Chapter Fifteen
“W hat the hell have you got there?” Cam’s brow furrowed as Anna walked into the nearly completed ten-thousand-plus-square-foot mansion overlooking the Ohio River.
Her breath still caught at the spectacular view the Yoshidas had from their property on the cliffs high above the river right off Sunset Ridge Lane. Four sets of French doors allowed a breathtaking view from the huge high-ceilinged main living area. They led out to a deck on three sides of the stone and cedar and glass home. It was one of her very best designs, and Anna was rightfully proud.
But today, the whole family was there to continue the finish work so the home would be ready for the Yoshidas’ arrival next week. She set Trixie’s crate on the floor of the kitchen and opened it as she shot her brother a smile. “This is Trixie.” She brought the puppy out and set her on down on the natural slate. Rather than sniff or explore, Trixie immediately sat down and gazed up at Anna, fear in her big eyes.
“Oh my God, what a cutie.” Maddie, who’d been attaching brushed pewter hardware to the hickory cabinets, set her screwdriver on the quartz countertop.
Cam rushed over to grab it. “Don’t put anything on the bare countertop. How many times have I told you guys?” He shoved the screwdriver in his pocket.
Tossing a side-eye to Cam, Maddie knelt down next to Trixie. “Hello, little girl.” She stroked between her ears and rubbed her head. “Anna, you got a puppy?”
“I’m fostering her until the rescue can find her a permanent home.” Anna slipped on Trixie’s harness, although it was clear the puppy had no intention of moving. “She’s kinda wary of new surfaces.” She snapped on the leash and took a couple of steps away. “Trixie, come.”
But Trixie shrank back, clearly frightened.
“Can I pick her up?” Maddie asked, already reaching for the dog.
“Not yet.” Anna took step forward and commanded. “Trixie, come.” She kept her tone even and firm and waited.
All of a sudden, Joe, Kara, Harper, and Jack appeared into the doorway, laughing and chattering. Trixie leaped to Anna, landing on the toe of her sneaker with a whimper. “Oh, honey.” Anna bent down and gathered the puppy into her arms. “You’re okay.”
The others suddenly grew quiet, gaping until Jack finally said, “That’s a dog.”
“A Papillon to be exact.” Anna nuzzled Trixie for a few seconds. “Okay, kiddo, let’s try it again.” She set the puppy on the slate floor and walked a few steps away. “Trixie, come.”
Trixie sat.
“Trixie, come.”
Acutely aware of her family standing around slack-jawed at the sight of her with a puppy, Anna tried again. “Trixie. Come.”
Trixie stood up, squirmed for a couple of seconds and then promptly peed on the slate floor before dancing over to Anna. Maddie rushed to grab a paper towel from Cam’s box of shop rags, dampened it with her water bottle, and slapped it down on the tiny puddle Trixie had left.
Anna picked up her puppy. “Now what? Do I praise her for walking on the slate or scold her for peeing on it?” she asked, hoping someone would have an answer.
Fortunately, Kara spoke up. “Ignore the peeing on the floor—she’s too young to understand, and she’s scared right now with all these people around. Set her back down and walk her a little bit. Then praise her for walking with you.”
Joe shook his head. “No, she shouldn’t think peeing on the floor is okay.”
Maddie nodded in agreement, but Jack disagreed. “She’s already forgotten she peed where she shouldn’t have. It’s too late. As I understand it, puppies have very short attention spans. And by the way, Anna, why do you have a puppy?”
“Yeah.” Joe came over, took Trixie in his work-roughened hands, and held her up to stare into her face. “Our Anna hates dogs, little one. How did you get hooked up with her?”
Anna bristled. “I don’t hate dogs. I like dogs.”
“You’ve never had one.” Cam came around the oversized kitchen island with another shop rag, squirted more water on the spot from his own bottle, and wiped at it again. “I think it’s okay. The finish resists stains.” He gave it another swipe. “Yeah, we’re okay.” He glared up at Anna. “No thanks to you. Did I miss something? Is it bring-your-pet-to-work day?”
“I had to bring her.” Anna took Trixie back. “I can’t leave her at home alone the whole day, and it would interrupt the day too badly to keep driving home to check on her.”
Jack shook his head. “Come back around, please. Why do you have a dog?”
While Anna explained as succinctly as she could how she came to foster Trixie, Maddie, Kara, and Harper passed the puppy around, oohing and ahhing over her winglike ears, soft fur, and sweet face.
“Cam, quit being a punk. The floor’s fine. Isn’t it fine, sweetie?” Harper cooed at Trixie and snuggled her against her shoulder. “You are so precious.” She handed her back to Anna. “Of course you can’t leave her home alone.”
“She’ll be fine in her crate.” Anna set the dog down and walked her around the vast main floor of the house, noting with a good girl each time Trixie went from slate to hardwood and back to slate without hesitation. “She’s had breakfast. I’ve got a bag with treats and a water dish. She’ll probably nap or play with her toys all day.”
Cam shook his head. “Whatever. We’ve got less than a week before the Yoshidas’ closing. Their furniture is here waiting for them. I’ve got Eli’s crew working upstairs putting up doors. Joe’s crew is outside getting the last of the yard work done. Kara, are you in or out?”
“I’m out. There’s still a bunch of stuff that needs planting.” Kara passed by Anna and gave Trixie one more pat.
“The rest of us need to work down here and in the walkout.” He turned to Maddie. “Are you sure you can’t spare anyone else?”
Maddie pulled out her phone and squinted at the screen. “I can’t. Every other crew is pushing on other jobs.” She scrolled for a second, then said, “Yeah, no—we’re all we got.”
“Not all .” A voice from the doorway turned them all around. Jazz, dressed in denim overalls and a long-sleeved Henley, offered a wave and a smile. “Tierney’s got Leo. Sarajane and Cornell are watching the arts center. Put me to work.” She looked around and sucked in a breath when she noticed Trixie in Anna’s arms. “What a darling puppy! Can I hold it?”
Cam groaned as Jazz went to Anna in a rush.
“Only for a second,” Anna said. “I need to put her back in the crate so we can get to work, or Cam’ll have a hissy fit.”
*
Almost four hours later, Trixie’s insistent whimpering forced Anna to set down the small finish hammer she’d used to apply the hickory trim to the built-in bookcases in the library. She’d walked her outside once, where the dog had obligingly taken care of business, earning herself a treat and a short walk across the sod that Joe and Kara’s crew had laid several weeks before. After a quick cuddle from Maddie, who was helping with the bookcases, Trixie went back into her crate and quietly chewed her Kong and snoozed for a while, but soon she was whimpering again.
Another successful trip outside, but after Anna brought her back in, the puppy simply wasn’t having any of the crate and continued to cry piteously while Anna tried to work. Jazz wandered in and knelt down to pet Trixie’s nose through the door. “Want me to take her into the living room with me, maybe give her a different view?”
Anna blew a frustrated breath into her bangs. “Do you think it would help?”
Jazz shrugged and picked up the crate. “Can’t hurt. Sometimes it helps Leo if I move his swing to a different room. Puppies. Babies. Maybe it’s all the same.”
It didn’t help. At lunch, Anna walked Trixie and texted Sawyer. “She’s crying in her crate. I have to work. What can I do?”
“You brought her to the jobsite?”
“I wasn’t going to leave her home all day by herself.”
“Where are you?”
“Doesn’t matter. You don’t have to rescue me. I’m just whining.”
“Won’t hurt her to cry a little as long as she’s safe. Don’t let her play you.”
“I’m an easy mark,” she texted with a rolling-eyes-face emoji.
He texted back a winking-face emoji that sent a little shiver through her. Maybe he wasn’t making a subtle reference to their night together, but she wouldn’t be surprised if it was as much on his mind as it was on hers.
Somehow, simply connecting with Sawyer made her relax. The realization lifted her heart, and she gave Trixie a little more lead line. “Come on, girlie, we’re going to run.” She picked up her pace and Trixie followed, her little legs pumping as fast as they could. Maybe if she wore the puppy out, she’d rest in her crate through the afternoon. It was worth a shot.
Harper caught up to them as they made a tenth round of the big front lawn. “This is a good idea.” She joined in, keeping her pace even with Anna and Trixie’s. “She’s really a good little puppy, though. Why do you suppose she was abandoned?”
Anna explained about Trixie’s odd eye and offered Sawyer’s explanation for why someone would dump a cute little Papillon, who were valuable animals even with the odd eye. Harper was as appalled as she had been. “It’s good of you to take her in.”
“I gotta tell you, I don’t want a dog, not even temporarily, but I couldn’t stand the thought of a shelter—no-kill or otherwise.”
Harper grinned. “And it doesn’t hurt to have the new hot veterinarian on board either, does it?”
Anna’s cheeks burned, but Harper only chuckled. “I met him when I went in for carryout from Mac’s.” Her eyes widened. “Dayum, girl. He’s got that sexy professor thing going big time.”
Anna saw no point in being coy. Remembering the night with Sawyer, his hands and lips on her, his gentleness even in the midst of passion. His humor, his kindness, how they’d laughed and talked amid rounds of touches and kisses. Whatever was growing between them had nothing to do with Trixie and everything to do with Sawyer’s ability to make her feel safe, cared for, and respected. But she was wary all the same—what if she fell in love and got hurt again? How would she bear that?
Her feelings must have shown on her face because Harper quirked a brow. “You’re crushing on him!” It wasn’t an accusation, rather a bald statement of fact.
Anna didn’t deny it. “He’s pretty special.”
“Oh, Anna, that’s wonderful.” Harper slowed her stride enough to pat Anna’s shoulder. “I don’t know what happened last summer to turn you off men and I don’t need to know, but it’s good to see that sparkle in your eyes.”
“We haven’t even had a real date yet.” Anna slowed, too, although Trixie kept chugging along and even got a little ahead of them. “We’re going to dinner tonight.”
Trixie stopped suddenly and dropped to her butt on the grass. Her expression clearly said, I’m done. Anna stooped down with about eight feet of leash between them. “Trixie, come.”
The puppy drooped, but after a few seconds, she got up, walked to Anna, and pushed her face into Anna’s palm. “Good girl.” Anna picked her up and Trixie settled against her shoulder. “You’re walking back, kiddo, so don’t get too comfortable.”
*
Sawyer turned down his visor and ran his fingers through his tousled hair. Probably shouldn’t have had the window down for the short drive to Anna’s condo. He checked his console for a comb, but no luck, so a finger-combing would have to do. He straightened his tie and smoothed his chocolate brown sport coat. Maybe he’d dressed up a little more than necessary, but despite the intimacy they’d shared last night, this was his first real date with a woman he was fairly sure he was falling in love with. The tie and sports jacket were a nod to exactly how serious he was about Anna Walker. He only hoped she was even half as serious.
He needn’t have worried. Annabelle didn’t disappoint as she opened her door, looking sensational in what his sister Phoebe would’ve described as a little black dress . The straight dress, which skimmed Anna’s curves and flowed to just below her knees, dipped enticingly in a scalloped-edge V in both the back and front. A pair of pretty sexy red high heels brought her nearly face-to-face with him, and her only jewelry was a pair of diamond stud earrings. Her blonde hair was swirled into an updo that looked effortless, but probably wasn’t. Her full lips glistened, and she smelled fantastic. She was breathtaking and, for a moment, he was almost afraid to touch her.
But she stepped closer and dipped her head, a little shyly, he thought. So, he kissed her full on the mouth, and she responded, warm and welcoming.
“You clean up nice, Doc,” she said when they separated.
He held her hand above their heads and twirled her around, admiring the peachy skin the dress revealed. “You’re spectacular.”
“Thank you.” She touched his lower lip with her thumb. “Little lipstick there…”
Sawyer grinned and kissed her thumb, her palm, and then her wrist, inhaling the scent of her. “I made reservations at a place John recommended—Ascent at the top of the new hotel in Vevay. Do you know it?”
Her eyes widened. “Wow, fancy! They just opened last fall, but I’ve never been. Great reviews from people who’ve eaten there, though.”
“I checked. There’s wine and dancing.” He crooked his arm. “You ready?”
“Let me get my wrap.” She was gone for less than a minute and returned with a soft red shawl and a red purse. “Will this be enough? It seemed pretty nice out when we got home.”
He took the wrap, which was as soft to touch as it looked, and draped it over her shoulders. “This should be fine. Trixie okay?”
She nodded. “Fed, watered, been outside, and now she’s snug in her crate with her blankie and toys.”
He felt a little embarrassed to hand her into his old truck, but he’d gotten it washed and vacuumed after work today, so at least it was clean. Elegant as she looked, Anna seemed as comfortable as she might’ve been in a luxury automobile. Relaxed, they chatted about how their days had gone, about the lovely views of the river from the highway, and the greening of the catalpas, hickory, and sweet gum trees that lined the water’s edge. She kept up a running commentary of landmarks along the river as they drove—the showboat dock, Weaver’s Landing Marina, the road where they’d met, which led up to a house Walker Construction was finishing for the new manager of the automobile factory across the river in Kentucky. He’d been surprised to learn about the new factory—he’d thought Hiko hybrids were all made in Japan.
“This is their first factory in the US.” Anna explained before pointing out Orchard Hill. “We’re building homes in cooperation with three other home builders up there.” She tugged her wrap a little closer. “One day, I’ll take you to see the houses. They’re really nice.”
His belly did a little flip. She seemed to be anticipating they’d be together in the future. “You designed them?” He longed to reach out and touch her pashmina-covered arm, but the road that followed the river was curvy, so he kept both hands on the wheel.
“I did ours, although Greg Thacker has talked to me about maybe designing a couple more for him. He liked the Indiana vibe I brought to our houses with the low lines and the cedar and sandstone.”
That name sounded familiar to Sawyer. He’d recently done a yearly exam on a dog belonging to a family named Thacker. “Does he have a cocker spaniel?”
Anna chuckled. “No clue.”
“I’m getting to know River’s Edge through their pets.” Sawyer smiled as he slowed down to turn into the hotel parking lot. “I remember Rebel Thacker well, but not his owners’ names. Occupational hazard, I guess.”
The restaurant offered attentive servers, great wine, and a remarkable view of the wide Ohio and the lights in the hills of Kentucky across the river. Anna really enjoyed her food, something that was rare in Sawyer’s dating life. She ate her salmon and couscous with a gusto that warmed Sawyer’s heart. He’d had too many dates with women who ordered expensive food and then barely nibbled at it. Women who wouldn’t dream of touching a bread basket, yet Anna ate a couple of slices of warm sourdough slathered with whipped butter and even ordered dessert. The chocolate lava cake with French vanilla ice cream was enough for both of them, so they had the server pack up Sawyer’s slice of peach pie to take home.
They listened to a band from Cincinnati who played music that was perfect for dancing. Sawyer relished the feel of Anna in his arms, the sound of her humming along with songs that spanned generations from Sinatra to Adele. He loved music, although he was more of a shower singer than anything else. But on their way home, he harmonized surprisingly well with Anna’s clear contralto when she synced her phone to his radio and played Linda Ronstadt’s “Blue Bayou,” Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” and a couple other familiar tunes.
After a few songs of her choosing, she asked him for his picks. Without hesitation, he asked for “Feels Like Home,” which he sang to her along with Dolly, Linda, and Emmylou, loving the color it brought to her cheeks. He followed it up by asking for Savage Garden’s “I Knew I Loved You,” singing the romantic lyrics right to her, hoping she’d get the message that he wanted more than a physical relationship. He pulled into the Box Factory lot on Second Street as the song ended, but she’d cued up one more song. She let it play while he parked, and they sat in silence together in the intimate cab of the truck listening to Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”
He turned to her and cupped her cheek. “Why this song, Anna?” he asked, his voice husky.
When she looked up, tears shimmered in her eyes. “I’m not sure I’m ready for you. You took me by surprise, and now, I don’t know what to do, what to think. I can do casual, but the last time I went past that, I got hurt…bad.” She lifted her palms expressively. “You… This”—she waved her fingers between them—“it’s fast and it’s new, and I don’t how to trust it. But, oh, Sawyer, I want you like I’ve never wanted any man before in my life, and that’s really scary, too.”
He was almost afraid to take a breath, unsure of what to say, what words wouldn’t frighten her away. “Trust me with your heart, Anna, and I’ll trust you with mine. That’s a start. The rest, we can figure out. We’ve got nothing but time.”