Linda Wisdom - Single Kid Seeks Dad

Lucy started to leave her bedroom then paused and ran back to the bathroom to apply a hint of blush and lipgloss.

“Don’t want to scare the dogs,” she muttered to herself.

LOGAN HAD just checked on his patients who had remained in the clinic overnight when he heard shrieks and laughter coming from the kennel area.

“Bertie Beagle is starting to wake up,” Gwen announced, looking into the closet-sized room that doubled as Logan’s office. “He looks good, so does the pug. However, you look like hell. What time did you get to bed last night?”

He stretched his arms over his head. “Who says I got to bed? The Sullivans called about 2:00 a.m. and brought in their iguana. Sigfried wasn’t doing well.”

Gwen shook her head. “I guess you need this more than I do.” She set a coffee shop to-go cup on his desk.

“Is that one of those fancy drinks you like? The nonfat, no-foam, double-shot whatever?”

“Just be darned grateful I’m willing to share, Logan. Unless you want to wait while I make what you consider coffee.”

“Because I’m a wonderful boss who wouldn’t dream of depriving his favorite vet tech of her beloved coffee, I’ll wait for the coffee.” He smiled winningly. “What’s going on outside to cause all the laughter? Kristi isn’t known for having anything even close to a funny bone.”

“Nick Donner has one and it seems his mother does, too.” Gwen picked up the coffee carafe and carried it out to the sink. “The dogs are giving the crew a run for their money.”

Logan uncoiled himself from his chair. “Maybe I should take a look out there.”

She shot her boss a knowing look. “Right.”

Logan ignored her parting shot and headed down the hall.

“When Nick was little he hated baths with a passion, but he was never as bad as these guys!” Lucy laughed and jumped back but not fast enough as a wet soapy tail slapped her in the face.

“Thanks, Mom, just what I want people to hear.” Nick stood at another tub hosing down a Labrador mix that was happily enjoying his bath.

“Mothers love to embarrass their kids,” Kristi told him. “You should hear some of the sh—uh—nonsense my mom dishes out.” She caught the expression on Lucy’s face and quickly amended her words. “My mom told me I’ll do the same when I have kids.”

Kristi grabbed a tighter hold on the Labrador’s collar as he twisted around under the stream of water she directed at the dog. “Joey, you are a true water dog.”

Lucy drizzled shampoo on her rottweiler’s head and lathered it up with a steady stream of water.

“Why not wear a bikini?”

At the sound of Logan’s voice Lucy spun around from the tub, forgetting she still held the hose in her hand. Even though the water wasn’t turned on high, it was strong enough to hit him square in the face. She gasped in shock and quickly turned off the faucet.

“I am so sorry!” she apologized, handing him a towel until she realized it was too damp to do any good. Without saying a word, he took it from her and mopped his face.

“Wish I’d done that,” Nick chortled.

“No, you do not!” Lucy glared at her son.

“More than once we’ve all thought of soaking the boss,” Kristi said, “but he always stays inside all nice and dry while we’re out here getting as wet as the dogs.”

“But you enjoy it so much,” Logan reminded them as he tossed the towel to one side. He paused to look at Lucy. He’d seen her dressed up at a couple of local parties and he’d seen her dressed casually when she dropped Nick off here. But he’d never seen her like this. Her faded navy T-shirt with Basketball Mom From Hell on it, and her equally faded navy shorts were more wet than dry. He’d learned the hard way about the rottweiler’s love for water, so he wasn’t surprised she looked like the proverbial wet rag. Even wet, with her perky ponytail and lack of makeup, Lucy still looked cute, although he doubted she would want to hear that description.

Logan recalled that it was Lucy’s laughter that had first caught his attention. Full-bodied like a heady wine, rich like pure gold, the throaty sound traveled along his spine.

“And you hold your Adoption Day here?” Lucy asked, picking up a dry towel and drying off the large dog.

“We’ve got wire cages set up outside for the cats and dogs and a tent overhead,” Logan explained, watching Lucy put the rottweiler in his kennel then choose a medium-size terrier mix to bathe next. She picked him up and placed him in the tub. “If you’re up to hanging around for the day, we can always use the help.”

“I don’t know anything about dogs,” she pointed out.

“You have a cat.”

“Luther isn’t a cat. He’s a thug in a furry coat,” she explained. “I think he was a hit man for the mob in another life.”

“Logan doesn’t let just anyone adopt an animal,” Kristi said. “He wants to know they’re going to a good home. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up with one of the dogs.” She wrestled a young black Labrador onto a table and began drying him with a hair dryer.

Nick looked expectantly at Lucy. “A dog would be good. Every boy should have one,” he piously announced.

Lucy rolled her eyes. “I’m sure after working here for six months you’ll have your fill of dogs.”

“Didn’t you have any pets when you were growing up?” Logan asked her.

She shook her head. “My dad claimed he was allergic to goldfish. My mom told my brother and me that he was my pet and I was his. We agreed it just wasn’t the same.”

“At least you didn’t have to worry about fleas.” Logan walked over and draped a towel over the terrier before picking him up from the tub and carrying him over to a table for drying.

“Or getting him neutered,” Lucy said, tongue-in-cheek.

“Uncle Zach neutered.” Nick snickered.

“It’s not a word we guys like to hear,” Logan told him. He stepped back and watched Lucy towel-dry the terrier and mutter nonsense words to the dog. For a woman who claimed not to understand dogs, she was doing a good job of using the dryer, brush and comb on the dog and talking to him in the slightly high-pitched tone dogs enjoyed. She laughed when the dog jumped up on his hind legs and offered her a wet kiss.

“Who couldn’t resist a charmer like you?” she cooed at the dog.

Abruptly, he called out to Kristi, “Get one of the Adoption Day T-shirts for Lucy, will you?” Then he made for the door leading to the clinic.

He felt a tightening within his body at the idea of Lucy giving him the kind of attention she gave the dog. He wouldn’t mind a kiss on the nose. Or any other part of his body…

Lucy hadn’t missed the vibes practically jumping off Logan. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear he had looked at her the way a big ol’ tomcat looked at a fat mouse. Not that she’d call herself fat. The man was interested. And why wouldn’t he act interested now? she asked herself. She’d been tracking him like a cat who hadn’t been fed in days.

“Three hours here and I’m already thinking in animal metaphors,” she murmured.

“Animal metaphors?” Kristi said, walking up with a bright red T-shirt in one hand. “This could be interesting.” She held out the garment.

“Cute.” Lucy looked at the black-lined heart centered on the shirt with “Adopt With an Open Heart” written inside it. “But there’s nothing on here to advertise the clinic.” She wasn’t surprised to see that Kristi’s shirt was black with a red heart.

“Logan doesn’t have these adoption days to promote the clinic. He does it to find homes for the animals.” Kristi stroked the head of the terrier who leaned contentedly against her leg. “Which is why I have two cats and a turtle at home. Jeremy has two dogs and Gwen has three. Brenda says she refuses to give in to the animals. But how can you resist these faces?” She bent down, cupped the terrier’s face in her hands and gave him a smooch. “Huh, Sweetie Pie?”