Page 5 of Smoky Mountain K-9
“Never say never, Mara.” Gemma grinned and shook a finger. She hopped off the fence. “I’m headed back in to hang out with my horse. I’ll see you later.”
Mara swung Stinger away from the fence and waved. “See ya.” Her horse danced, ready to run again. She let him, hoping the race chased away her nerves.
Three
“What do you think, Mav? Am I presentable?” Carter Townsend held out his arms and lifted an eyebrow as he glanced at his dog. The Malinois tilted his head, then barked once.
“That good, huh?” Carter looked in the mirror once more, fixing the hem of his charcoal sweater. He still couldn’t believe he was doing this. When he’d agreed to participate, he didn’t think much about the actual date portion—the part that came after the auction. Sure, he planned a fun night, but it wasn’t until he got out on the stage and saw all the women cheering in the crowd that it hit him he’d have to go out with one of them. Then, the smile on his face turned a little forced, and some sweat popped out on his forehead. He’d kept his feet planted where they were by reminding himself it was for a good cause. They’d turned to lead when he went to meet the winning bidder.
Maverick’s easy acceptance of the woman helped ease his mind some. The dog didn’t warm up to many people. And Mara seemed nice. It still boggled his mind that her friend would drop that kind of cash on a date for her. Mara must be some friend.
Carter picked up his watch from the dresser and looped it around his wrist. Grabbing his wallet, he headed down the hall. Near the door to the garage, he shoved his feet into a pair of black boots and lifted his shearling-lined gray corduroy coat from the hook. Turning to Maverick, he gave the dog a command, and the animal trotted to his kennel. Carter shut the door on the six-by-six cage and latched it. “I’ll be back in a little while, bud.”
Maverick spun in a circle on the bed in one corner and laid down with a groan. Carter grinned. His dog was nothing if not dramatic.
Shrugging into his coat, Carter grabbed his keys—and the bouquet of flowers he bought on a whim on his way home—and entered the garage, climbing into his truck. He raised the overhead door and started the vehicle, thankful his house had a garage large enough for the behemoth truck he drove. If there was one thing he hated about living here, it was scraping snow and frost from his windows. Having grown up in Charleston, South Carolina, snow wasn’t something he saw much of as a kid. He’d always been envious of the kids who got snow days and could build snowmen. As an adult, though, he couldn’t help but wonder what he’d been thinking.
The truck’s tires hummed as he drove through town to Mara’s house. Foggy Mountain wasn’t large, so it was a short drive. The sun’s last rays cast a soft glow over her sage-colored house with its white trim. Neat hedgerows lined the front of the house, and she had potted evergreens flanking the porch steps and a white sign with the word “Welcome” painted vertically on it in black block letters. It was inviting and cozy.
Shutting off the truck, Carter grabbed the flowers and got out. On the porch, he pushed the doorbell, listening to it peal inside. Moments later, the heavy wooden door swung inward, and he forgot to breathe. Dressed in jeans and a dark emerald green sweater that contrasted with her coppery red hair, Mara smiled. Her blue eyes crinkled at the corners, telling him it was genuine.
“Hello, deputy.” She stepped back. “Come in, please.”
Carter cleared his throat, forcing his lungs to work. He brushed past her. “Carter, please.”
“Right. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m nervous too.” He held out the flowers. “Here.”
“Oh.” She took the bouquet of pink roses and brought them to her nose. “They’re lovely. You didn’t have to do this.”
He shrugged. “A woman should get flowers on Valentine’s Day.”
“Well, thank you.” Her smile widened, stealing Carter’s breath again. “Walk with me so I can put these in water?” She tipped her head to the rear of the house.
Carter nodded and followed her, glancing around as they passed through the living room and into a short hall. She liked soft colors—grays and creams. Her living room was painted an off-white. Gray furniture clustered around a natural-wood coffee table on a cream rug. The hallway walls were the same color as the living room.
In the kitchen, the colors mirrored the exterior of her home. Her cabinets were a dark sage, the walls the same off-white as the rest of what he’d seen. It all complemented the butcher block counters and black hardware.
She opened a long cupboard in the corner and took a tall crystal vase from inside. Filling it with water, she arranged the flowers in it, then set it on the island. “There. Those look good in here. Thank you again. They’re beautiful.”
“You’re welcome.” He offered her a smile. “Are you ready to go? We’re supposed to be there by seven.”
“Yes. My coat and purse are by the front door.” She pointed back the way they’d come.
Carter turned around and led the way to the front of the house. She took a black wool peacoat from the hall tree in the corner and put it on, then picked up her purse from the entryway table.
“All set?” He put a hand on the doorknob.
“Yep.”
He opened the door and waved her out, turning the lock before following her outside.
“I didn’t take you for a red truck man.” She glanced at him as they walked down the short path to the driveway.
Carter lifted an eyebrow. “Why not?” He opened the passenger door.
She shrugged one shoulder and climbed in. “I think maybe it was the all-black outfit you had on at the auction. It made you seem more somber. Are you somber?”