He hadn’t even tried to bring up the topic with Erin, already knowing how she felt. Plus, it wasn’t as if they’d been chatting a lot since Friday night...and their kiss. But he couldn’t put it off any longer. He steeled himself for the confrontation ahead and sought Erin out in the inn’s office to ask if he could have a word with her.
She frowned at this request, and he could practically see the wheels of her mind turning, wondering if this was somehow about their kiss from a few nights ago. As immature as it was, he didn’t immediately come to the point but rather sat in the chair she gestured to and waited, as if uncertain how to begin, in order to build the suspense. It amused him to see how she fidgeted, her nerves obviously ratcheting up. It was a petty revenge, perhaps, but he found it gratifying that he made her uneasy. It meant he was able to have an effect on her, even if it wasn’t exactly the one he wanted.
Finally, he sighed and announced, “The animal clinic called. No one has claimed Scout.” He let that hang in the air, giving her the opportunity to shift her expectations for where this conversation was headed.
“I plan to adopt him,” he said.
She began shaking her head. “I told you, that is a bad idea.”
“Why? Because you’re afraid you’ll fall in love?” It was a low blow, but the words were out before he could consider the wisdom of them.
Erin’s lips flattened to a straight line, and he felt a ripple of shame.
“Sorry, that was uncalled for. But I think you’re wrong. It would be good to have a dog around.”
She made a face. “How do you figure? The fur piling up everywhere, making the housekeeping even harder? The inconvenience of taking him out every two hours? What if we have guests with allergies? It’s going to affect business.”
“Or it might be a plus,” he offered. “A pet-friendly B&B. That might be a good thing.”
Her jaw hardened. “You’ve lived here for just over one week. I wouldn’t get ahead of yourself. You don’t know what works and what doesn’t around here.”
“It doesn’t seem like much of anything works around here,” he commented sarcastically, beneath his breath.
It seemed that all he’d done since arriving at the inn was repair and patch. Not that he minded helping out, in fact, he liked feeling as if he was contributing. But Erin’s remark chafed a little. It wasn’t as if it was entirely undeserved, though. He hadn’t been very involved with the inn over the years. But he also knew she only used this as a defense to keep him from bringing a dog into the house.
In any case, she ignored his comment as she said, “I don’t want Kitt getting attached. He’s lost enough in his life. What happens if the dog gets sick or needs to be put down or something?”
He stared. “Erin, you’re getting way ahead of yourself here. Scout can’t be more than two or three years old. Hopefully, it will be years before anything happens to him. And even so, don’t you think the good a dog would do for Kitt would outweigh the loss he’d experience in the future?”
“I won’t invite more grief into his life.”
“You can’t prevent that, any more than you could prevent Gavin dying.” She winced, but he pressed on. “Life is filled with grief, Erin, it doesn’t mean you stop living it.”
She ignored him and turned her attention to some papers in front of her. He didn’t think she was really looking at them, but it was a handy excuse to avoid meeting his eyes.
“After my parents died, I’d have given anything for a dog like Scout. I think it would have been good for me, something to invest my emotions in outside of my grief. And technically, it wouldn’t be your dog or your concern. I’d be the one adopting Scout, but I’d let Kitt help take care of him. It would teach him responsibility, give him a sense of importance.”
She still wouldn’t look at him. He tapped a foot impatiently on the rug. He hated to play this card, but she wasn’t budging.
“It was something Gavin wanted for him.”
Her head shot up. “Gavin? What are you talking about?”
“One of the last times I spoke to him, he mentioned how he wanted to get Kitt a dog. He was waiting until his deployment was up and he was living here permanently. We had a dog when we were young. But she was old, and she died in the fire. She’d actually been really sick for months, so we were a little more mentally prepared, I guess, than we were with our parents.”
“Daisy, I remember. Gavin told me.”
He dipped his head. Of course Gavin would have told her about Daisy. He sighed. “Erin, please. Let’s do this. You don’t have to be responsible, I’ll take care of everything. Besides, it’s not just for Kitt. I’d really like to give this dog a home. I don’t exactly know why except that, on some level, I think it reminds me of how I felt growing up. Unwanted. Unloved.”
Her face softened, revealing the Erin he knew and loved.
“It’s not really up to me, you know. The inn doesn’t belong to me.”
“Aunt Lenora already said it was okay. I just wanted to get your blessing first.”
Her lips parted in surprise. “I...you didn’t...thank you. I appreciate that. But if Aunt Lenora’s fine with it, then you have your answer.”
It wasn’t exactly approval, but he’d take it.
“Thank you. I’ll probably be picking him up tomorrow. Do you mind if I tell Kitt and take him along with me?”
“That would be fine.”
“Thanks.” He stood, planning to let her get back to her work.
“Burke?”
He waited.
“Maybe I should be the one thanking you. For considering Kitt.”
There was more he wanted to say, more he wanted to offer. But that door was closed. He tipped his head and said nothing more as he left the office to tell his nephew the news.
* * *
BURKE DECIDED TO wait to share the news about Scout with Kitt until the next day when the animal clinic called to confirm no one had claimed ownership of the dog. When he asked Kitt if he was up for a drive, his nephew had shrugged, as if he had nothing better to do, and then followed Burke to the car.
It wasn’t until they pulled into the parking lot that he caught on to the plan. His brows furrowed in confusion, and then his eyes grew wide.
“Are we here to see Scout?”
“Actually, we’re here to pick him up. He’s coming home with us.”
Kitt gasped with happiness, but on the heels of that, he frowned. “Wait...did you tell Mom?”
Burke couldn’t help chuckling. “I already talked to her. Scout is going to be my dog, technically, but you can spend time with him whenever you want. In fact, I was hoping you’d help me take care of him. He’s still a pretty young dog so he’ll need lots of exercise and care. It’s a big responsibility. You think you’re up for it?”
Kitt considered this question with a thoughtfulness that was endearing. “Will I have to take him on walks?”
“Not by yourself. I’d go with you.”
“And feed him?”
“Maybe. But he’d be my responsibility, too. I might need you to help play with him sometimes, and maybe train him to behave. I’m not sure how much work he’ll need.”
Burke didn’t add that Kitt’s assistance with these tasks were also dependent on how long he’d be living at the Moontide. Once Burke found a place of his own, Scout would most likely have to go with him. Of course, Burke was still planning to spend plenty of time with Kitt in that case.
“I can do it,” Kitt decided. He looked so determined that Burke laughed.
“Thanks, buddy. I think you’ll do a great job.”
They exited the car together and headed into the clinic. It took forty-five minutes before they emerged, with Scout on a leash the vet had provided since Burke didn’t have one of his own.
“We’ll have to stop at the pet store for supplies,”
he said. “We don’t have dog food or bedding or anything for this guy.”
Scout woofed softly.
“That’s right, or treats.”
Kitt looked impressed that his uncle must have understood Scout’s communication.
They climbed back into the car with Scout in the back seat and drove the short distance to the pet shop where Burke loaded a cart with everything he thought a new pet might need. Kitt helped by choosing an assortment of toys for Scout, asking the dog’s input at every juncture.
“This one lights up.” He presented it to Scout who only cocked his head as if uncertain what the point of said toy was. Kitt put it back on the shelf. He picked up a plush hedgehog instead. It gave a vibrating squeak as Kitt squeezed it. Scout barked, so Kitt added it to the cart. Burke watched in amusement as his nephew continued talking to the dog, filling him in on what to expect as a member of the family.
“Lenny is really old, but she doesn’t act like it. Well, maybe sometimes she does, like when she asks me to bring her slippers to her because her knees hurt too much to try and stand up.”
Burke ducked his head to hide a smile. He’d seen Aunt Lenora make this request of Kitt more than once.
“But she tells the best stories, and she’s funny, and she smells like peppermint.” He frowned. “But don’t lick her. I don’t think she’d like that. Maybe not until you know her better.”
Burke cleared his throat to keep from laughing as they continued to stroll the aisles. Scout followed along beside them, his head inclined toward Kitt, as if hanging on the little boy’s every word.
“You’ll like Mom. She’s extra nice, and she smells like cinnamon. She won’t care if you lick her, I don’t think,” he added, as an aside. “But she gets sad a lot, so when that happens, you just need to try and cheer her up by being extra good so she doesn’t get more upset.”
Kitt sighed, and Burke marveled that he was talking so much. He hadn’t heard this many words out of Kitt...well, ever. Something about the dog had allowed him to open up.
“It’s because of my dad,” he went on explaining. “He died. He was extra nice, too, just like my mom. He didn’t get to be home a lot because he was in the army. I don’t remember lots about him, but I liked when we’d hang out. He’d buy me a doughnut, and he’d tell me it was our secret. You’d have liked him.” Kitt grew quiet, and Burke had to swallow hard to keep his emotion in check.
“I wish he didn’t die. But I’m lucky he was my dad.”
Burke stopped in the aisle and pretended to study the different types of dog shampoo so Kitt couldn’t see the tears in his eyes.
“You’re lucky, too,” Kitt went on, “because Uncle Burke is going to be your dad now. He’s pretty cool. He’ll take good care of you, just like he’s been taking care of me and Mom and Lenny since he moved into the Moontide. The Moontide is our home. Only, it’s not just a house, it’s also a place where people can come and stay and eat breakfast and stuff. I like it there, even though it’s weird sometimes because Mom and Lenny have all these other people to worry about.”
Burke picked a bottle of shampoo at random, unable to really focus on the different brands as he listened to Kitt, and tossed it onto the growing pile. He wondered if Gavin had known, on some supernatural level, that his son would do well with a pet. Because it was obvious Scout had already been able to draw Kitt out of his shell in a way the rest of them hadn’t.
They turned the corner of the final aisle and headed for the checkout. The cashier smiled as they approached.
“Hi, did you find everything you needed?”
Burke gestured to the cart. “I think we have half of aisle nine in here.”
She laughed and began unloading the goods to scan them. Kitt had drawn back into himself, but he kept a protective hand on Scout’s back.
“What’s your dog’s name?” she asked him.
“Scout,” he softly replied.
“He’s a cutie,” she said and winked. “Just like you.”
Kitt looked at Burke.
“It runs in the family,” Burke teased him.
“Is this your son? I can see the family resemblance.”
“Um...”
“He’s my uncle,” Kitt announced. “But he’s kind of like a dad, too. Not my real dad, though.”
“Oh.” It was obvious she didn’t want to pry about this curious statement.
But for Burke, Kitt’s claim gave him a warm sense of belonging. It was a shame he hadn’t made the effort to be more involved in Kitt’s life sooner. Because the affection he felt for Kitt was growing beyond just the obligatory family bond. The more he got to know his nephew, the more he loved him. He was such a perfect mix of Erin’s fierce will and Gavin’s acute observation along with a certain candidness that was all his own.
The rest of the transaction proceeded with a discussion about the weather, and then they loaded everything into the car for the drive home. Kitt began his commentary to Scout again when they were alone once more, telling him about the town and pointing out different stops along their route. Some of it was so comically entertaining that Burke burst out in laughter a time or two, which didn’t seem to bother Kitt in the least.
But as soon as they pulled up to the inn, Burke’s humor faded. He put the car in park and sat there for a minute, staring at the vehicle in the front drive. He considered it for so long that Kitt eventually asked, “Uncle Burke? Why aren’t we getting out of the car?”
Burke turned off the ignition in response to Kitt’s question, but he was still puzzled.
What was Allan Worth doing at the Moontide?
CHAPTER TWELVE
BURKE COULDN’T SAY WHY, but his stomach churned with uneasiness as he and Kitt stepped inside the inn’s front door. He had Scout on a leash, grateful the dog was on his best behavior. He didn’t strain or wander, just followed patiently as Burke stepped from the foyer and toward the parlor area.
The parlor was where Aunt Lenora often greeted guests, and he made the assumption that’s where Allan Worth would be. His guess was proved correct as he entered the room and saw Tessa’s father seated on the edge of the couch, a glass of iced tea in his hand.
“Burke, it’s good to see you.”
The older man placed his glass on the side table and stood to extend a hand. Burke moved forward to take it, trying to curb his impatience and keep from demanding why Allan had shown up here now. He hadn’t heard a word from Allan Worth since the day of his aborted wedding.
“And what is this?” He leaned down to take a look at the dog. “I don’t remember you owning a dog.”
Scout had taken a few steps back, as much as he could manage with the restraint of the leash. Kitt was hovering at Burke’s side, and Burke was surprised when his nephew spoke up.
“This is Scout. Uncle Burke adopted him.”
“Ah.” Allan was wise enough not to try to touch the dog. Burke knew Scout was friendly enough but given this new environment and whatever past experiences had traumatized him, it was likely best if a stranger didn’t attempt to pet him too soon. “Well, that’s nice.”
“Kitt?”
Burke turned his head to see Erin enter the room. She looked as uncertain as he felt, but Kitt lit up at the sight of her.
“Mom, look! We got Scout!”
“I see that.” She forced a smile for her son’s sake and knelt down instead of approaching the dog. Scout took the cue as his invitation to greet her and moved toward her, tail wagging furiously. Burke released the leash to Kitt so Scout could get closer to Erin. Obviously, the dog did well enough with people. Or maybe Erin just had that soothing effect. She scratched behind the dog’s ears and sighed, as if resigning herself to falling for him.
“And we went to the pet store, and Uncle Burke spent over a hundred dollars, and we almost couldn’t fit everything in the car!”
Burke might have found this commentary amusing if he wasn’t so distracted. He shifted his attention back to the man before him. Why was Allan here? He couldn’t imagine Tessa had sent her father. It wasn’t her style. Besides, they were no longer a part of each other’s lives, at least not like they had been. Still, he couldn’t refrain from asking about her.
“Is everything all right, I mean, with Tessa?”
He sensed Erin’s gaze on his back.
Allan appeared troubled. “She’s...well enough. Rather subdued of late, actually. But I suppose that can be expected?” Allan looked a little distressed, and Burke couldn’t help feeling sympathy seeing his concern for his daughter.
“Kitt, why don’t we start unloading the car and get Scout something to drink?” Erin suggested.
Burke didn’t turn, but he sensed Erin leave the room with Kitt in tow.
“She said she...spoke to you,” Allan went on. “I’m sorry that things had to end the way they did.” He reached out to give Burke’s arm a squeeze. The gesture seemed unnatural. He had never sensed Allan disapproved of him exactly, but he had always believed that Tessa’s parents found him a somewhat lackluster choice for their youngest daughter. But he detected genuine sympathy from Allan for how Tessa had left him at the altar.
“And how about you? Are you doing all right?” He continued before Burke had a chance to respond, sweeping his gaze around the room and saying, “I can’t imagine a better safe haven after an experience such as yours. This place...it’s a treasure.”
Burke slid a glance at Aunt Lenora, who was still seated silently on the settee. Her expression gave away nothing of the conversation that had been taking place before he entered the room.
“Thanks.” He felt uncomfortable with Allan’s words, especially given his feelings about the old house. It was true, it had been a safe haven—twice now, in his life—but it also had served to remind him of things he had lost. Burke shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. He looked at Aunt Lenora, hoping she would give him some sort of cue. She still hadn’t voiced a word.
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