Page 19 of A Family Affair: The Plan
“Who’s Cooper?” Hope hadn’t heard any mention of a Cooper Blacksworth when she read about Harry’s family.
“Cooper?” Harry’s voice cracked; his tanned face turned pale. “He’s my best friend, and sure he’s got issues, but Sam understands him, and he can get him to open up in ways nobody else can. You can’t do this, Sam.” Harry’s shoulders slumped and the saddest look spread over his face. “Cooper and I need you.”
Sam turned to Hope. “Cooper’s the rescue lab mix Harry picked up on a backroad one winter day. The dog’s got some issues, but he’s a good boy and we’re working through them.”
“We are, and I don’t want to go backward.” Those blue eyes settled on Hope. “I like to say we’re both rescues, and we understand each other.”
A nod as Sam held Harry’s gaze, confronted him in a way Hope bet most people never did. “I understand that, Harry, and I’m willing to continue helping you and Cooper, but you’re going to have to help me, too. Leave us alone. No more offering us dinner or making clever remarks…no putting us in an uncomfortable position. If I need your help, I’ll come to you and so will Hope.” Harry cleared his throat, opened his mouth to speak, closed it. “Are we good?”
“So, what you’re saying is if I back off on the matchmaking, even if I see something obvious, then you’ll keep checking on Cooper and me at the house?”
“Correct.”
Harry blew out a loud sigh. “And he only has to go to the clinic for his shots and whatnot?”
“That’s right. I’ll keep helping Cooper get over his fear of the microwave beep, hydrangea blooms, and whatever else comes at us. Just call me.” Sam rubbed his jaw, eyed Harry, and added one more item to his list of requirements. “And I’d like you to invite my mother here for lunch, make it look like you have a new dish you’d like her to try.”
“Sure, I can do that.” Harry’s features relaxed, his lips pulled into a slow smile. “Joyce always gives an honest opinion, whether I want to hear it or not.”
“Agreed, and once she’s sampling her meal, I want you to convince my mother that nothing’s going to happen between me and Hope.” He darted a glance at her, shrugged. “Say there’s no attraction, no interest…I don’t care, say whatever you have to so she’ll stop pushing.”
Later, Hope would remember this moment and why he’d been named the Godfather of Magdalena. The man straightenedhis shoulders and tossed out his own interpretation of what Sam had asked him to do. “So, you want me to lie about what I see—to yourmother?”
Sam frowned, spat out, “I want you to set my mother straight.”
“I see. Sure, I’ll do that. No worries, I’ll set your mother straight on what is and isn’t going on between you and Hope.”
“Okay then, we’ve got a deal.” Sam stood, shook Harry’s hand. “Thank you, Harry. I appreciate it.”
“Should I cancel the bottle of champagne or…”
“I think we’ll have wine tonight.” He sank back into his seat, glanced at Hope. “What would you like?”
“Chardonay?”
“Two Chardonnays, Harry.”
“You bet.”
And with that, the man who’d been insistent on matching Hope and Sam walked away, no doubt taking all of his matchmaking attempts with him. “How did you do that?”
“I called his bluff. Harry loves that dog like he’s one of the kids. I get it.” His voice smothered with emotion. “I see it every day at the clinic. People might neglect their own health, but if their pet’s not feeling well? They’re heading to the clinic for answers.”
“So I’ve heard.”
His gaze narrowed the tiniest bit. “You’ve never had a pet? No dog? No cat?”
She shook her head, thought of the many times she’d asked her mother.Could we get a dog? Please? Mrs. Bardoni has free puppies and she said we could have one. I’ll do anything. I’d like a girl but a boy would be okay, too. What do you think of Sophie for a girl’s name and Jester for a boy?The answer was always the same.You need to concentrate on yourself.Hope cleared her throat, thought of how much she’d wanted a dog. It didn’t matterwhat kind or how old. Something. Anything. “I’ve never had a dog.”
“How about a cat?”
Mom, can I have a cat? They don’t require as much work, please. I’ll clean the litter box and feed him. Can I have a cat?“No, no cat.”
He studied her as though he could read between the lines and almost hear what Hope’s mother had said. “Animals are great teachers. They make it easier for us to show our emotions. I think every child should have that experience.” A smile spread across his face, reached his eyes. “And every adult.”
“And yet, you’re a vet who doesn’t own a dogorcat.”
His eyes turned dark, his expression guarded. “Right. I plan to start rescuing once I get my place fixed up. There are a lot of animals who need forever homes.” He laughed, blew out a quiet sigh. “I may end up with a house full…” His voice turned serious when he added, “Sometimes people find themselves in situations where they can no longer care for a dog. I plan to get involved with some of the shelters and rescue groups. People often get a dog because they like the way he looks or they think the breed is fashionable. Maybe the kids have been pestering them for one, and they decide a Christmas puppy is a great gift. That last one is often a disaster. They don’t stop to consider the breed or who’s going to walk him and clean up his messes. They don’t think about any of that because they can’t get past how ‘darn cute he is’. Big mistake. If you’re not going to walk the dog twice a day or provide some form of adequate exercise, then maybe you should pick one who doesn’t need that much. They all require mental stimulation, but prospective owners don’t think about that. They’re only thinking about the cuteness, and how much they love cuddling with the animal, not cleaning up diarrhea or throw up at three in the morning or walking in freezing temps…or teaching him what ‘no’ means.” He paused,his expression grim. “If cute and cuddly are the big reasons for getting a pet, then those people should consider a stuffed animal.”
