Summer at Stallion Ridge by Delores Fossen

Author:Delores Fossen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2022-01-05T15:27:19+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

EMORY PULLED INTO the driveway of the ranch and grinned when she saw Jack running around the yard. The boy was giggling like a loon while both the Lab and the puppy chased him. Vince was nearby on Matt’s back porch, sipping from a tall glass of ice water.

She stopped her car, got out and glanced around. There was no sign of Matt, but since his truck was parked next to the house, he was no doubt home.

“Matt’s inside,” Vince volunteered. “He got a call he had to take.”

Probably police business and maybe related to the latest Tiffany–Keaton fiasco that had folks buzzing about at the reception. Emory figured she wouldn’t have to finish Tiffany’s latest dress, after all. If, or rather when, she and Keaton got back together, Tiffany would want something entirely different. These breakups and makeups had to be costing Keaton’s and Tiffany’s parents a fortune.

“I got dogs,” Jack blurted out. The boy was certainly happy. Unlike Vince. The man was smiling, but Emory didn’t think it was her imagination that the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“Yep, you’ve got dogs all right,” Emory said to Jack. “Did you name them yet?”

“Squeaky and Squawky,” Jack answered without hesitation.

Emory looked at Vince for an explanation when Jack continued to run around and giggle. “Jack loves that clown show on TV, and Squawky’s the name of Squeaky’s mouse sidekick.”

Ah. Kid logic. Emory wouldn’t point out that ten years from now, Jack, who’d be a teenager by then, might have some namer’s regret.

“Squeaky’s gonna live here,” Jack explained. “Squawky’s gonna come with me.”

So Natalie had caved about not having a dog at her place. Caved and apparently agreed to the puppy, which would be a heck of a lot more work than the Lab.

“Take a little break and have some water,” Vince told the boy. “It’s hot, and you’ll get dehydrated.”

Jack didn’t make a fuss about that. He simply scooped up the large plastic cup of water that was sitting on the ground and chugged while the dogs jumped and the puppy nipped at his heels.

“Natalie’s at work,” Vince added when Emory made her way to the porch. He checked his watch. “She’ll be home soon so I’ll need to get Jack back. Of course, Jack’s not going to like that,” he said in a “what ya gonna do” kind of parental, casual tone, but again there seemed to be something off about it.

Vince attempted another smile, and Emory sank down in the chair next to him. “Natalie’s dress is nearly ready. I’ll have her come over this week for a final fitting, and maybe she can bring Jack and Squawky so they can have a playdate with Squeaky.”

Vince made a sound of agreement and drank some more water.

“Is something wrong?” she came out and asked.

He didn’t jump to confirm or deny that, but Vince’s gaze drifted toward the back door. “Matt didn’t seem upset when he got the call. More like annoyed.”

She doubted that Vince had misunderstood her question so he clearly didn’t want to talk about whatever was troubling him.

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