Valerie Hansen - The Perfect Couple

“You're not going to drop this, are you?”

Susan had stood her ground and grinned with self-satisfaction. “Nope. I'm right. Admit it.”

Which was why Kara was now driving toward the Corbett ranch in spite of her misgivings. She stroked the puppy's head slowly, gently, taking care to avoid his sore ear. The contact was soothing to both of them. Before she knew it, she'd arrived.

She turned into the gravel drive and drove beneath the iron-work arch marking the main ranch entrance. The only other times she'd been there was when she and Alex had come to treat Tyler's cattle. It seemed strange to be visiting in a quasi-unofficial capacity.

The Corbett ranch had always been impressive. The main house was a sprawling, brick residence that rivaled any in the area for both style and size. This time, though, Kara noticed that the flower beds needed care and the perennial plants were wildly overgrown. Tyler apparently wasn't interested in gardening.

Parking directly in front of the house, she carefully lifted the puppy and started for the porch. “Lord, be with me,” she prayed in a whisper. “And help me find the right words to soften his heart.”

Before she could ring the bell, the door was jerked open.

Kara gasped. “Oh! You startled me.”

“I wish I could say the same,” Tyler countered. “Susan told me you were coming. I called your office as soon as I got back to the house to try to stop you. I'm afraid you've made the trip for nothing. I'm not taking that dog.”

His pigheaded attitude provoked her. “Then why did you bother saving his life?”

“You know I couldn't just leave him there.”

“But you have no qualms about leaving him homeless?”

“That's different.”

“Not the way I see it.” She stood her ground, her chin jutting out stubbornly, her eyes issuing a clear challenge.

“I hate to tell you this, but your opinion doesn't cut it with me, lady.”

“Do you think I'm surprised?” she snapped back. “I don't care what you think of me, or my practice. All I care about right now is finding a place for this poor little helpless puppy to recuperate.”

“So keep him at your place.”

Kara arched her eyebrows. “I wish I could. Unfortunately, my neighbors are already upset about the menagerie I have out there.”

“That's not my problem. It's yours.”

“You're absolutely right.” She extended her bur den toward him and the pup began to wag its skinny tail excitedly. “And this one is yours.”

“Now wait a minute….” Tyler's instinctive reaction was to accept the friendly puppy when she thrust it into his arms. The minute he drew it to his chest it wriggled happily and stretched up to lick the bottom of his chin.

“See?” Kara said, delighted. “Road Kill likes you.”

“Yeah. I see that.”

She watched his telling reaction to the little dog. It warmed her heart. Tyler Corbett might act antisocial toward her but he clearly had a way with animals. He couldn't be all bad. As a matter of fact, he looked thoroughly appealing as he stood there holding the fractious pup. His eyes sparkled with amusement, his mouth was curved into a charming smile, and the weariness seemed to have gone from his face.

It suddenly occurred to Kara that Tyler needed the puppy as much as it needed him. He'd continued with his chores at the ranch and built a new way of life for himself after the loss of his wife, but apparently he didn't have anything in that life that needed his personal attention or his love the way Road Kill did.

Kara cleared the lump from her throat, then said, “I tell you what. How about keeping him just until his leg heals? I'm sure we can find a home for him then.”

“I don't know….” Tyler glanced over his shoulder. “Buster doesn't usually like to share his turf.”

Leaning to one side, Kara peered into the living room. A big, yellow Labrador retriever was lounging on the sofa as if it belonged to him. His muzzle was greying and his eyelids drooped, indicating he was pretty old. “Is that Buster? He doesn't look like he'd even bother getting up to sniff a puppy this small,” Kara said. “Why don't we see?”

Tyler scowled down at her. “You're a determined woman, aren't you?”

“Yup.” With that, she sidestepped and slipped past him. Approaching the sofa, she spoke quietly and extended her hand. “Hello, old boy. Would you like a playmate? Huh? Would you? I'll bet you would.”

Buster lifted his broad head and nosed it beneath her hand to be petted. In the background, she heard Tyler say, “Well, I'll be.”

“What's the matter?”

“Oh, nothing.” He approached slowly, still holding Road Kill up out of the way in case the older dog objected. “I just haven't seen my dog take to anybody that fast before.”

“I love animals,” Kara said.

“Obviously they know it.” He stepped closer. “Okay. Now what? Do we put this one down for Buster to sniff or do you want to hold him to introduce them?”

Relieved, Kara smiled up at him. “I take it this means you've decided to give it a try.”

“It'll be temporary,” Tyler reminded her. “I have plenty to do on the ranch. I don't have a lot of extra time to spend taking care of a puppy.”

Nodding, she said, “I understand.”

There was a strange, faraway quality to her voice which made him wonder what she really meant. “You do?”

“Oh, yes. I threw myself into my work after Alex died, too. It helps. Until I go home and have time to think. I suppose that's why I've taken in so many homeless animals. They give me company and keep my mind occupied.”

Tyler was ashamed of himself. It didn't matter what kind of man Alex Shepherd had been, he'd still been Kara's husband. And she'd suffered the same kind of personal loss he had. Whether he liked it or not, they had a lot in common. No wonder he'd sensed an unexplainable camaraderie when he was in her presence. He'd been unfairly judging her for her husband's sins. In reality she was as much a victim of a meaningless tragedy as he was.

He bent to place the puppy in Kara's lap. “Here. You do the honors while I get us some coffee.”

“I can't stay for coffee.”

“Why not?” he asked pointedly.

“I have to get home and feed my animals.” She shifted Road Kill so his nose faced Buster's and carefully let the two dogs sniff each other. Neither seemed upset about the encounter.

“One cup of coffee won't take long.” He flashed her an amiable smile. “Humor me, okay?”

Kara didn't know what to say. The last thing she wanted to admit was that she was actually enjoying his company, in spite of the way he'd welcomed her at first. There was something soothing about being with Tyler. It was as if she no longer had to worry about doing or saying the wrong thing. He seemed to accept her as she was, not as she thought she should be, and the resulting feeling was strangely peaceful.

“All right. One cup,” Kara said. “Lots of sugar.”

Tyler chuckled. “You've heard about my coffee?”

“No. Why?” She was continuing to monitor the dogs but chanced a quick peek at him. He looked thoroughly amused.

“Dee used to tell me it would dissolve a spoon. Nobody's ever proved it, though.”

“Let's hope I'm not the first,” Kara said with a smile. “Maybe you'd better put some cream in it, too. Just to be on the safe side.”

“Gotcha. Back in a minute.”

She held Road Kill in her lap and continued to rhythmically stroke Buster's head after Tyler left the room. What was wrong with her? Didn't she have any sense? She hadn't come to the ranch to pay a social call or to befriend Tyler Corbett. She'd come to foist an injured dog on him. That was all. So why was she looking forward to a leisurely cup of coffee as if they were old friends?