Year of the Dog

By Kat Madigan

A maverick teenage niece, a fledgling doggy treat business and a houseful of rescued pets leave PE teacher Sara with little time for romance, especially one with a conservative, pet-less attorney such as Todd, but when he needs help coping with a boisterous and endearing dog foisted upon him for the year, she finds it difficult to ignore her attraction to him. Falling in love with Sara doesn't make sense to Todd, but he's about to discover that the best things in life are out of his control.  A collection of nosy friends and family will do their best to convince this dissimilar pair that they're better off together, but everything will ultimately boil down to one question:  are their differences too great to overcome, or are they what makes them perfect for each other?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9781597055390

Book preview

Dedication

To my mom, for all her encouragement and babysitting time. You were right–I did it!

To my husband, for all your patience and support (and babysitting time!).

And to Amy Lane, who has her own menagerie and therefore had no babysitting time to offer, but who showed me a full-time teacher and mother can still find time to fulfill her dream of being an author. I’m so blessed to have all of you in my life.

One

When Todd stepped out of his door that morning, he was anticipating the same view as always, one that included large stately trees and unique houses separated by spacious, well kept yards. What he saw instead was a woman’s rear end protruding from underneath his SUV. Although he appreciated the change of scenery, a nice well-developed rear, his first concern was for his car. Admiration aside—what the hell was she doing?

He could hear her alternately coaxing and demanding that someone come out. Trying to get a better look, he drew near and carefully bent over her shoulder. Can I help you? Unfortunately for Todd, his approach had gone unheard, so instead of appreciating his gallant offer of assistance, the woman jerked back from the car in surprise, the back of her head making explosive contact with his chin in the process.

Todd reared up, barely restraining himself from cursing. He blinked, assessing the pain, and grasped his jaw, moving it experimentally to verify it was still attached. The woman didn’t seem to care about his injury at all. She yelped, muttered what could have been an apology, and crouched under his car again, this time angling her rear away from him. Did she just ignore him? Excuse me? What are you doing with my car? he demanded abruptly, irritation interfering with his previous attraction.

She replied without turning around, her voice breathless as she strained toward something underneath, I’m not doing anything with your car. I’m trying to get my dog! She then addressed the animal apparently located underneath his vehicle. Ah, he thought as realization dawned, she’s the dog lady from across the street. He had never had the opportunity to appreciate her from this angle, not that he had ever really wanted to. She was cute, but too damn harried and he rarely saw her without a dog in tow. It figured she would be searching for one now.

He leaned over her shoulder again, this time taking care to stay out of the reach of her head, which evidently didn’t pain her at all. He felt like he’d be eating Jell-O for the rest of the week and she wasn’t even wincing! He still couldn’t see anything besides the pavement and his spotless grill, so he got down onto one knee and bent over even farther. There, right under the middle of his car, was the strangest dog he had ever seen, if it was indeed a canine. It was a small black creature, with light patches here and there that changed along with the shadows. It looked like it had hair sticking out in all directions, but in the murk underneath the vehicle the only part that he could really distinguish was a set of very white teeth that were bared in silent warning. That’s a dog? The teeth flashed at him again. Uh, why are all its hackles up?

~ * ~

Later, Sara would be thankful that her concern for Zilla had greatly dampened her mortification. Could there be a more humiliating position to be caught in, particularly by a sexy neighbor one had never spoken to? At that moment, however, instead of worrying about her image, what she needed to do was get the dog before he darted into traffic and got hit by a car. It didn’t matter that the traffic on their street was minimal – it only took one car to kill a dog, particularly a dog who blended into the shadows as well as the little terrier-mix did.

Zilla, come, she repeated sternly, to which Zilla responded with what appeared to be an ingratiating smile. With his black lips peeled back, his white, untarnished teeth would be quite impressive to a stranger, but Sara wasn’t in the mood. Zilla, come here now, she tried again. Zilla only pressed his belly closer to the pavement and wiggled his body submissively, clearly reluctant to emerge and face his punishment.

Sara spoke again in her neighbor’s direction without attempting to make eye contact. "His hackles are not raised. His hair grows that way, since he is a wire-haired terrier mix! she emphasized Zilla’s gender each time. And it would be helpful if you stepped back. You’re making him nervous." Sara made a belated attempt to sound polite, not that she really expected him to help. He might be sexy, but she knew he had no pets, which was almost a crime in her book, and he hollered at any animals who so much as walked into his yard. If Sara were to make a list of characteristics to avoid in a man, those two would have been at the top. Besides which, anyone with the pricey belongings he had moved into his house would probably become faint at the thought of getting dog hair on his new leather sofa!

Do you want me to try to scare him out? Todd asked, trying to be helpful as the ache in his jaw diminished.

No! Sara exclaimed hurriedly before he followed through with his suggestion. He might run into the street! She took a moment to turn her head and meet his gaze as he crouched next to her. Look, I’ll have him out in a minute. We won’t hurt anything, okay? Todd was adorable this close up. She sternly reminded herself why she had never bothered to approach him before and added, I’ll make sure he stays off your lawn.

Todd drew back at her tone. Was he imagining it or had he detected a hint of hostility in her voice? Perhaps she was just worried about the dog. Well, he could help with that! He had never had a pet, despite his frequent pre-adolescent pestering of his parents to get one, but the animals he had encountered had all liked him.

He appraised the situation; there was no way she was going to reach the dog, since every time she got closer it inched the other way. Todd began to stretch his long arm underneath the car, but paid close attention to the dog as he did so. The teeth quickly reappeared. "Does it, uh, I mean does he bite? he asked, hurriedly withdrawing his hand. Why does he keep snarling at me?"

He isn’t snarling. He’s smiling! You’re making him nervous, Sara repeated, concealing her surprise at his offer of assistance.

Smiling? Todd pondered. He had never met a dog who smiled, but since he wasn’t growling, Todd was willing to give the woman the benefit of the doubt. Todd circled around to the opposite side of the car and got down on his knees, grimacing at the prospect of dirtying his pants. The dog swung his head back and forth, obviously not sure who he should be more concerned about. Then Todd reached out and touched him, causing the dog to recoil into Sara’s grasping hands. The dog’s nails scraped along the pavement as she pulled him out from under the car, but once she held him in her arms he was all smiles. See me? He seemed to say. See how relieved I am that you have me? I missed you! Yeah, right.

Zilla, you should be ashamed! Todd’s neighbor admonished the dog with little apparent heat.

Zilla? You named a male dog Zilla? Now that the dog was in the light, its features could be seen, but still not described, at least not by Todd. Its wiry coat was an indiscriminate mixture of black and shades of grey, a portrait of perpetual shadows. In addition, from the top of his head to the base of his tail, the hair grew in a pattern distinctly like a single hackle. Add to that, the teeth that were still appearing and disappearing at a rapid rate, and he was indeed a ferocious looking dog, if a person overlooked that he couldn’t possibly weigh even twenty-five pounds soaking wet.

What do you want me to call him? God? Sara asked. Todd contemplated that rather cryptic remark for a moment before realization dawned.

Oh. Godzilla! He’s a little small for that name, isn’t he?

Well, thank you for your help, but if you are done criticizing my dog, I need to get him back home, she stated, suppressing a spurt of disappointment at his response.

You don’t have to run off. I was only teasing, Todd attempted to backpedal. Maybe he should take a break from humor. He’s a cute dog, really, he commented with fake sincerity. She looked skeptical. Was she this touchy with everyone? Look, my name’s Todd. And you are?

Sara. I live across the street, she informed him, clearly not expecting him to be able to place her. Thank you for your help, she hesitated for a second and when she could think of nothing better to say she added, I know you don’t particularly like animals. We won’t bother you anymore. Enjoy your weekend. With that she turned and walked away, effectively putting an end to their conversation before it had even begun.

Where did she get off saying he didn’t like animals? He liked animals! Hadn’t he helped her catch the dog? He could have just gotten in his car and driven away!

Despite the fact that he was already late for his date, Todd watched her cross the street for a moment before he brushed off his knees, noting with relief that he had avoided dirtying his jeans. He climbed into his car and glanced at the clock, which showed 10:45am. He didn’t have much time to get to Sam’s and still make it to the movie in time. Fortunately, he habitually arrived early to his engagements, which was something he was certain his waspish neighbor rarely did. More than once, he had witnessed her racing out of the house to throw her belongings in the back seat and jump into her beat-up Blazer like there was a gunman on her tail. Either she was frequently late, or she was very high strung. This did, however, explain why he hadn’t recognized her rear, since the opportunity to watch her leisurely walk anywhere had yet to present itself. He could have taken the time to admire her when she jogged with the dogs, he supposed, except that on those occasions she always wore unattractive sweat pants that bagged and billowed and completely obscured her shape.

Today, though, she had been wearing a very nice pair of jeans that flattered her curvy figure. And the moss green Tee-shirt hadn’t hurt either. It hugged her full breasts and tapering waist quite nicely. And when he had leaned over her to see under the car...well, he could say that the back of her head interrupted a very nice moment for him. The swell of her breasts where the shirt gaped open was quite enticing. She definitely had a nice shape, and her face wasn’t too bad, either. Wide green eyes fringed by dark lashes were complimented nicely by an olive complexion and rich brown hair. Physically at least, she was a very appealing woman. It was too bad that everything else about her was totally wrong for him.

~ * ~

Todd was relieved to see Sam coming out of her apartment when he arrived ten minutes later. She trotted down the steps towards the car, her expression one of curiosity. Wow, you were almost late, little brother, she needled as she hopped up into the car. I actually had to wait.

In other words, I was on time. You should try it. You’ll be amazed at how far it can get you. He touched his jaw to make sure it was still working. At least his words weren’t slurred.

Punctuality is the virtue of the bored, she stated primly. Todd raised a brow and his sister grinned. Evelyn Waugh. I’m researching a piece on female authors in the early twentieth century. Of course, her quote made me think of you! Sam differed from her brother in many ways, and one of them was her aversion to wasting time. He felt he was late if he did not arrive at least fifteen minutes before an appointed time, a circumstance that would have seen her chafing fretfully. He glanced over at her quizzically, belatedly wondering why his compulsive sister was waiting outside instead of hurriedly trying to finish as many tasks as possible as he dragged her out of the apartment. His elder sister, in years if not maturity, seemed to be fidgeting a bit more than usual. She had already taken a file out of her purse and was frenetically buffing her nails. She held her hand out, scrutinizing the final product on her index finger before noticing his regard. What?

Okay, out with it. What’s up?

Nothing, she blinked at him innocently. The expression, distinctly out of place on her face, was one she couldn’t maintain and it quickly melted into one of glee. Remember that guy Howard I’ve been seeing? He asked me to go to Florida with him! He’s going on a business trip, but he said he’ll add some extra days and make it a vacation if I go along too!

Todd raised his eyebrows in silence. He didn’t actually remember Howard. His sister’s dating pattern resembled a game of musical chairs, but she knew how to take care of herself and was always safe. This was the first time he could recall her ever going away with a guy, though. Her relationships tended to be more like flash fires, burning so intensely they only lasted weeks, or at most months. Despite this, her decision to accompany this man, seemingly on the spur-of-the-moment, was strangely in character for her.

She continued to talk about her vacation plans, while he contemplated his affiliation to this fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants woman. That they were related was a continual source of amazement for him, even though he had no idea what he would have done without her. They didn’t even particularly look alike. Both were slender with light complexions, but where she was diminutive, he was of medium height. He inherited his father’s impossibly dark brown eyes, while his sister’s blue eyes came from their mother. And in a cruel twist of fate, Todd had the curly hair that Sam spent most of her teenage years trying to create with a series of unfortunate perms. Todd, for his part, spent those same years with his unruly hair cropped as close to his scalp as it could get without causing him to pick up the moniker skin head. Fortunately, age, a little bit of wisdom, and current fashion trends had finally allowed the siblings to come to grips with the cards genetics had dealt them. Todd was able to let his honey-blonde hair grow a little longer, controlling it with gel and Sam wore her light blonde tresses long, straight, and layered prettily around her face.

Sam’s monologue petered out unnoticed by Todd. She might be self-absorbed, but she knew her little brother and belatedly registered the tender exploration of his jaw. She could sense something interesting, and saw no reason not to probe for details with a question designed to raise his dander. So, what kept you? Did one of your low-life clients get violent?

No, I had an encounter with my neighbor and her possessed dog. Todd’s tone revealed irritation he had been attempting to suppress.

Oh, she commented, her tone showing vague disappointment. It wasn’t that she wanted to see him harmed, but it wouldn’t hurt to have something interesting happen in his life. So, are we talking ‘Exorcist’ possessed or Steve Martin possessed? she asked, trying to make do with the material he had given her.

Todd did a double take, his pique fading into the background. When was Steve Martin possessed?

Not Steve Martin, his character in the movie! The one with Lily Tomlin where she keeps flapping his arms about...oh, never mind. She gave up at his bewildered expression. Didn’t anyone watch any of the old comedies anymore? Scary or funny?

What? You know, I haven’t seen you for a while. Could you at least give me a few minutes to adjust?

The possessed dog, was he scary or funny? Sam over-enunciated each word and spoke very slowly.

"Oh. Funny, I guess. It was the woman who was scary. I mean, I helped her catch the damn dog and the only thing she had to say was that I don’t like animals! And that was after she cold-cocked me! No apology, nothing! Can you believe it?" He was honest enough with himself to wonder why Sara’s comment annoyed him. Why should I care about her opinion? I’ve only spoken to her once in my entire life! And then he realized that he wouldn’t mind talking to her again. Oh.

Is this the woman across the street, the one with all the dogs and cats? Sam asked, interrupting his thoughts.

Yes. Clearly she has issues.

Hmm, Sam murmured noncommittally. And she hit you? Very discriminating woman. I should meet her some time. Hmm... Sam tapped her index finger against her pursed lips as she dredged up any memories pertaining to her brother’s neighbor. Didn’t I see you yell at her cat once?

What? He paused, genuinely perplexed. Why would he yell at a cat? Then with a flush he remembered and said defensively, I yelled at all the cats that weekend, how am I supposed to know if one of them was hers?

Good point. How could she possibly jump to the conclusion that you dislike animals? You holler at them because...I don’t know, male bonding? No, that would only work if they were male cats. What about...loud encouragement? No, there has to be a better reason than that. Sam ceased her catalog of Todd’s potential motivations and finally gave her brother a chance to respond. He mumbled something into his chest as he pulled into the parking garage next to the theater. What was that?

"I said I didn’t want them walking through the herbicide, he reiterated as Sam raised a single eloquent brow and stared at him in silence. I’m serious, he insisted, a slight flush to his cheeks. I had just spread weed killer over the lawn and was afraid they would lick it off their feet and get sick. He finished the sentence sheepishly without taking a breath and then paused. I forgot about that until you mentioned it.

Sam giggled as they stepped out of the car, imagining her brother keeping watch over his front lawn and running outside whenever a cat poked its nose around the corner. The neighbors must have thought he was nuts, to say the least.

Tired of discussing his neighbor, Todd turned the tables and focused on his sister as they made their way to the theater, bypassing the elevator and taking the stairs as usual. He knew how to push her buttons too. Have you told Mom about your trip with Howard?

Sam pursed her lips as they left the stairwell at the end of the building housing both the theater and the garage. No, I haven’t. I’m not even sure I’m going to. I’ll probably be back before she even knows I’ve left.

Todd was always irritated by Sam’s harsh evaluation of their mother’s character. She calls you every week! Of course she’ll know you’ve left!

I never return her phone calls. She won’t know the difference. Sam flapped her hand dismissively.

Nice, Todd commented sarcastically. The woman labors for thirty-six hours to bring you into this life that you love so much and you can’t even be bothered to call her back?

Sam shrugged, "She talks to you often enough. What’s she need me for? In fact, according to her last message, she’s having lunch with you sometime this week. I don’t think the two of us have ever had lunch."

"I don’t believe this! You have lunch envy? Have you ever asked her to have lunch with you?" he asked in exasperation. He knew their mother would love to spend some time with Sam, but it seemed his sister was always too busy and too difficult to pin down.

I don’t have lunch envy, and no, I haven’t asked her. I have no desire to spend quality time with her. Everything we need to say we say on the phone. She flapped her hand again. Why spend money on food when the phone is so much cheaper? she asked in a poor impersonation of their mother’s practical tones.

So, since you talk with her on the phone so often, Todd remarked a bit snidely as they joined the short line to purchase tickets, what do you think about Mom and Dad? His sister turned to him, confused.

What do you mean?

Well, what do you think about their splitting up? Sam did a double take, shock written plainly across her face.

They’re splitting up? When did this happen?

Earlier this week. That’s probably why Mom has been trying to get a hold of you, Todd said pointedly.

Dad left Mom? Sam asked, finding it difficult to picture her father having enough emotion to leave his wife of thirty-plus years.

No, Todd answered slowly, as though talking to a very small child. Mom left Dad.

Really? Todd hadn’t thought that his sister could look more surprised, but she managed it somehow. That’s so impractical of her! Sam said with an unfortunate undertone of delight.

Shouldn’t you be more upset by this? Todd asked reproachfully.

The space in front of the cashier cleared, allowing Sam a moment to gather her thoughts as each paid for their entry. They gave their tickets to a young man with bits of metal pierced through various places across his face and followed his directions to the appropriate door, both silent with their thoughts focused inward. Sam turned to him just before they entered the theater and finally answered his question.

Look, as far as I’m concerned, our parents’ marriage was a sham. It was an emotionless partnership that barely existed. I’m amazed they spent enough time together to conceive us at all! I think that leaving Dad is the most spunk that Mom has ever shown. Quite frankly, it makes me like her more.

We don’t have time to talk about this now, but I can’t believe how little you understand Mom, or even Dad. Before Sam could respond, they were urged by more late arrivals into the already darkened theater to search for a pair of unoccupied seats. Damn, he thought, dismissing his sister’s words from his mind as he waited for his eyes to adjust, I hate it when we miss the previews.

Two

Sara usually enjoyed coming home, although the reasons varied from day to day. Sometimes it was to enjoy the view of her neatly trimmed yard, a mixture of the mature trees and bushes from her parents’ day and her own newer, more colorful additions. Sometimes it was her home, built nearly seventy years earlier and slightly in need of paint, but lovely nonetheless. And more often than not it was the enthusiastic welcome she received as she stepped through the front door. No one had as devoted a family as she. She was the center of their universe and they adored every part of her. She could do no wrong, which was extremely nice to know after a bad day at work, or after any day for that matter. The only thing they wanted from her was her presence, and that she could give easily. As with any family, some members were more enthusiastic than others.

Nemo and Leviathon, for example, would content themselves with swimming back and forth in their tank Sara firmly believed that the fish missed her during her absences, despite all evidence to the contrary, while Lizzy would hiss and extend her throat-sac, remaining on whichever perch she had chosen at that moment. All the dogs, however, would gather at the door and more than make up for the quietness of their aquatic and reptilian companions by barking, snuffling, whining, and running about as though Sara had been gone for nine months rather than nine hours. Snag would weave in and out of all the craziness, just as insistently demanding her attention, but with meows instead while Puff, the more cautious of the two cats, always made for high ground and waited for Sara to find her. She would offer her own more subdued, but just as heartfelt greeting, when everyone else had calmed down.

Today, though, Sara was in no mood to appreciate her loving animals. This was partly because they weren’t crowded around to see her this time, but to check out Zilla, who apparently had been gone for years, and years, and years. There were the inevitable, good-natured scuffles as everyone jockeyed to sniff Zilla as he pranced proudly in place, flashing his teeth in glee. He carried with him the smells of the neighborhood like souvenirs for his fellow captives and his wiggling demeanor announced to everyone, I’m the coolest! Sara’s only reaction was to wade through the furry mass and into the kitchen with only a glance at her teenaged niece, who was sitting apprehensively at the kitchen table with a cup of instant coffee. All the way across the street, Sara had rehearsed different approaches, some hostile, some understanding, all rejected. Instead she chose demanding, which may or may not have been the wisest choice. How could you be so careless? she asked without preamble or explanation.

Tiffany leaned back in her seat and stirred Stevia into her coffee, silently working on her response. She stalled for time and sipped a spoonful of coffee, distantly noticing that she had added too much sweetener.

She was perfectly aware of how Zilla had escaped. Clearly, Thomas had left the gate open after his uninvited, nocturnal visit. He had quite obviously been wasted when he rapped on her window. It wasn’t difficult to reach the conclusion that he had left it open, either out of carelessness or lack of concern, when she had scolded and demanded he leave before the dogs heard him. The question in her mind was which scenario would make her aunt less angry: drunken visitor or careless niece? Tiffany had already decided that the midnight visit from Thomas would definitely piss her aunt off the most, but she wasn’t confident in her ability to deceive Sara. Being almost brutally direct and honest, lying was not a skill she had developed over the years. In addition, she genuinely liked and respected her aunt. She expelled a breath of air and met her aunt’s gaze, her air of guilt completely genuine. And then she told the truth – sort of.

I’m truly sorry, Aunt Sara. That gate must have been left open by accident. I don’t even remember it happening.

~ * ~

Todd reflected on the relationship between his mother and sister during a lull in his busy Monday schedule. He should have been preparing for his upcoming trial, but was instead staring abstractedly at his screensaver. He had never understood his sister’s animosity toward their mother. Then again, he didn’t understand his mother’s placid acceptance of it either. It wasn’t in his nature to brood over the whys in his own relationships or those around him, but he did occasionally take the time to think how much easier his life would be if the two people he loved the most actually got along.

It wasn’t so much that the two women fought, but that they couldn’t talk about anything without disagreeing. His sister would get bitter, his mother would calmly tell her to relax, and then they would cease talking altogether. Neither woman would discuss this with him, although his sister was obviously not above the occasional snide remark, usually having to do with Todd being the favorite. Being both in the middle and removed from the women’s battles, he knew his mother held neither sibling above the other. In fact, she adored Sam. Through him, she knew everything that was happening in her daughter’s life and she was as proud as she could be of Sam’s independence and spirit, even though her reserved nature kept her from expressing that pride