Foundations, Funny Business & Murder (A Stacie Maroni Mystery Book 2) by Christa Nardi

Author:Christa Nardi [Nardi, Christa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cynthia Riccio
Published: 2018-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

I plopped back down in my chair, spent. Kevin picked up his cup and shook his head. “Let me get the dogs some more water and refills, okay?”

I nodded. He turned to go inside and turned around. With a wink, he added, “If your ferocious dog does his thing again, move this time, you hear.”

I laughed and picked Jasper up and cuddled him. Shaq lifted his head and the upper part of his body. I leaned over and petted him. He obviously was not going to move. It dawned on me he never made a peep or moved the whole time Jasper was going nuts.

“What are you looking at Shaq like that for?” Kevin handed me a cup and filled the bowl with water before sitting down.

“You do realize that your puppy already outweighs Jasper and certainly could do more damage? You have him so well trained, he never moved. He never made a sound.”

Kevin chuckled. “And I noticed you had to use your body weight to keep Jasper from taking off after that guy, and he weighs what? Ten pounds? Shaq is probably going to be a big boy, and I don’t want to have to wrestle him if he wants to take off after someone or something. Right now, he barely notices the squirrels, but when he does, he chases them.”

“Does he ever bark?”

“Not yet. He whimpered when he was hurt when I rescued him. He also hasn’t had any role models to bark or growl – until now at least. I’ve kept him pretty much to myself and avoided dog parks and such.”

“Any special reason?”

“Not all dog owners can control their dogs for one. Not all dog owners take good care of their dogs.” He hesitated like there was something else, but didn’t elaborate.

“Well, the only time Jasper barks, growls or howls, is when he senses something bad.”

“And then he is ferocious.” He laughed, then glanced away, then back.

“Murdock. You two have history?”

I squirmed. “I met Rick a couple weeks before my soon-to-be ex was murdered. I didn’t know he was a cop until he and Flatt showed up at my house to tell me Ted was murdered. Needless to say, between our divorce papers and Ted’s money, I was a suspect. Things got pretty complicated after that and when it was all over, Rick and I dated a couple of times.”

He nodded and I continued. “He wanted the happily ever after and I … just not there yet. He’s moved on.”

“And you?”

“Me? I don’t think I’m ready to jump into serious yet.” I snickered. “I…”

He reached across the table and took my hand. “No worries. No pressure. Been there, done that.”

I lifted my head and got lost in those blue eyes. “Done what?”

He chuckled, but it was hollow. “Married too young. Didn’t last long. Neither of us had a clue how much work goes into the happily ever after.”

I nodded.

***

I called Jillian and told her I was running late, and I’d drive myself. I had a text message from Nate, short but to the point.

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