With her heartbeat racing, Hannah entered the enormous pole barn on Molly Dearborn’s property twenty miles south of Sunrise Bend. She’d walked through this door countless times over the past two years, but this was the first time she’d be leaving with a dog of her own. The circumstances were less than ideal, though, picking him up the night before she was working at Randy’s store. Plus, it would mean the dog would have to adjust to life with her and a puppy in just a matter of days.
Was she up to the task of giving this dog a loving home while training the puppy? All her printed training plans mocked her.
She raised her chin. She’d figure it out.
The fluorescent lights and smells of disinfectant, kibble and dog fur always made her smile. Dogs. She loved ’em.
The training facility was bare bones and clean. Beyond the entrance, offices lined the right wall. The main training area was up ahead. A sea of blue rubber floor was sectioned off from the green turf in the rear of the building. Folding chairs were placed along the wall for people who brought their dogs to obedience classes. Several full-grown dogs were playing on the turf as one of the volunteers watched over them. An occasional woof filled the air.
“In here, Hannah.”
She followed the voice to Molly’s office. A desk topped with stacks of files, a set of bookshelves filled with books and binders, two chairs for guests and three empty dog beds rounded out the room. Molly sat behind the desk, typing on her old PC. Her dark brown hair was streaked with gray and pulled back in a frizzy ponytail. She wore large glasses, jeans and her signature royal blue sweatshirt with the Paws at Your Service logo.
Molly looked up and smiled. “You’ve been waiting a long time for this.”
“I know.” She rubbed her palms together. “Where is he?”
“Sit a minute first.” She gestured to the chair with a flick of her wrist. “Let’s talk about his history before you meet him and your brain turns to mush.”
It was true. She wouldn’t be able to focus on a thing that was said after she met the dog.
Molly clasped her hands and set them on the desktop, making sure she had Hannah’s attention before speaking. “Ned spent sixteen months with a puppy raiser before I worked with him at my old job. He’s a black Lab, mellow and smart. He’s trained to detect and alert for a number of medical issues.”
Ned. What a cute name! “Like what?”
“Low blood sugar, seizures, drops in blood pressure, fainting, that sort of thing. The man he was placed with died from a stroke last week, and a friend took Ned in until the family could make decisions. As I mentioned on the phone, Ned is too old to be placed with another patient, but he’s healthy and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. His puppy raiser doesn’t want to adopt at this time, and you’re at the top of the list.”
“I’m so excited.” Although she yearned to meet Ned, first Hannah wanted a complete picture of the special dog she’d be bringing home. “Tell me more about his skills—how he alerts.”
“Ned is very perceptive to changes in blood pressure as well as the scents caused by low blood sugar. He gets close to his owner when he first senses something being off, and his response escalates depending on the severity of symptoms. Nudging, licking, possibly mouthing the person’s hand.”
“Was he with his owner when the man died?”
“Yes. Ned might need some extra care and attention for a while, and that’s why I’m so happy he’ll be moving in with you. Now that you’re on summer break, I think you two are going to be a perfect match.”
Hannah tucked away the kind words, but worry pinched at her. “I had a situation come up. I’m going to be helping at my friend’s store for a week or so. It’s a bait and tackle shop. I plan on taking Ned with me. Do you think it will be too much for him? And do you have any concerns with me getting the puppy so soon after bringing him home?”
“He’s been trained to be comfortable in all kinds of situations. He’ll probably enjoy being in the store. And I think Ned might model the behavior your pup needs. Like I always say, the more experiences with other people, other animals and other places the puppy has, the better prepared it will be. But keep the puppy’s interactions with dogs other than Ned to a minimum for the first month or so.”
“No problem,” Hannah said, relieved. Practical matters crowded into her head. “Obviously, I have nothing prepared. No food, no crate, not even a leash.”
“I’ve got you covered.” Molly stood and came around the desk. “You can bring my gear back when you get your own. Now, are you ready to meet your dog?”
“Yes!”
“Well, come on.” Molly led the way out of the office. They skirted the main training area on their way to the turf where dogs either played or relaxed.
Which one was he?
Molly called Ned’s name, and a black dog stood and trotted over to her. “Good boy.”
Hannah looked into Ned’s big brown eyes and her heart did indeed turn to mush.
This was her dog. This sweet guy with his tongue lolling and a smattering of white hairs on his black head. She got teared up.
“Hi, Ned.” She choked back her emotions as he sniffed her hand, then she scratched behind his ears as he sat looking up at her with those soulful brown eyes. “You’re a good boy, aren’t you?”
He seemed sad. Probably missed his owner. Poor thing.
“You brought joy to someone else’s life.” Hannah stroked his fur. “Now it’s my turn to bring a little joy to yours.”
She got to know him more and talked to Molly for a while longer before they loaded the crate, some dog food and a few toys into the Jeep. Then she opened the back door for Ned to get in. He hopped up to the back seat easily. After starting the vehicle, she looked back to make sure he was okay. He seemed relaxed.
“Well, Ned, this is the official start to our life together. I hope you learn to love me as much as I already love you.”
She pulled out of the parking lot and reflected on everything that had happened today. The end of the school year. Randy needing her help. And getting the call about Ned.
The wind blew her hair as she turned toward Sunrise Bend.
Randy. She’d been all too aware of his toned arms, his patience while explaining the cash register and the faint scent of his bodywash—or was it cologne?
She could not afford to start viewing Randy as anything other than a friend. He certainly didn’t think of her that way. And she didn’t want him to. It would send her on another misguided path, one she’d told herself she wasn’t going down again.
She’d pour her energy into pampering the dear dog who’d devoted his life to helping his previous owner. She couldn’t wait to give Ned the life he deserved.
Were Mondays always this busy at Randy’s store?
Hannah finished ringing out Joe Schlock, who’d followed her around the displays for over an hour, chatting about anything and everything. He was her final customer, and she hoped nobody else would come in. She was more than ready for some quality time with Ned. After two full days with the dog, she couldn’t say they’d bonded. Maybe it just took time.
Ever since the town had caught wind of her working here on Saturday, she’d dealt with a nonstop line of people waiting at the counter. Some needed supplies. Others wanted to gossip. All were curious to know why she was there and Randy wasn’t. She’d been careful not to mention to anyone the reason she was helping him out. In this town, news spread like lice at a sleepover.
Of course, Ned was part of the attraction, too. Everyone seemed to love her sweet dog. For his part, Ned was taking it all in stride. He was a good boy. Kept out of the way. Obeyed every command. Didn’t let out a peep.
She felt bad keeping him stuck inside here all day, though. As soon as Randy relieved her, she was going to take him out for a nice long walk. But where? Her apartment complex didn’t have much to offer beyond a few sidewalks. And she didn’t feel like driving all the way out to her parents’ ranch, although Dad had been smitten with Ned yesterday when she’d stopped by. The feeling had seemed to be mutual.
At this point, she got the impression Ned could take her or leave her. Kind of like most guys.
She must be tired if she was comparing Ned to her exes.
“We’ll grow into our bond.” She bent to pet him. “It takes time.”
He blinked those melancholy eyes and didn’t move.
The back door banged, and she and Ned both turned to look in that direction.
Randy flew inside looking as flustered as she’d ever seen him. “Sorry I’m late.”
She gave him a once-over. “Are you all right?”
“What? Oh, yeah. Fine. Why?” Red-faced and out of breath, he bent to check the labels of the boxes he’d stacked behind the counter. He held two fingers to the pulse in his neck. Ned walked over, sat close to Randy and watched him.
“You seem...not yourself,” Hannah said.
“No?” He avoided eye contact with her as Ned licked the back of his hand. “Just in a rush. I have a lot on my mind. Well, hey, there, boy.” He smiled at the dog, and it almost took her breath away. It reminded her of when Randy was younger. She hadn’t seen his carefree expression in years. Maybe he had more going on than she realized. He scratched behind Ned’s ears. “How are you doing?”
“He’s been a trouper.” The proud-mama sensation spread through her chest as the dog’s tail thumped while Randy loved on him.
He gave him a final pat. “I meant to get here earlier, but a stupid calf—” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll finish up. You can go.”
“I can stick around a minute.” She regarded him thoughtfully. He seemed so off, so agitated, so unlike himself. “Is it just the calf that has you bothered?”
“The calf, her dingbat mama, the installation of the kitchen cabinets being delayed. All of it. I have a lot of projects to finish at the house before I move in. Everything’s kind of hitting me at once.”
“The new place is out on Owl Creek Road, right? I haven’t been out that way in a while. When can you move in?” She’d driven past Randy’s secluded property a few months ago. It was less than a five-minute drive from town. A stream ran through the back of it, ideal for fly-fishing. She wasn’t surprised an outdoorsman like him had decided to build there.
“The end of the month, if all goes well. I’m behind on my end.” All the pink in his face lingered as he pulled the binder marked Orders from a shelf under the register and began flipping through it. Ned licked his hand again. He chuckled. “I like you, too, boy.”
“What all do you have left to do?” she asked.
“Here or the house?” He frowned.
“Both.” She went to the supply closet and grabbed a roll of paper towels and glass cleaner. Then she sprayed the counter and wiped it clean, keeping an eye on Randy the entire time. It didn’t escape her notice that Ned was far more interested in him than her.
She supposed the dog might be more comfortable with men. After all, his previous owner had been one.
“I just need to check the orders. Then I’ve got to start painting the house tonight.”
She tossed the dirty paper towels in the trash. Randy seemed more himself, and Ned had reclaimed his spot from earlier. She put the cleaning supplies away and grabbed her purse.
Randy accidentally bumped into her, and she let out an oof.
“Sorry.” He whirled to face her. “Wasn’t paying attention.”
“No biggie.” Randy’s new house was only minutes away. Ned would probably love a walk around his property. Wildlife to sniff, a wide-open space for her to toss him his ball. “This is going to sound weird, but would you mind if I took Ned to your new place? I think he’d enjoy exploring your yard. I hate to coop him up in my apartment when he’s been so good here all day. We’ll be long gone by the time you get there.”
“Oh, yeah, take him there. He’ll love it.” The corner of his mouth lifted. Then he stared at her with such intensity she almost fidgeted. “Want to tour the house? That is if you don’t have plans and don’t mind waiting for me to finish up here?”
Did she want to tour his house? Yes. A big yes. “You don’t mind?”
“I take any chance I can to show it off.”
“You’re trying to rope me into painting with you, aren’t you?” She winked, hoping she didn’t appear too eager to check out his home. She was as nosy as her mother—she wouldn’t deny it.
“Would I do that?” His teasing tone sent pleasant flutters to her tummy.
“Yes, you would. When do you think you’ll be done here?”
“Would half an hour work?” he asked. “I planned on grabbing a pizza.”
“I’ll bring paper plates and napkins.” She took Ned’s leash. “See you over there.”
“See ya.”
Well, the day had just gotten interesting. Ned would get some fun outside time, and she would get to see Randy’s house.
But a wee voice in her head warned her that spending more time with Randy was inviting trouble.
Yeah, right.
She was playing with her dog and having a slice of pizza, not walking down the aisle. It was time to lighten up, already. Not everything had to be so serious.
He wasn’t taking this situation seriously enough.
Randy stacked the final box in the storeroom and locked up. He’d talked to Austin earlier, like he had each day his brother had been gone, but Austin hadn’t been forthcoming with information. Mostly, his brother wanted specifics about the cattle. It was kind of annoying. Randy needed answers. Like what was wrong and when would he be back?
And now Hannah was coming over to see the house.
So much for being careful around her.
He’d give her the tour, they’d have a slice of pizza, and that would be that.
He strode to his truck. Inside, he sat for a minute before starting it up. Did a brief self-check. His breathing was normal. His pulse was, too. Heart rate didn’t feel out of whack. Earlier, he’d been so stressed about corralling the calf, he’d feared his heart was going to explode.
And Hannah was a little too perceptive for his taste. Another reason he needed Austin back—Randy wouldn’t have to worry about her all-too-seeing eyes.
On stressful days like this, he usually wound down by driving out to one of his favorite fishing spots, but he hadn’t been fishing in weeks. And he wouldn’t be tonight, either.
Driving down Main Street, Randy thought of Ned. That dog of hers sure had found a way into his heart in all of two seconds flat. There was something soothing and comforting about dogs. They didn’t judge. Just looked at you and accepted you. Licked your hand. Wagged their tails.
Yeah, dogs were the best, and Ned was extra special.
Swinging by Dino’s Pizza, Randy bought one of their grab-and-go pepperoni pizzas and headed to the house. Anticipation built when he turned into the drive. Rounding the bend, he spotted Hannah’s Jeep.
When she’d mentioned bringing Ned here, he’d instantly wanted to show off the new house to her. He was proud of it—proud of what it represented. His own life. On his terms.
He got out of the truck, grabbed the pizza and the mini-cooler he’d stocked earlier. A rush of satisfaction filled him as he took in the home. Dark gray siding climbed the two-story structure. Stone masonry covered much of the first floor. White porch rails, a white door and white shutters set off the gray, giving the home a welcoming touch.
He didn’t see Hannah in the Jeep or in the front yard. She must have Ned out back. He let himself inside and set the pizza on one of the unopened cabinet boxes in the kitchen. The cabinets he’d hoped would be installed today.
There was nothing he could do about the delay. He opened the sliding door and stepped out onto the deck.
Hannah tossed a ball beyond Ned, who chased after it and brought the ball back to her, dropping it at her feet. Randy watched them for a while, surprised to see her like this. He was used to her bubbly, sunny personality. Used to her laughter, her teasing, her bringing people into a conversation.
He wasn’t used to seeing her completely carefree. Ned seemed to be loving this side of her, too.
Why was a girl like her still single?
He didn’t need or want the answer.
“Oh!” She looked up and waved. “I didn’t see you there.”
“Hungry?” He propped his forearms on the deck rail. She gave the dog a treat from her pocket then strode to the deck’s stairs with Ned loping beside her.
“Yes, I’m famished.” With a tote bag in hand, she reached the top step, her face flushed and eyes sparkling. Ned zoomed to Randy, sitting and staring up at him. He chuckled, petting the dog. “Want to eat out here?”
“Um, yeah. Duh.”
“I’ll be right back.” He went to the garage, grabbed two of the camping chairs he kept on hand and unfolded them on the deck. Then he brought out the cooler, handed her a soda and set the pizza on top of the cooler.
Hannah took the paper plates out of her tote bag and handed him one along with a napkin. They sat side by side with the cooler and pizza between them, facing his big backyard. Ned stretched out, resting his doggy chin on his paws near Randy’s feet.
“This property...” Hannah faced him. “I’m speechless. It’s absolutely perfect. I never imagined it was this private.”
A rush of pride filled him. It meant a lot to hear her praise. He loved it, too. The mountains stood in a jagged outline against the blue sky. The trees beyond the stream gave the land privacy sorely lacking in this area. It was as if his house were the only one around for miles.
“Just think, you can have your morning coffee out here and watch the wildlife sneaking through your yard. You know they’ll be heading to the stream. Are there fish in it?”
He could picture it, too. He’d already seen deer and a fox. “Yeah, it’s great for trout. All kinds of species. I’ll be testing my lures on them.”
“Will you do your videos out there, too?”
He was surprised. “You watch my videos?”
“I’ve seen one or two.”
Huh. Imagine that. Hannah had watched his videos. What did she think when she saw him online?
“I hadn’t thought of filming out here, but I probably could.” What would it take? A tripod and camera. He had those. “It would give me a chance to show how various techniques work.”
“And it would let people see the beauty of Wyoming.”
That it would. They ate in relaxed silence for a while.
“I didn’t realize the store was so busy,” she said. “How did you come to own it?”
Not many people asked him about it. “I fell in love with fishing when I was a little kid. Begged Dad to sign me up for competitions. Competed all through high school.” His heart twinged with mixed emotions. “But then Dad died, and I had to help with the ranch.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It was a long time ago.”
“Still. Losing your parents—you don’t really get over it, do you?”
He supposed not.
“So you and Austin took over the ranch,” she said. “Then what?”
“Then I missed fishing. Missed the competitions. Started buying all the latest lures and going off to local spots on my downtime. One day Austin walked into the spare room where I’d been stacking boxes of fishing supplies, and he got all huffy, saying I could open a store with all that stuff.”
Hannah shifted in her seat to face him, and her face glowed with interest. It had been a while since anyone hung on his words. More than a while, actually. A guy could get used to it.
“And the rest is history?” she asked.
“Not quite. But the idea was there. And it grew. For the first time in my life, I got serious about my future. Researched how to run a business, listed what I’d need. Kept my eye out for one of the buildings to go up for rent. Talked to the bank. And when I’d done all the legwork, my worst task still loomed.”
She gave him a questioning stare.
“My brother. I had to break it to Austin I wasn’t going to ranch anymore. He didn’t take it well.”
“No, I suppose he wouldn’t.”
“We worked it out. Figured out an equitable way to deal with the ranch and the money involved. I opened the store. And then the rest was history.”
She stared into the distance, her profile serious. He wanted to ask what she was thinking, but what guy did that? One looking for trouble.
“It took a lot of guts,” she said, turning to him again. “Telling Austin you weren’t ranching. Starting the store.”
She thought he had guts? His chest was probably puffing out to ridiculous proportions.
Sitting out here, eating pizza, sharing personal stuff wasn’t a good move, though. Maybe Austin being gone had turned him into a softy or something. Whatever was happening to him, he’d better put an end to it.
He stood abruptly. “You ready for the tour?”
“Yep.” They gathered the used plates and pizza box and went back inside with Ned.
Randy led her to the front entryway where an open staircase stood to the right and a large living room was to the left. The flooring hadn’t been installed yet, but the walls had been primed with white paint.
“This is where I’ll spend most of my time.” He took her through the living room and back to the kitchen, answering questions along the way. Large boxes lined the wall. “They’re supposed to be installing the cabinets this week.”
“What color?”
“White.”
“What’s this?” She pointed to a door.
“Garage.” He brushed past her to open it, once again noticing her perfume. A spick-and-span three-car garage greeted them. “Probably the cleanest it will ever be.”
She chuckled, pointing to another door. “And this?”
“Half bath here. Basement there. It’s a walkout. I won’t be finishing it anytime soon, though.” He escorted her down the hall again and up the stairs. “I’ve got my hands full with everything else.”
A landing large enough for a small sitting area stood at the top. Then he showed her two good-sized bedrooms, a full bath and a laundry room. Finally, they went into the master bedroom with its big walk-in closet, large windows and another full bathroom. The space was huge. The way he liked it. Would give him space to think. To spread out.
By himself.
He frowned. Did one person need this much space?
“I love this house.” Hannah beamed. “Love the exterior, the layout. And this master bath? It’s amazing.” She turned her full attention to him. “Are you seriously going to start painting tonight?”
“Yeah. I’ve got to get it done.”
She nodded. “Well, what room are we painting first?”
We? He should have known she’d offer to help. “Uh, I know you had a long day. I didn’t mean for you to actually paint when we were joking around earlier.”
“I don’t mind. I changed into my old clothes before coming here.”
“Yes, but—”
“It’s a big job to do alone.” She gave him the you’re-being-dumb look she’d given him countless times over the years. It brought some of his equilibrium back. “Just tell me where you’re starting.”
No, no, no... “The living room.”
Were his mouth and brain connected anymore? Why did he keep saying the opposite of what he should? They headed back downstairs, their footsteps loud on the bare steps.
“What color are you painting it?” she asked.
“Beige.”
“Please tell me the name of the paint color is not beige.” She looked offended.
“No. It’s Burst of Champagne or something equally ridiculous.”
“Phew.” She pretended to wipe her brow.
He continued to the garage and brought in the correct can of paint, rollers, tape and other supplies he’d bought.
“Let me see this.” She pointed to the can.
He turned it upside down a few times and pried the lid off.
“Ooh, pretty.” She grinned. “If you have a regular brush, I can cut in the paint along the ceiling. Then you can follow me with the roller.”
Hannah was helping him paint, and for some dumb reason, he was glad he hadn’t gotten rid of her. Just as he knew he was opening up a can of something a whole lot more dangerous than paint by having her stick around.
Whatever she’d been expecting from Randy’s house, that wasn’t it. It was the sort of house she’d select if she were going to build a home.
After leaving his place, Hannah headed to her parents’ ranch. It was still light out, and she had a hankering to talk to her mother. Why she’d had it in her head Randy was building a small house suitable for a bachelor, she didn’t know. She’d figured he’d go the rustic route. A log cabin with deer heads on the walls, not the charming picture of domesticity he’d shown her.
For some reason, the contentment she’d enjoyed for the past couple of hours at Randy’s had changed into something unfamiliar. Something kind of hard. And painful.
Was she...jealous?
Of Randy?
No. It had been a long day. She probably just needed a good night’s sleep. Of all the negative traits she possessed, envy wasn’t one. At least, she hadn’t thought she was an envious person. Until now.
Mom would help straighten her head out. Hannah had texted her before leaving Randy’s.
She parked near the house and let Ned out of the back seat. With two knocks on the side door, she let herself inside and headed straight to the kitchen.
“How’s it going at the store, honey?” Mom opened an upper cabinet. “Want some iced tea? Or hot? It’s cool out there tonight.”
“Hot tea sounds good.” Hannah pulled out a stool and sat at the counter. Dad came into the room and grinned.
“Hey, there. I see you brought my favorite dog.” He crouched to pet Ned. “What a good boy. I got you some treats.” Dad used his goofy Grandpa tone with Ned. The tough old cowboy was a pushover when it came to dogs and kids.
“What about me?” Hannah pretended to be hurt.
“You want a dog treat, too?” His eyes twinkled.
“You love my dog more than me, don’t you?” She wagged her finger. “I remember a time not long ago when you would have had a candy bar for me. Now it’s fun stuff for Ned.”
“What can I say? I like your dog. And I did pick up a few toys for him. Ned and I are going to check them out while you and your mother gab.” He gestured to Ned, and the dog eagerly joined him as they left the room.
Mom set a steaming mug in front of her and sat on a stool facing her. “Any word from Austin?”
“Not that I know of.” It was practically killing her mother not to know why Austin had left town. Hannah was curious about it, too. “But I did get to tour Randy’s house tonight.”
“Oh?” The vowel swung up on the end. She probably shouldn’t be getting Mom’s hopes up by mentioning a single man and his new house in the same sentence.
“It’s really nice. Incredible view.” Hannah described the layout, and as she did the yucky feeling from the drive worsened.
Randy was going to live in that beautiful home. He had a thriving business. His YouTube videos drew an audience from all over the world. She knew because she’d checked.
“Seems a shame for him to live in a big house all by his lonesome.” Mom made a clucking sound as she stirred her tea.
“Well, it doesn’t seem to bother him.”
“Hmm.”
“I mean he’s proud of it. I didn’t get the impression he would have it any other way.” Was there an edge to her voice?
“Does that bother you?”
“No. Of course not.”
“Hmm.”
“What’s with all the hmms?” Hannah was getting annoyed. “You usually have a lot to say.”
“Maybe he’s ready for the next step. After living with his brother all these years, it’s probably for the best they’re getting separate homes. Now they can get wives, start families.”
Hannah refrained from rolling her eyes. Everything ended in marriage and kids in her mom’s mind. But in real life, it didn’t work that way.
“It sounds like Randy has his life together,” Mom said. “I’m happy for him.”
He did. He had it all together. Randy had it all going on.
Her chest squeezed.
It wasn’t as if she didn’t. She’d be the first to admit she had more blessings than most.
“He deserves the house,” Hannah said, trying to muster a better attitude. “He has a successful business, good friends. I’m happy for him.” The last part she’d had to drag out of her mouth.
“You don’t sound very happy.” Mom peered over the rim at her.
“Well, I am. I have a great apartment.” She shook her head. “I love my job. And now I have Ned.”
“Hmm.”
If her mother hmm’d one more time...
“Randy’s house has nothing to do with me.” The thought of those empty rooms and him padding around the home by himself made her sigh. He seemed to be fine with being single. In fact, he seemed to be embracing it.
And the truth was she did have blessings, but she didn’t want to be alone for the rest of her life. And the little time she’d spent with him lately had made her all too aware of it.
“So what do you have going on this week?” Hannah changed the subject.
Her mom took the hint, mentioning watching Sunni and Cam for Hannah’s brother Michael and her sister-in-law Leann tomorrow afternoon, but Mom’s watchful eyes told her she knew something was up.
Hannah wasn’t ready to face these new revelations. Not when she’d been doing so well at pretending they didn’t exist. Randy intrigued her. She didn’t know him as well as she thought she did. And that was a danger sign. One she’d ignored in the past and wouldn’t again.