Because of the Baby...

by Cat Schield

  Ten

  Lark entered Royal Safe Haven in a distracted state. Even after a fifteen-minute drive, her body still hummed from Keaton’s goodbye kiss. At Paige Richardson’s party, Lark had met Megan McGuire, the shelter’s manager, and agreed to volunteer with the dogs for a couple hours. Basically, they needed some human contact, a little fussing over.

  Keaton had encouraged her to go. For the last three and a half months, Lark’s entire world had been the hospital, her comatose sister and Baby Grace. He’d insisted that doing something outside her narrow world would clear her head. Lark felt guilty for leaving him alone with Grace again on the heels of four days of twelve-hour shifts at the hospital, but secretly she’d been excited to try something new.

  Almost immediately she was struck by a sense of sadness that so many pets had lost their owners because of the tornado or other hardships. In the days following the storm, her focus had been Skye and Grace. She’d spent all her time at the hospital, either working or alternating between the two intensive care units. Except for the damage done to the hospital’s west wing and the branches down all around in her neighborhood, Lark hadn’t seen the town’s widespread devastation.

  Stories had filtered through the hospital of the fine job Stella Daniels had done working with FEMA, the National Guard and local agencies to bring in the help they needed. The Texas Cattleman’s Club had stepped up and organized many of the cleanup projects around town. Colby Richardson and his partner had brought their construction expertise from Dallas to assist in the repair and rebuild efforts.

  All this made Lark wish she’d pitched in more.

  “Hi, Lark. Thanks for coming.” Megan came out from the back, her smile welcoming and addictive. “Let me show you around.”

  The tour was brief and informative. By the end, Lark was really glad she’d come. “What do you want me to do?”

  “We’ve got a couple dogs that aren’t adapting very well to being locked up. They’d love a twenty-minute walk.”

  “That sounds easy enough.”

  The first dog she walked was a beagle mix named Bugsy that started out by dragging her down the street. Before she’d left, Megan had handed her a pouch with dog treats and offered a brief lesson on loose leash training. By the end of the twenty minutes, Lark was surprised that the dog had stopped sniffing every tree and bush and was paying attention to her.

  “Nice job.” Megan approached while Lark was returning the dog to its pen. “Feel like trying another?”

  “Sure.”

  The next dog Megan picked for her was an Australian shepherd. The shelter manager described the dog’s color as red merle. She had a mottled blond and chestnut coat with touches of white.

  “Aussies are incredibly smart and used for herding,” Megan explained. “Nicki was Agnes Baker’s dog. Agnes’s place was hit by the tornado and she was badly hurt. I know it just about killed her to leave Nicki behind when she went to live with her daughter in Dallas, but there was no way she could take her along. For a couple months I’d hoped that Agnes would make a full recovery and come back to Royal, but her healing is progressing slower than anyone hoped.”

  Suddenly Lark was fighting back tears. “Oh, that’s terrible.”

  Megan nodded. “Nicki is a great dog. Where we run into problems with her is that she’s too smart for most people. And she’s used to a lot of exercise, so she gets destructive if left on her own for eight or more hours a day.”

  Lark dropped to her knee beside the dog and smoothed Nicki’s thick coat. As if sensing her sadness, Nicki nudged her nose beneath Lark’s arm and their gazes met. The Aussie had the most beautiful golden eyes dotted with blue. And intelligence sparkled in them.

  “She likes you,” Megan said.

  “You sound surprised.” Lark fondled Nicki’s ears and the dog half shut her eyes.

  “One of the reasons I’ve had trouble placing her is that she doesn’t warm up to people. The two who took her home on a trial basis did so because of her coloring and her intelligence. They had no idea what they were getting themselves into.”

  What was supposed to be a twenty-minute walk turned into half an hour. Unlike Bugsy, Nicki understood the concept of walking on a loose leash. She showed little interest in the tantalizing scents along the way, but kept her attention mostly on Lark. And this wasn’t due to treats either, because she’d forgotten to grab the pouch on her way out of the shelter.

  Absolutely smitten, Lark was reluctant to put Nicki back in her pen. She took out three more dogs, all with various levels of leash training, but couldn’t stop thinking about the Aussie. After promising to return the following week, Lark drove home, wishing she’d followed her instincts and adopted the Australian shepherd.

  But Megan’s comments stuck in her head. A dog like Nicki needed to stay busy. She couldn’t be left alone for eight hours, much less the twelve Lark worked. Granted, right now there was someone home all the time with Grace, but Lark couldn’t ask Keaton to help out. And it wasn’t as if he was going to be around forever. When Skye woke, she would take over responsibility for Grace and Keaton would return to his cabin. Or perhaps even the Holt ranch house.

  The thought of that caused a lump to form in Lark’s stomach. She’d known all along that this was a temporary situation. But knowing was different than facing the reality. Especially when she and Keaton had been dancing around the consequences of committing to a serious relationship.

  Lark drove home in a somber mood. She couldn’t get Nicki’s keen gaze out of her mind and couldn’t shake the certainty that she and the dog had made some sort of instant connection. Surely she was simply bummed that soon Grace would leave and Keaton would have no reason to keep living with her. A dog wouldn’t fill the void created by their departure, but it would keep her house from feeling empty.

  Keaton was in Grace’s room as Lark entered the kitchen. She could hear him talking to Grace as he fed her. Usually this would make Lark smile, but today her heart was too heavy.

  Baking had always been a solution for whatever ailed her, so Lark pulled out the ingredients for a rich chocolate cake and began to measure. This particular recipe was a family favorite, something she’d always made for her father’s birthday. Maybe she would take it over later. It had been over a week since she had any contact with her parents. The last conversation had been stilted and cool. Her parents were still unhappy that Keaton was helping her with Grace.

  “You’re home.” Keaton sounded surprised as he emerged into the great room, the bright-eyed infant cradled in his arms. “How did it go?”

  “Fine.” She tried to inject a light note in her voice, but wasn’t completely successful.

  “What happened?”

  “It was just so sad. All those dogs without homes.”

  “You didn’t have any fun?”

  “Oh no. It was great. There was one dog in particular that I absolutely fell in love with.”

  “Have you thought about adopting a dog?”

  She shook her head. “It wouldn’t be fair to leave one home all day while I work. Besides, the one I liked is a trained herding dog who is used to being busy and gets destructive if left alone.”

  “What sort of herding?”

  “Sheep and cows. Although Megan told me Nikki had worked with ducks to earn some of her titles.”

  Keaton looked thoughtful. “I’ve never worked with dogs before, but I know other ranchers who have.”

  This seemed like an opening. “You should meet her. She’s the most amazing dog. Smart. Focused. If she’s titled, I’ll bet she’s really well trained too.”

  “I’ll do a little research tonight. Is she any particular breed?”

  “Australian shepherd. I gather she was bred as a herding dog.”

  “Maybe I can go by the shelter tomorrow on my way to the ranch and meet her.”

  Lark was so excited she was close to bursting. “I’ll let Megan know you’ll be coming.”

  * * *

  Keaton was surpris
ed that Lark rose with him the next morning. Usually she took whatever opportunity she could to sleep after her four twelve-hour shifts. While he showered, she made coffee and a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast. He watched her while tucking away the meal. Her eyes were clear and bright. Her body hummed with energy.

  She’d been even more passionate than usual the previous night. Although her innate shyness had never manifested in the bedroom, she’d taken a while to trust him completely. Last night, she’d seemed determined to smash any lingering barrier between them.

  Was all this because of a dog she felt sorry for? It amused him that she was so easy to please. He’d dated women who expected expensive dinners and elaborate birthday presents. Not one of them would be delighted with a dog. It was part of Lark’s charm that she was so grounded. And focused on what was truly important.

  “Call later and let me know what you think after you meet her,” Lark said, following him to the door. “I don’t want you to feel pressure or anything.” But her eyes glowed with fervent eagerness. “I’m just really curious about your opinion.”

  “Sure.” He slid his palm into the small of her back and pulled her close for a leisurely goodbye kiss. His heart was thumping enthusiastically by the time he lifted his lips from hers. “I’ll call you when I’m headed to the ranch.”

  On the way to the animal shelter, Keaton caught himself humming along with the radio and shook his head in bemusement. He couldn’t remember ever feeling this content. Living with Lark wasn’t without its challenges, but he looked forward to coming home to her and Grace every evening, to their quiet family dinners, the passionate lovemaking after they put Grace to bed.

  He liked doing whatever it took to make Lark smile. Even though he hadn’t known much about her when they were kids, he suspected that she hadn’t enjoyed the happiest, most carefree upbringing. It made him look for ways to bring her joy. Like going to meet the dog she’d fallen in love with. He wanted to be Lark’s knight in shining armor. If that could be accomplished by rescuing Nicki, that was what he’d do.

  The instant Keaton was introduced to the Australian shepherd, he understood why Lark had been so taken with her. There was a lot of intelligence in her unique parti-colored eyes and he decided, unless there were obvious temperament problems, he would bring the dog with him to the ranch to see how she got along.

  “Lark really fell hard for her, didn’t she?” Megan commented as Keaton stroked the dog’s coat.

  “She did.” He was equally smitten. So much so that he was contemplating the complications that went along with co-owning the dog with her. “Lark said she’s a herder. I was hoping I might be able to take her to the ranch and see how she gets along.”

  Megan grinned. “I’ve got a little paperwork for you to fill out first.”

  In half an hour, Keaton was on his way to the ranch. The dog curled up on the backseat of his truck for the ride as if this were just a normal day in the life. It wasn’t what Keaton had expected. He figured Nicki would take a while to get used to him. As promised, he dialed Lark’s cell.

  “What did you think?” she asked without bothering to say hello.

  “Nice dog. I’ve got her with me right now. We’re heading to the ranch.”

  A long pause followed his words. “Oh.”

  “Megan let me take her on a trial basis,” he explained. “I want to see how she is with the cows.”

  “If she does okay, will you adopt her?” Hope vibrated in Lark’s voice.

  “I thought we could discuss that over dinner tonight.”

  “Sure. Shoot, Grace is crying. What time will you be home?”

  “Around six.”

  “See you then.”

  Keaton hung up, musing about the last time he’d included anyone in his decision making. Now it seemed that he was consulting Lark about everything from what he ate to how he spent his time. It should bother him that he had to consider someone else’s opinion. In fact, he liked being half of a team. Team Grace.

  Not for the first time he became aware that when her parents returned to the picture, he and Lark would have nothing more tying them together. Was this why he was considering sharing a dog with her? So they could remain in contact no matter how much pressure Tyrone and Vera put on her to cut him out of her life?

  When he arrived at the ranch, Keaton’s foreman gave him an odd look as he released Nicki from the truck, but one of the newer hands approached with a wide smile.

  “That’s a nice-looking Aussie,” Treat commented, bending down to fondle the dog’s head. “Where’d you get her?”

  “Royal Safe Haven,” Keaton explained. “Apparently she’s a good herding dog. Thought I’d see how she handled herself.”

  He glanced down at Nicki and was surprised to see she watched him as if waiting for instructions. Keaton had half expected the dog to take off the second he let her out. Instead she glanced around, taking in the situation, and then sat at his side.

  “You ever handled a herding dog before?” Treat asked.

  “No, but I watched a few videos online last night and got an idea how it works.”

  “My uncle used to breed and train Australian shepherds. I know a little. Want me to help you out?”

  Keaton glanced at his foreman. “If Jeb can spare you for an hour or so.”

  Jeb shrugged. “Shouldn’t be a problem.”

  For the next thirty minutes Keaton learned the signals to guide the dog around the corral. At the end of the hour, Nicki had driven three cows into a narrow chute and Keaton was feeling pretty pleased with their teamwork. He called the dog to him and could swear she was smiling as she trotted in his direction.

  “Sweet,” Treat said. “She’s really well trained.”

  “And fast,” another hand said.

  Keaton looked around and realized their herding exercise had drawn an audience. Jeb stood nearby. A traditionalist when it came to ranching, the old foreman wore an expression of grudging admiration.

  “I can see where a few dogs like this could come in handy, especially when we’re trying to move the cattle for the vet or shipping,” Jeb said. “She managed them really well.”

  For the rest of the day wherever Keaton went, Nicki stayed within ten feet. Her eyes roamed the yard and the barns, alert and interested. By the time they headed home, Keaton knew the answer to whether Nicki was going back to Royal Safe Haven. He just wasn’t sure what sort of arrangement he and Lark would come to about the dog.

  When he arrived back at Lark’s house, Nicki at his side, her eyes bright and alert after working cattle all day, Lark met him at the door with a cold beer and a hopeful smile.

  “How’d it go?” She stood with her weight balanced on the balls of her feet, searching his expression.

  “Terrific.” Physically he’d been ready for Lark’s enthusiastic embrace, but the strength of her jubilation sent his emotions reeling. “She’s a great dog.”

  Lark broke off the hug and bent to love up the Aussie. “I knew you’d like her.”

  Keaton watched the pair with bemusement. When had making her happy begun to rule his world? “She fit in at the ranch like she’d always lived there.”

  “I’ll bet she was happy to be working again.”

  “So, are you thinking about keeping her?”

  He’d stopped by the pet store and bought the necessities. Food, bowls, a comfy bed for Nicki to sleep in.

  “Let’s see how she does with Grace.”

  Lark’s eyes widened. “I never thought about that. She’s probably never been around children, much less babies.” The dog had finished wolfing down dinner and now bumped against Lark’s legs. She squatted down and took Nicki’s face in her hands. “What are you going to think of her? I wonder.”

  Grace woke shortly before dinner and Lark put her in her swing while she prepared a bottle. Keaton was in the living room, working on reports, when he heard Lark laugh. He glanced up and caught sight of the dog staring at the baby in the swing. Nicki’s head wa
s cocked in a quizzical manner, but she was completely calm. Grace was wide-awake and staring back.

  “Grace is too far away to see the dog, isn’t she?” Keaton asked.

  “I think she can see Nicki, but maybe not perfectly.”

  While they watched, the Aussie nudged the swing with her nose and it moved. Grace grunted in her preemie baby way and waved her arms.

  “I think they’re bonding,” Keaton said, setting aside his paperwork.

  “Whatever they’re doing, it’s awfully cute.”

  With his heart thumping harder than normal, Keaton stared at the scene and felt a stab of envy for his absent brother. Even though Jake wasn’t here to share these first few months with Grace, Keaton had no doubt that his brother would eventually show. Then it would be Skye, Jake and Grace together and both Lark and Keaton would be alone once more.

  Unless Keaton took steps to keep their story from heading down that path. Lark was worth fighting for. Being with her made him happier than he’d ever been. What he needed to do was find a way to convince her they should take a shot at a relationship. And he’d better get on that fast before Skye woke up or Jake came to town, because if he waited too long, she might slip right through his fingers. And what a loss that would be.

  * * *

  “Keaton and I adopted a dog.” Lark was sitting beside Skye’s bed two days after Keaton brought Nicki home. “At least I think we both have. I’m not really sure whom Nicki actually belongs to. She’s an Australian shepherd. If you’ve heard about the breed, you know they’re really smart and good at herding.” She paused. “I guess since they have shepherd as part of their name, it makes sense that they’d been good at herding.”

  These one-sided conversations with her sister had gotten easier in the three and a half months that Skye lay asleep. And if Lark kept up a rambling monologue, it was easier to ignore that her sister never responded.

  “I know I’ve said it before, but I totally understand now why Holt men are so attractive. But Keaton isn’t anything like Jake. He’s quiet and serious. Jake was outgoing and great with people. They’re as dissimilar in personalities as we are. And yet they each manage to be our perfect match.”