set a box of books on the table. “Could you take this with you? I don’t really have time to get anything else done. I should get back to the law office and get to work. Larry’s files make your archaeological filing system look downright organized. I told him I was taking a long lunch, but I may be pushing the envelope here.”
“So has he hit on you yet?”
“No. I think you scared him the other day when you stopped by. You obviously did not have legal matters on your mind.”
“I am not scary.”
“When you stand there all silent and intimidating, looking like a cowboy, people don’t know what to do with you.”
“Well, you certainly figured it out.”
“Someone once told me that it’s all in the eyes. And yours are so warm and kind—not scary at all.”
Clay looked into her eyes and grinned, “Well then, maybe it’s just the hat.”
The End
You’ve reached the end of Book 7,
but not the end of the series.
For more Alpine Grove adventures,
check out Book 8: Treasure of the Hairy Cadre!
Thanks for Reading
Thank you for dedicating some of your reading time to The Good, the Bad, and the Pugly. I hope you enjoyed Brigid and Clay’s adventures. I’ll be writing more books that will feature Kat, Joel and various other residents of Alpine Grove who bring dogs to the new boarding kennel. Be sure to keep an eye out for the next novel.
If you would like to be notified by e-mail when I release a new book, you can sign up for my New Releases e-mail list at SusanDaffron.com/releases.
I know that not everyone likes to write book reviews, but if you are willing write a sentence or two about what you thought of The Good, the Bad, and the Pugly, I encourage you to post a review at your favorite book vendor site or share a message with your social networking friends.
If you would like to share your thoughts about the book with me privately, you can reach me through the contact page at SusanDaffron.com/contact.
I look forward to hearing from you!
~ Susan C. Daffron
Acknowledgements
Writing a novel is never easy and I’d like to thank my husband James Byrd for his support and encouragement throughout the publishing process.
I’d also like to thank my alpha and beta readers for their eagle-eyed reading and great feedback:
James Byrd
Kate Turner
Dian Chapman
Clare Cinelli
Adele Hudson
A number of readers shared their adopted dog stories on my blog, which provided inspiration for many of the dogs in this book. Each person whose story was selected receives my undying gratitude, and I am donating copies of my nonfiction books Funds to the Rescue and Publicity to the Rescue to the pet rescue group of their choice. Thank you all!
Reader Dog Rescue Group
Sue Ingebretson Shelby CampWannaQ
Jacqueline Simonds Lewis Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue Foundation
Stacey Ambrose Layla Piece Of My Heart Rescue
Adele Hudson Nugget & Ziggy The Greyhound Project, Inc.
Susanna Perkins Gypsy Papillon Care and Rescue Trust
Margaret Moore Scout Suntree-Viera Pet Rescue
Harriet Higgs Pete & Kermit Schertz Animal Control
About the Author
Susan Daffron is the author of the Alpine Grove Romantic Comedies, a series of novels that feature residents of the small town of Alpine Grove and their various quirky dogs and cats. She is also an award-winning author of many nonfiction books, including several about pets and animal rescue. She lives in a small town in northern Idaho and shares her life with her husband and two really cute dogs.
Books by Susan C. Daffron
Alpine Grove Romantic Comedy
Chez Stinky
Fuzzy Logic
The Art of Wag
Snow Furries
Bark to the Future
Howl at the Loon
The Good, the Bad, and the Pugly
Treasure of the Hairy Cadre
Susan is also the author of a number of award-winning nonfiction books, including several about pet care and rescue. A complete list is available at:
www.susandaffron.com/books/
Get book release notices by email:
www.susandaffron.com/releases
The Good, the Bad, and the Pugly (An Alpine Grove Romantic Comedy Book 7) Page 26