Chapter Seven

Another Day Another Adventure—Did She Bite off more than She Could Chew?

Once again behind the bar, his ma poked him in the side, a sparkle in her eye. “Way to go, boyo.” She slipped out the pass through and returned to the kitchen.

Finally, the last patrons of the pub said their goodbyes. The band packed up their stuff and carried it out to their vehicle. Mary and Tim talked with Cori for a bit as she set her fiddle in its case before he joined them and tucked a generous amount of money into her case. He thanked her for spending the evening with them.

“Thank you so much.” She leaned over, kissed him on the cheek and winked. “Looks like you found what you were searching for. Wish you happiness. Enjoyed the evening.” She motioned toward the stage. “A talented, fun bunch of guys to play with.” Mirth shone in her eyes as her grin widened.

“Not saying a thing to that double entendre.” He snickered and gave her hug. “How about we schedule you for a mid-week gig? Give the customers a pleasant surprise.” He paused. “Say a week from this coming Wednesday night?

“Sounds good. I’ll add it to my calendar. Nite.”

Picking up her case, he turned and winked at Synn. “I’ll be right back.” He pushed through the door carrying Cori’s instrument out to her car.

When he returned, Synn stood next to Mary who was whispering something to her. Synn brightened considerably. Tim looked on, leaning against the bar a slight smile on his lips. He reached for Synn’s hand and leaned into her. “How about joining us for Sunday dinner tomorrow?”

“Oh, I don’t want to impose,” she said pulling away.

“No imposition,” Mary said. “Love to have you. Bring your little pup with you.”

“I couldn’t. She’ll tear up your house.”

Mary hooted. “We’ve raised two wild girls, pets of all kinds, and Gavin. The house survived it all. I don’t think a wee pup will be a problem. Besides, we’ve a huge crate for her and a fenced back yard. She’ll be fine, dear,” Mary said.

“Used to use it for Gavin,” Tim said his eyes twinkling.

When Synn’s eyes rounded and her mouth dropped open, Tim roared with laughter. Wiping his eyes, he gulped in air in an attempt to catch his breath and patted her arm. “Only kidding, lassie.”

Red patches bloomed on Synn’s cheeks as she continued to stare at Tim. “If you’re sure.”

“We’re sure,” Tim and Mary chorused.

Gavin slung an arm around her shoulder. “Tell you what. It’s late. Let me drive you and Storm home. Tomorrow, I’ll pick you two up mid-morning. We can take a walk and enjoy a relaxing day.” Together. He dare not say that out loud, not yet.

Mary smiled knowingly while Tim wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Nite,” they chorused again.

Gavin and Synn walked through the pub pausing at the inside entrance to the storeroom. “I’ll lock the outside door after we get the pup,” Gavin called over his shoulder.

“Thanks.” An answer came from the kitchen where he assumed his parents were locking up for the night then would head home.

A few minutes later, they opened the storeroom door and a bundle of matted fur with a wiggling tail greeted them.

“How’d she get out?” Synn asked flipping on the light and picking Storm up. She was wiggling so much that Synn had trouble holding on to her. “Well, you don’t act like you’re sick.”

The answer was apparent as soon as light flooded the room. The box that had been made into a bed for her had a large hole chewed in the bottom corner.

“Why would you think she was sick?”

Synn turned the squirming creature to face him. “Because, look her tongue is black or—” She switched the angle of the pup around. “Purple? It couldn’t be good.”

He chuckled. “It’s the breed. I’ve not seen one of these in a long time.” He reached over and scratched the pup’s belly. “Chows were bred as guard dogs to the Chinese royalty. Don’t know of anyone that owns or breeds—” he scratched the side of his face “—them around here. But someone must have had a litter of pups. Strange.” Pausing, he shook his head and shrugged, glanced at the box. “Appears she broke out of bed. Want to stop at the house and pick up the crate Ma was talking about? Otherwise, Storm could make a helluva mess of your cottage by morn.” He picked up the box and carried it out to the truck, tossed it in the bed.

“No… I can handle it. I don’t want to bother Mary any more tonight.” She picked up the old leather belt Mary had given Storm to chew on. It was covered with teeth marks. “Besides she’ll have nowhere to stay at Mary and Tim’s house tomorrow.”

He took the toy from her. “Guess we better get some chew toys and things in the morning—like a leash—after I pick you up.” Glancing around the storeroom, he reached up, grasped a coil of rope, and held it up. “This will make a temporary leash.”

Synn nodded in agreement. “It’ll do for tonight.”

“Okaay. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. By the way, how’d shopping go today?” Opening the vehicle door, he held the pup while Synn climbed inside. He handed the dog back to her. “Make sure you hold on to her tight. Don’t want teeth marks in the upholstery—unless it’s mine.”

“You don’t—oh, it’s a joke. I get it. I’ve got her.” She paused as he started the engine. “I won’t lie to you. It was a rough start. But the shopping turned out to be really fun. We had a great time—stopped for pizza and wine. There was a lot of girl talk. I was uncomfortable at first. After a while it was easier for me to join in the conversation.” She grinned, and a mischievous sparkle shown in her eye. “There was some talk as to your prowess in the bedroom.”

He felt his eyebrows shoot up nearly to his hair line. “What?”

“Well, one of the girls wanted to know if the rumors where true.” She turned her head to look out the window.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing, I changed the subject.” She paused shifting in her seat. “I’m not comfortable discussing those kind of things. Besides, I’m not going to confirm or deny that we were intimate.”

He laughed turning onto the road to her cottage before glancing over at her. “Smart girl. So this shopping…did it involve lingerie of any kind?” A deliberate seductive smile curved his lips.

“You’ve been talking to Quinn,” she accused.

Gavin slowed the truck then stopped in front of her cabin. “Maybe. I saw him earlier.”

“Well, you’ll never know.” She pushed the truck door open without waiting for him and flounced out of the truck. Storm almost wiggled out of her arms. By the time he reached the passenger side of the truck, his outstretched hands caught the puppy as it jumped out of her arms. “Synn, you gotta be careful. She’s only a baby and has no fear.”

The horror on her face had him rethinking the rest of his lecture.

“I’m sorry. She’s so wiggly.” She reached for Storm. He took the pup and put her in the back of the pickup.

“What possessed you to volunteer to take the pup home? You have no idea what it takes to raise a puppy. Heck, you are…” he stopped right there.

A single tear rolled down her cheek. “She was so scared, cold, wet and needed a home. Someone to love and care for her. I know what that feels like…”

He reached up cupped her chin and wiped the tear away with his thumb. “Okay. But tomorrow we’re going to get a book on raising a puppy in addition to all the necessities, like a bowl, brush, real bed, and a puppy pen. It will keep her safe and your cottage in one piece. Fair enough?” He took her in his arms and held her against him for a couple beats, then brushed his lips over hers backing her up against the side of his vehicle.

She leaned into the kiss, nibbling on his lips before he covered her mouth hungrily. She moaned and parted her lips for him. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth, stroked, teased, and tasted. She felt so good in his arms, but it was too soon. Her emotions were all over the place, and he didn’t want to push her to do something she’d later regret.

Slow, steady, and dependable was what she needed right now. As he started to pull away, Storm jumped up, paws on the side of the pickup bed and snagged Synn’s braid with her teeth, barking, growling, and tugging.

She grabbed hold of her braid while Gavin disengaged the puppy’s paws and teeth. “You’re sure you don’t want me to stay tonight?”

“I’m sure. We’d…” She blew out a breath. “Not a good idea.” She reached in the bed and scratched the pup’s head.

“You could model the lingerie you bought—make sure it fits,” he teased.

She slapped at him. “I already tried it on. It fits fine.”

He couldn’t hold back the wide grin and smug expression. She hauled off and smacked him.

He grabbed her arms and kissed the tip of her nose. “I knew it.”

Her expression changed from frustration to thoughtful in a blink of an eye. “Do you know Gale Boohar? She came along with Bridget, Colleen, and Katie.”

“Of course. Her family has been here for centuries. She took over the family apothecary business last year when her ma and da retired to travel the world. Why?”

“Just wondered.”

Tilting his head, he raised an eyebrow. “Picked up the magic signature—did you? She wouldn’t try to hide it from you.”

Synn’s eyes widened, and she sucked in a breath. “Would she know what I am?”