Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Owen
Knock... Knock... Knock...
“Owen Swift, open this door right now.”
I can’t help but smile at the sound of the demanding woman on the other side of my front door.
“Okay, girl. You need to be on your best behavior,” I whisper as I kiss the fur ball in my arms on the top of the head. “It’s showtime.”
I open the door to find Daisy holding out a bag that I’m sure has Sunday dinner from Sharon in it. “Take the food and give me the puppy.”
I knew the puppy would get her attention. My reasons for getting a dog were not all Daisy related. If I kept waiting for the right time, I’d never do it. Getting Daisy’s attention is a lovely side-effect.
She brushes past me and takes a seat on the rug in the middle of the living room, where she holds the dog up to get a good look at her.
“What’s her name?” she asks as she kisses the top of her head.
“Maui.”
She’s quiet.
Daisy McKinnon is never quiet.
Her back is to me, so I can’t see her face as she holds the pup to her cheek and nuzzles her.
Needing to see her reaction, I join them on the floor.
“You stole my baby,” she pouts.
She may not be commenting on Maui’s name, but the softness in her eyes tells me what I need to know.
She loves it.
“I didn’t steal your baby. You weren’t going to adopt her, and I couldn’t let somebody else take her. Co-parenting is still on the table.”
Once again, ignoring my last statement, she changes the subject. “Why didn’t you bring her to dinner?”
“She nearly killed me on the drive home. I thought she would just lie in my lap, but she was all over me. I need to find some way to lock her in place before I can go anywhere with her. She looks sweet, but she is a menace.”
“I don’t believe it,” Daisy says as Maui licks her nose.
“Believe it.”
“Never,” she whispers.
“Hey, while you’re here, can you occupy her? I need to set up her crate and attempt to install a baby gate.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice. Huh, little Maui. We’re gonna be best friends.”
My dastardly plan is already working.
Leaving the girls to get to know each other, I set up the training crate in the laundry room and install the baby gate at the bottom of the stairs. Finished, I find them both lying on the couch, Maui fast asleep as Daisy strokes her soft little body.
I sit at the opposite end of the couch and lift Daisy's feet to my lap. She pretends to talk to the dog. “And listen, your dad, well... he can be a lot. This is gonna be a big change for him. He’s used to being the cute one, and you’re gonna steal all of his attention.
So, take it easy on him. I’m only a phone call away if you need me.
I’ll puppynap you and we’ll go to the lake where you can run free and play in the water. ”
I steal her focus by rubbing one of her bare feet. “You can see her whenever you want. I still think co-parenting could work.”
Sitting up, she pulls her feet away from me. “Owen, as much as I would love to, my place is all whites and creams, and I don’t have the space you do. I’m happy to babysit whenever you need.”
“We’ll start slow. When I get stuck at work, or on late football nights, you can let her out and feed her. And you can have all the visitation rights you want.”
“This is all some sort of scheme, isn’t it?”
I shrug. “Nah. I just think we would be great co-parents.”
And yes, I was hoping the dog would lure you in.
“With football season in full swing, plus my regular work week, I could use the help, and you could use the puppy fix. I’m gone way too often, and it won’t be fair to her. We don’t want her potty training derailed or for her to get separation anxiety from being left alone all the time.”
“Then why did you adopt her?”
“Because I knew I could count on you. And I knew you would want me to count on you for this one.”
Because I know you.
She studies my face. I’m not sure what she’s looking for, but I don’t dare look away. I want her to see how serious I am about this.
About her.
She breaks her gaze to look down at the puppy lying against her thigh.
“Let’s just give it a shot, and if it’s too much and you’re not interested, you’ll tell me.”
“And this isn’t about us? You aren’t expecting anything more than co-parenting?”
If that’s what you need to tell yourself, Clover.
“It’s about Maui.”
At the reminder of her new little friend's name, the corners of Daisy’s lips lift into a smile. Moments like this with Daisy are rare, but I live for them. This quiet moment on the couch settles me.
She’s right where she needs to be.
“I may not co-parent with you,” she says, holding her fingers up in air quotes. “But you know that I’ll always be here to help if I can. I’m sure we can work something out, especially during football season.”
“Yeah?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Maui wakes up and walks across the couch to me. “Come on, little girl, let’s go outside and go potty.”
I scoop her up, and Daisy follows us through the house to the back door. I flip on the backyard lights, and the three of us step outside. I put her in the yard, and like a perfect little angel, she pees the moment her paws hit the grass.
“Good girl,” Daisy praises her, then looks at me and whispers. “She’s so smart.”
“She is. You’ve got a good picker.”
“If I’m being honest, she picked me.” Daisy can’t take her eyes off the cuteness in front of us. “Crawled right into my lap and fell asleep. It was a done deal after that. I was in love.”
“Well, she’s got great taste.”
She aims her whiskey-colored gaze in my direction.
The urge to lean down to kiss her is hard to fight, but somehow, I do.
I told her this wasn’t about us, and I don’t want to blow it now that she’s agreed to help.
But she’s right here. And she’s looking at me like I’ve actually done something right, not a hint of annoyance shining back at me.
Clearing her throat, she pulls her phone out of her back pocket and checks the time. “It’s getting late. I'd better get going.”
Damn.
“Sure. Come on, Maui,” I say, patting my leg.
The dog follows us back into the house and races to her pile of dog toys. She selects a stuffed lion and then meets us at the front door. Daisy squats down to give her some love.
“You be good for your daddy. No peeing in the house, okay?”
“Wait one sec.”
Leaving the girls in the entry, I rush to the kitchen to grab the house key I had made for Daisy. Once it’s in my hand, I have a moment of doubt, but I ignore it, forcing myself to head back in their direction.
“Here. This is for you.” I place the four-leaf clover keychain in her hand.
She holds it in front of her face and rolls her eyes. “You knew I would say yes when we walked out of the firehouse that day, didn’t you?”
“I hoped.”
“I should be mad at you, but I love her. Which means I’ll have to put up with you to get to her.”
“Works for me.”
I pick up Maui, so she doesn’t run after Daisy as she crosses the threshold to the front porch.
Before she leaves, she turns back to look at us.
“Text me and let me know your schedule, and I’ll let you know when I can help.
Things are pretty busy with Charlie on leave, but I’ll find the time if you need me. ”
“Thanks, Dais.”
She waves, and Maui squirms in my arms, whining after her mama.
“I know, girl. I hate to see her go too.”
Taking a glimpse at the clock on the wall, I’m not surprised to see it’s 10:10. Since Daisy isn’t here to kiss, I place a kiss on Maui’s head and wonder how long it’s gonna take the maddening woman who just walked out my door to figure out this is where she’s meant to be.