Home Is Where the Bark Is: Paws Fur Play Mysteries, #1

By Stella St. Claire

All Willow Wells wanted was a fresh start. After a divorce that left her a dog trainer with no dogs to train, inheriting her Aunt's property (complete with a downtrodden dog gym) seemed like the answer to her prayers. That is until the first day of excavation uncovers a dead local real estate mogul, and pins her current contractor as the lead suspect.

 

With his funds frozen, and with no way to return Willow's money, contractor Griffin Maynard has no choice but to join forces with his high school crush who also happens to be his current client—new arrival Willow Wells. Together they must find the real murderer and get construction back underway before both of their businesses go bottom up.

 

But as they follow the trail of town gossip, Willow and Griffin discover more buried secrets than they first thought, and time is running out to solve this murder before they lose everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Relay Publishing
• Release date: Jan 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201778668

Book preview

Prologue

Lee Hunter wished he was wearing a watch. He wished he could be looking at it when the person who was making him wait arrived. He wished people didn’t need such pointed reminders that his time was valuable, but it seemed like this person did. Looking at his cell phone wouldn’t have quite the same effect and looking at his wrist with no watch there would just look comical.

He held back a sigh of exasperation as he considered whether or not it was going to start to rain.

Lee was having a bad day. It was the type of day where you felt like you got punched in the face, but of course, he’d actually been punched, so it felt much worse.

He scanned his memory and tried to think of another time that he’d been hit in the face. Nothing came to mind. Not that there hadn’t been some close calls. He’d narrowly avoided some fists in the past. You couldn’t rent out buildings and homes without things getting personal.

He checked his cell phone to see how late his client was and saw that their appointed meeting time had not passed yet. Waiting with bruised ribs seemed to make time move more slowly.

He hadn’t anticipated the appointment beforehand though he hadn’t anticipated Edna’s death either. Despite her cancer, he had still been surprised.

He groaned. He probably should have canceled the appointment. After the day’s events, he wasn’t in a good mood. Was the meeting even worth it?

As he looked around at the dilapidated dog runs and falling structures, he wondered how good an opportunity this really was. Lee might have a better chance of making a watch magically appear on his wrist than getting this place up and running again.

He would do his best, of course. He was always willing to help out the community. He had discovered that was the trick to getting what he wanted. If the community loved you, then even your dissenters fell into place.

In fact, one of the dissenters was approaching him right now. Lee smiled, happy that the appointment would start on time. Maybe it was understood how important his time was.

Despite the condition of the land, the dissenter was looking almost gleeful. Putting his game face on, despite the black eye and badly bruised ribs, Lee raised his hand in greeting. Maybe this deal would be worthwhile after all.

Is that a shovel you got there? Lee called, trying to sound jovial. Planning to get to work right away? I hope you don’t expect me to get my hands dirty.

He guffawed loudly. He was joined in this laugher, but the tone made Lee feel uneasy. What sort of meeting was this?

1

"I t doesn’t have to be perfect," Willow Wells reminded herself. However, she still couldn’t stop from switching which book was on top of the coffee table three times. She finally settled on a book featuring Chihuahuas in hats – sitting inside hats because of their small stature. The cover photo showed the dog’s distinctive pointy ears poking out of a ten-gallon hat. Satisfied with her choice, Willow surveyed the rest of her living room.

She smiled. It didn’t look like she had only moved in yesterday. The room was set and was starting to feel quite cozy. Her couch and chairs were arranged to get a nice view of her scenic yard. She had even set up her entertainment unit on her own and hung a decoration on the wall. It was a wooden sign in the shape of a bone that was a remnant from her first dog-training business.

The rest of the house wasn’t fully unpacked; there was still construction to be done on the house to make it hers. There was even more work to be done in the yard to fix up the dog run, but that would soon be underway. It made sense to keep some things boxed up until all the renovations were complete.

Willow couldn’t quite explain why she was so anxious to make a good impression when her father and sister finally visited, but she suspected it had something to do with moving back to her hometown. She wanted coming back to be a good idea, and having the perfect house for her home business was a good step towards proving it.

They’re family, Willow said aloud. And they don’t expect everything to be finished the day after I move in.

There was a bark of agreement, and Willow smiled. Having a loyal canine companion meant that you were never really talking to yourself. You were simply being polite and including your dog in the conversation.

Telescope was a tan Chihuahua mix that lived up to the adage man’s best friend. He was bigger than the dogs pictured in her coffee table book but was still the perfect size to scoop up into a hug.

Telescope wagged his tail and used his nose to push a small bowtie towards Willow.

You really are on top of everything, aren’t you? she asked.

Telescope barked, and Willow swore that the dog could speak English. He would often nod as if he understood what she was saying, but at this moment he was sitting up straight, waiting to be dressed for the occasion.

Willow put the bowtie around his neck where a collar would be and told him what a handsome boy he was. Telescope only had three legs, but he knew how to keep Willow on her toes.

You look very dapper tonight, Tele, she said. Have I told you before how rescuing you might have been the smartest thing I’ve ever done?

Telescope pawed the ground as if he understood.

Any chance you could save me from myself? She sighed. I’m more nervous than I should be about this.

In response, Telescope moved his head closer to her hand, inviting her to pet him. Willow decided it was time to take a break from wandering around and analyzing the house, and what better way than a good old-fashioned doggie ear scratching. It was soothing for both of them, and she tried to relax.

Her family knew that there was construction to be done on the house, and they had to know that half of the things she had used in her old house weren’t hers anymore. Divorce will do that to you.

Don’t think about divorce, Willow muttered, and Telescope yipped.

She wasn’t sure if the dog was warning her not to continue thinking about her heartless ex Benjamin, or if he just wanted her to continue petting him. She moved on to rubbing his belly and allowed herself a few introspective moments to think on the matter.

It’s always sad to discover that someone isn’t your soulmate like you thought. It’s even sadder to think about how that non-soulmate got to keep your dream in the divorce settlement, she mused. Her dog training business had been on property in his name, and she hadn’t been able to keep any of it.

She wouldn’t be making that mistake twice! This dog gym would be all hers. As soon as she repaired the dog run outside, she would be able to maintain an obstacle course and resume her business as a dog trainer. She would have to hit the ground running, but everything was in place so that the property would be repaired and ready to open in time for dog show training season.

There were a few changes that had to be made, but overall the property was perfect for Willow’s business. Her Aunt Edna must have had this in mind when she made sure the house was left to Willow after she passed on. Aunt Edna had already hired a contractor to begin work on it before succumbing to the cancer she had bravely fought for years.

Even knowing that Aunt Edna had hired the contractor herself and that the repairs would bring the property back to its former glory, Willow still felt a little strange making changes to the house. She had many happy memories within these walls, and Willow hoped that she would have many more as she turned the house into her home.

Home. The word echoed in Willow’s head. Was Pineview really her home again? Would she be able to avoid the mistakes she made last time she lived here? Would she be able to get the fresh start that she wanted?

The doorbell rang, and Willow was knocked out of her reverie.

Coming! she called as Telescope ran to the door to greet her guests.

She paused for a brief look in a hallway mirror that she had leaned against the wall. There was no point hanging the glass up if there would be hammering going on for the next few days.

She decided she looked presentable. Her shoulder length dark hair framed her face and called attention to the fact that she had put on eyeliner and mascara especially for this visit. Her colorful blouse was dressy and sensible at the same time. It matched the heels she was wearing, which were a birthday gift from her sister. It was probably the only time she had worn them since unwrapping them – you didn’t train St. Bernards in high heels!

Willow straightened one more knickknack on her way and then swung open the front door with a big smile.

Telescope danced around excitedly as they greeted one another.

Her father, Frank Wells, moved his hand from its usual resting spot on his belt by his police badge to pat her on the arm affectionately.

Her little sister Wednesday was more enthusiastic and pulled her into a big hug. Since Wednesday was able to rest her chin on top of Willow’s head as she squeezed her tight, Willow was reminded how funny it was to call her sibling the little sister. Even wearing the heels, Willow felt that her sister towered over her. Wednesday was close to six feet tall. She also had beautiful naturally blonde hair that made her seem even more like a supermodel.

After the warm greeting, Willow was feeling more optimistic. Maybe the evening would be perfect after all.

Wednesday bent down to greet Telescope who was still dancing with glee over the arrival of company.

You look so nice in that bowtie, Tele, she said as he licked her hand. The color brings out the natural highlights of your fur.

Yes. Everyone is very dressed up, Frank said.

Suddenly, Willow realized how overdressed she and her dog were compared to their visitors. Wednesday was dressed as if she were going to a Pilates class (though still looking gorgeous as always.) Her father had thrown a ratty sweatshirt over the clothes he wore at the police station and was carrying a back brace.

Frank cleared his throat and surveyed the area. I don’t see the truck on the street. Is the moving van still on its way?

No. I unpacked it already, Willow said.

Willow cursed inwardly as she realized they had been expecting to help her move in and unpack. She had wanted to make a great impression with her as-finished-as-could-be house, but she should have just waited.

Frank looked down at the shoes that Willow had carefully selected to impress her sister. They were impractical for unpacking a home. He frowned from behind his mustache.

So, there’s nothing that you need our help with? he asked.

No, Willow said. But I am glad to see you both. We can visit for a while.

I brought champagne, Wednesday said brightly. It was going to be to celebrate a job well done, but it’s done, so – cheers!

Willow led them inside to the living room she had been so proud to have finished decorating. She brought some drinking glasses in and popped the champagne cork while Telescope decided to sniff everyone’s shoes. She poured the bubbly drink for her guests while they looked around the room.

What an adorable coffee table book, Wednesday said. Look, Dad, the dog is stuck in the sombrero because he’s just so tiny.

Frank nodded but didn’t seem especially amused.

Let’s have a toast! Wednesday suggested.

They raised their glasses, waiting for someone to propose what they should drink to. No one spoke at first, and then trying to cover, they all proposed something at the same time.

To an unpacked house, Wednesday said.

To new beginnings, Willow suggested.

To having all the Wells back in Pineview, said Frank.

Even Telescope added a bark, which sounded like his own toast.

Then, they burst into laughter in unison too.

To all of those things, Willow said, raising her glass.

The others followed suit, and they all took a drink. However, then they fell back into silence. Willow could have kicked herself for not realizing they would have wanted to help her unpack. If she’d waited, they would all have had an activity to take part in together, but now all they could do was engage in small talk.

She tried to think of a safe topic of conversation that she could start up. She definitely wanted to avoid talking about her divorce, her dog training career that her father seemed to think was a waste of her talents, and why she had left Pineview the first time. What did that leave?

Willow took another sip of her drink. Why did things seem out of sync with her loved ones? Was it because only seeing them on holidays and on weekend visits meant that they didn’t share secrets as much as they used to? Was it because the last time they had all been together was for the funeral of a beloved aunt? Or, was this all because Willow had ruined their evening’s expectations?

She was trying to think of something less cliché than bringing up the weather when Wednesday came to her rescue.

Can we get a tour? she asked.

Willow and Frank jumped at the idea.

I know we’ve seen the house before, but I’m excited to see it now that it’s yours, Wednesday continued with an encouraging smile.

Willow was happy to oblige and started showing them around with Telescope at her heels. She told them a few of her ideas for rearranging the space and turning the large pantry into an office. Mostly, she let Wednesday do the talking. Frank seemed happy to do the same. He seemed relieved that they had found a plan of action and was happy to follow them around.

This is going to look incredible when you’re finished, Wednesday said. In general, I know more about fashion and jewelry, but I do have an eye for interior design too. If you put something on that wall that will draw the eye to it, then it will make the whole space look more open.

Willow smiled. We’ll have to go shopping together so you can help me find something.

I’ll start collecting photos on Instagram for inspiration, Wednesday said. Actually, it’s… very inspiring to look for inspiration.

Willow wondered why her sister had trailed off like that but was starting to feel inspired herself. She knew with a little love the house would be perfect. Also, the more that Wednesday talked, the more relaxed Willow felt. The sisters had been best friends growing up and had remained somewhat close despite the distance between Pineview, New York, and where Willow had lived in Chicago. It would be very easy for them to