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She looked so apologetic he crammed his hands into his pockets to keep himself from hugging her. “Not a problem.”
“I’ll give the canine therapy another try.” There was determination in her words.
“And I’ll speak to Flora and Margaret and see if they can work something out so you won’t have to work with one particular dog.”
Cass gave him an earnest look. “I’ll do what I can to make that work. I really do appreciate you letting me cry on your shoulder.”
To his complete astonishment, Cass placed a hand on his shoulder, came up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Pleasure zipped through him. When he saw Cass’s shocked face seconds later with its charming pink cheeks he was mesmerized. This tough woman appeared flustered. Her eyes had gone wide in surprise before she blinked a couple of times and looked away. She shook slightly and he feared she might fall. Lyle reached for her.
Cass stood close enough that he could smell the fresh scent of her hair.
“I’m sorry,” Cass murmured.
Lyle lowered his head to hear her words, bringing his lips closer to hers. He watched them, the soft full pads that looked so delicious.
“That was inappropriate. I shouldn’t have done that.” Cass glanced at him then away.
“I’m not,” he said quietly. “I rather liked it.”
Her eyelids fluttered closed, then her gaze met his. They stood there watching each other for precious moments. The tip of her tongue made a flicker of an appearance. Lyle wanted a taste, just a small one, of that glossy moistness on her bottom lip. He lowered his head and placed his mouth over hers. Cass remained still in his hands. Lyle took the kiss deeper.
Cass returned it for a second before she slipped out of his hands and whispered, “Goodnight.”
Lyle watched her walk away. Disappointment filled him. Everything in him wished he could stop her without frightening her. He wanted more than a chaste meeting of lips. It hadn’t been nearly enough. He sought a full, no-holding-back kiss from Cass. There was an attraction between them he wanted to explore. It had been a long time since he’d experienced such a driving need to kiss a woman breathless.
CHAPTER FIVE
CASS WALKED TO the canine center the next afternoon still astounded she had foolishly kissed Lyle. Making her embarrassment worse and her pleasure more, Lyle had actually looked pleased she had kissed him.
But she didn’t do that sort of impulsive thing. Ever. She thought through her actions first. Never had she fallen apart like that in front of anyone. To do something so rash only showed how open the wound was that made up her life. Then there had been her crying jag. Until last night she had held it together despite all she’d been through. Talking about Rufus had broken her.
Lyle had been incredibly kind when she’d really needed someone. Beneath his attention she’d opened up like never before. He’d listened without judgement instead of running away. Lyle acted as if he cared, understood her loss.
Cass shook off that admission.
She’d kissed Lyle. What had she been thinking? She hadn’t been, instead she had just reacted. It had been a stupid, careless move. Being here at the castle was about therapy and making a full recovery, not romance. Her heart couldn’t handle those emotions right now. Even if it could, what did she imagine would come of it? Nothing, that was all that could happen.
As she entered the canine therapy center, Margaret greeted her at the door as if she had been waiting for her. Instead of taking her into the room where she had been the day before, Margaret escorted Cass into another one where the dogs were housed in pens with fenced runs. Cass shoved her shaking hands down into her coat pockets. She didn’t want anyone to see that her hands were trembling.
Margaret stopped in front of the first cage. “The dogs on this side of the building are the ones we call the ‘reimagined’ dogs. They’re working dogs that we get from all over the world. When they’re too old we take in the ones we can, retrain them and give them new purpose. Esme also has a breeding program for specialized therapy dogs for epilepsy and diabetes patients. We train from puppy age until they are just over a year old. Those dogs are Labrador retrievers, Labradoodles and golden retrievers.”
Cass nodded.
“Now, this is Oscar. He’s a sweet dog and has been paired with Mr. Ellis.”
“I’ve seen them together some.” Cass recognized the small black and white, wire-haired dog, along with a number of others. They’d all been paired with patients at the clinic.
“And you should remember this one. He’s the dog I understand that you and Lyle brought in the other night. We’re calling him Dougal.”
Cass nodded. Dougal suited the little dog. Rufus had already been named when Cass had got him, but his name had suited him too.
They moved to the next pen. The dogs were getting larger as they went.
“This is Morrow. He used to be a guide dog.”
He was being “reimagined,” much as Cass was working to do with her life. If she didn’t return to search and rescue, what was she going to do? Could she accept a new partner and try again? A sick feeling welled up in her, but she forced it down with a clenched jaw. She’d already made a spectacle of herself in front of Lyle. She would not do the same in Margaret’s presence.
Margaret kept moving down the aisle, introducing Cass to dogs as they went. Cass battled to remain calm rather than listening until Margaret said, “...and he was a search and rescue dog. A good one, I understand. But he went blind in one eye and that ended his career.”
Cass’s attention remained riveted to the light-gray-furred German shepherd lying quietly in the back corner of the cage.
“He hasn’t adjusted to being here as we would like. I think we’re rather dull to him after his exciting life.” Margaret’s voice was sympathetic.
Cass empathized with the dog’s pain. She, too, was out of her comfort zone for reasons beyond her control.
“Now, this is McDuff. Everyone’s favorite.” A big dog with shaggy fur and wide brown eyes came to greet them.
Cass reached out to him without thinking. He smelled her hand, fluffy tail wagging.
“Now that you’ve met everyone I’ll show you where the supplies are and tell you some of your duties. I have to admit you’re the first resident to offer to help us with dog care and I’m very glad to have you. We don’t have enough help.”
Margaret showed Cass the room where food was stored, the grooming area and where cleaning tools could be found. She explained what Cass needed to do and on which days of the week. “Also, we would like you to walk any dogs that don’t currently have assignments. That’s the list on the board over here.” She walked to the wall where a clipboard hung. “Currently there are just three dogs. You’re free to take them outside for a walk on the lead or a run in the outdoor pen.”
Cass would turn them out in the pen. Leash walking was more than she was emotionally prepared for. Too personal, too risky. She might start caring.
“You think you’ll be okay with the work?” Margaret checked her watch.
Cass nodded. This she could do. She would be active instead of sitting around with a dog in her lap or on the floor beside her. Surely she wouldn’t get attached tending to all the dogs on a daily basis. Having one assigned to her was the danger. She could feed them, walk them, and clean their cages and meet her therapy requirements then move on. All she had to do was make up her mind to do what she had to do. For some people that type of work might be beneath them. But it was the perfect means for Cass to ease back into interacting with a dog without the temptation of completely committing.
Over the next hour she fed and watered the dogs. When it was time to enter the search and rescue dog’s cage, she had to read his name on the sign because she’d missed it when Margaret had said it earlier. She hesitated. Hero didn’t scare her, instead he reminded her too much of herself. He remained in that corner as if he wanted to shut the world out. Was that what she was doing?
“Hey, fel
low, it’s nice to meet you. I understand we’ve been in the same business. I’m sorry to hear about your eye. That’s tough.” She moved to fill his food bowl. He watched her closely as she worked. Cass filled his water bowl from a bucket. He came up on his haunches as if he might be thirsty. “Come and get it. I won’t hurt you.”
“He mostly speaks German.”
Cass heart clinched. Just like Rufus.
“I should have told you that.” Margaret stood outside the cage. “But I’m sure he appreciates your soothing voice. I’ve been watching. You’re good with the dogs.”
“I’ve been around them all my life.” Cass unlocked the cage.
“It shows. It’s time for you to go.” Margaret held the gate to the cage open. “I don’t want to wear you out on your first day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay. I need to put some things away before I go.” Cass walked back toward the storeroom.
“Can you see yourself out?” Margaret called, heading the other way.
Cass placed the bucket she carried on the floor. “I can.”
“Good. You did well today, Cass.” Margaret gave her a smile and left.
Hopefully each day would get easier.
* * *
Three days later Cass was on the minibus to the village with five other residents. She looked out the window at the beautiful and fascinating countryside. She’d seen much of the world and, even covered in patches of snow, this place appealed to her. Her doctors had been wise to send her here.
Going to the canine therapy center still didn’t fill her with excitement but it wasn’t as difficult as it had been on the first day. She’d managed to interact with the dogs while remaining emotionally removed from them. She was pleased to see that Dougal was growing stronger each day. His odd appearance with some weight on him was beginning to make him look cute. The only dog that did disturb her was Hero. He still remained standoffish. Cass was trying not to let it bother her, yet it did.
Today she wasn’t going to think about dogs or therapy or even the past. Instead she was going to enjoy her trip to the village. She didn’t know what to expect of Cluchlochry, but she was enchanted from the moment she stepped off the bus. It looked like a scene from a Victorian Christmas card. Wreaths of fresh greenery with bows were on every building door and window. The main road was just large enough for two small narrow vehicles to pass. Her large American SUV would never be able to make it.
