Home to Stay

  “Let’s go get a coffee. Better yet, how about a beer?” She nearly jumped out of her chair at the sound of Cal’s voice. “You’re more than an hour after shift.”

  “Uh, thanks for the offer, but I can’t. I have to finish this report.”

  “Yeah? What report?”

  Shannon glanced at her computer screen, then down at the papers on her desk because—quite frankly—she couldn’t remember what she’d been working on.

  Cal leaned against the side of her desk and smirked. “Hmm. That important, huh?”

  Shannon could feel the heat rising to her cheeks and turned away.

  He reached down and flipped the file folder closed. “The report can wait until tomorrow. From what I’ve seen, you weren’t making much progress anyway. I’ll buy.”

  Shannon cocked an eyebrow at him. To the best of her recollection, it was her turn to buy. She was about to decline but realized she wasn’t being productive anyway. “Okay.” Seeing that Cal was already in plain clothes, she added, “I’ll go change and be right back.”

  She changed into a pair of jeans and a light blouse she had in her locker. They left their dogs at the division and drove separately to Buster’s Beach House Bar. Choosing a table on the patio, they each ordered a beer.

  “What’s going on with you and Sawyer?” Cal asked once they had their drinks.

  “Why does everyone ask me that?”

  “Because I’ve been in the early stages of a relationship that was a little rocky and I recognize it in others. So, talk to me.”

  Shannon shook her head. “I should’ve listened to Jessica. You’re married to a wise woman.”

  “I know it, and it’s just one of the many reasons I consider myself incredibly lucky to be with her. But are you trying to change the subject or does that comment relate to my question about you and Sawyer?”

  Shannon lifted her bottle and sipped. “Jess told me to be careful about falling for Sawyer. She said to take it slow, if at all. Truth be told, Madison and Ariana said more or less the same thing.”

  Cal gave her a gentle smile. “Rick, Logan and I are fortunate to have fallen in love with the women we did. We had our differences at the start, but no relationship is problem-free and it’s turned out great for us.” He searched her face. “I thought things were heading in the right direction for you and Sawyer, too, since his son was returned to him. In large part thanks to you.”

  Shannon gazed out over the water. “I thought so, too. Until all the questions about whether his wife’s still alive and, if so, did she have anything to do with Dylan’s abduction.” She looked back at Cal. “You heard about that?”

  He nodded. “I have. That’s hard to fathom.”

  Shannon sighed. “Yeah, and it’s made him pull back. I can’t blame him for wanting to end things. I blame myself for letting my feelings get involved to begin with. As you said, relationships aren’t problem-free at the best of times, and we had everything stacked against us from day one. How could I expect anything to work out between us?” She stared down at her bottle. “It was irresponsible and insensitive of me to start anything with Sawyer.”

  “Hey, stop that!”

  Shannon’s gaze shot up to meet Cal’s.

  “There’s no benefit in beating yourself up over it. I’ve learned that a heart can have a will of its own and can be quite insistent about having its way...and that it often knows best.”

  Shannon couldn’t resist a chuckle at Cal’s romantic turn of phrase.

  “I’m guessing that humongous mass of flowers on your desk is from Sawyer,” he continued, “because I don’t see either of you as the type who’d move on so quickly.”

  “Good guess.”

  “And I’ll bet he’s sorry and wants to see you, but you’re not prepared to forgive him yet, not to mention forgive yourself.”

  Shannon grinned. “You’ll make detective someday,” she said, realizing how much she’d needed to get out, have a laugh.

  “I know you said that our significant others cautioned you to be careful and take it slow. I can’t disagree, but if you factor in everything Evans has gone through and is still going through, you should cut him some slack. If you really care about the guy, hang in there. You can’t expect him to be rational and focused on his own needs at a time like this.” Cal picked up his bottle and took a drink. “Trust me. When my daughter, Haley, was out of my life—and at least I knew she was safe and well-cared for by my ex—I wasn’t my normal charming self. The last thing I wanted was a relationship. Jess can vouch for that, but she didn’t write me off. If you believe in Sawyer, give him a chance,” Cal repeated.

  Shannon thought about what Cal had said as she swung by the division to pick up Darwin and her flowers, and all the way home.

  She reminded herself again that in her twenty-eight years, she’d never felt about anyone the way she did about Sawyer. She’d try being his friend, and see if, over time, they could recapture what had begun to develop between them.

  When she arrived home, she was feeling distinctly better and she’d decided it was worth a try. If she backed away from his offer of friendship, what sort of person would she be? And what if, by taking a short-term view, she missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime?

  She took Darwin for a quick jog around the block before retrieving the flowers and duffel bag from her Explorer and letting herself into the house. She set the vase on the hall table, kicked off her shoes and put her duffel in the bottom of the hall closet. She glanced down at Darwin, who was watching her expectantly. “Are you hungry?” she asked. When his whole body wriggled and he woofed enthusiastically, she ran her hand over his head. “Okay, then. Go get your bowl.”

  He streaked into the kitchen and by the time she’d joined him, he had his dog dish clamped in his mouth, tail wagging feverishly.

  “Good boy!” she praised him. “Bring it here,” she said, going to the cupboard where she kept his kibble. Taking the bowl from Darwin, she poured a generous cup of food into the dish, then placed it on the mat next to the cupboard. Darwin promptly plopped down, his tail whooshing on the floor. “Okay,” she said—the command that signaled he could start eating.

  Shannon pulled a Coke out of the fridge and reached for her phone. Smiling, she sat down. They’d see how long she and Sawyer could remain just friends.

  She hadn’t dated a lot in her life, but that was because she’d had other priorities and she was...selective. It didn’t mean she didn’t know how to turn on the charm. If it was a dog he wanted, she could help him with that.

  With the smile still on her face, she dialed Sawyer’s number.

  * * *

  SHANNON SHIFTED FROM one foot to the other as she waited on Sawyer’s front porch. She’d decided that helping him and Dylan pick out a rescue dog would be a stress-free and enjoyable way to reboot their relationship—whatever that relationship turned out to be.

  Standing on the porch now, she wasn’t so sure about the stress-free part.

  When Sawyer opened the door, the pure pleasure on his face, along with the silly grin, went a long way toward easing her nerves.

  “Hi,” he said. His smile faded. “I’m sorry—”

  She waved the apology away with one hand. “Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful and more than enough as an apology.”

  “I’m glad you liked them.” The smile was back and he held out his hand.

  When she placed hers in it after a moment’s hesitation, he raised it to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “It’s good to see you again. Rather than apologizing, let me say thank you.”

  At the sound of running feet, they both turned.

  “You’re here!” Dylan exclaimed as he came to a skidding halt next to his father. He peered around Shannon. “Where’s Darwin?”

  “He stay
ed home today.”

  Dylan’s mouth drew into a pout and his lower lip stuck out. “But I thought he’d help us pick out my dog. You know. To make sure he thinks my dog is okay and that they’ll get along and everything.”

  Shannon crouched down. “I’m certain Darwin will approve of your dog and they’ll be pals. Darwin gave me some advice, so I’ll keep that in mind when we meet the dogs. How does that sound?”

  “I guess that’s okay.” Dylan’s lower lip still wasn’t quite back in place.

  “Dylan,” Sawyer said, “Shannon is here to help us. You should thank her, not complain that she didn’t bring Darwin.”

  Dylan glanced up at Sawyer. “Sorry, Dad.” He turned back to Shannon. “Thanks for helping.” He reached for Sawyer’s hand and tugged. “Can we go now?”

  They drove to the San Diego Animal Rescue League facility in Sawyer’s Range Rover.

  “All right, champ. Let’s go see what we can find,” Sawyer said, as he parked near the front entrance. He released Dylan from his car seat and helped him hop out.

  Dylan ran ahead to the front door of the shelter, and Sawyer and Shannon followed.

  As they entered the waiting area, their presence immediately set off a cacophony of excited barking in the back. Dylan jumped up and down in an attempt to see over the counter, and Sawyer leaned toward Shannon. “I might live to regret this.”

  Shannon grinned at him. “Look at Dylan! You’re absolutely doing the right thing.”

  A young man in torn jeans and an Animal Rescue League T-shirt emerged from the back. “I’m Seth,” he said, holding out a hand. “What can I do for you?”

  “We’re here to get a dog!” Dylan chimed in before Sawyer could respond.

  “You’ve come to the right place.” Seth told them. “Do you know what kind of dog you’d like?”

  “A small one,” Sawyer said quickly before Dylan could voice his own opinion.

  Seth smiled. “If that’s your only requirement, we can help you, no problem. Let me take you to the back.” He gestured for them to come with him.

  Shannon touched Sawyer’s arm before they entered the kennel area. “Just so you know,” she whispered. “Smaller dogs tend to be noisier and can be hyper, too.”

  “I’ll take my chances with a small one,” he murmured.

  Shannon laughed.

  * * *

  “LOOK, DAD! LOOK at all these dogs!” Dylan shouted over the din. He ran from one kennel to the next, before turning to them again. “How am I supposed to pick just one?”

  Sawyer gave Seth a pleading look.

  “Uh, why don’t I take you around and introduce you to some of our residents ready for adoption, and tell you a little bit about each one?”

  Sawyer appreciated his intervention and also that Seth was guiding Dylan to the cages with smaller dogs. All the barking was starting to give him a headache, but the more dogs they saw, the more concerned Sawyer became about the animals’ plight. He made a mental note to send regular donations to the shelter. He might not be able to save every dog, but he could help with their care until they found homes.

  “How about this one?” he asked Dylan as they stopped at a cage housing a subdued beagle.

  “He’s nice,” Dylan said as he considered the dog. He moved to the next cage, in which a little Jack Russell terrier was leaping and yipping with boundless energy.

  Sawyer glanced at Shannon and she gave him a knowing grin. “Small dogs,” she mouthed. He looked wistfully at the beagle. “What’s his story?” he asked Seth.

  “The beagle’s already adopted,” Seth told him. “He’ll be going to his forever home tomorrow.”

  At the sound of a deep woof from a cage behind them, they glanced over at the large white, russet and black dog with floppy ears. One of his eyes was ringed with black, the other with russet. He sat sedately, and observed them with wise, sad eyes.

  Dylan skipped over to the cage and slid his fingers through the chain-link.

  The big dog rose.

  Sawyer had visions of the dog chomping on his son’s fingers and was about to pull him back, but Seth stepped forward. “He’s okay,” he assured Sawyer. “You don’t have to worry about Rufus. He’s a gentle giant. As placid as they come.”

  Rufus proceeded to prove it by lumbering over to the gate, and with a huge pink tongue, slathering Dylan’s fingers with dog drool.

  Dylan giggled and wiggled his fingers, obviously hoping for a repeat performance.

  Rufus obliged. With the tips of his fingers, Dylan rubbed the side of Rufus’s snout and the dog pressed his face up against the cage door, closing his eyes and moaning in sheer bliss.

  “Daddy, I want Rufus to be our dog!”

  “Dylan, I thought we agreed we’d get a small dog.”

  “Nuh-uh. I never said that!” He gave Sawyer a mischievous grin.

  “When did he become so clever?” Sawyer said under his breath to Shannon. “So, what do you think?”

  “Well, let’s see,” she responded, before joining Dylan in front of Rufus’s kennel.

  The two of them murmured to each other as they scratched the dog through the chain-link. Dylan leaned against Shannon and she placed a hand on his shoulder. They looked so natural together—like mother and son. That thought staggered Sawyer, and he quickly focused on Dylan again.

  There was no denying the boy’s excitement.

  Sawyer sighed. Small dog. He thought he’d been very clear about wanting a small dog. He sucked in a breath and reconciled himself to the inevitable. His son’s happiness came before all else. “So, Seth, what’s Rufus’s story?”

  Seth’s smile flashed. “He’s a terrific dog. Here, let me show you.” He unlatched the gate and called Rufus to him.

  It was a good sign that Rufus was obedient. He immediately started toward Seth, with just a short detour to nuzzle Dylan and accept a hug from him. When the dog reached Seth, he sat and put his paw in Seth’s outstretched hand. “Good boy,” Seth said, rubbing the dog’s head.

  Seth stepped aside to let Dylan and Shannon interact with the dog.

  “He’s two to three years old,” Seth explained. “We think he’s a cross between a Bernese mountain dog and an Australian shepherd. That would explain his size,” he said with another smile. “He was found wandering the streets, without tags, collar or microchip. He was underweight and his fur was so badly matted, we figured he’d been living on the streets for a while. But he was gentle, had good manners and understood basic commands. We thought he was lost, but we never managed to track down his owners. We cleaned him up, got him back to full health, and now he’s ready for adoption.”

  Shannon turned to Dylan. “You really like Rufus, don’t you?”

  “I don’t think he needs any encouragement,” Sawyer murmured as Dylan nodded and threw his arms around the dog’s neck.

  “Why hasn’t he been adopted yet?” Shannon asked.

  Seth shrugged. “Large dogs, especially full-grown ones, tend to be harder to place. And he’s only been ready for adoption for a week, so it hasn’t been that long.”

  Dylan still had one arm slung around Rufus and was giggling at something Shannon had said. If the dog made Dylan happy, that was what mattered most.

  Twenty minutes later, with the ownership certificate in Sawyer’s hand and an initial supply of dog food under his arm, they were walking Rufus to the SUV.

  Sawyer noted that the dog did seem gentle, good-natured and obedient. He bounded into the back of the SUV on command and sent Sawyer what looked like a grateful grin.

  Outsmarted by a dog and a kid, he thought.

  They made a quick stop at a pet-food store for additional provisions. Sawyer was astonished that, by the time they added everything Shannon said they’d need and a generous number of dog toys that Dylan i
nsisted Rufus couldn’t live without, the total had exceeded five hundred dollars. A small dog wouldn’t have needed so much stuff, he told himself, more for the sake of form than conviction.

  At Sawyer’s house, Dylan took Rufus into his bedroom, along with the dog bed they’d just bought, while Sawyer and Shannon unloaded the rest of the supplies. When he’d found places to store everything, at least temporarily, Sawyer took two Cokes out of the fridge and offered one to Shannon.

  “I can’t believe what you got me into,” he said, holding back a smile as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

  “You don’t regret getting Rufus, do you?” she asked with genuine concern clouding her eyes.

  He glanced meaningfully down at the white tiles in his kitchen, already liberally sprinkled with black-and-brown fur, then shook his head. “No. To see the smile on Dylan’s face? To have him so excited and energized? How could I regret giving such joy to my son?” Now he let the smile appear. “Thank you for suggesting it.”

  Her blue eyes warmed. He felt the punch of how beautiful she was—her large eyes dominating her face, the short, straight nose and that mouth that was so expressive with its full lower lip. The mouth he had a sudden urge to kiss again.

  It took considerable willpower, but he resisted the temptation. He didn’t want her to think he was completely crazy. This time he’d have to show her that he cared about her, and that he could be trusted not to keep vacillating.

  “Let me thank you, Shannon, by taking you to dinner,” he said and watched the emotions play across her face.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  SHANNON WONDERED ABOUT her sanity as she held the new dress in front of her and critically assessed it in her full-length mirror.

  She couldn’t help being excited about having dinner with Sawyer, but nothing had been resolved. Nothing had changed.