Page 19 of Call It Serendipity

His touch is familiar, and my mind flashes back to the way these hands wrapped around me and gripped for dear life. The way they kept me safe.

“Actually,” I rasp, overwhelmed by the sensation, “I’m the one with the untrained dog.”

His fingers curl protectively around my hand, remaining that way even after I’m up on my feet. I look down at where we’re embracing, studying the sheer size of his grip engulfing mine. I shouldn’t enjoy the sight. And yet…

Clearing my throat, I slowly slide my hand from his.

“So,” Jake starts, following my lead to turn towards the dogs. “What’s his name?”

“Bear.”

He pats his leg and lets out a sharp whistle. “Bring it here, I’ll throw it, bud,” he says as if the two of them do this regularly.

But to my surprise, there is no hesitation as the dog jumps up and trots over, dropping the now soggy ball into his waiting hand. As promised, he chucks it clear to the end of the yard, much further than I’ve ever been able to for Bear, and we watch as both dogs hurry happily behind it.

“I guess I can put plays well with others on his resume,” I say, mostly to myself, as they don’t seem to fight over the single ball at all.

“Resume?”

“Oh”—I turn to look up at him—“he’s not actually mine. He’s one of the dogs at the shelter.”

Bear charges back over, throwing himself against his legs to stop. To Jake’s credit, he doesn’t move an inch, instead he bends over to pet the eager blur of fur wiggling before him. Lifting his gaze to me, he peeks past the bill of his baseball hat and says, “I have a feeling this guy will get adopted fast.”

“Yeah, me too.”

My voice is laced with disappointment. It doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Do you ever adopt any of the animals that come through?” he asks gently.

I shouldn’t feel so pleased that he’s paying such attention to my little nuances. This is a man I aim to dislike. And yet his tone is genuine and kind. And my wits are nowhere to be found.

“I haven’t—my roommate is pretty allergic. I’m really having a hard time thinking about letting this one go, though.”

“Sometimes two people that belong manage to find each other, even when it shouldn’t make sense.”

I narrow my eyes at him as my stomach tumbles over itself. “People?”

“People, animals, you know what I mean,” he says with an innocent grin.

“Mmm, of course. Anyway, I should be getting back to the shelter.” I take advantage of Bear returning the ball to Jake, reaching out and snatching up his leash.

“It was a pleasure running into you, as always.”

I nod, fighting a smile, and turn to go. After a beat, he calls after me. “Hey, Lucy? What would you say if I asked you to do something with me?”

“You mean spending time with you completely on purpose?” I shout back.

“No motorcycle drive-by, no surprise appearances, and no angry public forums.”

I tilt my head at him. “I’ll let you know… if the opportunity ever arises.”

And then I leave before he can create a circumstance where I have to give him a real answer.

12

“Was this building made for the brewery or did the previous owner renovate it?” I ask, stepping through the oversized wood doors into the space I’m here to buy—for the first time.

My father had pointed out that he and Doyle already scouted the place, that it wasn’t necessary for me to see the building we would tear down anyway. But the longer I’m here, the more I feel a need to understand the full situation.