With This Ring (Windswept Bay Book 6) Read online

  “Are you getting this dog today?” he asked Kevin.

  Kevin laughed. “No, Roscoe’s already mine. We’re just here to help other people adopt dogs. My mom can help you fill out the papers that make a dog yours. She knows exactly what to put on them so that you can take one home with you.”

  “Oh, so you’re saying I can’t adopt Roscoe?” Levi teased Kevin and the little boy chuckled.

  “No, he’s my dog. But I know one you should get.”

  “Okay, let’s do this. Lead the way.”

  “Come on. I know just the one.” Kevin grabbed Levi’s hand and pulled him toward the dogs.

  Levi glanced at Jessica and saw more worry there. “Are you coming?” he asked. “We might need your help.”

  She took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Yes, I’m coming.”

  Kevin led him around the table and into the midst of the dog area. Several men and women who looked like college students were showing dogs to several people. Kevin took Levi past them and past several pens with small dogs in them. He stopped in front of a pen with a large dog sitting inside. It had a big head, massive feet, and the look of a Labrador mixed with something enormous.

  “He’s a puppy,” Kevin declared. “And he’s a good’un.”

  The puppy had to weigh forty pounds—and if its feet were any indication, it would weigh a hundred or more pounds before the day was over. Kevin reached in the pen to pet the dog and it nudged its head against Kevin’s hand as if seeking his touch.

  “I named him Jaco because he just looks like Jaco.”

  Levi laughed. The little boy was funny. “Well, Jaco fits him perfect.” Levi crouched down. “Hey, Jaco. How are you, boy?” The dog slightly cocked his head to look at Levi and Levi knew he’d be leaving here today with this dog. He wondered whether Kevin thought no one would want a big dog or whether he even realized how big the dog would get. But Levi was pretty certain that most people would not want to take such a pup this large home to raise.

  “Can we take Jaco out of the pen?” he asked Jessica. As if understanding what was being said, the dog stood up and put its nose to the fence.

  “Yes, certainly. Are you sure?” Jessica asked Levi.

  “I’m sure.”

  “We could put a leash on him and take him out there in the open. Maybe let him run some.” Excitement filled Kevin’s big eyes.

  Levi stood. “Then let’s do that.” He knew full well that unless something drastic happened and they told him there was no way he could have this dog that he and Jaco were going to grow to be fast buddies.

  Moments later, they had Jaco on a leash and the dog was taking them for a walk. The puppy had put his head up in the air and began trying his best to pull them around the park.

  Levi laughed and glanced at Kevin. “I think it’s obvious that Jaco has been on a leash before. Do you know anything else about his previous owner?”

  “I don’t know. Do you know, Momma?” Kevin asked as he and Roscoe jogged beside Jaco.

  Levi was trying not to focus on the woman beside him. He was trying to focus on the dog and Kevin, but he was very aware of Jessica. He quirked an eyebrow at her.

  “I really don’t know. I just help out when they have these because they need help. But I agree he’s not fighting the leash. He wasn’t afraid of it at all. Maybe whoever had him realized he was going to be a giant—maybe they couldn’t take care of him and they knew it.”

  “It makes sense. He’s going to be huge.” He smiled and she smiled back. They stared at each other for a moment. “So how long have you and Kevin been alone?” he asked, making sure Kevin was busy with the dogs.

  “Little over two years. This is our second Christmas without Adam.” She glanced at Kevin and then back at him, and there was that pleading in her eyes for understanding. “Which is part of the reason for Kevin’s odd actions yesterday. I would like to explain at some point. I’ll try now but if he interrupts, I will have to finish later. We moved here because I needed to exert my independence a little bit. I guess most people would think that when you lost someone you loved that having family around and friends and in-laws would be a comfort. And it was, to a point. But I have a very strong-willed family and I felt smothered and…on the spur of the moment, I took this job, after I learned of it through an acquaintance. I didn’t ask Kevin. I didn’t ask my family. I just accepted it and to everyone’s shock, midterm, I loaded up the U-Haul and came cross-country here. It has been a little hard on Kevin—the last two months on top of the whole two years. I don’t know what I was thinking. And then this Christmas, I loaded him up for the holidays and took us back to Kansas to see everyone. I think—I don’t know—I try to think of all the different reasons but it just boils down to the fact that he missed his dad.” She bit her lip and her forehead crinkled as she paused.

  “That’s understandable.”

  “Yes, it is. Then, at Christmas, he asked Santa for a daddy and he also prayed to God for a daddy. In his mind he covered all the bases but I didn’t know how serious he was until Christmas morning when, all excited, he woke me and dragged me down the stairs to the Christmas tree. Only to find there was no one waiting there. He somehow had literally believed he would have a new daddy there under the tree. Of course there was no daddy under the Christmas tree. I talked with him—my dad talked with him. We thought he understood. You can imagine how startled I was yesterday when he surprised us with his announcement at show-and-tell.”

  “No more than me.” Levi’s heart hurt for the little boy. Six years old was a rough time, still believing in the miracle of Christmas and then God’s miracles, only to realize that sometimes life is not a fairy tale. “I’m really sorry. It sounds like you had a really rough time.”

  “It’s been hard. We lost Adam quickly and very unexpectedly. He was a hero—he rescued a family from their car during a flood and after he got them out, he didn’t make it out. He was strong and he would want me to be strong. It’s been tough and not having anyone to discuss things with has been really hard.”

  He could tell she was a strong woman; he admired that about her. “What about your family?”

  “Like I said, they’re very strong-willed. I talked to them about some things but there’s a point of understanding and a point of overtaking, and I need to be my own boss. And so I’m here.” She bit her lip again. “Enough about me. I’m excited and so is Kevin that you’re going to adopt Jaco. Aren’t you?”

  He laughed. “Yes, how can I resist?”

  She laughed. “I totally understand. He’s big but adorable.”

  Kevin raced up; the kid raced everywhere.

  “So what do you think? Should I adopt Jaco?” Levi bent down and rubbed Jaco’s head and immediately Roscoe put his big head between the two of them. Levi laughed. “I think I’ve created a monster where Roscoe is concerned.”

  Kevin nodded. “Yes,” he said. “Jaco wants to be with you. And we can come to your house or come to the park and let Roscoe and Jaco play.”

  It hit Levi then that he’d just been set up by a six-year-old again. A barely four feet tall six year old who looked more like a hopeful preschooler. But looking up at Jessica, Levi suddenly realized he didn’t mind so much. He actually didn’t mind at all.

  “I think that’s a great idea,” he said.

  Instantly Kevin reacted with glee as he looked up at his mom. She gave Kevin a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes as her gaze met Levi’s.

  “Kevin, you and Roscoe play here, and I’ll take Levi to fill out paperwork.”

  “But I want to come,” Kevin argued.

  “No, you stay here. He can see you before he leaves.”

  Levi heard the warning in her words and knew that Kevin understood she meant what she said. She looked at him. “Come with me.”

  What had he done? He watched her walk away. Because clearly he had done something.

  “I’ll bring Jaco over here when I get through.” He told Kevin and then he went to catch up with Jess
ica. She had paused a few feet away to wait for him and as he drew close to her, he saw anger in her expression.

  “What are you doing?” She hissed marching farther away from Kevin. “I know that you don’t completely understand what you’re doing, but telling him you’re going to start meeting him with the dog and playing in the park, or-or,” she stammered, “having us come over for him to play with the dog at your house is not what Kevin needs right now. He just introduced an entire classroom to you as his daddy-to-be. This is not helping. I explained things to him. I told him you are not going to be his daddy and what he did was wrong. So your encouraging him like this isn’t helping. He has a heart you know. And the last thing he needs is for you to get his hopes up for something that isn’t happening. What were you thinking?”

  Levi watched her spin away and start walking, he’d messed up alright. And she was right, what had he been thinking?

  Jessica was fuming. She told herself that Levi didn’t understand what he was doing. This was her son and she was already in over her head on how to handle what was going on. She had seen the joy in Kevin’s expression when he realized that Levi had said they would play with the dogs in the park together. She closed her eyes; it was just too much to think about.

  Suddenly, she tripped—walking with her eyes closed was also not good. Her eyes flew open immediately. She would have hit the ground but Levi’s strong arms wrapped around her and saved her. Her pulse went crazy as he held her close and she found herself looking up at him.

  “Are you okay?”

  She nodded and pushed away. “I’m fine.” She lied, nothing about her was okay right now.

  “Look, I didn’t mean any harm with Kevin. I thought I was helping. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him or any child.”

  Her pulse had not calmed down. It raced erratically through her veins as she tried to hold his gaze. “I believe that. I just don’t think you understand the consequences of our situation right now.” She had enough to worry about without Kevin getting his hopes up by spending time with Levi. If ever there was anyone to have some distance from, it was him.

  She grabbed one of the clipboards and held it out to him. “Take that pen attached to that clipboard and fill this out, and then you will be able to take Jaco home with you.”

  Levi took the clipboard but didn’t take his eyes off her. They were troubled...and beautiful with their midnight depths looking almost iridescent in the sunlight. She crossed her arms, trying not to let the moment make her feel bad about being upset. This was about Kevin.

  “I understand what you’re saying. I hear you loud and clear. And I get it.” He gave her a look of kindness before he began to fill out the paperwork. That kindness only made this harder because she liked him. He was a really nice man.

  And…there was something about him that-she stopped herself right then, not willing to explore anything else about Levi Sinclair that distracted her from the problem at hand.

  Hours later, Levi found himself at the grocery store, looking for a different kind of dog food than the dog food he’d picked up on the way home from the park. Jaco refused to eat that food—he basically refused to do anything except sit by the window and stare out of it.

  It was as though he thought he was still in his kennel and that the glass window was his view out. So Levi had come to the store to find something else to entice the dog to eat. He hoped tomorrow would be better. Of course it would take time for the dog to acclimate to his new surroundings. He expected that. But he felt for the poor animal.

  Levi was in the dog food aisle when he heard his name being called. He turned to see a woman and a little girl a few feet from him.

  “There he is, Mommy. He’s going to be Kevin’s new daddy.”

  What? Then he recognized the little girl as the girl with the mother who said he was a hunk—among other things.

  The mother looked at him with dark-blue, curious eyes. “My Lisa told me you were getting married. That’s too sad,” she said in a voice full of regret.

  “No, I’m not getting married.” He reacted instantly.

  Her expression brightened. “Oh really? Then you’re still on the market?”

  “No. I mean, yes. But—”

  She took a step closer. “I’ve admired you for a long time.” She let her gaze move over him and her eyes twinkled as they came back to his. “I would love to have dinner with you…I would even cook dinner for you—”

  He stepped back. “I’m sorry. I’m pretty busy right now. But,” he backed up another step and grabbed the bag of dog food he’d been eyeing, “thank you for the offer.” What else was he supposed to say?

  She placed a hand on his arm. “The offer stands. Anytime. My name’s Trisha Mosley. Call me.”

  Levi looked from her to her little girl and he smiled, not sure how to react.

  The six-year-old glared at him. “You lied. Why did you say you were going to be Kevin’s daddy?”

  “I didn’t say—” He stopped himself from explaining himself to a six-year-old. “I need to go. My dog is waiting on food.” And with that, he turned and strode away and turned the corner the minute he reached it. This was ridiculous. He was the chief of police and he was running…from a six-year-old and her mom.

  He paid for the dog food and forced himself not to look over his shoulder. He was halfway to his car when he realized that if it had been Jessica Price who had been in that dog food aisle giving him an open invitation to dinner, he would have jumped at the chance in a heartbeat.

  But after today, he knew there’d be a snowstorm on the Florida coast before that would happen.

  He thought about Jessica and Kevin all the way back home. When he walked into the kitchen, he was startled to find Jaco waiting at the door. “Well, hey there, Jaco.” His heart warmed at the idea that the pup might actually be glad to see him.

  Jaco tilted his big brown head to the side and studied him as his tail did a halfhearted tap against the floor.

  “It’s okay, buddy. You can relax because you’re here to stay. I’ve already reconciled myself to the fact that you’re going to be as big as a small cow. It’s okay.” He patted Jaco’s head and set the bag of dog food on the floor. “Now, let’s see if you’ll eat this brand. Because I don’t know if you realize it but a growing dog like yourself needs to eat.”

  Levi opened the bag and poured some in the large pan that he was using for a dog bowl. And immediately, Jaco started to eat.

  Relieved that at least that had been accomplished, Levi raked his hand through his hair and leaned against the counter to watch his dog eat.

  His phone rang and he answered it.

  “Hey, man.” It was his brother Jake. “Have you been holding out on us? I heard from a client at the dive shop today that you’re getting married?”

  Levi rubbed the back of his neck. “No, it’s not true. But I have a feeling everyone in town is going to think so before long.”

  And Jessica had probably realized this was going to happen. That was why she’d apologized again. He quickly told Jake what had happened at the show-and-tell and what had just happened today, including the grocery store incident.

  Jake let out a low whistle. “That’s wild. So at least you know you can and should get a date. Maybe this is your sign that there’s more to life than work.”

  Levi glanced at Jaco. The dog was watching him. “Yeah, you might have a point. Same goes for you, though,” he said with a short laugh. “I haven’t seen you looking to settle down.”

  “I may not be adverse to the situation. I am at least dating. I’m looking for love.” He drew out the word love in a long, slow exaggeration.

  “That you are doing, there is no denying that. Okay, I got to go take my dog for a walk.”

  “Sounds good. Maybe you should go to the dog park—probably a lot of single dog owners there. Maybe even a cute teacher.” Jake ended with a chuckle as the phone line went dead.

  Levi thought of Jessica and wondered whether she just might be
at the dog park. He looked at Jaco. “What do you think about going to the dog park?”

  The dog barked instantly, as if it knew exactly what Levi was talking about.

  Chapter Five

  If Jessica had to tell one other person that she was not getting married anytime soon—and especially to the chief of police—she would scream. What had she been thinking when she woke that morning and decided to take Kevin to church? After what happened on Friday, she should have known this was a bad idea. The questions started immediately. The first person she met asked the question and by the time the sixth person had asked the same question, she was ready to grab her purse and her child and get out of there.

  Of course she hadn’t but all through the service, she felt as if she had eyeballs glued to her back because as odd as it was, several women in the congregation were not happy at the idea of the handsome police chief getting married. Hopefully, after repeating herself several times, those women would hear the truth and realize that the chief was still available and it had only been a rumor started by her confused child.

  Jillian Locke, her new friend, who just happened to be Levi’s sister, caught up to her after the service and grinned mischievously. “So I hear we’re going to be sisters-in-law. You should have told me.” Her eyes twinkled.

  “Oh Jillian, what am I going to do? These people around here obviously think your brother is the cat’s meow and are not happy with even the remote idea that he is off the market. Even if it’s not true. I felt daggers in my back through the whole church service.” She leaned close. “Don’t you feel them?” She hitched her head slightly to the right and Jillian’s eyes followed the direction that Jessica indicated.