Bride in Training. Gail Martin Gaymer

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СКАЧАТЬ turned his attention to the dog. “What do you think, Nessie? Want to come home with me?”

      Emily’s jaw dropped. “You want her?”

      His single nod sent her rushing toward the office as if she feared he would change his mind. He stood at the desk while she became all business again. As she explained the paperwork, Martin sensed Emily was seeing him as more than just Nick’s difficult brother.

      When finished, she handed him the documents. “Now if you have any questions, Mr. Davis, just ask.”

      He folded the paperwork and jammed it into his pocket.

      “Here you go.” She snapped a leash onto the terrier’s collar, and Martin grasped it, waiting for the dog to tug and run. Instead she stood there, her tail wagging. But when he headed for the door, the dog’s personality changed. Martin gripped the leash as Nessie jerked him outside. For a small dog, she had power to spare. He tugged her back not knowing what else to do. She might be trained, but he wasn’t.

      Emily grinned, watching Martin charge out the door with Nessie. She’d been honest. The dog was quiet and well-behaved in her pen, but when she found freedom, she became difficult to handle. She’d neglected to tell him about the elderly woman who’d owned the dog and kept her inside most of the time. Getting out into the world was a new experience, and Nessie wanted to live and make the most of it.

      So did Emily, but it hadn’t happened and probably never would. It was just the way her life always seemed to be.

      Martin’s parked car caught her attention. Through the window, she watched him try to move Nessie off the driver’s seat so he could get inside. He finally managed it.

      When she’d first seen him in the office, she had been guarded in their conversation. Martin’s reputation preceded him, and she’d felt intimidated. Yet she did her best to stand up for herself, rather than let the world run over her as she usually did.

      The check he’d written caught her eye. Martin Davis. She studied his signature and drew in a deep breath. He had a flourish that whipped off into a curved line. Steph and Molly talked about him often, especially when she first started working at Time for Paws. Stories of Martin seemed a form of entertainment. When she’d seen him at the wedding, wow, she’d caught her breath. He was totally handsome, so unlike the vision she’d conjured in her mind.

      What was it about him? She liked his eyes. They were rich brown like the saddles she’d seen in Western movies. Brown with flecks of gold, and though she knew eyes reflected attitude, Martin’s hadn’t. Walking behind him along the dog pens, she had admired his frame, six feet, she guessed, and lean with broad shoulders that added to his good looks. But Martin had the tendency of lowering his eyes, and that look gave him away. He might have a sharp tongue, but inside, she suspected he was as insecure and vulnerable as she was. She’d spent her life hiding her past, but Martin confounded her. He had so much going for him. What did he have to hide?

      Tonight Martin had shown a softer side despite a few barbed comments. When he held Nessie, he’d melted like a cheap candle. And she’d caught him in a brief smile. His chin had dimpled below his even white teeth. She liked that, but it had made her selfconscious and she’d dragged her tongue over her teeth, fearing the sandwich she’d grabbed for dinner had left a telltale residue. She’d never liked her teeth. One was a little crooked so she tried to cover it when she smiled.

      She glanced through the window again, her curiosity growing. Martin’s car was still there, and she wondered if she should go out to see if he needed help. Instead, she gripped the desk and talked herself out of it. If she softened too much, she could be in trouble. He was single, she knew, and the kind of man that could make her life wonderful. She’d watched Molly and Steph marry, and though she had always figured marriage wasn’t for her, her singleness seemed empty and lonely.

      Wanting to get that nonsense out of her head, she focused on the check. He’d paid for Nessie’s shots and added a generous donation for the dog shelter. Somewhere inside Martin Davis beat a kind heart. Someone just needed to find it. But definitely not her.

      Emily edged forward and blocked the headlights’ glare on the glass to see outside. Martin sat inside the car with Nessie sitting on his lap. The sight made her laugh. As she did, she turned away from the window before he spotted her.

      The door to the pens remained ajar, but the noise inside had quieted. She strode to the door and slipped it closed before the dogs got riled again. The bell tinkled behind her, and she spun around. Martin stood inside with his hand on the doorknob. She caught her breath. If he smiled now with those white teeth and that dimple, she couldn’t cope.

      Maintaining a semblance of control, Emily moved closer. “Is something wrong?”

      As the last word left her mouth, a horn blasted outside.

      Martin spun around and peered through the window. “You didn’t tell me the whole story about that dog.”

      “Whole story?” She hoped her voice sounded steady.

      “For one, she prefers the driver’s seat or my lap.”

      “She’s lonely.”

      Something flickered on his face, then faded. “I guessed that.” He ran his hand over his jaw.

      The horn blew again.

      He waved his hand toward the window. “Any idea how to stop her from pawing at the horn?”

      Emily chuckled. “Did you tell her to sit?”

      Martin raised his shoulders, then lowered them. “About fifteen times.” He opened the door and beckoned to her. “Look.”

      Feeling sorry for him just a wee bit, Emily strode to his side and looked at the car. Nessie stood on the steering wheel, gazing at him through the front windshield. When Martin didn’t respond, the dog jumped from the steering wheel to the passenger window, her sharp barks penetrating the glass. Martin spun around and faced Emily. “I’ve been out there for five minutes, frustrated.”

      “It’s the newness. She’ll adjust. It takes time.”

      “Time? I just need a few tips on handling her.”

      “Nessie’s had basic obedience training.”

      “Here’s the situation. I don’t have a clue how to…”

      Emily pressed her lips together not to laugh. Mr. Tough Guy had been weakened by a little fluffy dog. “Let me give you a brochure. We have dog obedience classes here a couple nights a week.” She stepped to the desk, pulled out a pamphlet and handed it to him.

      He grasped it without interest. “I thought the dog had basic training.”

      “But you haven’t. The classes are for you.”

      “For me?” He glanced over his shoulder. “It’s too quiet out there.” He held up one finger and jerked open the door and headed outside.

      In a moment, he was back, a look of relief on his face. “I peaked through the window. She’s curled up on the backseat. I think she’s asleep.”

      “I told you.”

      “This time.” He eyed the brochure for a moment. “Okay, СКАЧАТЬ