For the longest time, he just stared at his grandmother while Jack licked his clean-shaven face. Bitsy pawed at his shoes. And Gertie rolled over and waited for someone to rub her belly.
No more Greek excuses. This was what Gracie would want him to do.
“Thank you,” he said softly, putting an arm around Gramma Finnie and holding Yiayia’s gaze. “I will do that.”
“You’re welcome,” Yiayia said. “Now go take them to the winery.”
“Now?”
“What better time? I’m here to finish up for you, and they’ll be most comfortable there, and…and…”
“And you need to see it again,” Gramma Finnie said. “You’ll feel different once you do.”
“It’s hard to go there without Grace,” he admitted. “I miss her so much.”
Yiayia threw a look at Gramma Finnie. “Can I, for a change, be the one with a saying?”
“Be my guest, Agnes.”
She patted Alex’s hand. “The Greeks say Μου λείπεις.”
“I miss you?” he guessed, easily understanding her pronunciation.
“It means ‘you are missing from me.’” She gave him a look. “Is that more like what you’re feeling?”
“A perfect description.” He looked from one to the other. “You’re sweet not to have given up on me. But, ladies, you better work your Dogmother magic on John next. You’ll have better luck.”
Yiayia shook her head. “It’s time for a Mahoney,” she said. “We’ve agreed to alternate matchmaking on our grandchildren.”
“But you didn’t matchmake me with anyone but…” He looked down at the dogs. “The three best dogs in the world.”
Gramma Finnie gave him a light jab. “Take them home, lad. Where they belong. To the winery.”
The words touched his heart, making him close his eyes and give up the fight. “You’re right,” he said. “I’ll take them there.”
“Now,” Yiayia insisted.
“I have to—”
“Never ever say no to your Yiayia. It’s Greek law.”
He laughed. “Got it.” With a kiss for both of them, he gathered up his three dogs and headed out to start his life with them. Alone, but maybe someday Grace would come back. And they’d be waiting.
He clung to that thought all the way to Overlook Glen, until he pulled into the parking lot and realized exactly why he’d been sent there.
* * *
Grace stood at the center of the terrace, turning slowly, trying not to be flattened by memories. She’d been gone for a month, but not one day in California could match the feeling of looking out at the Blue Ridge Mountains and wandering through the grapevines of Overlook Glen.
When Denise had called to tell her the news, she’d had zero hesitation about coming back for one last event. But she couldn’t do it alone.
Would Alex help?
She pulled out her phone for the fiftieth time since she’d arrived, imagining how the conversation would unfold. Was it wrong to call him and announce that she was there? Would he be thrilled? Furious? Frustrated?
How would he feel when he found out she’d be here for only a few weeks?
How would she? Because leaving him once had been hard enough. Leaving him twice might be impossible. Especially now that she realized California might be home to her family and dream job, but those weren’t the only things that made a place home.
Overlook Glen was truly her childhood home, and it still felt like where she belonged.
Alex certainly hadn’t taken her up on the offer to turn the winery into his restaurant. Not a single thing had changed since the day she’d left with Libby and Jack. The winery had barely been stepped in and was starting to look as barren as the November trees and as lifeless as the winter skies above her.
That saddened her, especially because in their few phone calls, he’d seemed to be happy about the idea. But then, she’d been telling him how happy she was at Carlson Woods, when in truth…
She closed her eyes and turned toward the vineyards, drawing her strength from the hills and valleys. Then she tapped her phone, found his name, and waited to hear his voice.
“Hey, California girl,” he answered with more joy than it was fair for him to have. “How’s the land of milk and honey and really good wine?”
She laughed, mostly because the sound of his voice was like an adrenaline injection to the brain. Yeah, yeah, Mother Nature had wired her to be attracted to him. And she knew the feeling was purely science and chemistry…but, good God, it was real.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m actually not there right now.”
“Is that so?”
“Listen, Alex, are you sitting down?”
“Not at the moment,” he said, sounding as if he was definitely walking somewhere. She closed her eyes and imagined him on the streets of Bitter Bark, maybe in the square or leaving Santorini’s after a long lunch rush.
Why wasn’t he here?
Because she hadn’t asked yet. “Well, I have news. Big news.”
“Yeah?”
“Remember how Scooter and Blue joked about a little hanky-panky on the way to Overlook Glen?”
“I believe he mentioned blue balls in the most Scooter-like way.”
“Yeah, well, he wasn’t shooting blanks,” she said on a laugh. “Blue is expecting a baby, and she got pregnant that day.”
“Get out! That’s awesome.” After a beat, he asked, “Is that why you called?”
“Well, not just that, but they want to move up their wedding. In fact, they want to get married in two weeks.”
He laughed. “That sounds familiar.”
“At Overlook Glen.”
He didn’t answer for a few seconds, except for a muffled sound she didn’t catch. “Did you hear me, Alex?”
“Go,” he whispered. “Right there, right now.”
What was he talking about? “Alex? Are you—”
She heard a sound in the distance behind her. And another. A bark? Whipping around, she caught sight of the French doors opening wide, but no one was there. Except three little—not so little!—puppies running wildly toward her.
“Oh my God! Alex! Alex, you won’t believe who’s…” And then she saw him, strolling through the doors, a phone to his ear. “Who’s…here.”
“I am,” he said softly into the phone. “And you, Gracie, are the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a month.”
On a laugh, she lowered her phone, dropping it onto the nearest table as she started toward him. Walking, then faster, then they both ran, meeting halfway in a full-body press and a kiss that felt like it could go on forever.
“You’re home,” he said against her lips.
“I’m…home.” Of course she was. How could anywhere else ever be home? But… “How did you know I was here? And what are the puppies doing here?” She eased away, still holding him, watching Bitsy romp and Jack inspect and Gertie just stare up at her with abject joy on her little face.
“They’re home, too,” he said. “My grandmothers adopted them and just gave them to me as early Christmas presents.”
“No!” She pressed her hands to her mouth, a little overwhelmed.
“And I think they might have given me you as a Christmas present, too. Did they know you were here?”
“No, but…” She smiled. “Blue put an Instagram post up about it, and I know Pru follows her, so…yeah. They could have known I’d be back today.”
“And you called me…” He wrapped her in his arms. “To say you’re never going back?”
She bit her lip and looked up at him. “Alex, I’ve missed you.”
“Gracie, you’ve been missing from me.”
She frowned. “That’s…”
“Greek. And a very great lady who wants nothing more than for us to be together reminded me of it today.”
She melted into him. “I have been missing from you,” she agreed. “And you’ve been missing from me.”
“I love you,” h
e whispered as he stroked her hair. “I love everything about you and all the stuff I don’t even know yet.”
“I love you, too. I have, for a long time.”
His fingers stilled as he searched her face. “So, what are we going to do?”
And just like that, clarity and answers and certainty fell over her. The fight was over. Love won.
“We are going to hold an amazing wedding in two weeks,” she said, as everything fell into place with no more doubts, all questions answered. “Then we are going to watch these babies grow into beautiful dogs who will be the mascots of this winery and restaurant.”
He lifted his brow at the last word. “Both?”
“Why not? Alex, I love you so much. I don’t want to live three thousand miles from you or Overlook Glen. I love getting to know my new family, and I want to be part of their lives, of course. But I don’t want to live there. I want this tiny winery, where I was born. I want this North Carolina life that feels right. And, oh my goodness, I want you. Just you. Forever and ever.” She pressed her hands to his face. “Yes?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Yes!” He took her hands and brought them to his lips, kissing her knuckles. “So, Graciela, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to live right here with me and our dogs, making wine and food and…our very own family unlike any other. Do you accept this mission?”
“With my whole heart and soul. With all the passion you have found in me. With everything I have and will ever be.”
He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground, twirling her in a circle in the middle of the terrace.
Jack barked and tried to herd them inside. Bitsy ran around in circles. Gertie found a piece of sunshine and pressed her belly to the ground, staring at both of them with a look of complete contentment on her face.
Christmas is coming to Bitter Bark! Don’t miss the Dogmothers Holiday novella…Dachshund Through the Snow!
Want to know the minute it’s available? Sign up for the newsletter at www.roxannestclaire.com.
Or get daily updates, sneak peeks, and insider information at the Dogfather Reader Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/roxannestclairereaders/
The Dogfather!
Sit…Stay…Beg – book one
New Leash on Life – book two
Leader of the Pack – book three
Santa Paws is Coming to Town – book four (a holiday novella)
Bad to the Bone – book five
Ruff Around the Edges – book six
Double Dog Dare – book seven
Bark! The Herald Angels Sing – book eight (a holiday novella)
Old Dog New Tricks – book nine
The Dogmothers Series
Hot Under the Collar – book one
Three Dog Night – book two
Dachshund Through the Snow – book three
And many more to come!
For a complete list, buy links, and reading order of all my books, visit www.roxannestclaire.com. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to find out when the next book is released! And join the private Dogfather Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/roxannestclairereaders/ for inside info on all the books and characters, sneak peeks, and a place to share the love of tails and tales!
A Dogfather/Dogmothers Family Reference Guide
THE KILCANNON FAMILY
Daniel Kilcannon aka The Dogfather
Son of Finola (Gramma Finnie) and Seamus Kilcannon. Married to Annie Harper for 36 years until her death. Veterinarian, father, and grandfather. Widowed at opening of series. Married to Katie Santorini (Old Dog New Tricks) with dogs Rusty and Goldie.
The Kilcannons (from oldest to youngest):
• Liam Kilcannon and Andi Rivers (Leader of the Pack) with Christian and Fiona and dog, Jag
• Shane Kilcannon and Chloe Somerset (New Leash on Life) with daughter Annabelle and dogs, Daisy and Ruby
• Garrett Kilcannon and Jessie Curtis (Sit…Stay…Beg) with son Patrick and dog, Lola
• Molly Kilcannon and Trace Bancroft (Bad to the Bone) with daughter Pru and son Danny and dog, Meatball
• Aidan Kilcannon and Beck Spencer (Ruff Around the Edges) with dog, Ruff
• Darcy Kilcannon and Josh Ranier (Double Dog Dare) with dogs, Kookie and Stella
THE MAHONEY FAMILY
Colleen Mahoney
Daughter of Finola (Gramma Finnie) and Seamus Kilcannon and younger sister of Daniel. Married to Joe Mahoney for a little over 10 years until his death. Owner of Bone Appetit (canine treat bakery) and mother.
The Mahoneys (from oldest to youngest):
• Declan Mahoney and…
• Connor Mahoney and…
• Braden Mahoney and Cassie Santorini (Hot Under the Collar) with dogs, Jelly Bean and Jasmine
• Ella Mahoney and…
THE SANTORINI FAMILY
Katie Rogers Santorini
Dated Daniel Kilcannon in college and introduced him to Annie. Married to Nico Santorini for forty years until his death two years after Annie’s. Interior Designer and mother. Recently married to Daniel Kilcannon (Old Dogs New Tricks).
The Santorinis
• Nick Santorini and…
• John Santorini (identical twin to Alex) and…
• Alex Santorini (identical twin to John) and Grace Donovan with dogs, Bitsy, Gertie and Jack
• Theo Santorini and…
• Cassie Santorini and Braden Mahoney (Hot Under the Collar) with dogs, Jelly Bean and Jasmine
Katie’s mother-in-law from her first marriage, Agnes “Yiayia” Santorini, now lives in Bitter Bark with Gramma Finnie and their dachshunds, Pygmalion (Pyggie) and Galatea (Gala). These two women are known as “The Dogmothers.”
About the Author
Published since 2003, Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty romance and suspense novels. She has written several popular series, including The Dogfather, The Dogmothers, Barefoot Bay, the Guardian Angelinos, and the Bullet Catchers.
In addition to being a ten-time nominee and one-time winner of the prestigious RITA™ Award for the best in romance writing, Roxanne has won the National Readers’ Choice Award for best romantic suspense four times. Her books have been published in dozens of languages and optioned for film.
A mother of two but recent empty-nester, Roxanne lives in Florida with her husband and her two dogs, Ginger and Rosie.
www.roxannestclaire.com
www.twitter.com/roxannestclaire
www.facebook.com/roxannestclaire
Three Dog Night (The Dogmothers Book 2) Page 29