Read Online Once Bitten (A Melanie Travis Mystery) by Laurien Berenson - Free Book Online Page B

top of Eve’s head had never been cut. At her young age, however, it wasn’t quite long enough to fit into the banded ponytails that kept Faith’s topknot out of her way.
    “A little Dippity-Do will address that problem,” Aunt Peg said. “Let’s go find some, shall we, Davey? You can help me put it on.”
    He scrambled up and followed Peg toward the room near her kitchen that she’d recently outfitted as a grooming room. Eve hopped up, too, and she and Zeke trailed along after them.
    “Cute puppies,” said Bob. “Davey told me they’re Faith’s?”
    “Yes, we bred her in the spring. The litter was born last summer in my bedroom. It was quite an experience.”
    “The bedroom? I thought dogs had puppies in the garage.”
    “Not Aunt Peg’s dogs.” Not by a long shot. “The whole thing was pretty nerve-racking. Luckily, I had expert assistance.”
    “Peg, of course.”
    “Actually, no.” I almost sighed, but squelched the impulse just in time. “Aunt Peg didn’t get there until the next morning. Sam was the one who helped me whelp the litter.”
    “Driver,” Bob muttered. “We met the last time I was here. Davey said the two of you were engaged.”
    “We were.” I stopped, then corrected myself. “Maybe we still are.”
    “Don’t you know?”
    “Not exactly, no.”
    He lifted a brow at that. “Your brother told me that Sam’s disappeared. Up and left for parts unknown.”
    I reached down and tangled my fingers in Faith’s warm hair. The Poodle pressed her body against my leg. The contact made both of us feel better. It always does.
    “That pretty much sums it up.”
    Bob took my hand and led me into the living room. Together we sat down on the couch. Faith, knowing she was invited, hopped up and draped her front legs across my lap.
    “You guys must have been pretty serious. What happened?”
    “I don’t know.” I gazed at my ex-husband and shrugged. “I honestly don’t. Sam’s ex-wife died and it threw him for a loop. He decided there were some things in his life that he needed to work out on his own. So he left.”
    “Last summer?”
    “Yes.”
    “And you haven’t heard anything since?”
    “A postcard in August with a picture of Mount Tamalpais and an address in San Fran. ‘Missing you and Davey,’ it said. ‘How are the puppies?’ I didn’t write back.”
    “Why not?”
    Bob’s fingers squeezed mine. Abruptly I realized he’d never given me back my hand.
    And that I’d never taken it.
    “At first, I couldn’t think what to say. Then I realized there was nothing to say. Sam will come back when he wants to. Or he won’t.”
    I squared my shoulders, hoping the small gesture made me look stronger than I felt. “But if he thinks that I’m going to give him the illusion of a relationship by mail in the meantime, he’s crazy. If Sam wants to know how Davey and I are doing, then he can damn well come and see for himself.”
    Bob’s index finger began to move slowly, stroking the soft skin of my palm. “Frankly, I’d say that you and Davey are managing just fine without him.”
    “We are.” I slid my hand from his. “Just like we did when you left.”
    He didn’t react to the rebuff. Instead, his hand reached up and cupped Faith’s muzzle, his fingers finding and scratching exactly the right spot behind her ears.
    Just what I needed, I thought. Another man who knew how to get to me through my dog.
    “That was a long time ago,” Bob said slowly. “You married a boy; you needed a man. I’d like to think I’ve changed since then. Grown up. You loved me once—”
    The doorbell rang, loud and insistent.
    I jumped up off the couch as if I’d been shot from a gun. Who’d have guessed it was actually possible to be saved by a bell?
    Faith began to bark and ran from the room. Almost immediately, the rest of the Poodles appeared from various parts of the house. The canine welcoming committee was out in full force. Vastly relieved by the interruption, I went to join