Old Dog New Tricks Read online

  “He’s a physician with Doctors Without Borders,” Cassie explained. “He was home at Thanksgiving for a few days, then back to Africa. Internet is shaky there, so we can go weeks without hearing from him.”

  “Really?” Daniel looked from one to the other, seeing pride in the sister but something more like fear in Katie’s eyes. Of course. She must worry day and night about him in dangerous situations. “Congratulations on such a terrific family.”

  “Thank you. They mean the world to me.”

  “I get that,” he said easily. “And never more than when you have to go it alone. I’m sorry about your father,” he added to Cassie. “I hope he didn’t suffer terribly before he died.”

  The two women shared a look that he took to mean the man had indeed suffered. They all must have. A familiar sympathy caught in his chest, knowing that long or fast—the way Annie’s shocking heart attack took her—it all hurt the same.

  “Is this your only dog?” Cassie asked, deftly changing the subject he suspected was too tender to explore.

  “Yes and no. In reality, I’m surrounded by so many dogs, I’ve lost count. I own a canine training and rescue facility outside of town.”

  “Very cool,” Cassie said. “I keep telling Mom she should get a dog to fill the void.”

  Katie cleared her throat. “And I keep telling her I have a great job and a lovely family, but you don’t know stubborn until you’ve met the daughter of a Greek man. All of my kids think they know exactly what I need.”

  Daniel let out a true and hearty laugh. “Trust me, my six are literally competing for who can best fix my life. Is your job also in the family business, Katie?”

  “The deli?” Katie shook her head. “I’m not Greek enough to work at Santorini’s.”

  “But she has redesigned both our locations,” Cassie said. “Mom is a talented and successful interior designer.”

  It was his turn to lean forward, brows raised. “Really? That’s awesome. Is that what brings you to Bitter Bark?”

  Before she could answer, the two women exchanged lightning-fast looks, almost as though silently agreeing on what they’d tell him.

  “Cassie is looking for possible space to open up another Santorini’s.”

  “Oh, fantastic. Is it a restaurant or a counter deli?”

  “It started as a deli,” Cassie told him. “When my grandparents opened it in the 1950’s. So, it’s still called Santorini’s Deli, but it’s been a full-service restaurant for years.”

  “With top-quality catering under Cassie’s direction as an event planner,” Katie added, smiling at her daughter.

  “All true,” Cassie agreed with a saucy tip of her head.

  “And you’re thinking about expanding to Bitter Bark?” he asked.

  “We have two locations in Chestnut Creek,” Cassie said. “One in town, one in a mall, but business is booming, so my brothers and I think the time is right to grow. We’re looking at Holly Hills and Crestview, too.”

  “I’m sure you’ve learned the real estate market is really tight here.”

  After another one of those nearly imperceptible shared glances, both women nodded.

  “Yes,” Cassie said. “We have.”

  “Bitter Bark is growing like crazy,” he told them. “But we could always use more good restaurants.” He narrowed his eyes, thinking about a thread of a conversation he’d heard at the last Economic Development meeting. “In fact, I think one might be coming on the market soon for rent or sale. I can make some calls for you.”

  “Oh, that’s not—”

  Daniel waved off Katie’s comment. “I’m happy to help,” he assured her. “But a word of warning. We spent a year using the name Better Bark to establish this town as one of the most dog-friendly places in America.” He gestured toward a King Charles spaniel sleeping in the corner and a sheltie keeping watch next to another patron. “So you’d have to welcome four-legged friends.”

  “That wouldn’t be a problem,” Cassie said, looking down at Rusty, who’d curled up contentedly in the space between Daniel’s and Katie’s chairs. “I read about the Better Bark campaign and thought it was genius.”

  “It was actually my daughter-in-law’s idea.” He couldn’t keep the pride out of his voice. “And, honestly, I think I somehow got roped into every committee this town ever dreamed up,” Daniel told them. “So I can definitely get the inside scoop for you on real estate availability.”

  Cassie’s eyes widened, and she looked at her mother, a not-so-subtle intensity in her dark gaze. “Isn’t that awesome, Mom?”

  “Yes, yes, it’s great,” Katie responded with a little less enthusiasm.

  And then the secret language became crystal clear to Daniel. Good Lord, did all kids that age try to matchmake their widowed parents?

  Smiling, he leaned closer to Katie. “My family is exactly the same,” he said. At her questioning look, he added, “Wait until they start running a betting pool on who you should be dating. It’s like the fantasy football draft with my social life as the team.”

  Her cheeks darkened with a flush, which somehow made her look even prettier. “They think they know everything.”

  “And we already do know everything,” he said.

  That made her laugh, a deep, sultry sound that lifted her shoulders and lit her eyes. In that instant, she looked exactly like the spontaneous, spunky girl he’d known in college. That memory must have been what gave him an unexpected jolt he felt right down to his toes. Something certainly…jolted.

  “I have an idea,” he said, leaning back to look from one to the other. “Why don’t you both come to Waterford Farm for dinner tonight?”

  Neither one answered, but both blinked in surprise at the invitation.

  “It’s really beautiful,” he said, sensing that, for whatever reason, they needed a little nudge.

  “I know,” Katie said. “I’ve been there, remember?”

  “Oh yeah.” He exhaled, surprised that for the whole conversation, he’d been so wrapped up in who she was now, he’d forgotten who she’d once been. A girlfriend, more or less, and she’d had dinner with his parents and sister when they were dating. “Well, my mother’s still around and as much a spitfire as ever, since she’s now an eighty-seven-year-old blogging sensation. But Waterford Farm has changed a lot in the last four decades, and I’d love you to see it and meet my family.”

  “They all still live there?” she asked, sounding shocked.

  “Oh, no. But it’s Wednesday, and that means anyone who’s in town comes to dinner.”

  She looked at him, not committing yet. But he wanted her to come. She was a connection to the past, and for some reason, he wanted that. And maybe she did, too.

  “Why don’t I make a few calls today and find out what local properties might be coming on the market?” he suggested. “You guys poke around town today and then drive out to Waterford around four or five. I’ll give you a tour, and you can tell my family what you’re looking for as far as space. If you get the Kilcannons involved, things will happen, I promise.”

  “I guess we could do that,” Katie said, still nursing way too much hesitation.

  “Oh yes, we’d love to.” No hesitation from her daughter, though.

  “Then it’s decided.” He put his coffee down and inched his chair back before she could change her mind. Rusty immediately stood to attention next to him.

  “Are you sure it’s not an imposition?” Katie asked, looking up at him as he stood.

  In that split second, he saw the girl again. Young, fresh, wide-eyed and…and in love with another guy. Was that why she seemed a little reserved, or had the years and travails of life changed her?

  “Not in the least,” he said. “My family is going to go crazy to meet the girl who introduced me to Annie.”

  He could have sworn she paled. “Oh, that would be—”

  “That would be perfect, and you will love meeting the whole family. In fact,” he turned to Cassie, “a few of my firefig
hter nephews might be there, too.”

  Cassie gave a sly smile. “You think things’ll get so hot we’re going to need a firefighter?”

  “You never know.” He straightened and snagged Rusty’s collar with one hand, reaching into his pocket for a card. “Here’s my cell, Katie, and the address of Waterford. I’m really looking forward to seeing you again.”

  As if on cue, Rusty took a few steps closer to Katie, looking up at her with a plea for affection and attention, making them all laugh.

  “My dog is doing his best to persuade you,” Daniel said. And to be honest, so was he.

  “Thank you, Daniel,” she said, absently petting Rusty’s head, but looking up at him. “I would like to…to talk to you. It’s been so long.”

  “Too long.” He held her gaze for a heartbeat or two, then Cassie reached her hand to shake his.

  “So nice to meet you, Dr. Kilcannon. And you, Rusty. Bye!” She also gave the dog a pet on the head before Daniel stepped away, holding up his hand to say goodbye as he and Rusty headed out the door.

  It wasn’t until he was outside that he realized he’d never mentioned being a veterinarian, so why would she call him Dr. Kilcannon?

  They must have both studied that obituary pretty closely four years ago.

  A twinge of doubt tapped at him. Was that meeting not by accident?

  Oh, these matchmaking kids. He chuckled as he walked toward the hardware store with a little more bounce in his step than had been there before. They needed to leave the setups to a professional. In fact…

  He pulled out his phone to text Braden to see if he was off duty that night.

  Yes, the Dogfather usually had a little more finesse in these situations, but the meet-up with an old friend had thrown him. Everything about Katie Rogers had thrown him, to be honest. Just giving her a hug had him…

  Oh man. Maybe that encounter had been pure coincidence. Or maybe someone else was pulling strings.

  He glanced up to the clouds. She wouldn’t send someone who…

  No. Not Annie. Right?

  But like she had for the last few weeks, his late wife—and his imagination—remained quiet.

  Chapter Three

  “Well, that was a thousand times easier than you thought it would be.” Cassie leaned across the table, her ebony eyes glistening. “Of course, that’s because you totally buried the lead.”

  Katie looked away from her daughter, but her gaze shifted out the window just in time to see Daniel Kilcannon walking down the street with his trusty setter, looking as confident, handsome, and damn sexy as he’d been the first time she’d met him.

  “I chickened out,” she admitted. “But we’re going there for dinner. I’ll tell him tonight.”

  Cassie lifted a dark, perfectly shaped brow. “You better, because we’re not seriously considering Bitter Bark for the next Santorini’s, and the man’s already making phone calls.”

  “You’re the one who told me we should have a story for why we’re here. He might remember seeing us in town the last few days.”

  “Only if he thought it was some weird coincidence that we’re sitting in the very bakery he frequents every morning.”

  Katie let out a slow exhale, so long and deep she wondered if she’d been holding her breath since the minute Daniel had walked in and she’d had to act surprised. Acting didn’t come naturally to her, but she’d fought to meet him this way.

  If it had been up to Cassie, they’d have stormed Waterford Farm and demanded an audience.

  “I have to say, he was really nice.” Cassie lifted her cup and leveled her dark gaze at Katie. Her eyes were so much like Nico’s, sometimes it hurt to look at her. Nearly coal black, soulful, and expressive and as Greek as Cassandra, the mythological princess she was named after. “He is very handsome. I mean, not as good-looking as Dad in his day, but I can see the silver-fox appeal. And he seemed really happy to see you, which is…”

  Katie looked down at the remnants of the croissant he’d barely touched, closing her eyes against an unexpected burn.

  “Mom?”

  She shook her head quickly, working like hell to ward off the tears.

  “Mom, don’t cry.”

  “How can I not?” she asked. “My life is upside down and sideways. Nothing is what it’s supposed to be. Nothing is real, nothing is right. Nothing.”

  “Except this daughter staring back at you, who loves you and needs you and is your best friend. Also, your sons, who think you are capable of making the sun rise and moon move. We’re right.”

  Katie merely swallowed. “What am I going to do?” she finally asked in a whisper.

  “What you have to do,” Cassie said simply. “And we’ve completed step one by meeting him. The door couldn’t be more open. Now you have to…”

  “Not chicken out,” Katie finished. “Although I wish I could forget everything and go back to the way it was.”

  Cassie squeezed her hand. “You know you can’t do that. You can never do that. Every time you—”

  “Can I clear this for you?” A woman in an apron stepped closer and brought the whispered conversation to a halt, hovering an empty tray over their table. “There’s no rush if you want to stay,” she added. “But I can take some of it.”

  “Sure,” Katie said, glancing up at the woman whose white apron read Linda May, Best Baker in Bitter Bark. “Thank you.”

  “Can’t believe he didn’t eat the croissant,” the woman mused as she gathered up the plate full of broken pieces of pastry. “Something’s wrong in the universe the day Daniel Kilcannon passes on one of my raspberry croissants. He sure must have been distracted.”

  “Oh, well, we were talking,” Katie said.

  The other woman eyed her. “So you know him?”

  She opened her mouth to answer, ready to say they’d once dated, but something stopped her. Maybe she didn’t want anyone to know that yet. Maybe he didn’t.

  “They knew each other forty years ago,” Cassie chimed in, never one to shy away from a conversation with a stranger.

  “Oh?” Linda May lifted a brow. “Then you must have known his wife, Annie.”

  “As a matter of fact, I introduced them.”

  “Really?” Linda May regarded Katie with unabashed curiosity. “Well, you should have some kind of plaque in the town square, then.” Without being asked, the baker dropped down on the chair Daniel had just been sitting in. “Have you stayed in touch with them over the years?”

  Katie shook her head. “No. Actually, this is the first time I’ve seen him in more than four decades.”

  As if the news kept flabbergasting her, Linda May looked from Katie to Cassie and back to Katie again. “I guess I don’t know whether to thank you or strangle you.”

  Cassie leaned closer. “Why?”

  “Well, we can thank you for giving the world one of the greatest marriages of all time. Those two were…” She smashed her index and middle finger together. “Inseparable. Perfect. Storybook. And their family is exactly what you would think. One better, brighter, and more beautiful than the next. Not to mention that Daniel is known as the Dogfather, because of the strings he pulled to matchmake his kids into their own romances so sweet it would make a grown woman cry.”

  Katie stared at her, processing all this information that was so much more than Cassie had scraped together from her internet searches. All she knew was what anyone would know, that he was a well-known veterinarian with six children and that he ran a canine facility. And, of course, that he’d been a widower for four years.

  But this love story? These beautiful children he helped guide to adulthood and then into their own marriages? His obvious respect from the townsfolk and place of honor in Bitter Bark? None of this was online, and it painted a portrait of a man who wouldn’t want to have his perfect world shaken up, not one single bit.

  “Why would you want to strangle her?” Cassie asked, hanging on the woman’s every word.

  “Because there’s not an unattached
woman over forty and under sixty-five who wouldn’t like to slide into Daniel Kilcannon’s life and arms and…” She waggled her brow. “Sheets.”

  Cassie snorted, but Katie felt heat rise to her cheeks. She’d been in those sheets—well, technically he’d been in hers. Twice, many years ago.

  “But who could possibly follow in the footsteps of Annie?” Linda May continued. “I mean, she was just this side of a saint. No, she actually was a saint. And so’s he.” The woman leaned in as if it was her civic duty to share more information, even though each piece of it was starting to tear Katie to shreds.

  His life was ideal. His world was established. His family loved him, and so did his friends and neighbors. So she shouldn’t—

  “It’s never about him,” the woman said, interrupting Katie’s litany of truths. “Every move he makes is for his family, or this town, or, of course, the dogs. His kids think he walks on water, but none of that seems to affect him.” She looked out the window in the direction Daniel had walked, making Katie wonder if this woman had gazed at him as he left, too. “He’s just as good as gold, and what you see is what you get. And what you see is damn nice, isn’t it?”

  Across the table, Cassie gave her a long, meaningful look that Katie easily interpreted. But did her optimistic, fearless, problem-solving daughter really think it could be simple because Daniel Kilcannon was a good man? That only made this harder.

  “Very nice,” Katie agreed.

  “He’s invited us out to Waterford Farm,” Cassie added, as if that underscored all that the woman was saying.

  “Huh.” Linda May gave Katie a much more thorough examination after getting that information. “Well, I’d take him up on it. Waterford’s beautiful, even now in the dead of winter. And you never know what could happen.”

  Oh, Katie knew. And so did Cassie. Lives would be irrevocably changed.

  Linda May stood slowly, still studying Katie with interest. “Maybe since you introduced him to his wife, you have a chance.”

  “I don’t want a—”

  “Linda May?” A woman who’d just walked in came over. “Sorry to interrupt, but have you seen my father-in-law?”