The Daddy's Promise by Shirley Jump

Author:Shirley Jump
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

“You can’t bring that thing in here.” The pimple-faced teen in the white triangle hat pointed at the door. “You know better.”

Anita halted in the doorway of Sam’s Sweet Scoop. The Back to School Night event had gone very well. Emily had shown off an A-minus on her Winston Churchill report, then taken them down the hall to see a detailed still life she’d done in art class. Most of her teachers had remarked on the change in her attitude and told Luke they saw great potential in her abilities. Now the three of them were waiting in line for an ice cream, the happy mood extending between them like a connecting thread.

“I said, you can’t bring that thing in here.”

Was the server talking to her? Her belly wasn’t that big, was it?

Behind her, Anita heard a large “Garruf.” Then panting. Either Luke had gone off the deep end or—

She pivoted. A massive Doberman stood behind her, tongue lolling. He appeared about as friendly as a wolverine.

“Meet Sweet Pea,” Luke said with a grin. He gave the dog a wide berth and came to stand between Anita and the monstrous beast. “And Miss Tanner, her owner.” He gestured toward a small, spry elderly lady who had a death grip on the dog’s leash. “Miss Tanner, this is Anita Ricardo.”

The woman scowled. “I know who she is. I know everything that happens in this town. It’s about the size of a bread box. All you need to do is pay attention for half a second and you know the postmaster’s son just ran off with the produce manager’s daughter.” Miss Tanner raised a thin arm toward the counter. “Now, are you going to stand there all day or are you going to let me and my baby get a banana split?”

“Ma’am, you can’t bring a dog in here,” the kid said, his voice rising and cracking in urgency.

“You tell him that, sonny, because my Sweet Pea wants an ice cream.” Miss Tanner stepped forward. Her dog caught the scent of the sugary treats and took a giant lunging leap at the counter.

The kid backed up several steps, clearly more intent on seeing his sixteenth birthday than enforcing the health code. “Ah…How many scoops?”

“Three please. And a dish of cherry-chocolate crunch with nuts for me.”

Anita bit back a laugh. In L.A., plenty of people had dogs and even indulged their pooches with silly outfits and special treats, but she’d never seen anyone take a Doberman into the neighborhood ice-cream parlor for dessert on a Friday night. Emily and Luke stood to the side, looking completely unconcerned, as if Miss Tanner did this every day. She probably did, Anita realized.

“Colleen, you really need to leave that beast at home,” Miss Marchand said from the door. Outside, her dachshund sat tied to a lamppost, patient as a rock. “You know better.”

“I’m old. People have to indulge me.”

“You’re not old. Just stubborn.” Miss Marchand pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m old.”

Miss Tanner waved her hand.

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