Also by Holly Kerr
Don’t Tell Me You Love Me
Perfectly Played
Charlotte Dodd
Unexpecting
Barking Up The Wrong Tree
Tracy Krimmer
Steam Level: 2 out of 5
About Barking Up the Wrong Tree
If fences make good neighbors, Reese can’t imagine one tall enough to handle the perpetual barking dog next door.
Or its handsome owner.
Scratch that. Annoying owner.
When an unfortunate situation forces her to make nice with her unbearable neighbor, will she discover first impressions really aren’t everything?
1
It’s notthe dog’s fault his owner is an inconsiderate jerk. The dog may be the one that has been barking for the past forty-five minutes, but my neighbor, Jimmy, isn’t doing anything to stop him. All I want is to enjoy my Saturday and sleep in after a nearly impossible week.
Yet here I am at eight in the morning, my darkening shades blocking out the sun, but even my white noise machine can’t drown out the dog’s incessant complaining about whatever is in the air. What else could possibly be making him bark this much?
I tear my sheets off as I groan. He’s making me crawl out of bed and go over there. Ugh! I slide on my sweatpants and a t-shirt, but first I have to brush my teeth. Hate him or not, I refuse to subject any other human being to my morning breath.
Once I’m presentable, I slip on my flip-flops and race across my front lawn, squirming at the dew squishing between my toes. There’s nothing worse than wet feet. Without skipping a beat, I raise my hand and knock on his door with my fist while ringing the doorbell with the other. Not one, not two, but three frantic times.
The door opens, and Jimmy stands behind it. He seems taller than the last time I saw him. Dust dots his light brown hair, and sweat covers his face. I kick myself for thinking he’s attractive for even a second.I hate you, I remind myself. He’s a complete pain in my ass.
“Just because we’re the only two houses on this part of the block doesn’t grant permission for your dog to bark all night. I’m trying to sleep.”
“Reese Turner, good morning to you as well.” His blue-green eyes form creases at the corners when he smiles.
I cross my arms and let out a huff. “Good morning,” I say through gritted teeth. “Except it isn’t one because while I’m trying to sleep your tiny pug is barking like a St. Bernard.”
“Really?” Jimmy appears surprised. “And how, exactly, does a St. Bernard bark?”
Ugh! I want tokillhim. This man infuriates me like no one I’ve ever known. So cocky, sarcastic, and, as he lifts his arm up to shake some of the dust out of his hair, strong. My gaze is glued onto his bicep. He flexes and I know he’s caught me staring.
“Look, all I’m asking is for a little peace and quiet in the morning. I work long hours and can really use the extra sleep.”
“Sleeping Beauty needs her beauty sleep, right?”
I clench my jaw. “Your. Barking. Dog. Dragged. Me. Out. Of. Bed. I wasn’t about to doll myself up for”—I loosen my mouth and laugh—“you.”
The smile hasn’t left his face. “I didn’t ask you to.” He crosses his arms and leans against the doorway.
“I wasn’t—that’s not what—uh! Just please quiet your dog down so I can sleep.”
“Maybe you should get out of bed and do something productive.”
