Page 2 of The Love Shack

His thick brows came together in a severe frown. “Your dog is a menace.”

Since she was holding her breath, waiting to see if he’d recognize her, it took a second to actually comprehend his insult.

Then she got annoyed.

“He was trying to save you. You’re welcome.”

“Save me fromwhat?”

She gestured at the well. “He probably thought you were falling in.”

“When it’s only decorative?”

His continued antagonism had her teeth locking. “Well, I’ll be sure to explain the difference to him.” She turned to Hero, who stared back with his intelligent brown eyes alert. “Sweetheart, the mean man wants you to know that the well isn’t real.”

With a disgruntled huff, Lawson muttered, “I am not mean.” Then to the dog, he said, “You almost ripped my shorts, bud.”

The way they hung loose around his lean hips, it was a wonder Hero hadn’t pulled them right off him—and no,no no no, she did not need that image in her head. Small town, anonymity, fresh start—that was her focus. Not a blast from the past in the form of a hot guy with a gruff attitude.

She inhaled a slow breath and said precisely, “Hero is a rescue dog, and he’s sensitive.”

“Odd, doesn’t seem like I’ve hurt his feelings. You’re the only one who’s pissed off.”

New umbrage filled her lungs and she took an aggressive step toward him. “Don’t curse in front of my dog.” Yup, those ridiculous words actually left her mouth. But now with them out there, she copped an attitude and stood by them.

Lawson let Hero smell his hand, then he stroked the dog’s neck while saying in a gentle, affectionate tone, “Does cursing offend you, Hero? She is pissed off, isn’t she? You see it, don’t you, buddy? I only spoke the truth.”

Of course the dog wagged his tail adoringly, shuffling nearer to Lawson.

“When you say it like that,” Berkley complained, “he doesn’t know you’re still cursing.”

Wearing a smirk, Lawson gave his attention to her. “So you adopted him?”

“I did, yeah, but that’s not what I meant by a rescue dog. Hero rescues people. All the time.”

“Whether they need rescuing or not?”

Don’t look at him. Don’t look at him.Hearing the smile in his tone did something funny to her and she absolutely, positively, could not get drawn in by him. “It’s when they appear to need help.” Suddenly aware of others standing around, attempting to listen in, Berkley decided it was time to go. The last thing she wanted to do was attract attention.

While picking up her flowers, which were a little crushed, and her pastry, which thankfully was unharmed, she asked, “Do I owe you anything?”

He didn’t reply.

Unable to help herself, she glanced at him—and yup, she got snagged.Oh, the power of those eyes...

His gaze searched hers. “You look familiar.”

Hoping to slide past any memories, she said fast, “I run The Love Shack, the new animal shelter. We opened late spring, so you’ve probably seen me around.” She hesitated. “Your shorts are okay?”

“They’re old, so no worries.” He continued to study her. “Wait a minute.”

“Nope. Gotta roll.” Arms loaded with her packages and the leash firmly in hand, she got Hero moving, but she was a second too late.

“Berkley Carr.”

The way he said her name, with equal parts recognition and disbelief, made her want to bolt. To simply walk away—from him and the town and the promise of a new start. She could keep going as if the ugly memories of her younger days had never happened. Then this awkward, stomach-churning moment wouldn’t exist.

And the man now staring intently at her would have no interest in her at all.

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