CHAPTER 1
“You’ve got to kiss a few horny toads to find your prince!”
— MATCHMAKING MAMAS
Hank
Scarlett quiveredon my grooming table, her long luxurious fur glowing under the overhead lights after a bath she did not enjoy and a blow-drying she enjoyed even less.
We’d come to an understanding partway through her BowWow journey that she would allow it in exchange for treats. As I ran the slicker brush through her undercoat, though, it became clear that I wouldn’t have to bribe her anymore. The brushing turned her to doggy goo.
“See?” I murmured. “It was all worth it.”
Her ears twitched, but her eyes remained half-closed. Yeah, this girl was in her happy place. Sadly, the only women I’d impressed lately were the four-legged kind.
Thedoor to the grooming room opened and my boss, Sammi, slipped inside. She slumped against the wall with a sigh.
She held Ricky, a hyperactive Jack Russell, in her arms.
Scarlett stiffened at the intrusion, brown eyes darting to Ricky. A rumble started in her throat.
“You’re okay,” I soothed, taking a quick step back and grabbing a treat. I held it up so Scarlett would see it, then let her nibble it from my palm. “Yeah, you’re almost done now. You’ve been a good girl for your first time.”
“Sorry,” Sammi said. “Ricky was being a holy terror in there. I had to give the other poochies a break.”
I glanced through the window to the doggy day care portion of BowWow—a large room that included a few obstacles for the dogs to run over and through, as well as toys that got truly abused: balls in five different sizes, ropes for tug-of-war, and some sad-looking stuffies, too. Most of the pets came with their own toys, but we provided a few extras for when they got bored.
The room was packed today. A little shih tzu was losing at tug-of-war with a golden retriever. A poodle and beagle were getting cozy with butt-sniffing. A husky named Diva was in the corner, crying dramatically, while a couple of mixed-breed mutts chased each other through a tunnel.
“Ricky was mean to Diva again?” I guessed.
Sammi chuckled. “Yep. Though to be fair, Diva’s a…well, diva.”
“Most appropriately named dog ever,” I agreed.
All huskies were divas, in my experience.
“Want a break?” I asked. “Scarlett is pretty much done.”
“Yeah, Ricky’s mommy is on her way. Things should quiet down soon.” Sammi came close enough for Scarlett and Rickyto sniff at each other. “We’ve gotten so busy lately. I can’t wait for this weekend.”
Sammi came about as high as my elbow. Even her hair was shorter than mine. She sported a bunch of clips in it, but they were for sticking on the dogs she groomed. Sammi was more of a butch chick who favored baggy T-shirts and sweats over dresses or bows.
“You got plans?” I asked.
“Taking Abby to a B&B. We have to board our own babies in Omaha. The irony, right?”
“I could watch them at my place.”
Her eyes lit up. “Really? Don’t tease me.”
“Bruno would love the company.”
My French bulldoglovedother dogs. We regularly went to the dog park so he could meet up with his friends. I swear, the guy was more popular than me these days.
That was the cost of moving towns, I supposed. I’d only been here about three months, and I hadn’t gotten out to meet many people yet. But then, I liked dogs more than people, so that wasn’t a total surprise.
“Thanks, Hank. I really appreciate it.”
