by Mimi Barbour
“Gorgio…” She waited until the poodle deigned to lift his head and look her way. “How many fingers?” She held up three and the fluff ball barked three times. Then she asked, “Are you sure?” And the dog nodded. “How many now?” She lowered one of the fingers and the dog barked twice. “See?”
“Pretty good! What other tricks did you teach it?”
“It’s not an it. It’s a he.”
“That’s a male?” Liam glared at the animal and said, “You oughta be ashamed.” The fluffy canine looked down at the ground and a small whine could be heard as he turned away.
Sadie shared the humorous moment with him before going on with her explanation.
“I train the dogs because if they aren’t properly schooled, I can’t accept them into the walking program. Also, bored dogs are sad, and my friends are never sad. Many of these guys have been used in movies.” The pride rang through her tone. “Don’t let their appearance belie their intelligence.”
“In other words, you can teach an old dog new tricks.” He grinned at his silly pun.
“Canine ones. Humans, not so easy. Especially the male of the species.” Her eyes held a definite twinkle.
“Not funny!”
Chapter Thirteen
After she and Liam had finished with the first round of walkers, they followed up with three more groups till the light waned in the sky and darkness was still just a warning. Sadie had talked Liam through the afternoon’s route and she felt surprisingly pleased with the results. Once she’d instilled the importance of how to hold the leashes, tone of voice, and the physical strength that kept them moving and stopped any shenanigans, everything moved along smoothly.
“I know you do this every day, and I’m truly amazed. Anyone who believes dog-walkers have it easy needs to give their head a shake.” The sincerity she heard in his voice began to unwind the tight ball she constantly carried around in her stomach whenever she spent time with a man.
Her sisters and mother had tried to talk to her about carrying her teenage hostilities into her life as an adult. But when a vulnerable young girl gets a certain kind of unwanted attention from idiot teenage males, the kind that rips out hearts and makes a girl cry herself to sleep every night, it’s damned hard to let go of the deep bitterness.
For some, like her sisters, being overweight never created a problem. They sailed through their school years with a huge group of friends and were very popular. But Sadie was different.
Introverted, shy, a slim girl imprisoned in a large body with no way out and no one to turn to, she’d struggled year after year. When she did try to explain her feelings to her family, they took it personally, and she could see that if she continued down that road their feelings would take a beating. Of course, that wasn’t an option. And so she ate their food, laughed at their foolish ways, and bided her time until she couldn’t take it anymore.
Then, like a miracle, Greta came along to save her sanity. Her roommate in university, Greta let Sadie be herself, and she blossomed. She took many courses on good dietary habits, and even cooking classes, and put them all to good use.
Just before they graduated, Greta’s aunt had built the condo complex and was looking for residents she trusted to take care of the property. Greta grabbed the first suite and put in a good word for Sadie. Since then, life had been great. Other than the pressure her family applied for her to find a boyfriend, happiness had finally found her. She had a job she loved and a peaceful place of her own to unwind, so what more could she ask?
The little bites her emotions suffered periodically when she watched a romantic movie or a love story on television was a small price to pay when it came to protecting her heart.
Battered by memories still vivid enough to awaken her at night, she rued the day she’d let a high-school stud sweet-talk her guard down long enough for him to get into her pants and then post it on Facebook.
Never again—no way, no how.
So when Liam asked to come in for a while after they finished work, her response came easy.
“Why?”
“Ahh, because?”
“Not good enough.”
“I thought we could have a beer and discuss the day. You could fill me in on the dogs, like their backgrounds, especially your favorites.”
The sweet-talker knew where to stroke. But it wouldn’t do him any good. Not with her.
Before she could send him on his way, Greta pulled her Jeep up beside them and started a conversation.
“Hey, girlfriend! How was your day?” All the time she talked, she batted her eyes at Liam and smiled in the toothy way that she used on anyone with a penis and lips.
Sadie sighed and surveyed the underground garage’s white ceilings, pipes, and the horizontal florescent fixtures. A nudge from Liam got her attention, and she saw the other two waited for her to make introductions.
“My friend, Greta.” She waved at the simpering idiot whose head was sticking out the window, and then pointed at the guy beside her. “Speedy Gonzales, who prefers you call him Liam.”
“Hey, Liam. I’ve heard all about you.” After the hissing sound and glower that came from Sadie, she added, “From Bea, Sadie’s mom. She said you’d be helping her sweet little girl with the dogs for the next while. Lucky bitches!”
Only Greta could get away with sarcastic teasing that would break Sadie’s restraint and make her laugh.
“Hey, you two, here’s the thing. I’ve got the makings for the biggest stir-fry you’ve ever seen, and I’m expecting my last-night’s date in about half an hour. Why don’t you join us?”
“We’d love to.”
“Not a chance.”
When Liam turned to Sadie, obviously to see just how serious her refusal, she knew he made note that her eyes were still lit with humor. She couldn’t help it. Greta could always make her laugh.
She sensed him trying to think of the right words to convince her to change her mind, but Greta took the situation into her own hands.
“Give me twenty minutes to change, and then be prepared to be put to work as my underpaid whipping boys.” So saying, she peeled away to park further down the garage.
Sadie stamped her foot and the painful reminder from her sore body made her catch her breath. Maybe she’d overdone it a tad. Should have sat and let him walk the dogs alone, but she’d been a bit leery. Good thing, too, since he’d had some close calls at getting his legs broken and his hands ripped off.
“Are you happy?” Her growl seemed to delight him. “Why did you encourage her? Now we’ll have to go, or she’ll be after me, and I couldn’t handle it right now.”
“You sure do hate having people mad at you, don’t you, darling?”
“Not you. So don’t get any ideas. Give me a hand. I’m more tired than I thought. I’d better get a couple of pills in me if I mean to last the rest of the evening. Just so you know. We eat and then we leave.”
“Got it! Eat, leave. Do you think this could be counted as our first date?”
“I’m not going to credit that absurd comment with a response. Stop that cackling!” She hid her smile by putting her arm through his and leaning heavily. If she could get to her medicine cabinet and the bottle of Tylenol her mother had insisted she take home, for once in her life, she’d give over and listen to orders.
***
Greta’s new friend Stan turned out to be a complete surprise. Sandy-colored hair, a slim build, and a nice smile all worked in his favor to make Sadie decide to like him. That and the fact that he also had a wicked sense of fun, which kept everyone laughing at his sharp comebacks while Greta and Liam egged him on.
Greta, who’d calmed down her usual stick-out-everywhere hairstyle to a softer, more appealing look, glowed as the evening passed. She’d chosen her outfit to be less revealing than usual, and her flowing slacks and filmy blouse gave her a more demure appearance. Sadie approved the look and hugged her friend when they were cleaning up the mess in the kitchen.
“I like your Stan. He’s a lot of
fun and seems really nice. And he hasn’t taken his eyes off you all evening.”
“Funny. I was going to say the same thing to you about Liam. He’s studly.” She kissed the air and then planted one on Sadie’s cheek. “He’s also really nice and smart and tall and clean and smells good and—”
“All right already. I get it. You like him.” Sadie scowled, gulped, and then added, “Fine! So do I. But he’s not for me. A guy like him needs a fancy lady, not an ordinary girl.” Before Greta could argue, Sadie continued, “Hon, I’m sore all over. I have to go and lie down before I fall down.”
She limped to the door, waved, and then walked into the living room to overhear the guys still laughing and joking.
“I’m off now. I need to get a hot bath. See you tomorrow, Liam, earlier time, same place. Nice meeting you, Stan.” Before she could even open the door, Liam, moving more quickly than a big man should be able to, gently pushed her aside.
“I’ll take you over.”
“I do know the way home. Stay and visit.”
“Hey, when I take a girl out, I bring her home.” He waved to the other two, who had followed them to the door, complimented the chef, shook hands with Stan, and then twisted the knob, which he’d covered with his big hand so she couldn’t just leave.
As soon as they entered her kitchen, she headed through the low-lit condo to the front door, where she knew his car was still parked along the front curb. And being a fast learner, before he could grab the knob as he had earlier, she palmed it and pulled the door open. He needed to leave. Little nerves were having a field day in her tummy, and she worried that her voice would tremble and give her away. “Don’t be late tomorrow.” There. She’d carried that off well.
He caught her eye and mesmerized her by the intent look in his. Sultry, compelling, actually wicked, his stare wouldn’t let up, and her fear grew to where she felt like she’d choke. All she could do was watch to see what would happen next. That’s without letting herself pant like a dog in heat.
He leaned in and put both hands on either side of her face. Holding her prisoner, he moved nearer and whispered, “Sleep well. I’ll see you just after lunch.” Then he rubbed his nose gently against hers, and she could swear she heard him moan. Once the heat in his gaze warned of his arousal, confirming he was physically affected, he closed them and turned away. With his back facing her, he stopped and said in a voice unlike his own, “Till tomorrow.”
Chapter Fourteen
As soon as Isobela peeked out the window and saw Liam standing on the doorstep with a big pink teddy under one arm and a brown one under the other, she flung the door wide and beckoned him to enter. He also clutched a bouquet of flowers in one hand, and a box of chocolates in the other and wondered if he looked as foolish as he felt.
Glad when she closed the door to shutout any interested observers, he took a moment to study her and saw tear tracks on her face. She’d been crying. His heart leaped into his throat.
Situations that spoke of disharmony made him feel squeamish, and most of the time, he’d get away at the first opportunity. Possibly it reminded him too much of his childhood, a place he rarely let his thoughts wander because, whenever he did, he was screwed up for days.
“Señor Liam! I’m glad to see you. Are these for me?” Isobela motioned to the flowers he held awkwardly.
“Ahhh, yes! Yes, the flowers are for you, and the chocolates—”
“Señor Liam!” Little feet running as fast as they could, Pedro flung himself towards the tall man without a worry as to whether he’d be caught. Dropping the teddies, Liam bent just in time for the boy to wrap his arms around his neck. As he lifted him, he got an extra hard hug. The affection that glowed on the chubby features gave him such a thrill that an empty space in his chest filled and began to expand. Wow!
Looking at the two happy faces that smiled back, shyness attacked and he stammered. “I brought teddy bears for the kids. I didn’t know what else…” Just then Ruiz appeared, standing tall and looking angry.
“Buenos días, Liam. You brought my family presents. How nice!”
His tone and the words didn’t jibe. Liam felt Pedro’s body stiffen. The hairs on the back of Liam’s neck stood waving for attention. If they could speak, they’d be saying, “Oh-oh”!
“Hey, Ruiz. Just wanted to stop by and see if everything was fine with the baby. Had to bring some gifts ’cause that’s what people do when they come visiting, right?”
Liam hoped by reminding Ruiz of the social niceties, he’d cut him some slack. He didn’t know what was stuck in the other man’s craw, but he bloody well didn’t intend to take any guff, either.
Isobela, who held the chocolates and flowers as if they were precious, spoke softly, a warning tone in evidence, and her husband responded immediately.
“Mi amor. Liam came to pay his respects and is our guest. I will go and put on the coffee. Pedro, thank Liam for your teddy bear, and then put the one for Teresa by her crib.”
“Si, mamá. Gracias, Señor Liam. I like brown bears the best.” Pedro sneered at the pink bear tellingly.
Grinning, Liam lowered him and watched as the small boy struggled to carry the two large, fluffy, bow-tied bears.
“Come, Liam, in the kitchen so we can talk. The baby sleeps here in the living room, and she just now stopped crying.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Babies cry.” Isobela shrugged, but Liam saw the worry she couldn’t hide. Again, niggling feelings made his stomach tighten. “Come, Angelo, we will have coffee.” She pushed gently at her husband’s arm to steer him in front of her.
Liam sat across the scuffed wooden table from Ruiz, who he couldn’t think of in any other way. He guessed he’d have to start using his real name, but somehow Angelo didn’t seem to suit the man. Without thinking, he asked the first question that came to mind, and then wished he could rip out his tongue when he saw the other’s expression.
“How come you’re not at work?”
“You come to visit my wife when I’m away?” Angelo spit the sentence out. Anger raged inside that he couldn’t hide.
“I didn’t intend to come in, just wanted to know that the baby was healthy.” Liam knew he could be intimidating. Behind his back, his men made jokes about him being a hard-assed prick. To his face, they nicknamed him Iceman. Since this guy needed to learn a few lessons on manners, he purposely gave him the look that he knew worked. And it did this time also.
Angelo deflated. “Si! It was very kind of you. I’m being a jerk. I apologize.”
Isobela hovered in the background, and Liam could feel her anxiety. And when Pedro crept into the room, he went to lean against his mother’s knee and wrapped his arms around her as if he needed her strength. What the hell is going on here?
Bluntly, Liam asked the question that hung in the air for seconds and made the uncomfortable atmosphere worse. “What happened?”
The silence continued as he looked first at Angelo and then at Isobela. It was Pedro who spoke. “My papa got fired. The bad man phoned him not to come to work and won’t pay him his money.”
Obviously little pitchers did have big ears, as the saying goes, because Pedro had heard everything.
Liam looked over at the other man, who stared fixedly at the table and rubbed at the worn spot.
“Screw him. I’ve got work for you anytime you’re ready. Hard work, but then, you said you didn’t mind how hard you had to work. That’s right, isn’t it?”
The hope that filled the other man’s face made Liam glad he’d spoken before he’d thought of the consequences. The consequences being that he’d now be forced to visit his dad. He’d seen the old man struggling to rake the leaves. He’d also seen the disrepair that his childhood house was in and knew it needed a lot of care. Obviously, his father tried to do all the work himself, but he was getting on, and the property was huge.
Before he could take back his words, he added, “After coffee I’ll take you over to my father’s place. He
’ll give you all the work you need. He’s a retired lawyer and lacks any skill whatsoever with tools and such. He’ll be glad of the help.”
The loving pat on his shoulder from Isobela as she put his coffee mug in front of him spoke of her thanks, and Pedro’s beaming face as he climbed onto his father’s lap made his momentary loss of brain function worthwhile.
Now he’d done it! He’d be forced to go and see his old man and face the past he’d ignored so long. Just the thought of opening those wounds made him feel ill.
***
Liam saw the curtains move as he and Ruiz approached the sidewalk of the sprawling, oversized rancher where he’d grown up. Before he could ring the bell, the door opened and his father stood in front of him, a huge smile of greeting plastered across his face.
Liam felt the discomfort immediately and would have given anything not to be here, not to face the one person who ranked highest on his list of people he didn’t want to talk to or be near.
Close up, the old guy didn’t look too good. For a man whose appearance had always been polished and debonair, he appeared scruffy and unkempt, his pants and shirt clean but wrinkled and his hair shaggy. Mind you, the gladness spread over his two-day bearded face made up for everything else…or at least it should have. But old hurts didn’t just disappear—or even fade over time. Not if they’d been nursed.
“Liam!” How could a name ring with so much love? Discomforted, Liam stuck his hand out in a formal way and stepped into the hallway his father presented with a flourish.
He had trouble getting his feet to work; they wanted to run in the other direction, most likely because his brain was screaming for him to get the hell out of the place where he’d known such unhappiness, and where he’d sworn to never return.
“Hi, Dad.” His father held his hand with both of his and wouldn’t let go until Liam nodded to Ruiz and said, “I’d like you to meet Angelo Ruiz, a friend of mine.”
Quickly the older man reached out to shake hands. “Welcome, Angelo. Any friend of Liam’s is welcome in this house. Come into the garden with me, and I’ll make coffee. By the way, my name is Paul.”