Puppies on Parade Read online

  Puppies on Parade

  Debby Mayne

  Copyright © Deborah Mayne 2018

  Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, with the exception of brief quotations in printed reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters in this story are the product of the author's imagination and are completely fictitious.

  Chapter 1

  Never in Emily Moore’s life had she ever seen such a sweet face, but she knew she couldn’t take on the responsibility of a pet. Or could she?

  She’d been out on her own for a while, building a successful business that enabled her to have the house of her dreams. But it was big and lonely, and she often found herself wondering if there was more to life than increasing her bottom line, only to come home to a silent house.

  And now here she was, standing in front of Friedman’s Shoe Repair Shop, making eye contact with a dog she knew nothing about. She glanced back at the sign in the window with the words Sweet Great Dane Puppy Free to a Good Home.

  She took a step back and looked the dog in the eyes once again. Her heart jumped smack dab in front of her brain, and she pushed the door open.

  The man behind the counter and cobbler, Mr. Friedman, smiled. “Yes? May I help you?”

  “I’m interested in the dog.” She turned around and pointed to the dog that was now looking over his shoulder at her.

  “Are you sure? The puppy is going to be bigger than you when he’s full grown.” Mr. Friedman gave her a look of amusement.

  She blinked. “He’s not full grown yet?”

  “No.” Mr. Friedman came from behind the counter and walked toward the dog. “He’s only six months old, so he has quite a bit of growing to do.” He pulled a treat out of his pocket. “He’s a Great Dane … also known as a gentle giant.”

  As if to prove the man’s point, the dog gently took the treat from the man’s hand. Emily’s heart melted. Now she knew for sure she wanted him, even though the only dogs she’d ever had were less than half his size.

  “What’s his name?”

  Mr. Friedman grinned. “Hank. I didn’t want to name him, but after we found homes for the rest of the litter, the wife said we needed to stop calling him Pup.”

  Emily nodded. “I like the name Hank.” She glanced over at the dog with the tilted head and curious expression that made her laugh. “It suits him.”

  “Yeah, I thought so too. He’s a good dog, but we still have his mama, and our house isn’t big enough for two dogs his size.” He paused as he looked directly at her. “How would your husband feel about getting a dog that’s the size of a horse?”

  “I don’t have a husband.” She looked at Hank, only to have her heart melt even more. “That’s why I want Hank. He’ll keep me company.”

  His forehead crinkled. “But I thought you got married last year.”

  “No, that was my sister Amanda.”

  He nodded. “Oh, that’s right. You’re the Moore sister with the big ambitions.”

  “That’s right.” Emily forced a smile through gritted teeth. She hated the reputation she’d developed after using her business skills to start businesses, grow them, and sell them for a profit. But she didn’t want to ruin her chance of getting this dog that she now knew she had to have.

  “Being such a business tycoon, will you have time for Hank? He’s a big baby and needs lots of attention.”

  To prove Mr. Friedman’s point, Hank walked over, looked into her eyes again, and lifted a paw. She had to clear her throat to keep her emotions in check.

  “He wants you to shake his paw.” Mr. Friedman chuckled. “I taught him that trick one afternoon when business was slow.”

  “So how much do you want for him?” Emily braced herself for a steep dollar amount.

  “All I want for him is a good home.” He smiled. “But remember he’s not cheap. Dogs his size eat like …” He let out a soft chuckle. “They eat like horses.”

  “You don’t want any money?”

  “No money. Like I said, just a good home.” His attention was diverted to something behind her.

  She turned around and saw one of the city councilmen coming toward the shop—a man who’d only been in town a couple of years and decided he wanted to give something back. She’d never spoken to him, but she’d heard good things. As soon as he opened the door, she realized how tall he was—at least a head taller than her five-foot-eight.

  He glanced back and forth between Mr. Friedman and Emily before turning back to the shop owner. “I just wanted to check on you to see if you’re still entering a float for the children.”

  “Absolutely. We’re doing an Old Woman and a Shoe float this year.”

  “Sounds good.” He turned and smiled toward her as he extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Brice Johnson.”

  “Emily Moore.” The instant she took his hand, she felt as though an electric current shot up her arm and straight to her heart.

  “Yes, I know. I’ve heard all about your business acumen.”

  “Well—”

  Mr. Friedman interrupted her. “She doesn’t like talking about herself, but we all know that this woman is a business tycoon.”

  She started to remind him that he couldn’t remember which Moore sister she was when she first walked in, but she cleared her throat to stop herself. “I just enjoy starting and growing companies and then handing them over to someone who can enjoy running them.”

  “Sounds like you live up to your reputation,” he said. “How about you? Do you want to be in the parade?”

  She scrunched her nose. “No, afraid not. I’m not into that sort of thing.”

  He tilted his head toward her as a hint of a smile played on his lips. “But you will be there, won’t you?”

  “I’ll be standing on the sidewalk watching, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Good. We need someone to watch.” He laughed.

  Emily loved the way he laughed so easily and without an ounce of self-consciousness. Hank let out a soft whimper, reminding him he was right there with him.

  Brice reached out and scratched Hank behind the ears. “I know one creature who’s looking forward to being in the parade.”

  She tilted her head and gave him a curious look. “Creature?”

  Brice nodded. “Yes, Hank’s going to be leading the puppy brigade.”

  “Oh.”

  Mr. Friedman spoke up. “I was planning to walk him, but if he winds up going home with you, well …” He held out his hands and exchanged a conspiratorial smile with Brice. “Then he’ll be walking with you.”

  “Oh.” She cleared her throat. “I’m not so sure I—”

  Brice continued petting Hank. “If you don’t want to walk your dog, I’m sure we can find someone who will.”

  “If you put it that way …” She glanced down at Hank before looking back at Mr. Friedman. “You haven’t told me I can have the dog yet.”

  Mr. Friedman grinned. “Well, I could make it conditional that you’ll walk him in the parade, but I won’t do that to you. All I want for him is a good home where he’ll get lots of attention and love.”

  Brice leaned over and cupped the dog’s chin with one hand and rubbed Hank’s head with the other, eliciting a goofy expression from Hank. “I have no doubt this guy will do whatever it takes to get all the love he wants.”

  “Yeah, he pretty much lets you know what he needs and wants.” Mr. Friedman turned to Emily with a grin. “I think Hank would love to go home with you.”

  “So he’s mine?”

  Mr. Friedman nodded. “Absolutely. And if you still w
ant me to walk him in the parade, I will.” Then he scrunched his face, bent over, and rubbed his knee. “That is, if this arthritis doesn’t get the best of me.”

  Guilt instantly washed over her. “You don’t have to.”

  “Someone does.” Mr. Friedman held his hand out toward Hank. “He’s been looking forward to it ever since he first found out about it.”

  Emily couldn’t help but smile. “I would never want to let him down, so I’ll walk with him.”

  “Oh, good.” Brice cleared his throat. “That means you get to join us at the pre-parade meeting and the after-parade party.”

  “Meeting?” She tilted her head and glanced back and forth between the two men. “Party?”

  “I should have said meetings,” Brice said. “We have several for planning purposes … you know, to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

  “Oh, yes, of course.”

  Mr. Friedman made a grumbling sound. “Meetings are overrated. I don’t see why you have to have ‘em. Why don’t you just tell everyone what to do and let them do it?”

  Both Emily and Brice started to talk, so Brice stopped and gestured toward her. “You go first.”

  She grinned at him. “I agree that there are sometimes too many meetings that go on and on, but a few of them are necessary to make sure everything is coordinated just so.”

  “That’s right,” Brice added. “We’re only having a few to make sure everyone is clear about what to do, like when to show up, what’s expected, and any changes that might take place.”

  Mr. Friedman looked back and forth between them. “I reckon y’all know what you’re talking about, but I still don’t like meetings.”

  “Want to know a secret?” Brice said.

  Mr. Friedman narrowed his eyes. “What’s that?”

  “I don’t like meetings either.”

  “Then why on earth are you on the city council?” Mr. Friedman’s voice boomed and echoed through the tiny shop, making Hank’s ears twitch. “Sorry, fella. It’s just that—”

  Brice interrupted. “You really don’t like meetings. I get it, which is why I like to keep them short.”

  “You still didn’t answer me about the city council. Why are you on it?”

  With a shrug, Brice replied, “I suppose I like to torture myself … that and the fact that I want to give back to the community that’s been so good to me.”

  Emily listened to this conversation with great interest, but she needed to run a few errands and pick up some things before bringing Hank home with her. So she edged toward the door.

  Mr. Friedman lifted and eyebrow. “Leaving without the dog?”

  “I just need to pick up some food, a bowl, a leash, a collar, and …” She crinkled her forehead. “What else will I need?”

  Both Mr. Friedman and Brice laughed, until Mr. Friedman spoke. “Lots of things for him to chew. He’s still a puppy, and unless you want to come home to shredded furniture and shoes with holes, you’ll need to get him plenty of things to gnaw on.”

  “Oh.” She hadn’t thought about that.

  “Having second thoughts?” Mr. Friedman shook his head. “If you’ve changed your mind about Hank, I certainly understand.”

  “No, I definitely haven’t changed my mind.”

  Brice lifted his index finger. “Tell you what. If you can wait a few minutes, we can go to the hardware store. We have a pet section that has most of the basics you’ll need until you have time to go to a pet store.”

  “Yeah, he carries premium dog food too.” Mr. Friedman folded his arms and shook his head. “Not that most people can afford to feed a dog his size the equivalent of lobster and filet mignon.”

  Emily could afford to feed him whatever he wanted, but she wasn’t about to say that at the risk of sounding arrogant. She’d made enough money in her thirty years to retire in style, but she didn’t do it for the money. She loved starting companies and setting people up to live their dreams of working for themselves.

  “Why don’t you spend a little time here getting to know Hank, while I finish my rounds?” Brice walked toward the door. “I’ll come back and get you before I head to the hardware store.”

  She nodded and then turned around to pet Hank. He looked up at her as if he knew what was going on.

  “The two of you really hit it off,” Mr. Friedman said.

  “I don’t see how anyone wouldn’t hit it off with Hank. He’s such a friendly dog. His expressions are priceless.”

  “I wasn’t talking about the dog.” The man smiled. “I was talking about the man.”

  Chapter 2

  Wow. Brice hadn’t expected that to happen. As he made his rounds to talk to people about the parade, he couldn’t get his mind off Emily. The instant he walked into the shoe shop, he felt as though he’d been smacked right between the eyes.

  He knew about the Moore family. Before he joined the city council, he’d been told all about how the town started. Emily’s great-great-grandfather had one of the first cars in the county, and as he passed through the area, he thought about what a convenient location for his sales job it was, between two medium sized cities.

  So he built a house, brought his family here, and eventually opened a couple of shops to cater to people passing through. Eventually, another family settled in the area, and then another decided to do the same. Within ten years, there was a town that continued to grow as people discovered it.

  Now that he’d met Emily, he had no doubt she was cut from the same cloth as her great-great-grandfather. He didn’t detect an ounce of indecisiveness or fear in her. She had the same entrepreneurial spirit that it took to start a town. She was smart and nice, and of course, it didn’t hurt that she was great to look at.

  He didn’t spend as much time with each business owner or manager as he’d planned, but that was okay as long as he checked in. Based on personal experience, he knew that his physical presence was important in maintaining a good relationship with the people he counted on. They saw that he cared.

  After his final visit, he went back to Mr. Friedman’s shop. His heart dropped when he walked in and saw the cobbler alone, standing behind the counter, working on something. Mr. Friedman glanced up and grinned.

  “Did they leave already?”

  Mr. Friedman chuckled. “You look devastated, so I’m sure you’ll be happy to know they just went for a walk around the block. I think Emily wanted a little time alone with Hank.”

  The first thought that flitted through Brice’s mind was that he’d love some time alone with Emily. “So they’re coming back?”

  “That’s the plan …” Mr. Friedman’s grin widened. “Unless they decide to run away.” He lifted a handbag from behind the counter. “But I don’t think she’d leave this.”

  A sense of relief washed over Brice. He propped his elbow on the counter, took a brief glance over his shoulder toward the street, and turned back to face Mr. Friedman. “Looks like Emily is smitten.”

  The cobbler nodded. “Oh, she absolutely is.”

  “And I’m sure Hank is just as taken by her as she is him.”

  Mr. Friedman put down the tool he was holding and looked Brice in the eyes. “Hank’s not the only one.”

  Brice gave him a curious look, but before he had a chance to say a word, the sound of the bells on the door caught his attention. The instant he saw that it was Emily returning with Hank, his heart stopped momentarily and then started pounding double-time.

  Her slightly windblown hair and flushed cheeks added dimension to her already-breathtaking beauty. And when she smiled at him, the floor beneath him seemed to shift. He leaned into the counter to steady himself.

  The sound of Mr. Friedman’s voice brought him back to the moment. “How was the walk? Did Hank behave?”

  Emily nodded. “Absolutely. Why didn’t you tell me he knows everyone in town?”

  “I figured you’d find that out soon enough.”

  “One guy stopped us and asked if Hank was considering a run fo
r mayor.” Emily cast a look at Brice and then gave the dog a pat on the head. “Based on how he was today, I think he just might win.”

  “I’m sure everyone in town would be thrilled to have him sitting in the mayor’s chair,” Brice added.

  Emily gave him an apologetic look. “I didn’t mean—”

  “No, I realize you were just kidding. Hank’s a lovable fella.”

  “I know, right?” Emily shifted from one foot to the other, and Hank adjusted his body to lean into her. “When will you be ready to take me to get some stuff for him?”

  “We can do it now.”

  Emily turned to Mr. Friedman. “Do you mind if I leave him here while we do this?”

  “You can bring him with us,” Brice said.

  Mr. Friedman shook his head. “Why don’t the two of you go without him? I’d love to watch him for a few minutes.” He came around from behind the counter and placed his hand on Hank’s shoulder. “I’d like some time to say goodbye to the big guy, if you don’t mind.”

  As Brice led Emily from the store, he looked over his shoulder to see Mr. Friedman give him a thumbs-up. It was obvious that the man had more than one motive to keep the dog with him a few more minutes … and Brice appreciated it.

  “Mr. Friedman is giving me the leash and collar. What else do I need besides food, bowls, and chew toys?”

  “Have you thought about something for him to sleep on?” Brice paused. “We have an extra large dog bed that’s been sitting on the shelf for almost a year. I need to make space for something that’ll actually sell, so I can give that to you.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want you to give it to me. I can buy it.”

  “I was going to put it on clearance anyway, so you’ll get a good deal on it.” He tilted his head and met her gaze. “You will take a good deal, won’t you?”

  “Of course. I’m a bargain hunter at the core.”

  That simple statement made him like her even more. “Since he’s still a puppy, he’ll continue to grow for a while. The bed is extra large, but he might wind up hanging off the edge.”