Magical Weddings (39 page)

He opened his eyes to look at her, then closed them. A moment later, he let out a loud snore.

Poor guy. Who knows the last time he’d had a comfortable place to sleep. She hoped she’d find his owner, or if not, a good home for him, but that could be tough. Even though he was a great dog, pit bulls could be hard to place.

As she walked over to the closet, her thoughts drifted back to the man in the park—Devon. While not Hollywood handsome like Mark, he was still very attractive. There was an inherent strength in his face. His features were firm, and the shadow of a beard gave him an even more manly appearance. He wore his tawny-gold hair short and off his forehead. She was sure one look from his deep-chocolate eyes could melt his wife’s heart. Kya had noticed the wedding ring on his finger almost immediately. Just because she was engaged didn’t mean she couldn’t appreciate a good-looking guy.

She shifted her thoughts back to the present, took a pink scoop-neck tee and a pair of khaki pants out of the closet, and quickly got dressed. Before doing her hair, she checked her phone for messages. Mark had sent a text that he was going to be late. Nothing new there. She wrote back telling him she’d rather eat in than go out and asked him to pick up some sushi on his way over. She added she had a surprise for him. Kya glanced over at the dog and smiled.

Mark wasn’t really an animal lover. It wasn’t that he disliked them, he just didn’t understand them or feel the need to own one. She attributed part of that to his upbringing. He’d never had a pet as a child. While he tolerated her work, she knew he couldn’t understand her passion for it. She’d hoped to change that. Maybe tonight would be a good starting point. While he wasn’t crazy about her bringing shelter animals home, since Lucky was so well-behaved and intelligent, she couldn’t imagine that Mark would mind him being there. Besides, at some point Kya was going to be ready for another dog. Better to get him warmed to the idea now than to have marriage difficulties down the road.

She dried her hair, pulled it back into a ponytail, put on some mascara and lip gloss, and said to her image reflected in the vanity mirror, “Good enough.” When she left the bedroom, Lucky dove off the bed, following at her heels.

Kya went into the living room, took her camera off a shelf in the bookcase, and snapped a picture of the dog. She uploaded it to the Helping Hearts website and Facebook page with a notice informing the public that she was looking for his owner. A few minutes later, her doorbell rang.

“Oh, good. Dinner’s here.” She gave the dog’s head a pat, then went into the foyer to let Mark in.

He looked especially handsome standing there with a bag of takeout food in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. “I come bearing gifts.” He stepped inside, set the items on a hall table, and took Kya in his arms. “I missed you,” he whispered against her cheek.

“I missed you too.”

His lips brushed hers in a quick, soft kiss. “Hungry?” He reached for the sushi before he headed for the kitchen.

“I’m starving.” She scooped up the flowers he’d left on the table and raced after him.

“Is that your surprise?” He stopped suddenly at the living room and stared at Lucky sprawled out on the couch. “Another rescue?”

Lucky lifted his head and looked back at Mark.

“That’s Lucky. That’s what I call him, anyway. His real name is George.”

I hate that name.

“I’m not crazy about it either, especially for a dog, but I wouldn’t say I hated it.” Kya wondered why Mark was looking at her strangely.

“I don’t hate it. I don’t have anything against the name George. Besides, what difference does it make what you name a dog? It’s not like he cares what you call him.”

I do too care.

Kya narrowed her eyes as she glanced back at the couch. Lucky was sitting up now, staring at her with a look she could only call amused. “So you didn’t say that you hated the name George?” she asked Mark.

“No. I already told you that.”

Her gaze was still locked with Lucky’s, and for a brief second, she wondered if what she’d heard had come from him, but then realized how delusional it was to even think that. “Guess I’m so hungry, I’m hearing things,” she said with a shrug. “Let’s eat.” She took his hand and pulled him toward the kitchen.

She put the flowers in a vase, then set the table while Mark unloaded the takeout bag.

“I got our favorites—Tokyo Roll.” He handed her the carton. “Rainbow Roll and Spicy Scallop Roll.”

She frowned. “I don’t eat scallops.”

“Oh, I forgot you don’t like them.”

“That’s not it. I’m allergic.”

“Oops, that’s right. Sorry.”

She pushed the scallop roll in front of him. “No problem.”

Kya took the top off one of the other cartons and took a bite of the roll. “Delicious.” She took another couple of bites, waiting for him to ask about the Chateau, but that didn’t happen. He talked about the documentary he was filming and how much he was learning about Central America, but he never mentioned their wedding plans.

She had to admit she was hurt, disappointed, and even a little bit angry. She planned on getting married only once. This was a big deal. She’d thought it was for him too. However, she was beginning to wonder if that was true. Thankfully, Lucky came trotting into the room at just the right time. If she continued to dwell on Mark’s shortcomings, it would ruin the night. Lucky sat next to her chair and rested his head in her lap.

“So what’s the story with the dog?”

“I found him at the beach this morning after looking at the Chateau.” She hoped the mention of the reception would trigger a wedding discussion.

He looked at Lucky. “You’re not going to keep him here, are you?”

She set her fork down on her plate and pursed her lips. “I don’t know, Mark. I might.”

“You know how I feel about dogs.”

“And you know how I feel. They’re a big part of my life. That’s never going to change.” Her tone was more abrupt than she’d intended.

He stopped eating to reach across the table and place his hand over hers. “Let’s enjoy tonight. Okay?”

“Sure,” she said flatly and popped the top onto her dinner.

“I thought you were starving.”

“Guess my eyes were bigger than my stomach.”

“Or it could be that you’re annoyed with me.”

She got up and put her food in the refrigerator.

“Hey, how did you like the Chateau? Are we all set there?”

Finally, he asked, and only because she was unhappy with him. Kya kept her back to him so he wouldn’t see the annoyance on her face. “It was beautiful. Everything I’d envisioned.”

“As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”

She pasted on a smile as she turned toward him. “It’s the perfect place for our wedding. Even better than Villa Dego.”

Mark got up and went over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Before we know it, you’ll be Mrs. Green.”

She smiled and rested her head against his chest. “I can’t wait. By the way, Shelley put a rush on the new invitations. We should have them in a day or so.”

“There aren’t many to resend on my side.”

Mark’s family consisted of his dad and his brother, and he’d moved around so much that he had very few close friends. “Well, my list more than makes up for your short one. My mom invited everyone I’ve ever known.” She laughed.

“Sometimes I think this is more her wedding than yours.” He kissed her cheek, then went over to the table, stuck the rest of the scallop roll back in its container, and put it in the takeout bag. “Sorry to leave so soon, but I’ve got work to do tonight, and I have to be back at the studio by four a.m. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Kya walked him to the door. After he left, she went back into the kitchen and took her dinner out of the refrigerator. She’d begun to eat the rest of it when Lucky, who was sitting at her feet, scratched at her leg with his paw.

I can’t believe you’re going to marry that jerk.

She dropped her fork, and it hit the plate with a clatter. “What’s wrong with me? Am I losing my mind?”

There’s nothing wrong with you, except that you’re marrying the wrong guy.

She stared into the dog’s deep brown eyes. “Then why do I think you’re talking to me?”

Because I am.

“But that’s not possible. Maybe I put too much wasabi in my soy sauce, and I’m hallucinating.”

You know that’s not it. We really are having a conversation. Okay, my part might only be in your head, but it’s still real.

She shook her head as if that would make the voice she was hearing go away. “This is crazy. Just crazy, and it can’t really be happening.”

I’ll prove it to you. Ask me a question.

She took a deep breath. She didn’t want to continue with this insanity but didn’t know how to stop it. “What were you doing at the beach out on the rocks?”

I was looking for Daisy. I had been all week. I kept checking the park, but she didn’t come back until today.

She scowled. What he said made sense and went along with what the dog warden had said about him being at the park. “Go on.”

I started looking around town hoping to find her. By the time I reached the beach, I was starving and thought if I went out on the rocks, maybe I could find a dead fish. Instead, I got my paw caught.
Lucky licked her hand.
Thanks for saving my life, by the way.

Kya stroked the top of his head. “You’re welcome. Why were you looking for Daisy?”

Because I love her, and we want to be together. Maybe you could arrange that? Devon’s a really good guy. If you were to dump the jerk and start seeing Daisy’s human…

Kya sprang to her feet and started pacing the floor. Now things were really getting nuts. It was weird enough that she was talking to a dog, but to have him suggest that she go out with Devon was beyond insane.

I guess you have a problem with that.

Kya stopped walking and faced Lucky. “Of course I do. I’m engaged, and he’s married.”

No, he’s not.

“Then what do you call the gold band on his left hand?”

Daisy told me his wife died last year.

“And he’s still wearing his wedding ring?” A heavy feeling settled in her stomach as she thought of the pain Devon had endured.

Yep, and that’s another reason you two should go out. He needs to let go and move on.

Kya shook her head. “I know you mean well, but that’s just not going to happen, for a number of reasons.”

Lucky flopped down on the floor and put his head between his paws, letting out a loud snort.

“Sorry you don’t like that, but it’s reality.” She suddenly realized how ridiculous she sounded talking about reality when she was carrying on a weird telepathic conversation with a canine. “Besides,” she continued, “you can’t stay with me forever. When I find your owner, you’ll have to go home.”

Even if you take me back, I won’t stay.

Kya walked over to him. “Why, you didn’t like it there?”

I was tied out back most of the time. That woman and her bratty little redheaded kid never played with me, and those stupid little yappy dogs were constantly prancing around like they owned the place. So the truth is, when I broke the rope and went looking for Daisy, I’m not sorry I got lost. I was happier when I was out on the streets, eating out of garbage cans and sleeping in alleys, than I was in that house.

Her chest tightened with sorrow. “Well, you don’t have anything to worry about right now. You’ll stay with me. But if I find your owner, I’m obligated to give you back. I’m sorry.”

Lucky lifted his head and stared into her eyes.
Maybe you don’t have to look so hard?

Kya leaned over and kissed the top of his head. “There’s not really much more I can do, anyway.”

****

Devon finished grading the last paper, then placed it at the top of the pile. He leaned back in the chair and looked down at Daisy lying next to him before shifting his gaze to the picture of Charlene that he kept on his desk. It seemed like just yesterday the two of them would go to the dog park and play with Daisy, so today when Daisy ran behind the tree, emerging with the ball in her mouth and a woman behind her, the sense of déjà vu was uncanny and made even more unreal because the woman looked remarkably like Char. Up close, of course, there were distinct differences, but there were still enough similarities to make Devon hope he’d see Kya again.

He knew it was unhealthy to hold on to the past, but that was the only thing that got him through the day. If he were to let go, his world, what little there was left of it, would shatter completely, and he didn’t know if he was strong enough to put it back together.

He ran his hand over Daisy’s back, and she looked up at him with loving eyes. “Thank goodness I still have you,” he said softly. “Kya seemed nice, huh? And you’re crazy about George, or Lucky, that’s for sure.”

She wagged her tail, thumping it on the floor as if she knew what he was saying.

“It would be nice if she continued to bring him to the park. I haven’t socialized with a woman in a long time. I know she’s engaged—how could I miss the rock on her finger—and I’m certainly not ready for any kind of relationship myself, but having a woman to talk to on occasion would be a step in the right direction, don’t you think?”

Daisy cocked her head to the side, then licked his hand.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He switched off the Tiffany-style lamp on his desk, then walked into the bedroom.

He normally didn’t dream, and if he did, he didn’t remember them, but this night he tossed and turned, plagued by images of Charlene and Kya, separate at times and at others appearing as one.

When he woke the next morning, he felt as if he hadn’t slept a wink and wondered if he was opening a can of worms by hoping to see Kya again. However, he planned to take Daisy to the park after work, knowing there was a chance she’d be there.

Kya unlocked the Helping Hearts front door, and as she and Lucky walked inside, Pepper raced over to greet them. “Good morning, Pep. Would you like breakfast?”