CHAPTER TWELVE
Morgan was jarred awake by Caesar whining to get up in bed with her. She reached down and patted his head. “Not today, buddy. I have to get up.”
He moved aside so her feet could touch the floor, and then he leaped at her legs. Laughing, she reached down and picked him up before setting him aside to do her morning preparations for the day.
Downstairs, Brad said, “Coffee’s ready. The toast is almost done. I figured we could stop for a real breakfast along the way. I want to get an early start on the trip, so we have plenty of time to be back here at a decent hour.”
“Thanks. I totally agree,” she said, helping herself to a cup of coffee. “I can’t wait to see Blue. I hope he likes me. He has to choose to be with me as much as I need to choose to take him in.”
“No problem. He’s going to love you. Look at the devotion Caesar and Sid have to you.”
She rubbed Sid’s ears. “They’re the best.”
“Anytime you want to bring Blue here to play, all you have to do is ask. My dogs get along well with others, and I bet Caesar would like a friend his size.”
“That’s so thoughtful. I may take you up on your offer,” said Morgan. “You have the best place for them to play.”
“And if I need you to help with my dogs, may I ask you?” Brad asked. “Sid had a bad experience staying in a kennel, and I no longer will take either of them to one.”
“Sure. It would be my pleasure. I hadn’t really thought about that,” said Morgan.
They sipped coffee and nibbled on toast, and then they put the dogs outside before leaving them in the kitchen.
Both dogs howled as Morgan and Brad left the house.
Morgan put the dog’s travel bed in the backseat of the car and filled it with the stuffed toy Ashley’s children had given her, a harness, a soft blanket, and a couple of other toys.
“Do you think you have enough?” Brad teased.
Morgan laughed. “It’s like packing for a baby.”
Brad’s eyes met hers, sending a streak of unexpected heat through her. She couldn’t tear herself from his gaze as the thought of having a baby with him flitted through her mind, shaking her to the core. Where did that come from? she asked herself.
They both turned away, and then Brad cleared his throat. “Let’s go.”
His face was flushed as he helped Morgan inside the car and then climbed behind the wheel.
###
Following an early lunch in lieu of a late breakfast, Brad pulled up to a small, white clapboard, Cape Cod house with a huge fenced front yard.
As they got out of the car, they could hear the excited barks of dogs from inside the house. A woman opened the front door, and eight Dachshunds came bounding into the front yard, barking and wagging their tails with excitement.
Morgan clasped her hands and studied them, wondering which one was Blue.
She gazed at the two dapple dogs in the group and caught the eye of one of them. As she reached out to touch him, all eight dogs ran to her for attention. Laughing, she pulled back.
The woman walked over to her. “Hi, I’m Mickie Hastings, the owner of the kennel.”
“And I’m Morgan Riley,” she said, “and this is Brad Hamlin.”
“Oh, yes, Brad. It’s good to see you. How’s little Caesar?”
Brad chuckled. “He’s fine, in charge as usual.”
Mickie reached over the fence and picked up the dog Morgan had tried to touch. “This little guy is Blue, aptly named because he’s a blue and cream dapple. He’s the favorite at the moment, but it’s time for him to have a true home of his own.”
Mickie handed the dog to Morgan.
Wiggling in her arms, the dog reached up and licked her cheek.
Morgan tightened her grip and then lifted him in front of her. They locked gazes again, and it felt to Morgan as if he was saying, “I choose you.” Thrilled, she hugged him.
“You’ll find he’s very bright, very stubborn, and full of life. Like all Dachshunds, he’s a bit of a clown and will keep you laughing at some of his antics. You mentioned you have a large yard for him to play in.”
“Yes,” Morgan said. “The house where I live has a big fenced-in yard where he’s welcome to play. Don’t worry, he’ll be very spoiled.”
Mickie laughed. “I don’t doubt it. Blue will make sure of it.
Come inside. I have some paperwork for you to sign.
Though he’s from excellent lines, I couldn’t sell him as a dog to breed.
As we discussed, he has a malformed leg that we think was caused by his crowded position in his mother’s womb.
She had seven puppies, which is two too many for a dog her size.
But Blue has no problem running or using his leg in any way. ”
“I noticed. He ran around with the other dogs.”
“Do you usually keep so many dogs?” Brad asked.
“No,” said Mickie. “You may have noticed that we have four pups in the group that greeted you. They will leave us in another week. I like to keep them until they’re nine weeks old to be sure they’re off to a good start.” She shrugged. “Besides, it’s always sad to see the little ones go.”
###
After the paperwork had been signed and the dog paid for, Morgan put on Blue’s collar and showed him his travel bed before strapping him inside it.
“Excellent,” said Mickie. “Thank you, Morgan, for promising to take care of him. Let me know if you have any questions. You have all of his medical data. He’s going to make a special pet for you.”
Morgan gave her an impulsive hug. “He’s going to continue to be spoiled. I promise you.”
Mickie laughed. “Have a safe trip home.”
As Brad pulled the car out of the driveway, he said, “I’m not sure what it is about Dachshunds, but once you own one, you become a loyal fan.”
“They were all so lovable. But, of course, I like Blue the best. He and I had a connection from the start. Now that we’re away from the house, I want you to stop the car, please.”
Brad gave her a questioning look.
“You’ll see,” she said.
He pulled over to the side of the road.
Morgan got out, opened the back door, unhooked Blue from the travel bed, and lifted him into her arms. “There.”
Holding the dog, she slid back into the passenger’s seat. “I can’t think of a better time to cuddle and get to know one another,” she told Brad.
He grinned. “Spoiled already, huh?”
“You bet,” said Morgan, laughing when the dog kissed her cheek.
###
Back at Brad’s house, she let Blue out of the car.
“We’ll come back another time so he can make friends with your dogs.
Now, I think I’d better load him into my car and take him home so he can get comfortable there.
Thank you so much for taking me to pick him up.
Would you like to come to my house for spaghetti and a salad so you can see for yourself if I have everything right? ”
“Thanks. That would work. After driving all day, I don’t feel like cooking for myself.”
“Okay, see you in a little while.”
She left him and drove directly to her apartment, talking to Blue the entire time. She told him about the apartment and Ashley’s family and the kids who would, no doubt, give him attention.
From his travel bed in the backseat, Blue cocked his head and seemed to listen to every word she said.
She slowed as she came to the driveway and looked up and down the street. There was no dark gray car in sight.
Morgan pulled into the garage, got out of the car, and went to get Blue out of the car.
She heard the sound of children calling to her and grinned as Ben and Lizzy ran over.
“We’ve been waiting all afternoon to see your dog,” said Ben.
“Let me get him out of the backseat, and then we’ll put him in the fenced yard with you while I unload the car. How about that?”
“I get to touch him first,” said Lizzy.
“No, me,” Ben said. “I’m the oldest.”
“I’m sure Blue will greet you both. He likes lots of attention,” said Morgan, setting him down on the garage floor. She called him, and he trotted behind her as she led him to the gate into the backyard.
“Sit down so he can get used to you,” Morgan said.
Both children sat.
Blue dashed from one to the other, wagging his tail and giving them kisses.
Lizzy squealed with delight. “He’s so cute!”
Blue rolled over onto his back so the kids could rub his stomach.
Ashley appeared. “I wondered what all the noise was about. I see you made it back home with your little guy.”
“Yes,” said Morgan. “A new adventure.”
“He’s adorable. And very patient with the kids,” said Ashley. “How was the trip?”
“Excellent. Brad’s a fast driver, and we made the journey easily. He’s coming here for dinner and to check to make sure I have the dog properly set up.”
“M-m-m, is it about the dog or something more? It sounds like it’s getting serious,” said Ashley, giving her a teasing smile.
“I admit I’m attracted to him, but I overheard him tell someone he’s definitely not interested in anyone and wants it to remain that way.” She didn’t mention the incident when they couldn’t stop staring at one another.
“It sounds like he might be scared to get involved,” Ashley said. “But he’s still young and attractive. He’s bound to want more than dogs for companionship. And when the time comes to change his mind about dating, I hope he’ll look right in front of him at you.”
“Remember, my former boss and other older men in charge of the firm don’t like the idea of office romances. I can’t lose my job,” said Morgan. “Brad knows that.”
She and Ashley were still watching the kids play with the dog when Brad drove up the driveway. He waved at them and continued to the garage to park his car.
As he strode back to them, Ashley let out a soft breath. “Gorgeous man.”
“And so nice,” said Morgan, waving at him.
“Evening, ladies,” Brad said. “Exciting day for one little dog.”
“And his owner,” said Morgan.
They were standing together when a dark gray car drove into the driveway and stopped beside them.
Morgan grabbed Brad’s arm. “That’s the man who’s been trailing me.”
“You stay here. I’ll go see what he wants,” he said.
Brad spoke to the man and then waved Morgan over to them. “This is John McIntyre. He’s a doorman at the building where Constance Weaver lives. He agreed to work for her part-time to keep an eye on you. He wants to apologize.”
John’s expression was sheepish as he bobbed his head at her. “I’m sorry to cause you any anxiety. Mrs. Weaver asked me for help, and I needed the extra money.”
“I was scared,” Morgan admitted. “It’s unnerving to know someone is watching you. I saw you every time. It was you at night, right?”
John hung his head. “Guess I wasn’t so good at it. I’m sorry for the whole thing.”
She studied him. He was an older man with a pleasant face, devoid of any malice. “I am, too. But I appreciate your coming here to make an apology. That means a lot.”
John gave her an apologetic look. “If you need help with anything like this, don’t call me. I’m not doing this again.”
“Good,” said Brad, and they all chuckled.
###
Brad walked around her apartment. “This looks like a Dachshund lives here. He’s got everything he needs to be happy, including a few extra toys.”
“I’ll move his bed into my bedroom every night so he’s comfortable,” said Morgan.
Brad chuckled. “You won’t need to do that.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because he’s going to be sleeping in bed with you,” he said. “Just make sure there’s a safe place for him to get there. A ramp or something. Otherwise, you’ll have to lift him on the bed or off it.”
“Okay. Thanks. I’ll have to make another trip to the pet store tomorrow. They like to see me coming inside. I’ve spent a lot of money there recently.”
Brad laughed. “It’s just the beginning. But it’ll all be worth it. I promise.”
Morgan looked down at the dog sitting at her feet.
He looked up at her and wagged his tail.
She couldn’t help grinning and picked him up to give him a hug.
###
Following a pleasant, relaxing meal of spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad that Morgan had Luciano’s deliver to her apartment, Brad announced he had to get home.
Morgan stood with him and walked him to the door. “I don’t know how to thank you for all you’ve done for me. You took me in when I was afraid to stay here. And now, because of you, I have this perfect dog.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled with his smile. “It was my pleasure. The idea of coming home to an empty house will be difficult. You’re easy to get along with.” His gaze rested on her.
She saw sincere warmth in his eyes, and impulsively, she lifted on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks again.”
He nodded. “I’ll see you in the office.”
“Remember, you have a meeting at ten o’clock with a lawyer representing the Acme family.”
Brad laughed. “See? I need you around.”
Still chuckling, Brad left the apartment, leaving her and Blue to watch his progress to his car from the kitchen window.