In EmmyLou's Hands by Pamela Hearon

Author:Pamela Hearon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

THANK GOODNESS THE alarm on Emmy’s driveway woke her at eight thirty-three or she might’ve missed her first appointment at ten o’clock. The night had been a fitful one, thanks to Devil-Man, Sol Beecher, who’d obviously made it his sole purpose in life to drive her to the brink of insanity.

But maybe that’s him.

She shot out of bed, detesting how her heart two-stepped into a happy rhythm at the idea that he had come to make up and start over.

Said heart slowed to a dull thud at the sight of the familiar yellow van from Kerry’s Grooming and Doggy Daycare making its way slowly up the drive.

“Oh Lord have mercy.” She’d forgotten that Topher Kerry was picking up Bentley today for his monthly grooming. She hurried to slip on some shorts and a tee and make herself look like she’d been awake for a while. She shook her fingers through her hair, loosening the strands from sleep mode. Then she ran the makeup brush all over her face, leaving behind enough of the powder to take off the shine.

By the time the young man reached her doorbell, she had Bentley’s collar and leash on him and his gluten-free treats ready for travel.

“Morning, Topher.” She held the door for him as Bentley’s tail beat a greeting on the nearby wall.

“Hi, Miss Emmy.” The twenty-one-year-old’s blush always made her feel like Mrs. Robinson even though she’d never done anything around him that could even remotely be taken as flirting.

“I’ve got everything ready to go. Here’s his bag...and his leg. Oh crap! I mean, leash. Not leg.” She was the one blushing now as Topher looked at her with an expression that said he was totally reevaluating her hotness and replacing it with senility. He’d opened his mouth when footfalls on the stairs drew their attention.

Joe Wayne came sauntering down, scruffy and swollen-eyed. “Morning.” He wiped his hand down his face.

Emmy could smell the liquor on him from three feet away.

Topher’s eyes widened as his quizzical look bounced between her and her brother.

“Hey, bub.” She tilted her head. “Topher, this is my brother Joey. Joey, Topher Kerry, Bentley’s dog groomer.”

“Topher?” Joey scratched his head. “Sounds like something you’d chew up and spit out.”

Topher grinned. “Short for Christopher. You know, like Topher Grace?”

“That a church song?” Joey didn’t bother to cover the big yawn that stretched his mouth wide.

“No, it’s a movie star,” Topher answered, and Joey shrugged, obviously unimpressed. “Did you remember that we’re closing early today?” The young man turned his attention back to Emmy while Joey sprawled leisurely on the stairs.

“Gah! No, I’d forgotten.” She had appointments until five. Venting her frustration, she let go with a loud cat hiss, causing Bentley to bark and Joey to groan.

“Soooo, are you going to come pick him up, or shall I bring him back here?”

No way could she get off by three-fifteen, which is what it would take to be in the town of Benton by the four o’clock closing time at the groomers.

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