Just One Kiss (Appletree Cove)

by Hall, Traci

  Sawyer didn’t really care what her story was so long as he got his life back.

  “I’ll draw up a contract with the details,” Gary said, “and make sure nothing but sugar comes out of her mouth.”

  He scoffed. “Good luck.”

  “With me as your lawyer, you don’t need luck. Let’s wait until the papers are signed, but it looks like there’s an end in sight.”

  “Thanks, Gary.”

  The last seven months had been surreal. He’d lost everything and had to start over…but as Grace said, he’d had the chance to make better choices—and he thought he had, up until this latest idea with the vets. Was he doing wrong by them?

  He looked at the calendar. Grace had left early yesterday, claiming illness that he didn’t believe. He preferred her compassion to her disappointment.

  “Bro, you have got to make things up with Grace,” Bobby said, seeing where his gaze kept returning. “Two days left. You don’t want them to be miserable for either of you.”

  “Grace should have talked to me, not reacted and walked out.”

  “She feels deeply about the subject,” Tomas said. “Can’t fault her for that—she’s got a compassionate heart. Maybe you should look at why it bothered you so much?”

  “Nice.” Bobby gave Tomas a high-five, and they headed out back to work with the dogs, leaving Sawyer to his thoughts.

  They always swung around to Grace. He went out to her desk. “Kasam would like photos of the men with the dogs. Can you do that?”

  Grace nodded curtly, and he could see that she was holding back.

  Sawyer had made the first move. It was her turn to speak. He crossed his arms and stared at her—even lifted his brow.

  She clamped her mouth tight and returned to her computer. He went to his office and stewed.

  By Thursday, Sawyer was even more tired of the silent treatment. When he’d had her smiles, he felt like he could achieve anything. This was painful even though Bark Camp was in full swing now that he’d decided to build the second shelter.

  Sawyer heard the sound of drills and hammering from all the way in the kitchen where he was putting on another pot of coffee. He’d bought a Mr. Coffee because a Keurig wasn’t practical for six men who drank it by the mug. Jimmy’s team measured, cut, hoisted, and sawed.

  Grace stayed busy, snapping pictures of the men working on the shelter outside as well as of him and his brothers training the dogs. They hadn’t talked about the conversation she’d overheard. The disappointment on her face still hurt. But how could he explain when he didn’t have a solution yet?

  In the kitchen for a refill, Sawyer got a text from Luca, who asked if he could come over, alone. He wasn’t sure what to say. At the end of the day, Luca was family.

  “Boss,” Rudy said. He’d put Rudy in charge of food prep for the BBQ, and the ex-soldier was in his element, cracking jokes as he wielded his chef’s knife. “I’ve been talking to my buddy in Seattle who raises collies.”

  “Yeah?” Sawyer lowered his phone.

  Rudy’s brown eyes turned serious. “He says I can have one from the new litter. I just need to come over and get him.”

  Sawyer grew concerned. “And you’ve got a place for this dog?”

  The soldier flashed a lopsided grin and shook garlic powder over the uncooked burger patties. “Yeah, Bill helped me get an apartment. With the money I’ve been making here—it’s got a lawn and picnic benches, so I can still eat outside. He’d have a place to run.”

  “That’s fantastic.” Sawyer clapped Rudy on the shoulder.

  “Anyway, I was hoping you could go over the basics with us.” His tone was hesitant, not sure if he was asking too much.

  “Training?” asked Sawyer. “Yes, of course I can help—you’re welcome to use the videos and books here, too.”

  “I can pay you,” Rudy said, pushing the brim of his baseball cap.

  “How about you just man the grill today?” said Sawyer, patting Rudy on the back. “We’ll talk about the rest later.” Rudy was one he’d like to offer a full-time job once the dust settled.

  Rudy grinned. “Three years ago, who woulda thought I’d be working for Sawyer Rivera?”

  He pulled his gaze from Rudy’s mangled hand, unable to get the disappointed expression on Grace’s face out of his mind. It wasn’t just Sawyer Rivera the network wanted to see, but these men succeeding against the odds. He needed to talk with Bill and make things right. He checked the time on the clock above the stove.

  “It’s four thirty. Let’s start cooking at five. Thanks, Rudy.”

  Leaving the kitchen, he found Grace chatting with Lottie and Bill in the lobby. Violet sat with Bert on Diamond’s dog bed. Diamond, Kita, and Sky reigned center court out in the backyard, going through their tricks and showing off in front of the new dogs. Romeo fit right in, and Sawyer owed Emma at Heart to Heart Kennel big.

  They’d all been showing progress, but none more than his problem case, Bert, who he’d been spending extra time with perfecting, he hoped with Emma’s help, a specialized type of training.

  Bill leaned against the partition, his gaze focused on Lottie.

  She lifted a box. “I have cupcakes, Sawyer. Thanks for inviting us. I can’t wait to see how you’ve set things up.” She glanced at Bill. “Violet might need a service animal one day.”

  “I can’t recommend Sawyer enough,” Bill said.

  Guilt bore down on Sawyer’s conscience.

  “Can we chat for a sec in my office, Bill?”

  Lottie followed Grace to put the cupcakes in the kitchen. “I’d love a tour—this place is really cool.”

  Violet and Bert immediately got up, so as not to be left behind. Laughter from the men outside filtered in.

  Sitting on the edge of his desk, Sawyer gestured for Bill to take a seat. Sarge promptly lay at his side.

  “What’s up?” asked Bill. “Everything all right with the guys?”

  “They’re great.” It was best to just say it. “I want to come clean about something that’s been bothering me. You’ve been generous with your men, your time—your knowledge.”

  Bill frowned and rubbed his left knee, though the prosthetic was on his right.

  “When I arrived in Kingston, you knew my cable show had been put on hold and that I was trying to prove a new training system to get it back.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I have a team, and we put together a plan. Using veterans to build this new facility would help bolster my reputation as a good guy, despite Daniella’s smear campaign.”

  Bill’s freckles seemed to stand out across his nose as he processed what Sawyer said. His shoulders braced. “And?”

  “The network has a year to act on my option clause, which is why I’ve gone back to basics here, to be one-on-one and see if I can get the dogs trained faster.”

  Bill scrubbed his jaw in confusion.

  “My publicist alerted the network to the progress we’re making—the training interested them, but not as much as the ex-soldiers and working with the dogs.”

  Bill sat back with a laugh. “So, my guys stole your thunder?”

  He hadn’t thought about it like that, and his face heated with embarrassment. “Bill, I have no idea if the network will come through, but they wanted gritty. There’s not much rawer than a vet trying to get back on his feet.”

  “Don’t I know it.” Bill clasped hands between his knees. “You want to turn this place into a reality show with veterans and dogs?”

  Sawyer’s mind reeled. “I don’t know.” Would the network go for that idea if pitched just right?

  Bill got up with a chuckle. “I love it! I can’t imagine anything that would draw more attention to our cause. We always need funding.”

  Sawyer stared at Bill, speechless. This was not the response he’d expected.

&
nbsp; “Listen, you’ve given them a chance at honest work, paid them above average, and kept them fed. Whatever reasons you had for doing what you did, I care about results.” Bill offered his hand. “You saved me with Sarge, and now you’re assisting more of my men. You’re a good man.”

  Just maybe he was on the right path, after all. Sawyer gripped Bill’s hand. With crystal clarity, he knew exactly what the new show would be about, and it wouldn’t be him, but rather the vets who’d served their country and deserved another shot.

  “I’d like to offer the guys who’ve worked with me, who have a place, the chance to work for a dog, if they want one. They’d have to earn it, but I’m willing to donate the dog and the time.” If Rudy wanted a canine companion, then Sawyer would show Rudy how to train the collie with the other dogs.

  Bill’s eyes welled with emotion. He glanced at Sarge, who thumped his tail. “That’s…damn fabulous. They wouldn’t get one otherwise.”

  The two men shared a smile and walked out of Sawyer’s office to enjoy the barbecue.

  No matter how many times he’d thought about his show, he’d never considered how the vets might steal the spotlight. He truly didn’t mind. Sawyer didn’t need to be the star—matching dogs and vets and getting more funding? Now that was important.

  In the main room, Grace, Violet, and Lottie were sitting on the brown leather couches. Lottie’s face brightened as Bill and Sarge joined her. Grace held Violet’s hand, but the girl’s bottom lip was out, and she was poised for a tantrum.

  The big screen was tuned to a cartoon station, but Violet wasn’t happy about something. Tears welled. Her breath hitched.

  Bert was sprawled on Violet’s other side on the couch, where he wasn’t supposed to be. He didn’t chastise but waited to see what Bert would do.

  Sawyer watched warily as Violet’s cries increased, quickly advancing to yells. Bert glanced at Sawyer—Sawyer snapped his fingers. Bert got up and leaned his body into Violet. He placed his furry head on her chest and remained there, calm, his canine senses attuned to the girl’s.

  Violet’s tantrum slowed to hiccups, and Grace and Lottie studied Sawyer, who couldn’t help his proud smile. That was special.

  “I’ve been teaching him to watch for increased emotion, to use his body to offer comfort and try to stop the crying before it escalates.” Emma had been a huge resource of material. “It needs work still but…”

  “I don’t understand,” said Lottie. Violet was fully engaged in hugging Bert, who soaked up the attention like a sponge.

  The dog lifted his head, his empathetic golden dog eyes shifting from Sawyer to Lottie, as if asking permission to switch allegiances.

  Sawyer ruffled the dog’s ears.

  “He’ll need a home.” Sawyer would miss Bert, who’d grown on him with his bad-dog ways, but it was clear the dog had picked Violet. “And more training.”

  “I don’t have thousands of dollars,” Lottie whispered, her green eyes wide.

  “You’d be doing me a favor,” Sawyer said. “If you’d spread the word about Bark Camp.”

  Lottie burst into tears, hiding them quickly in Bill’s shoulder. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you so much. I’ll bake you cupcakes for the rest of your life.”

  Grace bit her lower lip. “That’s very kind, Sawyer.”

  He wished that he could hug her, or kiss her, or hold her, but she remained stiff and apart from him. Her cheeks reddened, and she turned away. Getting to her feet, Grace hurried out the front door, and Sawyer ran after her.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Grace turned to the right, to the forest where she had lunch on a forgotten old table. Tears fell at Sawyer’s generosity, so why couldn’t she thank him? It was obvious that he and Bill had discussed the vets and come to an accord.

  They must have. But she knew better than to assume, and she feared he was playing his own game with the men to get his stupid show.

  He’d generously trained Bert for Violet, without telling Grace what he was doing. As a service animal, Bert was worth more money than Grandma’s back taxes. She’d grown up anti-establishment, feeding chickens, growing her own food, paddling on the water, and capturing that perfect moment with her photos, but as soon as she’d met Sawyer Rivera, her world had crashed—literally—and Sawyer had held her close as they’d fallen down the dune, keeping her safe.

  “Grace?”

  Sawyer’s hand cupped her shoulder, and she whirled to face him. She glared at him, fighting her feelings for him until he cleared things up. Emotionally, she needed to understand what he’d done. Had he made the deal for them or for himself?

  “Talk to me, Sawyer. Tell me the truth. Have you discussed the show with Bill? Explained about the grittiness needed for the network?”

  She crossed her arms over her stomach to stop the roiling.

  His brow furrowed. “As a matter of fact, that’s what Bill and I were talking about right before we joined you and Lottie.”

  Her nose stung with unshed tears. “And?”

  His eyes narrowed as he studied her with caution. “Grace, he gave me his blessing, all right? He said that it would be good to get funding for their cause. The guys will have to make their own decision about whether or not to take part in filming. That’s fair.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. It was fair. Nobody’s pain would be used without their knowledge.

  “I’m sorry,” she said in a small voice, peering up at him.

  “Why should you be sorry? You had cause to doubt my motives. Hell, I doubted my motives.” He half smiled.

  She didn’t think it was funny.

  “After some serious soul searching, I’ve decided the show, and what it brings in, will be about pairing men with dogs to help them.”

  Grace recalled Bert, comforting Vi. “And Violet.”

  He held her gaze, waiting. Had he been concerned for her feelings? “I wanted to help. She’s important to you.”

  “Thank you.” Grace threw her arms around him and pressed in as close as she could, wanting him. No, not want—need. She desperately needed Sawyer. Over the last month, he’d become a part of her.

  Their mouths met with a searing kiss of passion and desire. She allowed his tongue access, hot and fast, before he pulled back for a slower sip.

  He tasted like coffee, like Sawyer. He tilted her head back, his hand anchored in the hair at her nape, his fingers massaging and caressing as she kneaded his shoulders, hanging on, trusting he wouldn’t let her fall.

  Trust.

  She blinked and shifted, ending the kiss with one last little bite as he brought her back up. They sat next to each other on the table and stared into the grove of pines. The sound of the party and the smell of cedar from the barbecue wafted toward them.

  She spoke into the trees but peeked at him. “I’ve never felt this way before.”

  Ever so gently, he turned her face to his. “I’m falling for you, Grace Sheldon.”

  Free-falling. She put her hand on her stomach. “We’re so different. How can this not end badly?”

  “I disagree.” He placed his hand on hers. “And I want to see where this goes.”

  She nearly laughed, on the verge of tears. “We are at financial extremes that would make a relationship impossible.”

  His brown eyes warmed to dark chocolate. “If you care about someone, money shouldn’t be an obstacle.” He swept his thumb over her knuckles. “Take a chance.”

  Her head scrambled, and she searched for her bearings. How she wanted to believe they could share something real.

  He caressed her wrist, igniting a fire within her. “Let me take you out to dinner tomorrow night. I’ll no longer be your boss.”

  Rudy called out that the burgers were ready.

  “I’ll think about it.” Yes, yes, yes.

  She took her hand back and rushed towar
d the BBQ, with Sawyer at her side, doubt nagging like a sore tooth. He couldn’t possibly feel the same.

  In what universe did a man like him fall for a woman like her?

  The vets milled around the backyard, waiting for the burgers and brats to be ready, visibly tired from their week of manual labor but in good spirits. Someone had brought a case of beer, and the guys sipped from cans wrapped in paper napkins, trying to conceal the evidence from Bill. Grace saw Bill’s smirk as he pretended not to notice.

  The festivities held an undercurrent of wariness as the reality of their lives was never far from the surface. These men had physical and emotional scars from their service to their country. Did they regret the price they’d paid? Grace remained humbled by their actions.

  Lottie hovered near Violet as the two took their seats. Still overcome by Sawyer’s generosity, her friend offered Grace the four hundred dollars she’d raised toward getting Violet a dog. Grace didn’t consider herself a prideful person, but what little ego she did have was certainly taking a hit.

  Rudy, who’d popped into the kitchen, now brought out a tray loaded with burger fixings. He asked Grace, “Why did the skeleton go to the party alone?”

  She considered that then shrugged. “Why?”

  “He had no body to go with him,” Rudy said in a dead-pan tone, turning the flame down on the grill. Everyone laughed, except Violet.

  Grace helped set out potato salad, baked beans, and bowls of chips on a long plastic table outside. Sawyer had disappeared. The dogs were given special treats and allowed to be in their part of the yard, separated by a chain-link fence.

  “These are adorable,” Grace said as Lottie displayed her cupcakes. Chocolate, with white frosting and caramel paw print candies on top.

  Grace lifted one with extra candy and brought it to Sawyer’s office, so that he would have it for later. He’d been so kind to Lottie and Violet. And he wanted to date her and see if they might have a chance at something. But she just didn’t see how it would work. In no time, she might be without a home herself. How would that look to superstar Sawyer Rivera?