Love To The Rescue (12 page)

Technically, standing on her deck, he wasn’t ‘in’ her house, but he’d learned long ago arguing semantics with a woman was a useless endeavor. He scrubbed his face with his hand. If she’d only hear him out.

“I thought we meant something special to each other, but clearly I was mistaken.”

“If you’d let me explain about that...”

“I won’t tolerate you two-timing me.” She pointed toward the deck door. “Out!”

“If you believe I’m a cheater, then I’m going.” Kevin grabbed his polo shirt off a nearby chair and strode into the house through the screen door she’d left open.

*

A few seconds after Kevin disappeared into the house, Amy heard the front door slam. “Good riddance,” she whispered aloud.

Her mind reeled with what she’d overheard. She was just another woman he dated. How could she have so thoroughly misread him? She’d done the right thing, sending Kevin away. Whoever this Sarah was, she was welcome to him.

But her heart was having a hard time accepting her decision. She would miss him terribly. Despite how badly he’d misled her, she’d miss his smile, his laugh, his warm arm around her while they sat close together in a darkened movie theater. The way he groaned in appreciation from the first sip of a cold beer after a hard day’s work, or tasted a perfectly grilled steak, or popped a handful of chocolate chips into his mouth while he watched her bake a batch of his favorite cookies.

And then she felt a cold nose on her hand.

She looked down, met Rover’s terrified eyes. “I’m so sorry we frightened you, big guy. It’s all right now. That two-timer is gone.” Amy slumped into a lawn chair and reached out her hand to the trembling dog.

Rover crawled out from under the table and laid his head on her thigh. She could feel the poor dog trembling like a leaf in a wind storm, and then he settled his head on her leg and crossed his paws over his nose, hiding his face from her.

“Are you just frightened, Rover? Or are you praying?” Amy caressed one silky red ear. “It’s going to be okay.”

The dog raised his head and lifted his hind leg up, attempting to clamber onto Amy’s lap. “You’re not a lap dog, Rover.” She laughed and slid off the chair, settled onto the deck floor. Rover lay across her legs, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Kevin is gone, and we’re not going to miss him, you hear? I don’t care if you liked him or not. He’s not the man we thought he was.”

Rover stared at her, confusion evident in his eyes.

“I know you’re wondering what happened. Well, it’s like this. Most men, like my late husband, are exceptional guys—thoughtful, loving, excellent providers, affectionate, good companions. Faithful. Of course, if there’s a big game on TV, forget it. You might as well talk to the wall as talk to a man during a football match or a hockey game. I never did understand that sports-on-TV thing. But that’s no big deal when you think about it. At least, you know your man isn’t out carousing with other women in a bar or something.”

Rover licked her hand and stared at her, as if taking in every word.

Amy continued, “Now in your case, your first owner short-changed you, Rover. He was mean and abusive. And then when you escaped from him you lived on the streets—starving, cold, frightened and alone. I’m sure that really sucked. But third time’s the charm, big guy. Now you’re mine, and I’ll never allow anyone to harm you again.”

Rover’s tail wagged, and Amy smiled. This dog understands every word I say, she thought.

“My husband, Allan, never cheated on me. He travelled extensively, and we’d be separated for weeks on end. He never cheated, and neither did I. He was a great guy. You would have liked him, Rover. Anyway, if I become involved with another man, I refuse to settle for anything less than what I had with Allan. Fidelity or forget it.”

Rover whined and wandered over to the patio doors.

“Okay, we’ll miss Kevin. At least, for awhile anyway. Maybe someday we’ll find another guy, and we’ll work on that trust thing again.” Amy struggled to her feet and met the dog’s eyes. “And I’m not just talking about you.”

Chapter 8

The next morning, Amy awoke to someone persistently ringing her doorbell. Probably some darn kid looking for empty pop cans for his hockey team or Boy Scouts troop. Then she decided that wasn’t it, or she would have found a slip of paper in the mailbox announcing the collection date.

Rover barked from beside her on the bed. When she opened her eyes, blinding sunlight streamed through her bedroom window. She glanced at the bedside clock and blinked in disbelief. Eleven o’clock.

No wonder.

She’d tossed and turned until four, and then she’d finally dozed off cuddled up beside Rover. The dog’s warmth comforted her and soothed the gaping hole in her heart resulting from Kevin’s betrayal. She cringed recalling how loudly he’d slammed her front door when he departed. She’d never seen a trace of anger in Kevin during the entire time they’d dated. Obviously, being caught in the deception triggered such an uncharacteristic response.

But she’d been the injured party, she reminded herself. She’d every right to send his butt packing.

The doorbell rang again and again.

Amy dragged herself out of bed, slipped into a silk dressing gown to cover her skimpy nightie, and staggered downstairs. She shoved Rover out the deck door to do his business and then headed for the front entryway.

“Coming,” she called, tripping over one of Rover’s stuffed toys while making her way down the hallway. She peeked through the peep hole and almost rubbed her eyes, not believing what she saw.

Amy opened the front door and seriously considered berating the man standing there. And then she noticed the little girl leaning against his side.

“Amy,” began Kevin, his eyes shifting from her to the child and back up to her again. “I’m sorry I stormed out of here last night. And I’ll leave now if you insist, but first I’d like you to meet my daughter. She’s seven years old and her name is Sarah.”

“Hello, Ms. MacArthur. I’m pleased to meet you,” recited the petite blond-haired girl with the prettiest brown eyes Amy had ever seen. She wore dark pink jeans and a matching hoodie. Hidden within the polite, obviously rehearsed greeting, Amy detected a measure of sadness.

“I…I…I’m happy to meet you, too,” stammered Amy, meeting Kevin’s eyes. “
This
is the Sarah you were…”

Kevin nodded his head. “Could we come in, please? Sarah would like to meet Rover, and I need to explain a few things.”

Amy stepped aside, feeling like a complete fool.
Please God, forgive me for all the wrongful accusations I uttered and all of my horrible thoughts against this man.

“Kevin, I’m so sorry I…”

“Later, okay? Where’s Rover?”

“He’s in the backyard.” Amy smiled at Sarah. “Would you like to meet the nicest dog in the world?”

Sarah dropped her head and studied her shoes. “Yes. Please,” she added in a whisper.

Amy led the way into the kitchen, slid the glass doors open, and stepped onto the deck. “Here, Rover. Come meet Sarah.”

The big red dog bounded across the lawn, raced up the steps, and then stopped in his tracks when he noticed Sarah. His tail started wagging and he pussy-footed toward the little girl as if he detected her hesitation.

“Let him smell your hand, Sarah, like I told you,” instructed Kevin.

His daughter met her father’s eyes and then did as he suggested. The big dog quickly sniffed her small hand and then licked her fingers to say hello.

“He likes me, Daddy,” whispered Sarah.

“Of course, he likes you,” Amy interjected. “Do you want to throw the ball for him?”

“Okay.”

“There’s a yellow tennis ball lying down there.” Amy pointed to the bottom of the stairs. “If you throw it, he’ll bring it back so you can throw it again.”

Sarah grasped the handrail, and Amy watched the pretty child in her pale pink sneakers dash down the wide wooden steps. “Come on, Rover,” she called and the dog bounded down the stairs after her.

Amy turned and met Kevin’s eyes. “Before you say a word, I’d like to apologize for my deplorable behavior last night. I should have listened when you offered to explain. I feel like a horse’s ass right now.”

“Well, you’re a beautiful horse’s ass, especially first thing in the morning all sexy looking with your hair mussed up.”

Amy gasped and her hands flew to her head. She’d totally forgotten she’d just crawled out of bed seconds before answering the door. “Oh my God! I must look frightful!”

“Sarah didn’t even notice. If you didn’t frighten a small child, how bad can it be?” Kevin grinned, wickedly.

Amy turned her attention to the girl playing with her dog. “Sarah and Rover seem to be getting along fine.”

Kevin nodded. “She loves animals. Maybe I should have bought her a kitten or a guinea pig since we don’t have room for a dog at my townhouse.”

“Children should have a pet. Even a goldfish. Teaches responsibility and there’s always someone to tell your secrets to. And you can be assured they won’t be repeated.” Amy laughed. “If our German shepherd, Willie, could have talked, my mother would have throttled me on a few occasions. Thankfully, he kept my secrets.”

“We had a dog, too. Never told him any secrets though. But he excelled at catching a ball. We could have signed him up as a fielder in the big leagues.” Kevin grinned.

“Do you want coffee? I need coffee,” groaned Amy, heading back inside.

“Coffee would be good.” Kevin called across the yard, “We’re going inside to make coffee, Sarah. Don’t go out of the yard, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy,” called Sarah, throwing the ball again and giggling.

“Man, I love that.” Kevin’s voice sounded a little choked up. “It’s been too long since I heard her laughing.”

Amy headed into the kitchen with Kevin on her heels.

“Once I’m sufficiently fortified, you can explain why you have a daughter. And why I haven’t heard about her before now.” Amy measured coffee into the basket and then she almost dropped the scoop. She whipped around, met Kevin’s eyes and gasped. “Please don’t tell me you’re a married man!”

“Widower, well no, divorced. Both. I didn’t mention Sarah because most single women I’ve dated head out the door the minute I mention the words ‘divorced’ and ‘seven-year-old daughter’.” Kevin sighed. “I’ve learned to keep quiet about my home life. Most women aren’t looking for a built-in family.”

Amy stared at him, wondering the age of the women he’d been dating. A lot of career women were obsessed with their work and furthering themselves in their companies. Most weren’t even looking for Mr. Right or considering marriage until well into their thirties. His story held water in that respect. But when she met Allan in her early twenties she couldn’t wait to get married. “To each her own,” she observed.

“Sarah’s mother divorced me and immediately headed to Europe with some musician in a jazz group. Her parents got word that she’d been killed in a car accident in Germany about six months ago. They flew her body back to Canada, and Sarah and I attended the funeral in Regina, Barbara’s hometown. We haven’t heard from her parents since. Barbara willed her grandmother’s inheritance to me, and that really riled her parents. They don’t believe I’ll spend it on their granddaughter. They used to visit a couple of times a year, but they blame me for everything: the unplanned pregnancy, the divorce, Barbara running away to Europe, her death. It’s totally ridiculous. Unfortunately, Sarah is paying the price. ”

That bit of information totally explained the sadness Amy heard in the little girl’s voice and the blank expression in her eyes. “Poor Sarah. She must feel so abandoned.”

“I’m using some of the money I received from Barbara to employ an older lady as full-time live-in nanny/housekeeper. Neither Sarah nor I have looked back.” Kevin stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Trust me. If I was a married man, I wouldn’t be dating the prettiest lady in the city.”

“I would hope not. But I’ve known a few guys who spend more time with their women-on-the-side than they do with their wives.” The guy who owned her favorite bookstore was a notorious womanizer. Knowing that the despicable man cheated on his lovely wife irritated Amy, and she’d seriously thought about telling the woman. But then she’d considered the ramifications of breaking up a family, and perhaps his wife knew anyway and just ignored his philandering.

“Amy, I never even looked at another woman while I was married.” Kevin brushed her cheek with a kiss. “In fact, you’re the first woman I’ve considered starting a relationship with since Barbara left. I’ve concentrated all of my attention on Sarah, attempting to fill the void created by her mother’s sudden departure.”

Suddenly, Sarah and Rover burst into the kitchen through the open deck doors. “Daddy, I’m thirsty. I need a drink, please.” Sarah brushed her long hair off her flushed, but beaming, face. Clearly, she was having fun.

“Here you go,” said Amy, passing her a glass of water.

Sarah gulped it down and handed the glass back to her. “I like your doggie.” She shyly peeked up at Amy.

“See Rover’s tail wagging? That’s a sure sign he likes you, too.” Amy smiled. “Go play outside again. Rover will fetch that ball all day if you throw it.”

“Okay. Come on, Rover,” called Sarah. On her way out the back door, she dropped the tennis ball which rolled across the kitchen floor. The big red dog scooped it up in his mouth and bounded outside with Sarah racing after him.

Amy flipped the switch on the coffee maker. “How’s Sarah doing? She must have felt totally devastated after her mother’s death.”

“Sarah doesn’t talk about her mother, with me or with Mrs. Harris, the housekeeper. I put my daughter in therapy for the first couple of months, but the therapist told me she wouldn’t open up to him. Thought I was just wasting my money. I have no idea what’s going through that little girl’s mind.”

“How was she doing in school last year?” asked Amy.

“She hated school, but she passed to Grade Two. I don’t know what to do to help her prepare for next year.” Kevin dragged his hands through his hair.