Reunited on Dragonfly Lane - Includes a bonus novella Read online

  Chase’s heart sank. He massaged his forehead as he listened to her continue to make valid excuses. “I understand,” he finally said. “If something changes, please let me know.”

  “You bet,” she said.

  Chase disconnected the call and sat at his desk for a long moment. He had a few more calls he could make. He could keep Comet here. Maybe he could even take Comet home temporarily, if it came down to it. He had a belief that a person knew when they met the just-right pet for them. There was an immediate bond that happened. A kind of spark similar to what someone felt when they met the person that they were meant to spend their life with.

  Chase hadn’t had that connection with Comet. He’d only had that spark once with a pet. And once with a woman.

  * * *

  Late Tuesday afternoon, Sophie turned toward the sound of an incoming customer, a smile crossing her lips before she even saw who it was. Her smile grew even larger when she recognized Janet Lewis and Summer Rivera strolling in. They were two of her regular customers, and both were part of the Ladies’ Day Out group that frequently got together in town for the sole purpose of good old-fashioned fun.

  Sophie walked around the counter and headed in their direction. “So good to see you.”

  Janet was Chase’s mom but there’d never been any awkwardness after the breakup. Janet held open her arms and gave her a big hug that warmed Sophie all the way to her core. She was a tall woman who greeted everyone she met with a large smile and a hug. In all the years that Sophie had known her, she never remembered hearing Janet speak an ill word about anyone.

  Standing beside her, Summer Rivera was a sharp contrast. She was short and had at least one piece of gossip to throw out every time Sophie saw her, including today.

  “Sophie, you will never believe what we just saw,” Summer said as Janet pulled away from the hug.

  Sophie turned her attention toward Summer, who was practically bursting at the seams to tell her the news. “Oh? What is that?”

  Summer’s tiny frame seemed to vibrate with excitement. “Well, Chief Baker was bringing flowers to Halona. I don’t know where he got them, because, as you know, Halona owns the only florist shop in town. But the bigger question is why was he bringing his wife flowers? Either they’re making up or they’re celebrating something we don’t know about yet.” Summer’s thin brows lifted high on her forehead, making golden McDonald’s-shaped arches.

  Janet shook her head with a laugh. “Or maybe he just loves his wife,” she told her friend, “and he knows that she loves flowers. It’s not our business to know why Alex was bringing Halona that bouquet.” She turned to Sophie, gracefully transitioning to a new subject. “Our business is with you.” She handed over a bag full of clothing. “I got your email. This is for the Fairy Godmother’s Closet you’ve created in your back room.”

  Sophie hadn’t officially named the room that but word of mouth had somehow made it official. “Oh, wow.” Sophie took the bag and peeked inside. “This is so generous of you, Janet. Thank you.”

  “Of course. No thanks needed. It gave me an excuse to come shopping.” Janet winked. “And to see my favorite boutique owner.”

  Sophie gestured toward the wall where she’d placed the new spring line of clothing. She always ordered a variety of sizes and made sure she had everything in tall just for Janet. “I know you two ladies are going to love the new line.”

  Janet clapped her hands. “I can already see that. I see some items that would look lovely on Trisha as well,” she said of her former daughter-in-law.

  Sophie shook her head. “Trisha doesn’t shop at my boutique anymore, even when I offer the steepest of best-friend discounts.”

  “I know. That’s my oldest son’s doing,” Janet said with a frown, talking about Pete. “At least one of my sons is doing the right thing. I didn’t want Chase to drop his whole life and move home at first but it’s nice to have him back. He really has stepped up to make sure Trisha and little Petey are okay. Trisha says he goes to her place at least once a week to do something with Petey.”

  “Hmm.” Summer ran her hands over each new piece of clothing, scrutinizing them one by one as she listened to the conversation. “Chase and Pete were so young when they lost their own father. In a way, Pete was Chase’s role model growing up. It can’t be easy to have the person you admire most fall off their pedestal and go to prison. I’m sure Chase is very conflicted about his feelings right now.”

  Janet’s smile fell away as she listened.

  “I still can’t believe how Pete pulled the wool over so many people’s eyes,” Summer went on. “Folks all over this part of the state trusted him with their money, and he just dipped into their accounts for himself.”

  Sophie searched her mind for a way to get Summer off the subject for Janet’s sake. It had been six months since Pete had gone to prison but people’s memories around here would likely keep the news ever present for the Lewis family. Janet was no doubt confronted with what her oldest son had done on a daily basis.

  Summer shrugged. “At least one of your boys is doing the right thing by little Petey, Janet.”

  Janet offered a polite laugh to ease what might’ve ruffled some feathers. Janet was the picture of grace. She still loved Pete and went to visit him at the state prison at least once a month. Trisha went as well. Even though she and Pete were divorced—she’d started the paperwork during the lengthy trial—she wanted Petey to see his father. From what Trisha had told Sophie, Chase didn’t go to the prison to visit his brother at all.

  Sophie took a small step backward. “Well, I’ll leave you ladies to check out the clothing. Thank you for the donations. Remember, you get fifty percent off one new item. I’ll be at the counter to ring you up when you’re ready.”

  “Thank you, sweetie,” Janet said with a wink.

  Sophie headed back to the cash register, thinking about what Summer had said and wondering if it was true. Sophie couldn’t imagine feeling as if she had to atone for someone else’s crimes. But she did feel like she had to make up for all the burdens she’d placed on her family after her accident.

  Her mom had to quit a job that she’d loved to take care of Sophie, and her dad had worked two jobs. They’d refused to touch the money they’d saved for Sophie’s future. It was supposed to be a college fund but Sophie had ended up using it to open her boutique instead.

  Sophie went through the donated pieces in the bag as her two customers shopped, pulling them out, inspecting them, and folding them back up. Twenty minutes later, Janet and Summer headed to the register with several new pieces of clothing to purchase.

  “I’ll be back in. I already have regrets over not buying some of the other things on the rack,” Janet said sheepishly.

  Sophie had no doubt Janet was being sincere. “My door is always open to you both.”

  Once they were gone, Sophie locked the boutique and headed home. In order to check on Comet, she took the long way again. As she approached Chase’s veterinary clinic, she held her breath almost unwittingly.

  The front door of the clinic opened as she approached, and Sophie stopped walking. Chase came down the steps, carrying Comet in his arms.

  Sophie felt her heart squeeze at the sight of the little dog. His tail was wagging, and he looked otherwise healthy except for his leg. “What are you doing?” she asked as they drew closer.

  “Walking Comet,” he said.

  Sophie reached out to touch Comet’s head, running her fingers through the dog’s silky fur. “Did you call the rescue?” she asked.

  “I did. They’re full, and they can’t take on a dog with special needs right now.” Chase kept walking so Sophie did as well, continuing toward her home on Dragonfly Lane.

  Sophie felt a heavy disappointment. She had been certain that the rescue would have a capable person who would be able to care for Comet. “Special needs?”

  “Well, he has a broken leg. It’ll take about four weeks to heal so he’ll be restricted to his crate a lot. He can’t walk and run freely, which means he’ll need extra TLC.”

  “I see.” Guilt swirled in her belly, mixing with empathy because she’d been in a similar situation when she was eighteen, depending on everyone around her for help. Now Comet needed that same support, and there didn’t seem to be anyone willing to give it to him.

  “It’s always hard to find a good foster home for injured or sick dogs,” Chase said. “If Comet didn’t have a broken leg, I think I could have found a place by now.”

  Sophie nodded as she listened. “That’s a shame.”

  “So for the time being, I’ll be caring for this little guy’s needs at the clinic. And this is how he’s getting his fresh air while he recovers,” Chase explained.

  “I wouldn’t be able to carry a dog as I walk,” Sophie said, continuing to justify her decision.

  “No, but I could do that for you. You live right down the street from the clinic. You could even drop him off every morning so that Penny and I could take care of him while you’re at the boutique.”

  Sophie glanced over. “You’d do that?”

  “I care for animals. That’s my job. And I care for you too,” he said quietly.

  Sophie felt her knees go weak. “Like I told you yesterday, I don’t know how to care for a dog.”

  “Maybe, but this is the perfect time to learn because you’ll have me.”

  She swallowed. She wasn’t sure that was a selling point right now but she had to admit that she wanted to see Comet’s recovery through until he was running and playing like any other frisky puppy. She owed him that much.

  They turned onto Dragonfly Lane, walked a short way, and then turned into her driveway. Sophie stopped walking at her mailbox and turned to face Chase. “If I say no, where does Comet go?” She hoped he had a good answer to calm her concerns.

  “Well, I suppose I’ll keep him at my clinic until I make a few more calls.”

  “And if I say yes?” she asked. “Just to fostering. I’m nowhere near ready to adopt a puppy right now.” She wasn’t sure she was ready to bring one home for even a day.

  Chase grinned as if he knew her answer was already yes. “Then I’ll drop him off tomorrow afternoon for you.”

  Comet barked and looked straight at her, his large puppy eyes pleading as if he knew exactly what they were talking about. Maybe she didn’t know the first thing about caring for dogs but how hard could taking care of one little puppy be?

  “Okay.” Sophie lifted her eyes to Chase’s, which was a mistake. Butterflies stormed her stomach. She dropped her gaze back down to the dog. “I’ll foster Comet while he recovers.”

  * * *

  Chase didn’t take Comet back to the clinic after leaving Sophie at her door. One night with him wouldn’t hurt. Plus, he was on his way to Trisha’s for dinner. Chase hadn’t seen his nephew in a few days.

  “Wanna go with me?” Chase asked Comet as he placed the dog gently in the passenger seat of his truck. Comet let his tongue hang out, looking at him lazily. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Chase got in the driver’s seat and drove toward his ex-sister-in-law’s house. As soon as he pulled into the driveway and got out, Petey came flying down the porch steps and across the lawn.

  Chase opened his arms, bracing himself for the tackle-hug. “Hey, bud. How are you?”

  Petey started talking excitedly, tugging Chase’s arm to lead him inside the house.

  “Hold on. We can’t go inside just yet. I brought a friend.” Chase opened the passenger door of his truck and picked up Comet.

  “Whoa! Is that dog for us?” Petey asked, his eyes rounding dramatically.

  Chase suddenly wondered if Trisha was going to kill him. His nephew had been asking for a pet for a while now but Trisha was resisting the idea. She had enough on her plate without adding more responsibility. “I’m afraid not. Comet is going to stay with Sophie for a while. She’s agreed to foster him. I’m just keeping him until she gets everything set up.”

  Petey looked crestfallen for just a moment. Then he was back to chattering excitedly as they walked toward the front door. Trisha met them as they entered, her gaze falling on Comet. She gave Chase a questioning look as her eyes narrowed.

  “He’s just with me for tonight. Tomorrow, he’s going to live with his new foster. Sophie.”

  Trisha’s mouth fell open. “Sophie is fostering a dog?”

  “She is,” Chase confirmed. “This little guy is what delayed us getting to the wedding on Saturday.”

  Trisha’s eyes moved to the casted hind leg. “I see. Poor little guy.”

  No doubt she was making the connection between Sophie’s past injuries and Comet’s.

  “Is it okay if Comet rests inside while I’m here?” Chase asked.

  “Of course.” Trisha smiled reassuringly. “Dinner is almost done. I’m making shrimp-and-pineapple fried rice. It’s Petey’s favorite,” she said.

  Chase’s mouth watered. Trisha’s cooking was one of the perks of spending so much time with his nephew.

  “Petey has been waiting for you for the last hour,” Trisha said. “He has something he wants to talk to you about.” She lifted her brows, making Chase suspect that whatever Petey wanted to discuss was a big deal.

  Chase looked down at his nephew. “Oh yeah? What did you want to talk about?”

  “Next week is job day at my school,” Petey said, his words stumbling over one another. “All my friends’ parents are coming to speak to my class.”

  “Not all,” Trisha corrected as she stood in front of the stove, stirring the ingredients in a cast iron pan.

  “Well, a lot.” Petey cast big, hopeful eyes at Chase. “And Mom can’t go because she says her job isn’t a good topic for first graders.”

  Chase could agree with that. Talking about the things that led one to live at a women’s shelter probably wouldn’t be advisable.

  “And my dad’s in prison,” Petey said, his expression momentarily glum. “So you’re the next best thing.”

  Chase stiffened and pointed a finger at his own chest. “Me?”

  Petey nodded excitedly. “You can talk about fixing animals. My friends would think that was so cool. Please, Uncle Chase. Please, please, pleaaaaase!”

  Chase had never been one to enjoy public speaking, and a class full of first graders terrified him even more than adults. But when he’d moved back to his hometown, he’d made a promise to himself to be exactly what his nephew needed him to be. Right now, it was an uncle with a cool job. “Well, I guess I could do that,” he said.

  “Yes!” Petey jumped up and down, looking about as thrilled as he did on his birthdays with large stacks of presents. “All those kids who’ve been picking on me will be so impressed by my uncle.”

  Chase shared a look with Trisha, who didn’t seem surprised at all by Petey’s remark. “What kids?”

  Trisha wiped her hands on her apron. “Kids will be kids,” she said as if that explained anything.

  Chase guessed she didn’t want to get into whatever troubles Petey was having in front of him. Before Chase left tonight though, he intended to find out exactly what was going on in his nephew’s classroom.

  Chapter Five

  After closing her boutique the next afternoon, Sophie got into her car and headed to the local pet supply store. Chase was dropping Comet off tonight, and she could hardly wait to open her home to a new companion. At least temporarily.

  She parked and walked into the large store. Sweetwater Springs was a small town but everyone had a pet, it seemed, so the demand was high for kibble, litter boxes, and chew toys.

  Sophie was actually surprised that Chase was still the only veterinarian in town, considering all the animals that needed caring for. She supposed some people traveled to the clinic in Whispering Pines but most would be loyal to a homegrown, hometown local vet like Chase.

  Just thinking of his name made her feel a fluttering sensation in her chest. When he’d first returned to town a few months ago, she’d bristled at the mention of his name. He’d left, and things were great the way they were. Why did he have to come back and make things awkward?

  That almost kiss in his clinic over the weekend had really stirred up old embers though. The fact that he was coming to her home tonight and that they’d find themselves alone again probably wasn’t the best idea. Especially considering she didn’t want to lead him on or tempt herself toward things better left in the past.

  Sophie walked down the aisles, reading the signs that told her where to find what. She didn’t exactly know which supplies she needed for a medium-size dog. Food would be a good start. She turned down the dog food aisle and blinked at the wide variety. There was every imaginable flavor in a dozen different brands. There was even dog food for sensitive stomachs. Did she need to get that for Comet? Chase had told her he was at least six months old. Did she get the puppy variety or the adult kind? Obviously not the food for senior dogs.

  She chewed her lip, suddenly overwhelmed by all the choices. Finally, she decided on what she thought might work and tried to lift the twenty-pound bag into her arms. Her left leg threatened to buckle under the weight. She needed a cart, which had her walking back toward the front of the store to retrieve one.

  After thirty minutes of debating various other items, she finally headed toward the register. She leaned heavily against her cart as she walked, realizing she’d probably overworked her muscles in the store. Her calf was tensing uncomfortably, threatening to clench into a full-on charley horse. The last thing she wanted was for Chase to come over tonight and suspect that she was anything less than fine.

  Nerves arose in Sophie’s stomach as she waited to pay. She started to second-guess her choices as her gaze scanned the items she’d picked out. Maybe she wasn’t ready to take on a dog after all. What if she did more harm than good in giving Comet a temporary home?

  “Did you find what you were looking for?” the cashier asked as Sophie stepped up. Sophie had seen the woman around town once or twice.

  Sophie nodded. “I think so. The truth is I didn’t really know what I was looking for when I walked in.”