Page 11 of Yorkie to My Heart (Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue #6)

Phillip

I’d thought the clip-ons might be lame, but the ability to see without squinting negated any dorkiness I might’ve felt.

And when you have cared about dorkiness?

Okay, rarely. In Oregon, I’d been too focused on keeping us alive.

We hadn’t been able to afford fancy food.

Or even fruits and vegetables unless the neighbors gave us some.

My cooking abilities lay in pasta, rice, and cold cereal.

Our pharmacist used to give me multivitamins along with mom’s meds.

So I didn’t get scurvy, she used to say.

I hadn’t known what scurvy was. As an adult—with access to a search engine—I’d looked it up one day. Out of idle curiosity.

And had mentally thanked the pharmacist for her forethought. Many of our neighbors had eschewed modern medicine. Even they, though, could admit my mother was much better off with her meds rather than just prayer.

As we headed toward the boardwalk, I tried not to stare openly.

I’d lived in LA for two years before meeting Hank, as a college student who rarely left my dorm on campus Without a car, I never felt comfortable leaving the safety of campus.

I’d even stayed during the summer, taking classes, so I didn’t have to deal with the real world.

I should’ve been accustomed to seeing attractive men and women with their tanned, toned bodies wearing only minimal…

clothing. Should’ve been able to walk along without my mind stumbling every time I saw a gay or lesbian couple holding hands.

Especially those pairings with kids. But I did stare.

I hadn’t even known such things were possible back in Oregon.

Well, the pastor had railed against the sin of sodomy—which I’d eventually figured out.

Actual same-sex couples? I hadn’t understood such things could exist.

Hot sun beat on the back of my neck, and I was already sweating. Because of the heat. Nothing else. Nothing to do with the men walking past holding hands, or Jeremy at my side.

A bark drew my attention.

Wally’s ears perked up even farther than they normally did.

“Kevin!” Jeremy waved, then turned back to me. “Kevin and Zelda are safe, okay? But if you don’t feel that way, let me know.” He whispered the words in my ear even as he waved to the young man and his dog.

A dog who, in my eyes, appeared rather large.

Although maybe not. Much smaller than the protection dogs I’d grown up around. The ones that’d always scared the shit out of me.

“Hey, Jeremy.” Kevin waved as he made his way over to them.

Jeremy guided us toward the beach so we weren’t blocking the boardwalk.

My feet sank into the sand. Something I wasn’t accustomed to, and I found it vaguely concerning.

Zelda approached Wally.

Wally strained against his harness—clearly trying to get to the larger furry brown-and-white dog.

Cute dog, with her big brown eyes and tan eyebrows that gave her face almost a worried look.

Adorable kid. Maybe—I don’t know, twelve? Thirteen? Short dark hair, snub nose, all arms and legs and happy, animated gestures as he talked to his dog. Just…very non-threatening. Much as Marcie and those kids had been this morning.

I wasn’t certain I was becoming a better judge of character. Or maybe just letting go of a touch of the vigilance that’d been a part of my life for the past four years. Oh hell, who was I kidding? Since I’d been old enough to understand the world was a dangerous place. Four? Five?

A child without a childhood needed vigilance.

“I’m Kevin.” The boy waved. “This is Zelda. She’s super friendly around other dogs and a little wary around strangers.” He smiled at Jeremy. “You’re a friend.”

Jeremy grinned, catching my gaze. “Kevin often walks Zelda up by the lighthouse, and I’ll admit to taking a break during my training to visit. I love dogs.” His grin was damn infectious.

So I smiled as well. “This is Wally. He’s new to me, so I have to be careful.”

“Oh, you rescued him?” Kevin ran a hand through his hair. “With Arthur?”

“Yes.”

“That’s so great. Rescuing dogs is the best. Zelda’s a rescue.

My dad, Alec rescued her. And by then my dad Joe was sort of falling for him.

And I was getting pretty attached myself.

Zelda sort of sealed the deal. If Alec could rescue her when he was barely keeping it together, then he had to be a good person. ”

“Alec is a good person.” Jeremy’s grin didn’t diminish. “Joe, Alec, and Kevin are newer to Gaynor Beach.”

“Hey.” Kevin squinted.

“Relatively new,” Jeremy qualified. “Not an old-timer like myself.”

That appeared to appease Kevin as his easy smile returned.

Zelda and Wally kept sniffing each other.

I kept a vigilant eye on them. Arthur assured me that Wally had been socialized and was good with other dogs.

That being said, he and Jordan had both warned me about being super careful around strange dogs in case they weren’t friendly.

If Jeremy vouched for Zelda, though, then I figured a lessening of the ever-present panic might be okay.

“Do you want to walk?” Kevin pointed down the boardwalk. “I was headed home. It’s too hot to go far today.”

Jeremy cast me a look.

“We’d love to, for a little bit.” I eyed Wally, whose tongue already lolled. “Maybe we can find some water first?”

“Sure, over here.” Kevin guided us toward a bowl of water on the shaded sidewalk before a food vendor. He pressed his hand to the side. “Nice and cool.”

I glanced at the vendor. Popcorn.

Before I could speak, Jeremy had his wallet out. “I plan to watch a movie later, so I’ll grab a bag. Would you like one?”

“I…uh…”

“Well, we can share.”

Just like that. Like we might watch the movie together. Or maybe share popcorn on the way back?

I’d been worried about cost. Everything was always about cost. I had a few dollars in my pocket, but I could never predict what might come up. What I might need money for. And asking for help didn’t appeal. Like, at all.

After the dogs had each drunk plenty of water, we headed out. Wally tried to keep up with Zelda’s strides.

Before I could say anything, Kevin gently pulled Zelda back. “We’ve walked a fair bit today and I think we need to take it easy.”

Zelda didn’t appeal the least bit bothered. She kept glancing down at Wally as if quite intrigued by this little guy.

“I don’t think I’ve seen Wally before.” Kevin continued with his gentle speaking.

“Wally…” I cleared my throat. “His old owner didn’t walk him. He only ever went into the backyard. So this walking thing is new to him.” And to me .

“Really? He’s great on the leash.” Kevin’s enthusiasm couldn’t be overstated. “He’s not pulling or anything.”

“Jordan’s good.” Because he was.

“And Phillip is great with applying that training.” Jeremy glanced my way. “Oh, jeez, Kevin, we didn’t even introduce you properly. This is Phillip. He’s new in town.”

“Welcome.” Kevin grinned. “I like having new people in town. They always have a story. Do you have a story?”

I chalked up his casualness with me to the fact Jeremy had clearly vetted me. Because he should be careful around strangers. I might not be a good guy.

Hank hadn’t been a good guy.

And no one had warned me.

Babe in the woods. An expression I’d learned. I’d learned many things—most of them too late.

“Phillip’s shy.”

Jeremy’s words jolted me.

What…? Oh, right. Kevin’s question.

“My story’s pretty boring. I went from Oregon to LA, spent a few years there, and…” I swallowed. “Things didn’t go well.”

“I’m from Ohio. Things weren’t always great there, but my mom’s there, and she’s not so bad. Just…” He squinted. “I prefer Gaynor Beach.”

Ohio? I’d prefer Gaynor Beach as well. “Everyone here has been really friendly.” I glanced at Jeremy. “Especially my neighbors.”

“Oh, that’s cool. I’ve lived in two houses here, and I loved both. Really, though, I prefer checking out the marine life out by the old lighthouse. And down by the old pier. Oh, maybe we can go out there.” He pointed.

I squinted.

“Sometime, sure, if we’re in the area.” Jeremy nudged me. “That would be a lovely drive over, and then we can walk up and down that side of the beach.”

Because walking there would likely kill me…and probably Wally as well. That being said, we were hanging in so far. “Right. Sounds great.”

“Oh, hey!” Kevin waved frantically. “My dads. They must’ve finished up work early.” He nearly vibrated with excitement, and Zelda clearly perked up at his enthusiasm.

Wally glanced at me as if asking, what’s all the fuss about? Should I get excited too?

I lowered my hand in a gesture I hoped conveyed stay calm . We hadn’t learned anything like that from Jordan yesterday. Possibly because the odds of Wally getting excited about anything were slim. He just…went with the flow.

“Hey, back.” The larger of the two men chuckled. “Have you made new friends?”

Jeremy stuck out his hand. “I’m Jeremy. Kevin and I have conversed quite a few times. Zelda and I are good friends. Usually in the early morning when I’m out for my run.”

“I’m Joe.” He shook Jeremy’s hand.

“I’m, uh, Phillip.” I held out my hand.

He grasped it firmly. But not too tight.

I was grateful.

Then he eyed Kevin and raised an eyebrow. No question the two were related—what with their matching noses and hair, although Kevin was wiry where Joe was solid.

“I told you about the marathon runner.” No defensiveness on Kevin’s part. Just a wide grin.

“So you did.” The slender man offered his hand. “I’m Alec.” He shook my hand first, then Jeremy’s. “Nice to meet you both.” He crouched in front of Wally. “And who is this?”

I appreciated he kept a bit of distance.

Zelda nudged against his hip, then made her way over to Wally. Almost as if saying, check out my new friend .

After a moment, I stepped forward so Wally could advance.

Alec held out his hand.

Wally sniffed. Then licked. Then lunged happily.

The man caught my dog easily even as I winced. “Wally, no. Um, sit!”

Too late. Jordan had told me No was kind of a useless command, but it came automatically. We were a work in progress, for all of Jeremy’s praise.

“I don’t mind.” Alec grinned and set Wally down. “If you’re training him not to do that, I respect that. Overly affectionate dogs are common around here.”

Alec, Joe, and Kevin all said, “Widget,” at the same time.

Jeremy laughed. “The French bulldog.”

“Yep.” Kevin chuckled. “Oh, James told me she’s going to train to be a pet therapy dog. Colin said they want to take her to the pediatric wing of the hospital when she passes her test.”

Joe whistled. “Well, she’s certainly friendly enough.”

“And becoming well-trained.” Alec petted Zelda. “You’re still shy of strangers. That’s okay.”

Did he mean that might be why she wasn’t a therapy dog? She hadn’t been shy with Jeremy, and I hadn’t approached her. I told myself I was being respectful. In truth, dogs I didn’t know still intimidated me.

Alec rose, gave Zelda and Wally final scritches, then offered a broad smile. “We were thinking of hot dogs for dinner. Not all that healthy, but…” He caught Kevin’s grin. “A favorite. Want to join us? We know the best vendor.”

I considered. We’d eaten quite some time ago. My stomach instantly made me know how much it would welcome more food.

Jeremy glanced over at me.

I nodded.

“We’d love to join you, but I might only have half. Those dogs are filling.” Jeremy grinned.

“Oh, especially with chili and cheese.” Kevin rubbed his stomach.

Joe ruffled his hair. “Yes, you can have fully loaded.”

“Where is the place?” I gazed up and down the boardwalk.

“Back the way we came.” Jeremy grinned. “You must have been so enamored with my company that you didn’t notice.”

Not notice food? That seemed highly unlikely. Still… “Sounds great.” I gazed down to Wally. “You’ll survive.”

“There’s a place that sells healthy dog treats. Of every size.” Joe hesitated. “Unless…”

Wally perked up at the t-word . “It’s okay. He can have one if we give him less kibble for dinner.” I eyed my pup. “And you’ll survive.”

His tongue lolled. Clearly he liked the idea of spending more time with this cute family. Most especially Zelda.

Yeah, he’d be okay.

I might even be as well.