Holt glanced at Amanda, who was smiling. He had to admit, he liked that she seemed charmed by Robby instead of irritated by his happy chatter. He’d dated quite a few women the past couple of years, thinking about trying to settle down, to find his Ms. Right and Robby a wonderful mother. But any woman he’d been attracted to had not been mom material either because she showed no interest in Robby at all or because she couldn’t handle his energy.
The dog wedged his snout through the bars as much as he could, his head tilted. One side was white, the other black, one ear white, one ear black, his furry body big sections of either color while his legs were mottled. The dog was particularly cute.
“Bentley is superfriendly,” another voice said, and they all turned.
Daphne Taylor, around his age with long, wavy red hair and a warm expression, came toward them with a smile. Over a week ago, Holt had filled out an application to adopt a dog, then a few days later, Daphne had visited Dalton’s Grange for a home check, scoping out his house and walking around the property. He, Robby and their cabin had passed with flying colors.
Daphne smiled at Robby and shook both their hands. “Nice to see you two again,” she said. “I’ll get a leash and let him out.”
When Daphne brought the dog over to Robby, he fell to his knees in front of him and Bentley licked his face twice, calmly, not jumping, not barking, not knocking him over, then actually put his head on Robby’s shoulder.
Holt almost gasped.
Amanda put her hand over her mouth.
Robby threw his arms around Bentley. “You really like me! I like you too.” Bentley licked Robby’s cheek again, his tail wagging. While petting him, Robby began telling Bentley his life story. “I was born in Whitehorn. That’s a town in Montana. And then we moved to Bronco. You’re gonna love Dalton’s Grange. That’s our ranch...”
Daphne’s phone pinged and she excused herself for a moment.
Holt stood and read the information on the sheet attached to the Bentley’s kennel. “Bentley, age four. Elderly owner surrender. Gets along with kids, other dogs, cats, animals, friendly and housebroken, nicely trained in the basics. Bonded pair with Oliver.”
“Bonded pair?” Holt asked, looking at Amanda.
“Oh that’s right,” she said, biting her lip and clearly worried she should have said something earlier. “Bentley was surrendered with Oliver—a cat. They were raised together as a pup and kitten and they’re very close. Daphne is firm on adopting them out only together.”
Robby turned to Holt, his face falling. “Does that mean we can’t get Bentley?” he asked, his lower lip trembling. He turned back to the dog and hugged him, the dog seeming to actually like the heavy affection. “Is Oliver your best friend? I don’t have a best friend. You’re lucky.” He stood up and wiped under his eyes. “I think Oliver and Bentley should stay together. They’re best friends.”
“Well, I guess that means we’re bringing them both home,” Holt said, a sucker for bonded pairs. Plus he’d always liked cats. Sleek and independent creatures.
Robby’s eyes widened like plates. He flung himself at Holt and wrapped his arms around his father’s neck. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“Now, the three of you will be best friends,” Amanda said with that dazzling smile. “I’ll text Daphne to bring Oliver on her way back in so that you can meet him.”
Holt glanced at her. There was a time when he’d thought of Amanda as his best friend. Just for those two months that they’d been a couple, but she’d had a big influence on him afterward. He’d never stopped wanting to be the guy she’d thought he was. By the time he’d realized that, it was too late. He’d actually driven out to her college about six months after they broke up, but as he’d arrived in the parking lot of her dorm, he’d seen her going in with a guy, his arm around her shoulders Amanda laughing at something the guy had said. Holt had sat there in his car for a good ten minutes, feeling like absolute dog-doo, then had finally gone home and dated as many women as he could until he stopped thinking about Amanda Jenkins so much.
Robby beamed and wriggled down, continuing to tell Bentley all about Dalton’s Grange, and that Oliver was going to love it too even though he hadn’t even met Oliver, but if Bentley loved Oliver, then Robby would too.
Amanda was chuckling and wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “But your son is adorable. I always think the animals that find good homes are lucky, but I know that Bentley and Oliver will be very loved and very well cared for.”
Not that you took good care of me, of us, he imagined her adding. Which was nuts. Her expression hadn’t changed. He supposed he just felt guilty at how he’d left things, even if she’d clearly moved on. She’d thought they’d figure it out once camp ended but he’d just walked away, barely saying goodbye.
This whole summer you made me forget that people can shock you, she’d called after him. Maybe it’s good you just reopened my eyes to reality.
He’d stopped in his tracks and wanted to run back to her and apologize, tell her who he really was, no one that she’d want to be involved with if she knew the real him. A dropout. A troublemaker. He’d been arrested twice for stupid stuff, but he’d been in a jail cell, if only for less than an hour. His reason for working at Camp KidPower? Court-ordered community service. He’d been going nowhere fast at twenty-two, and Amanda had had the world at her feet. She hadn’t had the easiest childhood but had been focused and self-motivated. Then again, her parents had been financially comfortable if on the negligent side, leaving her to fend for herself, which she had.
His parents had had nothing until his dad had struck it rich gambling just over a year ago, enabling his parents to start fresh in Bronco—specifically Bronco Heights, the “right” side of town for once. Holt and his four brothers would have stayed where they’d all been scattered across Montana, but their mom had had a heart attack last year, and the scare had made them all want to stay close, look out for her. His dad wasn’t always easy to be around, even with money taking a huge stress load off his shoulders, but Holt had to say, he loved Dalton’s Grange. And he loved having his family right there for Robby.
Daphne came back in with Oliver in a cat carrier and set it on the floor of the barn. “Oliver is four years old just like Bentley. He likes back scratches, playing with string and little balls, and curling up next to Bentley for his many naps. He’s a real sweetie.”
Robby knelt and peered in. “He’s black-and-white just like Bentley! I love Oliver!” The boy stretched out on his belly, smiling at his new cat through the barred door of the carrier and now telling Oliver his life story.
“Looks like our little family just grew by two,” Holt said, nodding at Daphne. “Let’s bring our new family members home, Robby. You can show them your room. I’ll bet that’s where they’ll want to sleep.”
“Thanks to a generous donation from Bentley and Oliver’s previous owner’s family, Happy Hearts has everything you may need for them, from a dog bed to food they like, to brand-new bowls and toys,” Daphne said. “I’ll go grab those bags and the paperwork. We’ll meet in the lobby in five minutes.”
“I’m headed out,” Amanda said to him. “I’ll show you the way.”
Headed out. No, he thought. Not yet. He could still barely believe he was actually standing a few feet from Amanda Jenkins. He was far from ready to say goodbye.
“Well, goodbye,” Amanda said as she stopped near an archway—she certainly was ready.
“Thanks for helping me,” Robby said, beaming at her.
She grinned at him. “My pleasure. Bentley and Oliver sure are lucky to be going home with such a wonderful boy who loves dogs and cats and cares so much about their friendship.”
Robby beamed and looked at his dad to make sure he’d heard such praise. Holt sent her a smile of thanks. Amanda met his gaze and held it for a moment as if she wanted to say something. But she didn�
�t.
Daphne came back in with papers in her hand. “Oh, Amanda—I just thought of something! Remember how we talked about you doing a story for the Happy Hearts website on a new adoption? How about you cover this adoption? Bentley and Oliver joining the Dalton family. It’s such a great story—two best friends going home with a little boy to a beautiful ranch.”
Holt raised an eyebrow. He noticed Amanda pale.
“Um, sure,” Amanda said.
Holt nodded. “Happy to help.”
“We’re going to be famous!” Robby said to Bentley and Oliver.
Daphne smiled. “Amanda, I’ll text you the contact info. And then you two can set a time for the interview. Get lots of great photos,” she added.
Amanda managed a smile but looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her. “I sure will.”
He was assured of seeing her again. Thank you, Daphne.
Even if Amanda Jenkins looked like she never wanted to lay eyes on him again.
Copyright © 2020 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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ISBN-13: 9781488069987
The Single Mom’s Second Chance
Copyright © 2020 by Kathleen Gregory
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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The Single Mom's Second Chance Page 21