He smiled.
“Or maybe it was when you checked on Stella five times during dinner.”
“Three,” he corrected. “And she was quiet up there.”
“But you sealed the deal when you announced that was the best bread pudding you’d ever had. Nice work, laddie.” She delivered the last line in a sweet brogue that imitated her grandmother’s and did something insane to his heart.
He couldn’t help it. He reached up with two hands, clasped her head in his palms, and brought her closer for an upside-down kiss. It was short, sweet, and better than the bread pudding, which really was the best he’d ever had.
She took a second to open her eyes, as if the kiss had the same effect on her, then slowly sat down in the empty seat next to him. “So, how was your first Kilcannon Sunday dinner?”
The first of many, he hoped. He flinched a little at the thought, which was so not in keeping with his rule of “no attachments with women, ever.” Could that rule be bent…and not break him?
“Your whole family is spectacular.”
“Whole? Shane didn’t drive you crazy?”
“He’s funny. A little cocky, but I like him. Plus, he’s given me so many tips for Stella.”
“And Liam doesn’t intimidate you?” she asked.
“A man who turns to blubbering mush when he holds his baby? Nothing intimidating about that.” That made her laugh, but he continued. “Garrett’s a great guy, too, and so excited to be the next father in the family. Aidan’s anecdotes from Afghanistan are so fascinating, but I love how he and Beck are helping her uncle recover from his stroke and rebuild the pizza parlor. And man, you’d never guess Trace’s story if he didn’t tell you.”
“You sure are a good listener,” she said.
“There are so many great people to listen to.”
She chuckled, tapping his nose. “You’re smitten by Kilcannons.”
“Every one,” he whispered, tapping hers right back. “Even the little ones. Pru’s a hoot, and Christian already challenged me to a game of Mario Kart, which I will let him win,” he added.
“You catch on fast, HL.”
“The only thing bad about today is how this group makes me realize how sucky mine is.”
That again. “Are you sure you’re not being too hard on them? I know you don’t like them, and I don’t know the whole history, but Brea is fun, and your mom is rooting for you, and your stepfather seemed genuinely disappointed that you’re not working in his company.”
“But you didn’t meet Beelzebub.”
She laughed. “Well, every family has one black sheep.”
“Not this one.”
“Yeah, well.” Of course she didn’t bother to argue against the perfection of her clan.
“And they hardly pestered your dad about dating,” he added. “Although Shane isn’t exactly subtle when it comes to the subject, is he?”
“Any subject,” she agreed. “But there were too many other headlines today for that. And speaking of my dad, he’s out in the pen with some dogs and asked if we wanted to give Stella a chance to socialize. That is, assuming we can get past Guard Dog Kookie, who’s watching the cradle.”
“Let’s give it a shot.”
As they stood and headed toward the stairs, Darcy whispered, “I also think Dad wants to talk to you privately.”
“Really? Now should I be intimidated?”
She shook her head. “But remember he has an agenda.”
“To set you up and marry you off?”
She sighed. “Let’s not dignify that, but he was watching us pretty closely at dinner, so don’t freak out if he starts asking you about your intentions.” She looked up at him. “Because I know one thing about you, and that is that you won’t lie.”
“Nope, but what should I say?”
Slowing halfway up the wide stairway, she shrugged. “The truth, I guess, about your intentions. Other than to take my rent checks and fix any problems in the apartment.”
He was quiet as they reached the top and turned the corner, imagining the conversation with the father of the woman he very much wanted to sleep with.
“My intentions are…” He gave in to a slight laugh. “I’m not sure you or he would want me to be that honest.”
She smiled, her deep-blue eyes glinting with humor and maybe a little anticipation. “Then throw him off course with something else you intend to do with me. For me,” she corrected.
“Help you build out the grooming salon?”
“That’ll work.” As they slipped into the stairwell that led to the third floor, she slowed and gave him a spectacularly sexy look. “But you can tell me the truth about your intentions.”
“Okay.” Why fight it one more minute? He wrapped his arms around her and nestled her into him. “I intend to kiss you.”
“Mmm.” She closed her eyes and tilted her head up to him. “Yes, please.”
Like every other kiss they’d shared, she tasted as sweet as the pudding and as smooth as the whiskey. And far too good to be something he’d take and leave.
The thought weighed on him after they collected the dogs and headed across the wide lawn to the training pen, where Dr. K was with Rusty and two other dogs.
“Oh boy, no brothers around,” he murmured to Darcy.
“A bunch of them went out riding four-wheelers, and Liam took Andi and the baby home so Fiona can nap. Aidan and Beck are walking their new dogs. Why? Are you that worried?”
“Darcy, I’m a Southern boy, born and raised. I know what it means when a young woman’s father calls in her…her…friend for a talking-to.”
“Just remind him we’re friends with dogs. That’ll satisfy my dad.”
But would it satisfy her…or him?
As soon as Darcy opened the gate, Kookie started to take off toward the other dogs, then stopped and turned around, trotting back to Stella, who was on a leash that Josh held. Kookie went right up to Stella’s face, licked her on one side of the cheek, then the other.
“It’s like she’s telling Stella where she is and that she’s safe,” Josh said, astounded again at the two of them. “I can’t believe what happened to these two while we were gone.”
Darcy looked up at him. “It’s like they really like each other now.”
“Funny how that happened so fast.” To dogs and humans.
Her father came closer, with Rusty right on his heels, and two other dogs who looked like hounds of some sort trotting along on the other side.
“Is that Tommy and Odie?” Darcy asked. “I haven’t seen these two boys in ages.” Darcy dropped down to a knee to pet one and rub the other, who flipped like a pancake and offered up his belly for affection.
“Marie Boswell dropped them off last evening for a week’s boarding,” her father said. “I knew they’d be perfect for Stella. They’re so good with other dogs.”
Darcy settled on the ground, and the two dogs vied for her lap. While she cuddled them, she looked over at Kookie, who stayed steadfastly next to Stella.
“Whoa. She usually hates when I love another dog,” Darcy said. “Look at her, Dad. She’s attached to Stella.”
Dr. K bent down on one knee, reaching a careful hand and murmuring some soft words to Stella, warning her he was going to touch her but Kookie barked at him.
“I’m not going to hurt your friend, Kookie,” he said. “I’m going to introduce her to two of your favorite dogs. Bring them over, Darce.”
She scooted the dogs forward while Rusty headed off to another part of the pen. “You’ll love these two, Josh. This is Tommy, he’s a purebred beagle, and Odie is a bagle.” At his look, she explained, “A basset mixed with a beagle.”
The two portly boys trotted over on short legs with wagging tails as they approached the other two dogs. Kookie blocked them, offering her face for a sniff and refusing to let them near Stella.
“I don’t think she’s going to let Stella socialize,” Dr. K said. “Darcy, why don’t you take her in the kennel a
nd distract her while Josh and I work with these guys?”
Darcy looked up with a flick of her eyebrows to send a silent message to Josh, something they’d started to do with surprising frequency. This one was either I warned you or I can stay if you want. But he gave his head a quick shake to let her know he was fine.
Whatever “the Dogfather” was going to ask or say, Josh was confident he could handle it.
“Sure thing,” Darcy said, moving fast to stand and scoop up Kookie before the dog realized what was happening. She gave a quick bark of displeasure, but Darcy snagged a treat from the bag hanging on the fence and set off. “Have fun, you guys.”
Was it his imagination, or had she skedaddled a little too fast?
“All right, then, Odie, Tommy. Be nice to Stella,” Dr. K instructed, keeping a hand on Stella’s head while the other two dogs came closer. “I’m letting her know she’s safe,” he told Josh. “But also giving them room to introduce themselves and sniff each other.”
“It’s quite the dance these dogs do,” Josh said.
Dr. K chuckled. “They’re fascinating creatures, don’t you think?”
Stella backed up a few steps, then gave in to the attention from the other dogs.
“Like I told Darcy, I haven’t had a dog of my own since I was a kid,” Josh said. “I’ve always wanted one, but I’m gone all day at work, almost always at construction sites, so it didn’t seem good for a dog.”
“The right dog finds you, I always say.” He carefully took his hand off Stella’s head and stood, both of them watching her closely for any signs of discomfort or fear. “Kind of like the right person to love, don’t you think?”
Whoa. That didn’t take long. Josh fought a smile, not because of the speed of the question, but thinking about telling Darcy about it later. “I suppose,” he said.
The older man looked up, his blue gaze clear and steady, and maybe one shade lighter than Darcy’s. “Was it difficult for you?” he asked.
“Finding the right person? I haven’t.” And never plan to. But that didn’t seem like a response that would go over well.
He laughed softly. “I meant going back to where you lived before, hunting down your ex, facing the past?”
Josh exhaled and considered all the possible answers, but knew the truth. “For the most part, it was very easy with Darcy along. Fun, actually,” he added, thinking of the night before.
“That’s her gift,” Dr. K replied. “She’s like light in a human form.”
“Yes. That’s exactly what she is.”
The older man looked amused, making Josh wonder if maybe his response was a little too enthusiastic.
“So, it’s worked out well with her as a tenant?”
Was that a joke? Well? They’d nearly fallen into bed together last night, and every kiss was hotter than the one before. How should he answer that?
“It hasn’t been very long,” he finally said. “And Stella’s blindness threw us into a tailspin. But, yes, I think Darcy will be a great tenant.”
Dr. K nodded, quiet for a moment as they watched the three dogs interact. Stella was doing really well. Not exactly rolling around and playing with the other two, but not backing off in fear, either.
Dr. K put his hands in the pockets of his trousers and looked at the kennels where Darcy had disappeared. “She thinks I arranged this, doesn’t she? That you two would meet and hit it off? I mean, I’m not blind—no offense, Stella,” he joked.
Josh laughed, knowing it sounded a little nervous. “We have hit it off,” he admitted. “And, yes, she does think you’ve done some of your world-class matchmaking.”
“The irony is that I didn’t,” he said. “Certainly not intentionally, because I don’t…” He hesitated, thinking for a moment. “I don’t relish the thought of losing her.”
Josh had no idea what to say, so he stayed quiet, waiting for more.
“I haven’t even nudged her toward anyone because…” He blew out a half sigh, half laugh. “I’m not ready to let go of her.”
“She is your youngest,” Josh said. “And very special.”
The compliment made her father smile. “Very special.”
Yep, this was a good old if you lay a hand on my daughter talk that he’d like to say he didn’t need, but he had laid a few hands on her last night, and every minute that passed made him want to lay everything on her. He stayed silent.
And Dr. K looked at him. Oh man.
“Um, sir, if you want me to back off, of course I can…” He let his voice trail off as the other man looked sharply at him. “But I’d rather not,” he finished.
“You’re very recently out of a serious relationship.”
Josh nodded, answering with the utmost care. “With no intention of getting into another.”
That made Dr. K laugh. “My mother would say you don’t always get what you pray for, and that’s the real blessing.”
“I think the Rolling Stones said the same thing, only with, you know, guitars.”
Another laugh, the sound of it taking Josh’s tension down a notch.
“So what is it that you want?” Dr. K asked.
And the tension went ratcheting back up again. “I want to help Stella regain her sight,” he answered without hesitation, because it was not a lie.
“With Darcy?”
“She and I are both invested in Stella.” Just then, Stella turned from one of the dogs and made her way to Josh, finding his shoe and taking a few sniffs of something familiar. Without thinking, he crouched down to pet her. “I care for Darcy a lot, sir. And I think it’s mutual.”
“Well, that’s…”
Josh looked up when he didn’t finish, catching a look of dismay that he didn’t think he was supposed to see.
“That’s great,” Dr. K finished. “I’m pleased that…” He chuckled at himself as he struggled with the words. “Actually, I’m kicking myself.”
“Because you didn’t set us up?”
“Oh, if only it were that simple. No, I’m kicking myself because she’s…the last one. Sometimes I think I saved the best for last.”
Josh straightened to his full height. “They’re all pretty great, but I might agree with you.”
He put his hand on Josh’s shoulder, giving him a friendly, fatherly pat, then looking him right in the eyes. “Don’t hurt her.”
“I won’t.” But could he keep that promise? He wasn’t ever going to be vulnerable again. He’d never trust anyone, no matter how sweet or bright or warm or perfect. He wouldn’t ever let down his guard, but he was going to sleep with her. It was only a matter of when, where, and how frequently.
“And don’t tell her about this conversation.”
That was another impossible promise to keep. “To be honest, sir, I think she’d be relieved to know you didn’t pull strings. She rebels against that, you know.”
“Oh, I know. But I kind of like having her think I did it, especially if I get one more W on the scoreboard.”
A W on the scoreboard?
“It really helps my reputation as the Dogfather,” he admitted.
Josh smiled at him, ready for the internal response that would deny he was even that close to winning at his matchmaking again. Because that would mean…
But nothing like that denial rose up in Josh. Another emotion did. Along with an old memory and a familiar longing that stretched inside his chest.
Pops.
What was it about this man that reminded him of his own father? They couldn’t have been more different. One had been a working-class, hardscrabble, roughhewn man of simple needs and basic pleasures. The other held domain over a hundred acres, six amazing offspring, and exuded a raw and real power that demanded respect.
But they both had soft hearts for their kids, deep love for their wives, and a straightforward code of ethics that guided them through life.
God, he missed that. He missed Pops. So much, in that moment, it choked him up.
“Kookie was not happy be
ing away from her little charge.”
Darcy’s voice made him turn toward the kennels as she came out, walking with her brother Aidan and his fiancée, Beck, and at least three other dogs of various sizes and shapes.
A few feet ahead of them, Kookie tore over the grass to get back to Stella and Darcy followed. Both woman and dog moved with spirit and joy, one barking, one laughing, both tugging at him in ways he swore he couldn’t be tugged. As Kookie came closer, he scooped her up the same way he wanted to snag and hold and love on Darcy.
And she kicked and thrashed and wagged her tail furiously, rejecting the love when she wanted something else. Also like Darcy.
He lowered Kookie to the ground, and she practically dove at Stella, licking and pawing her little friend.
Josh bent down to pet them both. In a second, Kookie climbed back into his arms and Stella jumped up on his leg to snuggle closer, but his attention was immediately stolen by Darcy.
“Look at that sight,” she teased. “A man and two females who adore him.”
And look at that sight, he thought. A woman with a smile as blinding as the sun behind her, her blond hair swaying, her body moving with grace and ease, her whole being drawing him closer and closer to the very place he swore he’d never be. Vulnerable. Open. Willing to go through it all again.
Dr. K pulled his phone out of his pocket, and for a second, Josh thought he was going to take a picture of Josh, a portrait of a helpless man, almost on his knees, covered in dogs and internal torture. But Dr. K merely read a text, and his face broke into a wide smile.
“Darcy, Josh. I think congratulations are in order for you.”
Darcy almost tripped as she reached them. “What did you two talk about?”
Her father turned the phone so she could see the screen. “Judy said the Vestal Valley veterinarian department has accepted Stella for admittance into the SARDS study, with the first treatment scheduled for tomorrow morning.”
“Really?” Josh set Kookie and Stella on the ground and was up instantly, looking at the phone.
“Woo-hoo!” Darcy exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. “We did it!”
As he hugged and twirled her with unabashed joy, he glanced over her head and caught her father watching them embrace, a profound look of sadness in his eyes for a veterinarian who should be very happy right now.