Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Nash didn’t enjoy what he had to do, but he had no choice. He should’ve put a stop to Tiffany’s obsession when it started. Back then, she’d only been a real pain in the rear. Now he feared she could be dangerous.

“Hey there,” said Heather Warren, Rob’s secretary. “Tiffany is already gone, if that’s what you’re here for.”

“Rob called me this morning. Said her dad bailed her out earlier. I’m here to sign the papers we discussed.”

“They’re ready,” Heather said, turning away from him and typing on her computer’s keyboard. She handed him several sheets of paper. “Sign and date these.” She used a yellow highlighter to indicate where he needed to sign.

Nash signed the papers and returned them to Heather. “How long will this take?”

“If she hasn’t skipped town, we can handle this today. Judge Anderson is quick with this type of order.”

“And if she has skipped town?” Nash asked, fearing that in that case, she would only return and this craziness would never end.

“We’ll find her, Nash. Tiffany has issues; everyone in the Cove knows that. Let’s hope her father doesn’t prevent her from getting the help she needs.”

He nodded. “You’re right. Thanks, Heather. You’ll let me know what happens?”

“Of course,” she said.

With Emma’s advice, Nash had filed a restraining order against Tiffany. Hopefully, she would get the help she needed. Tiffany would react when she was served his complaint. But he didn’t want her near Emma, Penny and her pups, or himself.

Today he would bring the puppies and Penny home. Nash had promised his mom she could go to the vet’s with him. When he pulled into the driveway of her home, she was already waiting outside with Henry. Nash locked his truck. He’d agreed they would bring the puppies home in his mom’s van.

“Good morning, son,” Lori Kendrick said. “Did you get any sleep last night?” she asked, grinning.

“Why would you think I wouldn’t?” he asked, taking Henry from her.

“You look tired.”

“I slept well, just not long enough.” He’d spent half the night thinking about Emma. The date they’d had contradicted everything he thought he knew about love. He’d never been so attracted to a woman so quickly. He’d believed all that talk of love at first sight was just gobbledygook. Maybe he was just infatuated because she wasn’t jumping all over him, as many of his dates had in the past.

“I put the crates in the back. Nash?” Lori said. “Hello?”

“Sorry,” he said, stroking Henry’s long, floppy ears. “Let’s get going. I’ll drive if you don’t mind.” He handed Henry back over to her.

“Fine,” Lori said. Nash opened the door for his mother just as he had for Emma. Nash was taught to be respectful to everyone. Being a gentleman wasn’t a part-time gig.

As soon as Henry was in his doggy car seat, Nash slowly backed out onto the main road. “I like this, Mom. Smooth ride,” he commented, referring to the van she’d recently purchased.

“I do too. I thought of your dad when I was at the dealership. He would’ve had a fit if he knew I’m driving a van now. He never cared for them.”

Nash laughed. “I remember he said they weren’t practical. That’s what trucks were built for.”

Henry barked.

“That’s right, Henry,” Nash said.

“I can’t wait to see Penny and Henry’s puppies. Are there any little Henrys?” Lori asked.

Nash laughed again. “I won’t ruin the surprise, Mom. Remember, you said you wanted to wait until you could see them for yourself?”

“I was hoping you’d forget, but we’re almost there,” she said. “I am excited, I admit.”

Nash smiled. “You’re going to love them.” He knew she would, even though Penny had failed to reproduce a Henry look-alike. Or rather, Henry had failed.

As instructed, Nash parked in front of the clinic when they arrived. He clicked the key fob and the passenger door opened automatically. “I think Dad would’ve had a change of heart about vans if he saw that.”

Lori removed Henry from his seat. “Maybe. Now, you’ve kept me in suspense long enough, Nash. Let’s go see Henry’s offspring.”

Inside the reception area, Nash didn’t see Naomi or Dr. Mellow. After last night, they probably both took the day off, he thought to himself.

“I’ll be right there,” Rosemarie, another vet tech, called out.

“No worries,” Nash said.

“Sorry about that. I had to remove an IV. Now, what can I do for you?” Rosemarie reached out to pet Henry. He growled.

“Henry, shame on you!” Lori said, turning to Rosemarie. “I didn’t realize you were still working here. I thought you retired.”

“Doc called me this morning to ask if I could fill in for a few hours. Of course I said yes. I don’t think I’ll ever fully retire,” Rosemarie said to Lori.

“I take it you two know each other,” Nash said. “I’m here for Penny, the dachshund with the puppies. We’re here to take them home. This is their father,” he explained, gesturing toward Henry.

“I remember Henry. Your mom and I were working together when he was first brought in,” Rosemarie said. “I think that must be why he’s growling. He wants to see his family.”

Nash nodded.

“He can smell them. Come on back; we’ll get this little family together. Do you have all the supplies Doc requires?” Rosemarie queried.

“Yes, plenty of everything,” Nash confirmed.

Henry growled again, his hackles raised.

“Henry,” Lori said in a harsh whisper. “You need to settle down.”

“He’s excited. Aren’t you, little fella?” Nash said as he followed Rosemarie down the hallway to the whelping room.

Rosemarie opened the door, letting Nash in first. Henry started whining, almost howling, when he saw Penny. “Here you go,” Nash said, lowering the new father so he could see his girls.

“Oh my gosh, they’re all brown! Nash, they’re beautiful.” Lori leaned down beside the whelping area, touching each newborn pup lightly on the head. “How many of each?”

Nash couldn’t help himself; he laughed out loud. “Four little girls, Mom. Good fella, Henry. You better man up now—you have a family to look after.”

“I just can’t pick one; they’re so sweet,” Lori said. “I want all of them.”

“Everyone in town wants one,” Nash said, remembering Tiffany.

Rosemarie stood in the doorway. “I’m here if you need my help getting them into the car.”

“Thanks, Rosemarie. I’m guessing I’ll need a lot of help over the next few weeks,” Nash told her. “Mom, see if you can get Henry settled in. Then I’ll bring Penny and the pups.”

They had three dog crates in the van but only needed one. Henry could sit with Lori. No way was he going to take his eyes off the new pups.

“Come, Henry. Let’s go,” Lori said. Hesitant, Henry followed her out the door while Nash took Penny and the puppies in their bed, carrying them to the car.

Penny licked the pups as they slept while Nash eased them into the crate. Once they were in safely, he fastened the seat belt.

“Okay, Mom. Let’s go.”

Nash drove home so slowly, his mother admonished him. “Nash, this is ridiculous. At this speed, they’ll be weaned before they’re home.”

“I’m just being cautious.”

“You’re a good man, Nash. I probably don’t say it enough. Kent would be so proud of you.” Lori’s voice faltered when she mentioned her late husband.

“Thanks. I sure hope so. You miss him, don’t you?” They rarely had this discussion because it made both of them sad.

“Of course. Our kind of love only happens once, Nash. He was the love of my life. Someday, I hope you experience the kind of love your father and I shared.”

The moment was already sentimental, so Nash asked, “How will I know? What’s the difference between infatuation and the kind of love you and Dad had? Honestly, I want to know.”

“Nash, stop teasing me. Don’t give me false hope,” Lori said, smiling.

He didn’t respond.

“Okay, you’re serious.” She took a deep breath. “When you meet that special person, you will only notice them, no matter where you are. Life feels almost perfect when you find love. It’s all you think about. Every feeling is intensified. Taking out the garbage is exciting when you’re doing it with someone you love. It’s not something I can explain, other than I can assure you, when you find real lifelong love, you will know.”

Nash was beginning to understand. “It’s all you think about.” Since the first time he’d seen his new neighbor, he hadn’t stopped thinking about her. At first, it was simple curiosity. After that handshake at Vittles, he felt as if a lightning bolt had struck him.

“Nash, what’s going on?”

He carefully turned into the driveway so the dogs didn’t shift in their crate. As soon as he shut down the engine, he turned to his mom. “Honestly, I’m not sure.” That was all he was willing to say. It was way too early to have these thoughts and feelings. Too early to share them with his mother; he hadn’t even hinted how he felt yet to Emma. He wasn’t sure what these feelings were or what he would do about them. If anything.

“Let’s take these pooches inside,” Nash said. “I’m anxious to get them settled in.”

Twenty minutes later, Penny was resting in her new whelping area with the girls. Henry was whining to get to her. “Not now, Henry. Later, okay?” Lori smoothed his long ears. “If you’re all set, I’ll go home,” she said to Nash. “Remember, call me if you need anything. I’m good with puppies.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll call if I need to, but I think I can handle this,” Nash told her. “Remember, I spend most of my days with a bunch of teenagers. Pups should be a breeze.”

“You know where to find me.” Lori hugged him before letting herself out.

Nash wished his mom would remarry. She’d been alone too long. He suspected Dr. Mellow had a crush on her. The vet wasn’t that much older than she and he, too, had lost his mate. Matchmaking wasn’t Nash’s best skill, but he thought they would suit each other. His mother had worked at the clinic for years after his dad passed away. Surely there’d been more to her relationship with Doc Mellow than just employee and employer. But it ultimately wasn’t his business. He just had relationships on the brain.

With the pups where they should be, he was at loose ends. Nash wasn’t used to having very much free time. Emma hadn’t shared her plans for the day, other than that she was “on call,” so she might be substitute teaching right now. He went out to the lanai on the chance she might be on hers. He hadn’t gotten her cell number the night before. That was his bad, but he would see her later.

He would make sure of it.