A Thankful Heart (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 2) by Melissa McClone

Author:Melissa McClone [McClone, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Fiction
ISBN: 9781944925994
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Published: 2016-11-02T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Walking dogs with Dakota on a crisp autumn Friday afternoon wasn’t so bad. Bryce held onto Scout’s leash and shortened his stride. The small dog reminded him of his childhood pet Spartacus. Non-threatening and one hundred percent loveable. The little terrier mix didn’t bark. He just pumped his shorter legs to keep up with everyone else.

Rascal, however, was another story.

Dakota held onto his leash and walked between Bryce and the dog. She worked to control Rascal, who seemed to want to go in every direction except forward, but not once did she lose her patience. Her voice was strong and firm, but never too loud. The more Bryce learned about Dakota Parker, the more impressed he was.

Rascal wasn’t a beast, but his size reminded Bryce of that dog who had chased him years ago. He was older and bigger now. Logically, he knew this wasn’t the same animal and he had no reason to worry, but he kept his distance from the clumsy, energetic puppy anyway. Caution seemed the prudent course here.

“The dogs like to walk,” he said.

“Yes. All I have to do is touch their leashes and they start jumping like pogo sticks.” The look of adoration she showered on the two dogs made Bryce wish she’d look at him like that. “It’s so cute.”

She was cute. Beautiful, really. Even though clouds were moving in, the daylight brought out the blonde highlights in her hair. Her brown eyes were warm and reminded him of the delicious chocolate she sold. And her easy smile was contagious to both man and beast. Well, beasts if Rascal counted.

“Do you usually walk them on your own?” Bryce asked.

“Yes. I shoot for twice a day, but if not, I have a dog run in the backyard. Scout’s not a big fan of that. He much prefers running in the hallways indoors, but Rascal loves it.”

Bryce laughed. “Is there anything Rascal doesn’t love?”

“Obeying.” She shortened the leash to keep him away from a child’s bicycle in a front yard.

“He seems curious.”

“That’s a puppy for you.”

A dirty, dented pickup truck drove past. A man in a cowboy hat sat behind the wheel and honked the horn. He lifted his hat.

Dakota waved.

“Friend of yours?” Bryce asked.

“A wrangler from a ranch outside of town.”

That didn’t tell him if the cowboy was a friend…or more. “You must know everyone around here.”

“If they’re regulars at the chocolate shop, I do. But some I know through Whiskers and Paw Pals, others from my summer vacations here as a kid, and a few from various places in town. You’ll find a nice cross-section of people in Marietta and the surrounding areas.”

“You’ve studied this?”

“Anecdotally, but I majored in Sociology with the thought of possibly going to law school, but I decided that wasn’t for me. My father was in the army, so we saw many parts of the world. I learned how to get a feel for a place and the people there quickly.”

“The world at your disposal and here you are.”

“Marietta makes me happy.

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