Chasing Stanley by Deirdre Martin

Author:Deirdre Martin [Martin, Deirdre]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, General, New York (N.Y.), Love Stories, Sports & Recreation, Dog Owners, Sports Stories, Hockey, Hockey Players, Hockey Teams, Newfoundland Dog, Dog Trainers - New York (State) - New York, Dog Trainers, Man-Woman Relationships - New York (State) - New York
ISBN: 9780425214473
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2006-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Delilah knew it was wicked, but she actually enjoyed picturing Jason being overrun by the dogs. She had no intention of sending him out again in Marcus’s place. She just wanted him to see that proper dog walking wasn’t something any idiot with a leash and a bag of biscuits could do.

She’d placed an ad in the paper for Marcus’s replacement and had put out the word among her acquaintances at the dog park. The truth was, she didn’t mind carrying the business on her own shoulders for a while. It was more important she find the right person than rush into hiring someone.Jason materialized at her apartment half an hour late, with Eric in tow. Seeing the frazzled look on her lover’s face, it took all Delilah’s restraint not to burst out laughing.

“So, how was it?” she chirped.

Jason wearily raised his palms in surrender. “I apologize. It’s not an easy job. You were right.”

“Thank you.”

“He did have me helping him at the end,” Eric pointed out.

“Yeah, you were a big help,” Jason jeered. He looked hopefully at Delilah. “Any bites?”

“Jason, I just put the word out today. It might take a while, you know.”

“Great.”

Delilah chose to ignore the note of displeasure in his voice.

“Well,” he continued with a cautious expression, “I might have a temporary solution. For one night, anyway.”

“What’s that?”

Jason pointed at Eric.

“I don’t understand,” said Delilah.

“Him.” Jason continued pointing at his brother. “He can watch the dogs one night.”

Delilah felt the color drain from her face. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Hear me out.” Jason came to sit beside her. “All I want is for us to go out to dinner one night with my teammates. It’ll be three hours, max. You’re telling me Eric can’t sit here watching TV for three hours? Especially if the dogs have all been walked before he arrives?”

“But what if there’s an emergency?”

“You’ve got a cell.”

That was true. She did have a cell, and it would only be a few hours. She looked at her three dogs. They’d behave for Eric, no problem. But there was no telling how her boarders would react. “I’ll do it on one condition,” she said.

The brothers exchanged glances. “What’s that?”

“Eric has to come and hang out beforehand with the animals so they know him.”

“Done,” Jason answered. He shot his brother a piercing look. “I’ll hang out, too,” he added.

It took only a few seconds for the first tentacles of anxiety to begin winding themselves around Delilah. “You swear it will only be a few hours?” she asked Jason.

“Deep breath time,” Jason murmured to her under his breath as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “You can do this. They’re nice people. We’re just going to eat and talk. The end.”

“I’m not good at talking to people.”

Jason rubbed her shoulder. “You talk to people all the time.”

“I mean in groups,” Delilah clarified, growing more nervous. “I suck at talking to people in groups.”

“Pretend they’re dogs,” Eric suggested. Was he making fun of her? Apparently not, if his helpful expression was any indication.

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