“Gah!” she cried in frustration to the ceiling.
Her ex had come from a wealthy family. Not crazy rich, but well-off. When they’d initially started dating, she’d been impressed by that lifestyle because it’d been so different from her own. Derek told her he’d become a teacher so he didn’t have to be stuck in an office somewhere, but it was never meant to be a permanent thing. Just something to keep him busy. He’d been teaching overseas and only came back home when his contract expired, then he took a job at Kendal High, and that’s where their paths crossed.
She was enthralled by the adventurous stories he shared, his carefree, laissez-faire attitude. The students adored him for the same reasons. He liked to throw his money around, and she went along with it. All of it. Because she loved him. The problem was, he could never stay in one place for too long, not even for the woman he’d promised to marry.
It’d been a source of shame for her, how easily she’d forgotten her own morals and values and been swept up by the fairy tale. And now she had an aversion to people who flashed their privilege.
Her phone vibrated against the counter, and she snatched it, welcoming the distraction. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. Is everything all right?” How the woman could detect something was off in two syllables of conversation, she’d never know.
“Yeah, I’m okay. It’s just . . . something to do with work.” She didn’t really want to talk about it. Except, when she opened her mouth, that’s all that poured out for the next five minutes. “And it bugs me that he hid it from me, but even more that he couldn’t just let things be. We were getting along perfectly fine before Daddy Bigbucks decided we needed the latest and greatest athletics gear around.” Her feet carried her from the living room, to the kitchen, to the entryway, then back again.
“Baby, don’t you think you’re blowing this out of proportion? I don’t think it was a personal attack.”
But that’s exactly how it felt. When you were a kid who grew up on food stamps, you learned to appreciate and make the best of everything you got. Will looked at a school like Kendal High and saw what they were missing, not what they had.
“Think of the students,” her mother added. “I imagine they’ll be thrilled to have brand-new equipment to play with.”
She stopped pacing and sat on the arm of her nearby couch. That was the only thing bringing her peace. The kids. She wished she’d recorded their reactions when she’d wheeled out the new basketballs and opened the mesh bag of soccer balls, the kind of equipment they’d seen on TV but rarely saw in person. “My students today were pretty tickled.”
“See? It’s not all bad. Anyway, sweetheart, I wanted to ask you a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“I was gonna ask if you’d take Pip tomorrow night. I registered us for Dogspeed, but I—”
Oh, Jesus. “Mom, you did not.”
Suzanne sighed. “I couldn’t say no to Hannah. You know how persuasive she can be.”
“I know, believe me.” She rolled off the arm of the couch and collapsed against the cushions. “Why can’t you go?”
“Patricia’s taking me to a play we’ve both been wanting to see in the city. She won tickets through the radio.”
Rebecca smiled. Her mother’s friend Patricia had been her bosom buddy ever since the two started working together at the Save-Mart. “That’s really nice, Mom. I hope you have fun. I’ll swing by and pick up Pip after school tomorrow.” She’d have to call the hospital in the morning to say she wouldn’t be able to attend the at-risk youth meeting tomorrow evening for reasons she’d rather not mention. She’d touch base with the chairperson on Friday to get caught up on anything she missed. Her mom deserved a night out. She hardly ever pampered herself.
“Perfect. We’re leaving around four. Love you, pumpkin.”
“Love you, too.” She ended the call and stretched her limbs like a cat, kicking off her running shoes in the process. Her next two nights were spoken for, with the Dogspeed event tomorrow and the Halloween dance on Friday she’d volunteered to chaperone. She’d planned on hitting the trail for a hard run to shake the stress from her day, but her heavy eyelids had other ideas. Her last thought before drifting off was of Will, because she’d seen his name on the list of chaperones, too.
Rebecca peered up at the stage where Hannah stood, mic in hand, ready to address the assembly of dog owners, their furry participants, and spectators who’d shown up for her event in the community center. According to her bestie, nineteen dogs and one cat had registered for Dogspeed. Hannah assured the other registrants that MoJo was looking for a friend and not a mating partner.
Hannah’s team from The Barkery were helping run things. They’d set up a registration table near the entrance, where each of the dogs were given a bib with their number on them. To the right of the stage was a water station for thirsty pups to get their drink on and a treat dispenser filled with Barkery-brand goodies. Rebecca stood with the rest of the participants on the faux lawn in the middle of the floor. A white picket fence gated the area, which was separated into stations with numbered mats.
“Hello, everyone!” Hannah greeted from the stage. “Welcome to Dogspeed, Kendal’s first ever speed-dating event for dogs!” She waited for the roar of applause to die down before continuing. “I’m Hannah Barker, owner of The Barkery, and also your hostess for this evening. Most of you know Muffy, my adorable co-hostess,” she said, nodding to the Labradoodle at her side, “but I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to my staff at The Barkery. This event wouldn’t be possible without their support—and yours!”
She stepped off the podium so she could reveal the layout and the amenities at their disposal. “As you can see, we’ve divided the ‘dating field’ into ten different sections. Our female participants will be staying put at the station designated on their match card, and the boys will have to make the rounds. Each date will last exactly five minutes. And when you hear this sound”—she signaling for Rafael, one of her employees, to blow his whistle—“it’s time to rotate to the next station!”
Rebecca waved to Hannah as she strolled past, and Hannah excitedly waved back. “Hey, babe!” she said, the mic she’d clearly forgotten she gripped amplifying the salutation. “Oops. Microphones are loud.” Her audience chuckled.
“Okay, folks, we’ve got one last area to show you.” Hannah escorted the group over to what she’d deemed ‘Treat Street.’ They’d rolled out a red carpet that led to an under-the-sea photo stand-in display that dogs and their owners could pose in, a booth where they could purchase swag, and lastly, a big screen playing Lady and the Tramp. Rebecca was proud and a little in awe of her friend’s efforts, and glad she got to see it in person, no matter how ridiculous the whole thing was.
“When we reach the halfway point,” Hannah continued, “we’ll have a twenty-minute intermission where the dogs can walk the red carpet, mingle with other dogs, grab some water or a snack, whatever their hearts desire. We’ll be here to snap some photos!”
Carmen raised her hand, and Hannah quickly realized her gaffe. “All the aforementioned areas are cat-friendly, too,” she insisted. “Has everyone got their match cards?” Hannah explained how, during the five-minute date, the pet owners would put a checkmark in the “yes” or “no” column beside the visiting participant’s number. “Remember, it’s only considered a match if both parties check the “yes” box!” she added. Each owner would receive an email the next day containing the list of participants their pet had matched with as well as the other owners’ contact information in order to arrange a playdate.
Hannah returned to the stage and set her mic back on its stand. “I’m thrilled to announce that all proceeds from tonight are going towards opening our new dog park in town!” More applause filled the room. “Make sure you hand in your match cards at the end so we can determine tonight’s most eligible pooch . . . or pussycat. All right, all you foxy ladies, get to your stations!”
Her team
helped direct everyone to their rightful spots. Rebecca grinned as the males barked and yipped impatiently for the games to begin, including her sweet Pip. She scanned the room, guesstimating at least one hundred people had turned out to spectate. Young, old, and in between. Hell, even Kent, Mr. Dog Leash Dude himself, was there. The pigtailed girl next to him must have been his daughter, the one Hannah had mentioned at their girls’ night. Hopefully, he wasn’t there to stir up trouble.
“Listen up, you handsome devils,” Hannah spoke into the mic. “The station numbers are on the mats, and you’ll be visiting them in a clockwise fashion. Your first station is listed on your match card. Now, go and meet those pretty ladies! Good luck and Dogspeed!”
Rebecca and Pip were assigned the first station nearest the stage. Once they and the other participants were settled, Hannah signaled for Rafael to start the stopwatch that hung from his neck, then the games officially began.
Sally, a black lab, was Pip’s first match. Pip practically stood on his head to make an impression on her, but she only had eyes for her owner—Bill, according to his nametag. Sally had a stuffed hedgehog in her mouth, and a skunk, lamb, fish, and sloth were piled at her feet. Rebecca darted a glance at the other interactions taking place. As expected, hind ends were sniffed and noses were nudged while the animals investigated each other. But at station one, things were moving at Sally’s sloth’s pace.
Hannah and Muffy wandered over to them. “How are things going?”
Rebecca shrugged. “Um, okay-ish? Sally doesn’t seem too into Pip.”
Bill squatted down to Sally’s level and stroked her fur. “Sally determinedly ignores all other dogs until they force interaction,” he told them. “I was hoping this event might help pull her out of her comfort zone, but she doesn’t believe she’s of the species.”
Hannah chuckled. “She and MoJo might hit it off, then. He doesn’t think he’s a cat. They could be kindred spirits.”
Rafael blew his whistle, and Hannah excused herself so she could visit another pairing. Rebecca and Pip said their goodbyes, then they rotated to their second station where they met Buttercup, a basset hound. The floppy-eared girl was a flirt. Pip ran in circles around her, and she gazed at him with her big brown eyes, wagged her tail, and howled in approval. When he finally paused to take a breath, she brushed against him and rolled over. Pip flopped down next to her, and they nuzzled each other. Scott, Buttercup’s owner, put a check in the “yes” box, and Rebecca followed suit.
She had to admit, as outlandish as Hannah’s event had sounded in theory, the reality turned out to be a hoot. Entertaining as well as an excellent distraction from school drama. She and Will had given each other a wide berth all day after yesterday’s blow-up. She hadn’t meant to create a rift between them and wanted to smooth things over, but, if she was being honest, she hadn’t totally made peace with his involvement in the donation yet. Or the fact that she hadn’t been involved.
She hadn’t been given any say or had any part in it. No control whatsoever. And maybe that, more than anything, was what irked her the most. Feeling powerless in a place that was hers first. Kendal High School was her home, not his.
Rebecca sighed. Her mother was right. She had to think of the students. Enough about Will. She’d enjoy the rest of the night on her terms.
15
Pip’s first five dates whooshed by faster than his waggling tail, and they made it to intermission. She watched as the sheltie frolicked in the designated play area with his newfound friends.
“Whimsical, isn’t it, dear?”
She looked to her right to find Carmen and MoJo parked at her side, the older woman smiling broadly. “Yes, very,” Rebecca agreed. Memories of her palm reading came swirling back to the surface of her mind. Had it really been over two months ago that “Towanda” had told her to search for a younger man? Well, she’d found one. Sort of.
As if reading her thoughts, Carmen asked, “Any luck on the romance front?”
“Pippin has had quite a few ladies checking him out tonight,” she replied teasingly. “Or were you referring to me?”
Carmen laughed. “Funny girl. You hide behind your smile, but I see trouble in your eyes and sense pain in your heart.”
Rebecca jerked in surprise when Carmen took hold of her left hand, the bracelets on the elder woman’s wrist jangling with the motion. “What are you—”
“A brief reading,” she explained. “As Carmen. As a friend.” She took Rebecca’s other hand and closed her eyes. With his keeper occupied, MoJo stretched his back, then proceeded to give himself a bath in the middle of the floor.
Rebecca glanced around, certain they must be drawing attention, but no one paid them any mind.
“I’ve taken on a new tenant,” Carmen said.
“I know.”
Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing her deep-set blue eyes. “Might this trouble have something to do with him?”
The connection she’d experienced with Carmen back in the summer hadn’t diminished any. There was an inexplicable bond between them, maybe something they’d forged a lifetime or two ago. Opening up to her felt as natural as breathing. “I’m attracted to him,” she confessed. “More than I should be. But there are just too many reasons why it could never work between us.”
Carmen stared at the curving slope of her life line and traced the indent with her index finger. The turquoise and silver rings on her fingers glistened under the bright ceiling lights. “I told you once that you’re not afraid of what the future holds, but you’re keeping yourself from allowing it to unfold as the universe intended. You know what sinks a relationship before it sails? Pride, dear. Don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong. To listen. To see the bigger picture.”
Trust didn’t come easily to her, but she had faith in this eccentric woman, with her gaudy jewelry and bohemian-chic attire. A part of her yearned to know if she’d ever experienced love herself.
Carmen released her hands and squeezed her arm in a comforting manner. “We’d better run along and get this hungry boy some treats before round two begins.” MoJo lifted his head from the turkey-like shape he’d contorted into and meowed in approval.
“Carmen?” she asked. “Have you ever found someone special?”
She contemplated the question for several beats. “I had my heart broken once. Once was enough.”
Rebecca frowned. “You’d give up on love that easily?”
“Ask yourself the same question, sweetheart.”
Rebecca applauded for Jack, the handsome mutt who’d been awarded first prize for the most desirable pooch and earned himself a “hot dog” trophy. She’d checked a “yes” on Pip’s match card for four of the female dogs who he’d become acquainted with that night. Her mother could handle things from there. Waving goodbye to Hannah, she decided to leave ahead of the pack to walk Pip back to her place.
On their way out, Natalie, a student from Kendal High, handed her a “doggy bag” filled with treats and toys for Pip to thank him for his participation. “The biscuits were baked by Ms. Theodore’s first-grade class!”
“They look delicious. Thanks, Natalie!”
Rebecca zipped up her coat when they stepped outside. Nights were getting cooler as the calendar creeped ever closer to November. She and Pip walked along the sidewalk that eventually connected to Main Street. A few residents were out and about—other dog walkers, a couple of cyclists, and a jogger—but otherwise it was a quiet evening in Kendal. A nice change from the organized chaos in the community center.
As she drank in a breath of fall air, Carmen’s words drifted through her mind and jumbled with the advice Hannah had given her at their girls’ night. Don’t let pride get in the way. Don’t give up. Give him a reason to wait for you. Listen.
If she could get some time alone with him tomorrow during the day or at the dance, she could apologize for jumping all over him, listen to his reasoning, and tell him . . . what? She liked him? He was cute? That she’d be open to exp
loring things once his practicum finished?
“God, I should just write him a note and get Mags to pass it to him,” she mocked herself.
Pip glanced back at her, cocked his head, then his little feet carried onward. They passed by the familiar storefronts, including the Cup-A-Cabana, Country Corner restaurant, and The Barkery, and she noted that most businesses had closed for the night. Except for one. A small group had gathered on the sidewalk in front of Scoops ice cream shop where a promotional sign promised two scoops for the price of one. And, really, did it matter that they were deep into fall? Ice cream was a year-round staple.
As they drew closer, she spotted the jogger from earlier in line with the others. They looked at each other at the same time, and her heart skipped a beat. Will. Oh, crap. Had he seen her? Yes, yes. He was still looking at her and . . . waving? Crappity-crap. She and Pip couldn’t very well take off in the opposite direction now, but she hadn’t planned what she was going to say yet, and she just prayed she’d figure something out in the next six seconds.
“Hey,” Will said. “Fancy meeting you here.”
She smiled. “Small town.”
He squatted down to give the sheltie some love. “Who’s this?”
As he hunched over the dog, the dark gray long-sleeve shirt he wore molded to his body, outlining all the hard muscles beneath. She mentally traced his lats, traps, and rhomboids. Oh, right, he asked a question. “That’s Pippin, or Pip. He’s my mother’s.”
Will popped up again so suddenly, she swayed on her feet. The line was moving, and others had gathered behind him. She stood next to Will, apart from the line, but soon he’d be inside the shop. “I was on my final mile when I saw the sign,” he explained. “I have as hard a time resisting ice cream as I do chocolate chip cookies.”
She laughed. “Same here.”
Learning to Love Page 15