Best of My Love (Fool's Gold) (9 page)

Carol picked up the leash and drew Jasper away from the bone. They approached Aidan again. Jasper’s gaze was sharp and just a little threatening. Aidan didn’t know a whole lot about dogs, but he was pretty sure this one didn’t like him.

“He’s not the one,” Shelby said. “There’s no chemistry.”

“I agree.” Carol walked toward the door. “Let me bring in someone else.”

A Lab mix, a midsized pit bull and a Great Dane later, Aidan was thinking he wasn’t cut out to be a dog owner. The pit bull had been too hyper, the Lab barely moved and the Great Dane was still a puppy and more interested in chasing its tail than paying attention to him.

“I didn’t think it would be this hard,” Shelby admitted when Carol had taken the Great Dane away. “There’s more involved than I’d realized. You have to know you’re getting the right dog. You could have him for years.”

“I guess I’ll come back in a few weeks,” Aidan said as he stood. “Carol said they get new dogs in all the time.”

The door opened and the volunteer walked in with a small white dog.

“I know, I know,” she said with a slight shrug. “He’s nothing like you described. But I couldn’t help thinking maybe he was the one. This is Charlie.”

“He’s adorable!” Shelby dropped to her knees. “Hi, Charlie.”

The little dog, stocky, with kind of short legs and a white curly coat, trotted over to her. He sniffed her fingers, then licked them before heading to Aidan.

“He’s really small,” Aidan said doubtfully. “I don’t want a puppy.”

“Charlie’s nearly five,” Carol said. “He’s full-grown. He’s a bichon frise. They’re friendly, happy dogs. Their history is as entertainers. A lot of bichons worked in circuses.”

Shelby giggled and Aidan winced. “I don’t really want that kind of pet.”

Carol pulled a small dog treat out of her pocket and handed it to Aidan. “Give him this. Have him sit first.”

Aidan took the piece of dried meat and held it in his hand. Charlie immediately sat.

“Good boy,” Aidan said. “Can he do any other tricks?”

Charlie raised both paws and waved them. When Aidan didn’t give him the treat, he waved them faster as if asking, “What else do you want from me?”

Aidan grinned and handed over the bit of food. Charlie took it politely and swallowed it, then jumped on the sofa, next to Aidan.

Man and dog looked at each other. Aidan let him sniff his fingers before petting him. Charlie’s coat was soft and his body was solid. His eyes were dark brown and he had a happy, doggy grin.

Shelby hugged him and got a quick kiss in return. “He’s really friendly. That’s good for when you take him into your office. I’d be worried that a dog like Jasper would scare customers, but Charlie would totally charm them.”

Aidan had to admit the little dog was cute enough and seemed pleasant to be around, but he was so small...and kind of girly.

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I was thinking of something more...”

“Macho?” Shelby asked, raising her eyebrows. “You are such a guy.” She turned to Carol. “Can we take him for a walk?”

“Sure. Let me get his coat.”

Aidan held in a groan. “He wears a
coat
?”

“He’s small and short. The snow would cover him. It’s fifteen degrees outside. Of course he needs a coat.”

Carol returned with a blue cape thing with Velcro straps. She showed them both how to put it on Charlie. The dog stood perfectly still, except for his wagging tail. When he was covered, he jumped down and led the way to the door.

Once they were outside, Charlie took charge and followed what must be a familiar path. He sniffed a lot, stopped to pee a couple of times, then marched on purposefully.

“I couldn’t take him skiing,” Aidan said.

“You couldn’t take any dog skiing.”

“Okay, but what about snowshoeing? He’d disappear in the first snowdrift.”

“Put him on a sled and pull him.”

Aidan frowned at the mental image that suggestion planted in his brain. “I thought dogs were supposed to pull people—not the other way around.”

“When life gives you lemons, or in this case, small dogs, compromises must be made. He’d be fun camping. He wouldn’t take up much room. He could sleep in your sleeping bag or next to it in summer.” Her expression brightened. “Cleanup would be easier. Small dog, small poop.”

“There’s a selling point.”

Charlie barked at a couple of birds. They walked on for a few more minutes, then Aidan called to him. Charlie immediately stopped and turned. Aidan picked him up. The little dog’s paws were damp and nearly frozen and Charlie was shivering.

“Hey, why didn’t you say something?” he asked. “You’re freezing.”

He unzipped his jacket and tucked Charlie inside against his chest. Shelby helped him zip the jacket closed around the dog. Aidan supported his butt with one hand. Charlie shivered for a couple more minutes, then snuggled close and closed his eyes.

“He would have just kept going,” Aidan admitted. “I can’t decide if that’s crazy or brave.”

“Maybe it’s that he would be up for an adventure.”

“Carol said he comes from a line of circus dogs.”

“No one has to know.”

“Now you’re making fun of me.”

“Not only now,” she teased. Her smile faded. “What do you think?”

Aidan wasn’t sure. Charlie wasn’t anything he’d been looking for. He’d thought he would end up with a Lab or maybe a German shepherd.

“He’s kind of ridiculous,” he said. “But I think I like him.”

They got back to the shelter. After Aidan took off the dog’s coat, Charlie dropped to the ground and rolled on his back, as if scratching an itch. The pure joy of the moment—all four paws waving in the air, his stocky little body writhing in pleasure—pretty much sealed the deal.

Carol said they could take as much time as they wanted with Charlie. Aidan led him back into the faux living room. Charlie ran around and sniffed the toys, then drank some water. When Aidan and Shelby returned to the sofa, Charlie jumped up next to them before settling on the back of the sofa. He gazed at Aidan as if he knew what was being decided.

“Well, hell,” Aidan muttered. He stroked the side of Charlie’s face. The dog licked his hand, then put his head on his paws and closed his eyes.

He was a good little guy, he thought. Friendly, eager and easygoing.

“I suppose a trial run wouldn’t hurt.”

Shelby smiled. “Silly man. There is no trial. If you take him home there’s no way you’re bringing him back.”

Aidan looked at the little dog and had a bad feeling she was right.

* * *

A
IDAN
’
S
FIRST
STOP
after taking Shelby home was the pet store at the edge of town. He had a starter kit of food, along with a ball and a new collar and leash from the shelter, but that wasn’t nearly enough. He knew pets needed things like beds and bowls, not to mention more than the couple of cans of food along with a two-pound bag of kibble he’d been sent home with.

“You’re going to have to help out,” he told the dog as he opened the passenger side door and reached for Charlie’s leash, which he’d left on the floor of the truck. He snapped it into place, then lifted the dog to the ground. “I don’t know what you like. Guidance would be appreciated.”

Charlie stared at him, his brown eyes thoughtful, as if he was processing the request. Aidan waited, but there was no other response. Not that he’d been expecting words or a note, but still, something would have been good.

“Okay then,” he said. “You ready?”

He pointed toward the store. Charlie started walking in that direction, his little tail straight up and wagging slightly.

Aidan got a big cart, then worried it would frighten the dog, but Charlie took it in stride. He sniffed the floor and looked around eagerly, as if happy to explore this new world.

Aidan started with the easy stuff. Food and bowls. He bought several cans of what the shelter had been using, along with a bag of kibble. He figured he would do some research online to find out the best kind for a dog like Charlie and transition him gradually. He picked out four different kinds of treats, including one that was supposed to keep Charlie’s teeth clean and his gums healthy. He got a half-dozen bowls, then headed for the toy aisle.

Charlie showed interest in squeaky toys and a good tuggy rope. Aidan picked out a couple of nubby bones that were supposed to give the dog something to chew on. Next up, beds.

Charlie tested out every one Aidan put down on the floor. It was hard to tell which one he liked best. Aidan settled on a plush, high-sided brown bed with orthopedic foam under the cushion.

Last they cruised by the collar aisle. Charlie stood patiently while Aidan tested a couple of different collars, along with a harness. He bought one of each and the matching leashes. Last, and the item he was dreading the most—a coat.

There were several styles, along with sweaters and, dear God, dog booties.

“We’re not doing that,” he told Charlie.

The dog wagged his tail.

Aidan thought about how Charlie had walked through all that icy snow and never complained. How his little paws had been frozen and he’d been shivering. Then he looked back at the booties.

Everything inside of him protested. Bad enough to have a small, white fluffy dog, but one in booties?

“It’s happening,” Aidan told Charlie. “You’re my witness. I’m turning into a woman.”

Bowing to the inevitable, he reached for the booties and tossed them into the cart.

CHAPTER EIGHT

T
HE
FIRST
MEETING
of the mayor-requested singles group took place on the Saturday before Valentine’s Day at the outdoor skating rink at Pyrite Park. Shelby was to meet Aidan there fifteen minutes before the event.

They’d put the word out on the town’s electronic community board and Bailey, the mayor’s assistant, had sent an email blast to everyone who’d signed up to receive them. Even so, Shelby had no idea what to expect. They could have two participants or two hundred.

When she got to the skating rink, she found Aidan already there, sitting on a bench by the ice-skate rental shack. Charlie sat next to him, fashionably dressed in a black-and-white plaid jacket and—she squinted just to make sure she was really seeing what she thought she was seeing—black dog booties.

“Don’t,” Aidan said as he got to his feet. “Don’t say it. I know what you’re thinking and it’s not my fault.”

“He’s very fashion forward this morning.”

“Sure, make fun of the guy trying to be a good puppy parent. He gets cold. I don’t want him to be uncomfortable.” He reached down and petted the little dog. “He’s a good boy with a lot of personality.”

“You could get matching jackets.”

“Very funny.”

She grinned, then dropped to a crouch in front of the bench. “Hi, Charlie. How are you, big guy?” As she spoke, she let the bichon sniff her fingers. His tail wagged and he gave her a quick kiss.

She picked him up and held him close. “So you two are getting to know each other?”

“We are. He likes to drive.”

“Excuse me?”

Aidan laughed. “He’s been riding around with me. The other day he climbed onto my lap in the truck. I thought he wanted to snuggle, but nope, he wanted to try to drive. I told him he had to wait until he was older.”

“I’m sure he understands.”

Aidan reached out and rubbed the side of the dog’s face. “I bought one of those books on the breed.”

“Any useful information?”

He grimaced. “Sure. That bichons do well in apartments and with the elderly. I have the old-lady, Park Avenue dog.”

Her lips twitched. “You’re still in the trial period. Want to take him back?”

Aidan frowned. “No. Of course not. He’s my dog.”

She’d known that would be the answer, but hearing it still caused her heart to melt just a little. Poor Aidan—he’d had such plans for his big, macho dog. Instead he’d ended up with Charlie. He’d led with his heart and now he was committed.

She handed over Charlie. For a second their hands tangled. She ignored the odd tingles and raised herself on tiptoe to whisper into his ear.

“Look at you, making a commitment. First a dog. Next up, you’ll find yourself with a girlfriend.”

“One step at a time,” he told her.

She was about to step away when their eyes locked and she found she couldn’t move. Or she didn’t want to, which was practically the same thing. She liked looking at Aidan—who wouldn’t? The man was attractive. But this was more than that. This was about wanting to connect. Or something.

She told herself it was nothing but her warm fuzzies about the dog. They were friends. Only friends. Yes, she occasionally wondered what it would be like to be one of his weekend conquests. She had no doubt the man had game. But weekend encounters weren’t her style. She wanted more.

Which was generally when she reminded herself that Aidan was helping her with that and repaying him by fantasizing about making love with him wasn’t very nice of her.

“What’s the plan?”

The question came from behind her. Shelby turned and saw Eddie and Gladys.

“We heard there were going to be lots of single guys here,” Eddie said. “We’re into that. Maybe someone will want to have sex with us.”

Gladys grinned. “Not at the same time. We aren’t comfortable with the idea of a threesome.”

An unexpected conversation, especially when the two women in question were in their eighties. Aidan took a step back.

“It’s not a singles group,” he began, then paused. “I mean it’s for single people but not so they can get together.”

Eddie and Gladys looked at each other. “What are you talking about? What else are they going to do?”

“Be friends,” Shelby told them. “Mayor Marsha thought it would be good for single men and women to have a chance to be friends without the pressure of dating. Like Aidan and I are doing. We hang out and enjoy each other’s company, but as friends. Nothing more.”

“That’s stupid.” Eddie put her hands on her hips. “Are you telling me that this is platonic?” She practically spit the last word. “No one’s getting any?”

“That’s not exactly how I would put it,” Shelby began.

“Yes or no?” Gladys asked. “Sex or no sex?”

“No sex,” Shelby said.

“Ridiculous,” Eddie grumbled. “Young people today. I’ll never understand them.”

“Let’s get out of here. Maybe somebody good is working out at the gym.”

The two old ladies walked away. Aidan looked from them to the crowd gathering near the rental shack. There were about fifteen people.

“You think they’re going to take the news any better?” he asked.

“I’m not sure.” She was genuinely confused. “Why do people act like we’re doing something unnatural? This is a good thing.”

“Let’s go see if we can convince our new friends over there.”

Shelby and Aidan walked over to the group waiting. She took Charlie while he introduced himself and her, then explained Mayor Marsha’s vision for the event. Shelby put down Charlie and let him greet everyone. He was friendly and gentle and soon had all the women fussing over him.

“I don’t get it,” one of the guys, a twentysomething with blond hair and glasses, said. “I thought this was a place to get to know girls.”

“It is,” Shelby told him. “As friends.”

“I don’t want any more girls who are just friends. What’s the point?”

Shelby looked at Aidan, who shrugged.

“It’s nice,” she said. “When there’s no pressure. Aidan and I are friends and we’ve learned a lot from each other.”

A tall redhead in her late thirties frowned. “I’m with him. I thought I could meet some single guys. I work a lot and it’s hard to get out. I already have plenty of friends. I’m looking for something a little more interesting.”

Shelby saw one of the guys shift closer to her. She looked at Aidan. “Help.”

“Just give it a try,” he told the group.

The twentysomething in glasses looked doubtful. “Are you being straight with us, bro? I saw how you looked at her before. That wasn’t about being friends.”

Shelby blinked. “What are you talking about? We’re really friends. Just friends.”

Aidan nodded. “She’s right.”

“Uh-huh,” the guy said. “Whatever it takes to get through the night. I’m not going to judge.”

Aidan drew in a breath. “Let’s just give it a try, okay? Get your skates and get on the ice. Try to talk to everyone if you can. As friends.”

There was some grumbling but the group started to get ready to go out on the ice. A few had brought their own skates, the rest got in line to rent a pair.

Shelby sighed. “I’m not sure this is going to work. But we’re making the effort, so we can report back to Mayor Marsha with a clear conscience.” She looked at Aidan. “What did that guy mean about how you looked at me?”

Aidan bent down to check on Charlie’s coat. “I don’t know. I don’t think he’s going to come back for our second event.”

“I don’t think any of them are.”

Aidan straightened. “Ready to skate?”

“Uh-huh. What are you going to do with Charlie?”

“Maggie who runs the shack is going to keep him with her.” Aidan grinned. “Charlie’s very good with the ladies. At work, he has Fay trained. Right at ten and two, he’s up and looking for a doggy treat. He sits up and waves his paws at her. If she’s too slow, he waves faster, then starts to bark at her, and off she goes to get his treat.”

“I knew you were smart,” she told the dog.

Aidan led Charlie toward the shack. Shelby watched him go. Charlie might not be the dog he’d had in mind, but they looked good together. Watching Aidan tend to the smaller dog was just so sweet. And kind of sexy. The tender side of him was unexpected.

For a second she allowed herself to imagine how tender he would be with her. Gentle, but strong. He would take his time and make her feel safe and cared for. Then she shook off the images. They were friends. Only friends. Despite what anyone else thought...or said.

* * *

“I
WANTED
TO
let you know I’m fine,” Amber said.

Shelby looked up from the supplies she was organizing. Taking Taryn’s advice, she’d put a notice up at the high school. Two-hour shifts were available at the bakery for cookie decorating. Their Valentine’s Day orders had tripled from the previous year. It seemed that the entire town, not to mention several dozen out-of-state customers, wanted frosted cookies for the holiday. There was no way Shelby and their permanent staff could get everything done in time, so reinforcements were being called in.

She had eight fifteen-year-old girls due to arrive at three thirty. Which meant eight stations to be set up with frosting, cookies and little sprinkles. Not to mention hairnets, aprons and gloves.

She looked at her business partner and did her best to put Amber’s statement in context. Before she could, the other woman laughed.

“Sorry. I guess I assumed it was all about me. I saw Dr. Galloway last week. Remember, I’d been complaining about not feeling well? I wanted to let you know I’m fine.”

“Oh!” Shelby laughed. “Of course. I’m sorry. I should have remembered.”

“You’re busy.”

“Still, not an excuse. So everything is good? That’s so great. Does she have you on special vitamins or something?”

Amber shifted her gaze to the table. “Um, yes. I am on vitamins and some other things. I’m not sick.”

There was something in her friend’s voice. A particular tone Shelby couldn’t put her finger on. Still, if everything was all right, she was busy enough to let the rest of it go.

“I’m glad. I know you weren’t yourself.”

“I wasn’t, but now I’m, you know, okay.” Amber pointed to the cookie stations. “I’m very curious about how this is going to go.”

“Me, too. I figure we’re either going to have a fantastic workforce we can call in for special orders, or it will be a total disaster.”

“No middle ground?”

“I think not.”

“Good luck with it all.”

“Thanks.”

Shelby finished setting up the stations and returned to check on the front of the store just as Madeline walked.

“Hey, you.” Her friend smiled. “How’s it going? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“I’ve been busy and so have you.”

Madeline laughed. “Tell me about it. A lot of young women are expecting a Valentine’s Day proposal, so they’ve been coming in to try on dresses. Which means lots of looking and no buying. I tell myself they’ll be back. In the meantime, our samples are getting a workout.”

“Speaking of samples,” Shelby teased as she held out a plate with pieces of cookie on it. “We’re doing some special Valentine’s cookies. If you want some for your movie-star fiancé, you need to order soon.”

Madeline took a piece and popped it in her mouth. “I already have. They’re so delicious.” She took a second piece. “Jonny’s been going back and forth to LA for the past couple of weeks. It’s all in preparation for his next movie. When I get his schedule nailed down, I was thinking of having a few people over for dinner. You know, couples. Can I invite you and Aidan?”

“We’re not a couple.”

“You keep saying that and no one believes you.” Madeline smiled. “Say yes. It will be fun.”

But we’re not a couple
. Still, Shelby didn’t say the words. She was starting to understand that no one could grasp what they were doing. She didn’t know why it was so hard to understand, but it was. So she should probably accept it.

“I’ll check with Aidan and get back to you. I’m sure he’ll say yes.”

“Great.” Madeline grinned. “Want to come by the store and try on some samples?”

“No. It’s not like that.”

“Keeping telling yourself that and maybe one day it will be true.”

With that, her friend waved and left.

Shelby put the sample plate back on the counter and sighed. Aidan wasn’t going to propose. Not on Valentine’s Day or ever. But thinking about him asking her to marry him made her feel all funny inside. Not in a bad way. More...unsettled. As if the possibility wasn’t exactly awful.

* * *

A
IDAN
WATCHED
S
HELBY
move unsteadily across the snow. They were cross-country skiing—a first for her. Her movements were jerky and uncoordinated. He had to admit that whenever they tried a new sport, he was always surprised by how badly she did. Oh, she tried and put her whole heart into it. But she lacked that innate athletic skill he would have assumed she had. After all, her brother was a former Olympic athlete. Of course, his father was a world-famous artist and he’d never gotten beyond stick figures. Genetics was a funny thing.

She continued to slide her legs back and forth while using her poles, the way he’d taught her.

“This is a great workout,” she said, her voice breathless. “I get that it will whip me into shape. The fun part is less clear.”

“It gets more fun as you get better at it.”

“Where have I heard that before?”

But she didn’t give up. She kept moving and after a few minutes, her stride evened out.

Despite the straps around his shoulders and chest to pull the small sled, he easily kept pace with her. Every few minutes he looked back to check on Charlie. The little dog was in a box on the sled, settled in a nest of old down coats Aidan had borrowed from the lost-and-found box at the office. Charlie had on his doggy coat and booties and seemed happy to watch the world go by.

Shelby moved a little faster. “Okay, I’m getting it.”

She barely finished speaking when she let out a little yelp and fell over sideways. Aidan helped her to her feet.