Better Luck Next Time by Denise Grover Swank & Denise Grover Swank

Author:Denise Grover Swank & Denise Grover Swank [Casella, A.R. & Grover Swank, Denise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781940562414
Publisher: DGS

Based on the portfolios he’d compiled, some handed to him by Dottie, the rest found through his own research, they decided to invite three of the artists to participate in the show, to visit five others, and to (hopefully) forget the last one, whose realistic clown paintings would probably haunt Finn for the rest of his life. Had Dottie known about his irrational fear of clowns?

They drove over to Dog is Love, talking about the show and hypothesizing about the models used by the clown artist. Did he travel from circus to circus? Were they based on people he didn’t like? When Finn pulled into the lot, ten minutes late—lunch had taken longer than he’d thought, partially because Bryan had brought over his origin story speech at the end of their meal and asked Finn to both edit and sign it—he saw River’s car.

“Well, there you go,” Adalia said, grinning. “You need to talk to him, and the universe delivered. I’m sure Dottie would have something to say about that.”

Except he suspected it wasn’t a coincidence at all. Maisie must have been desperate enough to duck River—or at least being alone with River—that she’d changed her meeting with him to coincide with Finn’s visit. And she’d neglected to tell Finn, fearing (correctly) that he’d cancel. He was tempted to just pull out of the lot and leave, but if he did that he’d have to explain to Adalia, and she might feel compelled to say something to Georgie, and then…

“It’s not a coincidence, is it?” Adalia said. He started to say something, but she raised a hand. “Say no more. I can tell you’re on the verge of telling me what’s going on in there. But I’d prefer to keep it a horrible surprise.”

“Well, I’m not inclined to argue with that.”

He went around to open her door, and she hooked her arm through his like they were about to go on a picnic.

The front door was open, since they’d come during the shelter’s regular hours, and an older bearded guy sat behind the desk, eating some sort of smelly cheese Danish.

Seeing them, he swallowed thickly.

Finn introduced himself, thought about shaking the guy’s hand, thought about the Danish, and settled for a nod.

“Maisie’s already back there with River,” the guy said. “They’re in the visiting room. Do you need me to show you back?”

Finn grappled with his conscience. Maisie obviously didn’t want to talk to River alone, and part of him thought he should go back there and save her. But another part of him genuinely believed that she was avoiding the inevitable. That her hesitation to talk to River, and maybe even divulge her secret, was causing both of them pain. Besides, he believed in River and Maisie’s friendship—even knowing what he knew—and it was never going to get back on track if they didn’t talk it out.

“Actually, maybe we could look at the adoptable dogs first?” He shot a glance at Adalia and gently pulled her to his side. “This one’s thinking of becoming a foster mom.

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