“Thank God.” Kendall released the breath she hadn’t been aware of holding.
Dr. Sterling nodded. “The wagging tail’s one clue. Wheatons stay puppies forever personality-wise, so this happy-go-lucky disposition won’t be disappearing anytime soon.” He placed the dog down on the table, forcibly rolling him onto his back. “See how he’s letting me pet his stomach and examine him? He isn’t afraid of this nondominant position. He’s a good, friendly dog. No worries there. You can feel comfortable having him in your home.”
“But . . .”
“I don’t have any reports of a missing dog and after you called me with a description, I made some inquiries to some friends and shelters in other towns nearby. No luck there either. But they all took the information and said they’d call if they hear anything.”
“Dr. Sterling, I’m . . . ”
Not a permanent resident.
She paused, the words not coming as easily as they would have a short time ago.
“Yes?”
“I’m not sure I can keep him. What about a shelter?” Even as she asked, the idea didn’t sit well. He was too cute and lovable to send away. But what would she do with him when she left? If she left . . .
“A shelter’s only an option if you want to risk having him put down. The Harrington Shelter is full to bursting in capacity. They’ll take him but the little dogs get taken home first. It’s a risk putting him there.”
As if he understood, the dog whined and began more furious tail wagging. Begging to be taken home, Kendall thought. With her. After hearing the doctor’s description, there was no choice. “Okay, no shelter.”
“I could ask around and see who wants a dog, but with you being engaged to Rick and all, I can’t see the problem. Rick’s a dog lover. When he was a boy, he’d bring home all sorts of strays. Drove his mother crazy.”
So Rick was rescuing even back then. “I wonder how many of the animals he saved were females,” she asked wryly.
Dr. Sterling laughed. “It takes a strong woman to handle one of those Chandler boys. You and Rick will be just fine.”
She realized then she hadn’t told Dr. Sterling they weren’t engaged nor had she corrected his assumption that she’d be around to handle Rick Chandler. Not because he wouldn’t listen like most people in this town but because the thought of taking care of Rick, of being the woman to handle him, held a great deal of appeal. More than she’d admitted to herself until now.
“Of course I’ll post some signs in case someone’s missing this fellow,” Dr. Sterling said, unaware of her inner turmoil. “In the meantime, he’ll need a bath and tomorrow when my assistant’s in we can update his shots to be safe.” Assuming she’d keep him.
And she would, Kendall thought, making a spur-ofthe-moment decision. Of course she’d have to make it clear to Hannah that if his owner reclaimed him they’d have no choice but to give him back. But if not, she had herself a dog. A responsibility and a commitment unlike any she’d undertaken before.
She eyed Dr. Sterling warily. “I don’t know anything about having a pet. And I don’t have dog shampoo or food or . . . ”
“Relax. Like infants, dogs don’t come with instruction manuals but just like babies, they let you know when they’re unhappy. They like to be cleaned, fed, and loved. I’m certain you can handle that. Plus you have me at your disposal. Rick too.” He gave her a reassuring smile, not realizing he’d hit at her weakest spot.
How could she trust anyone to be there for her? She’d never trusted anyone, never relied on anyone except herself. Oh, there was Brian, but because he’d needed something in return, she’d been guaranteed his cooperation. As for Rick . . . they’d passed the point of a bargain and Kendall felt as if she were free-falling without a net.
“Now for the specifics,” the doctor continued. “Any mild people shampoo will do just fine on him and I have a bag of food for you to get started. Wait here,” he said before disappearing out the examining-room door.
“What am I going to do with you?” she murmured to the dog who merely wagged his tail happily. Half an hour ago he was wandering the streets and now he looked at Kendall, trusting her to take care of him. Apparently they were taking that leap of faith together.
His tail swished back and forth. Happy. It seemed to be his permanent disposition. “Okay, Happy. I think you’ve named yourself.” She pet his head again, he licked her free hand and Kendall fell a little bit in love. Another jump into that new train of thought.
“Here’s a book.
Seven Days to Successful Dog Training.
” Dr. Sterling walked back into the room, dog food under one arm, book in hand. “I have a feeling you’ll be needing it.”
She laughed since the first thing she’d told the doctor was about his accident in the entryway. He’d told her to bring in a sample so they could check for disease. She shuddered at the unpleasant memory and had a hunch there’d be more incidents like it before she and Happy were through. “Thanks, Doctor.”
“Denis, please. And you’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow. Call at nine to make an appointment. At least your aunt’s house has a big yard for him to run in. Rick can play catch with him. Wheatons need daily exercise.”
“No apartments?” she asked, thinking of her normal lifestyle when she wasn’t in Yorkshire Falls. A lifestyle that was beginning to seem more lonely and confined than she’d ever imagined. Yet how could having a huge stretch of highway and endless possibilities ahead seem lonely? The answer lay in this town, its people, and in her relationship with Rick. Whether she had the ability to trust in it all was something else altogether.
“An apartment is doable just not preferable. I always urge people to ask themselves what’s fair to the dog. This guy’s thirty-five pounds but he’s underweight. He’ll gain when you take good care of him and he’s an outdoor-type dog. He needs his space.”
Just like Kendall did. Or thought she did. Confusion swirled inside her. Her business had taken a huge step forward, her sister had made friends, and she’d inherited a dog.
“Will I see you at the slide show tonight?” Dr. Sterling asked.
“I’ll be there.”
“Good. Any questions that arise, you can ask me there.” He grinned and opened a drawer, pulling out a collar and a leash. “You’ll be needing these too. Once you pick up your own things, you can return them. No rush.”
Kendall nodded, dazed. In one short day, she’d further cemented herself into the fabric of this small town. She didn’t know if she was ready for Yorkshire Falls any more than Yorkshire Falls was ready for her.
Rick picked Kendall up at eight-thirty, knocking on her door as usual. An effusive barking greeted him from the other side of the door. If the sound of a dog wasn’t enough of a surprise, seeing Kendall swing the door open, her hand wrapped around the leash of a hairy pooch shocked him even more.
“Come on in before he gets out.” The dog shuffled to escape his confinement and Kendall struggled to keep him inside.
Rick slipped in and slammed the door shut behind him. “Where’d he come from?” No sooner had he asked than the four-legged dog leapt up and put both front paws on his chest.
Kendall laughed. “He likes you. Happy down!” She yanked the dog off him.
“Happy?”
“Look at that tail wag. Can you think of a better name for a dog like him?” She shrugged. “I don’t know his real name since he wasn’t wearing a collar when I found him.”
Kendall had taken a stray dog into a home she didn’t plan on staying in and she was smiling about it? Rick figured he’d worked one too many long shifts or he was seeing things. “You found him?” he asked, dumbfounded.
“Actually he found me. Outside. Either way, I think he’s mine. Dr. Sterling says he’ll put out some more feelers but preliminary calls haven’t turned up anyone missing a pet.” As she spoke, she absently rubbed Happy’s neck with her hand. She’d obviously done this before and perfected the motion since she knew just the right spot and the dog nearly rolled over in ecstacy and delight.
Happy absolutely loved Kendall’s hands massaging his body. “I know just how you feel, man,” Rick muttered.
“What?” she asked.
He shook his head. “He’s yours?” he asked instead, repeating her earlier words.
“Yep. Dr. Sterling gave me food and I borrowed a crate from your mom’s basement on my way home.” She clasped her hands behind her back, seeming pleased with herself.
Happy seemed pleased with her too as he’d settled at her bare feet.
“How’d you know my mom had a crate in the basement?”
“Dr. Sterling said you were a sucker for strays, which I should have known considering you found me.”
She grinned and he wanted to kiss that smile on her lips.
“Ready to go to the show?” she asked.
He reached out and placed his hand over her forehead. “You don’t feel warm to me.”
She crinkled her forehead in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
“Kendall, what do you plan on doing with the dog once you leave?” He forced himself to ask the question no matter how much he hated the notion.
Her serious gaze met his. “I’m impulsive but I’m not stupid. I
have
thought this out. A little bit.” She bit down on her lower lip.
“And?” he asked, holding his breath.
“I’m not so sure I’m going anywhere after all.” She turned away too quickly, not meeting his gaze.
Obviously she wasn’t certain of her words but the fact that she’d say them at all gave him a ridiculous shot of hope.
She patted her leg and the dog rose to trail after her as she started for the other room.
“What are you doing?” he asked as she disappeared into the kitchen, leaving him to focus on the denim jeans drawn tight over her behind and the sassy sway to her hips.
“I’m going to lock up Happy so we can get going. And I’m giving myself some space before I hyperventilate,” she called over her shoulder.
“Hadn’t planned on admitting you might like to settle here, huh?”
“It’s happening fast, Rick. Just give me time to think some more.”
He nodded. He could do that. After all, with a house, a dog, and a sister to take care of, she wasn’t about to perform any of her impulsive disappearing acts anytime soon.
F
resh air, inky night sky, and Rick by her side. In such a perfect atmosphere, Kendall was able to breathe just fine as they approached the football field. For the first time in her life she allowed herself to give in to the idea of belonging somewhere and to someone—and to enjoy it without fear of either being taken away.
She glanced around. As Rick promised, a huge screen covered what had once been the scoreboard and people with blankets had collected on the grass. Holding her hand, he continued past the crowds, not stopping for more than a quick hello.
“Where are we going?” she asked him.
“You’ll see.” He tugged on her hand and led her toward the bleachers that were also filled with people.
“So far I’m not impressed with the privacy level,” she teased.
They rounded the stands, walking behind and then underneath the bleachers where only the echo of footsteps against the metal slats above reminded her they weren’t alone. He’d found them a modicum of privacy amid the crowds. “Okay, now I’m impressed.”
“Hey, I told you I wanted a secluded place where we could be alone.” Warmth resonated in his voice and in the trembling heat of his body as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
The relief of finally being in his arms along with the possibility of being caught making out like two teenagers upped her level of excitement and awareness. Her heart fluttered rapidly in her chest and white-hot darts of fire sizzled in her veins. It was always this way with Rick. Whether she was thinking about him or actually with him, the heat was all-consuming.
“Well, you found the perfect place for us.” She nuzzled her nose into the warm spot in his neck, between his shoulder and his ear, eliciting a distinct groan of pleasure in response. “I don’t know how we’re going to see the slide show and at this moment I don’t care. But we’re alone like you promised.”
“I’ll always keep my word, Kendall.”
“Then you’re going to have to find someplace else to hang out,” a familiar male voice called out. “Because we were here first.”
“Roman?” Rick asked.
“Who else?”
“Shit,” Rick muttered.
Kendall wasn’t able to stifle a laugh. “So much for originality.”
“Like I said, we were here first.”
Rick snorted in disgust. “And you think that gives you squatter’s rights?”
“Is this what they call sibling rivalry?” Kendall wouldn’t know considering she hadn’t grown up with a brother or sister in residence long enough to experience the phenomenon firsthand. But despite the unwanted interruption, she was enjoying the heated yet humorous exchange between the brothers.
“It’s what they call males marking their territory,” Charlotte explained, laughing along with Kendall. “Besides, neither Roman nor Rick can claim this spot. According to town lore, it was Chase who put the Chandler mark here first.”
“Ooh, do tell.” Kendall couldn’t imagine serious-minded Chase getting into trouble. However, even if Kendall preferred Rick’s more outgoing personality, she could see many girls falling for Chase’s strong, silent demeanor.
“Well, I heard that back when Chase was in school here, he got caught with a girl beneath the bleachers. They were cutting class and he was suspended,” Charlotte said.
Kendall let out a whooping laugh. “You’re kidding.” Rick shook his head. “It’s the last kidlike story we really know about Chase before he took over as head of the family.”
“Before he became the straitlaced, stern-faced brother we know and love,” Roman added.
“I wonder what it takes to tame that Chandler man,” Charlotte mused.
Roman let out a low growl. “I’m the only Chandler you’re going to be taming. Now hit the road, Rick. No offense, Kendall.”
“None taken.” She laughed. How could she not? She liked how possessive Roman sounded when thinking about Charlotte. And she appreciated that Charlotte had tamed her wanderer, and now trusted him not to betray her as she’d feared her father had done with her mother. All of which made Kendall wonder what it would take for her to make that ultimate leap of faith in any person.