Happy New Life (3 page)

Great watchdog.
Liz began to peek in all the rooms, but no sign
of the fury guy.

“Tramp?” Liz yelled back down the hall towards the kitchen when she’d
reached her room and didn’t find him sleeping on top of her pillow, his usual
spot when she’s not looking.

Quickly, she hung the dress on the back of her bedroom door and
continued to open all the shut doors looking for Tramp. He was up to something,
and it couldn’t be good.

“Oh, Tramp. Thank God. We have an appointment. Come on.” She stood with
the bathroom door open and snapped her fingers to rush him along.

With his tail tucked, Tramp ran to the back door to avoid a smack on
the butt, his usual punishment. Liz let him out to romp in the snow. If she
didn’t have the fence, Tramp would take off just like he did when they first
brought him home.

“You stay out there for a few minutes.” Liz checked her watch and saw
that she had a little bit of time.

Hoping she already had a pair of shoes and some jewelry to go with the
pricey dress, she headed back to her bedroom, briefly stopping at Hayes’
bedroom door.

Slowly, she opened his door and inhaled.

Ahhh.

Any whiff of Hayes was welcome right now. For some reason, it was
especially hard not having him around this weekend. Maybe it was because it was
Tramp’s first obedience class, or maybe she just missed him.

She walked into his room, picked up his pillow, and hugged it tight
before putting it back in its place. She’d promised him that she would tell him
everything that Tramp did in class, and prayed that Tramp wouldn’t get kicked
out in the first five minutes.

Carefully, Liz ripped the plastic up the front and took a closer look
at the dress. Unfortunately, she couldn’t help but like the black strappy heels
she’d bought for the fundraiser where she’d discovered Paul, her ex-husband,
looking for something up his secretary’s dress.

She should’ve taken the Louboutin heels back to Nordstrom, but decided
that she deserved them, whether or not she was ever going to wear them. And why
not wear them to the benefit, even if most of Grandberry Falls was going to be
in overalls and boots?

“Perfect.” Liz held them up next to the dress. She rushed over to the
dresser and sorted through each piece of her jewelry, picking out the best
pieces.

She still couldn’t believe Jenna had talked her into this. Jenna was
trying to get Liz started on a social life, but her life with Hayes was the
only social life she cared about having.

She ran her hands down the sequined dress before she held the crystal
earrings up to it. A flutter tickled her heart.

Everything seemed to be coming together. Maybe this year would be
different. Liz had created a little life all her own, right here in Grandberry
Falls.

The old grandfather clocked chimed. It was time for her to grab Tramp
and go. After all, they couldn’t be late for their first day of class.

The smell of the live Christmas tree in the family room filled the
hallway. She didn’t bother turning on the lights on the damn thing. Hayes
wasn’t there to enjoy them and he’d been the one who wanted the live fir in the
first place. She just didn’t care about Christmas this year, let alone having
to decorate for it. Despite this, she’d gone through the motions for Hayes.

Regardless, it wouldn’t be possible to recreate the Christmases he was
use to. From a ton of presents he didn’t need, to candy-filled bowls, Christmas
just wasn’t a big thing on her radar this year. Especially since the custody
papers stated Hayes would be spending the week after Christmas with his father.

Idiot.

Liz shouldn’t have agreed to any custody arrangements, but they had to
put their differences aside for their child. And no matter what happened
between her and Paul, Hayes still loved him.

She picked up Hayes’ photo off of the fireplace mantel, next to the
unlit tree. It was from last Christmas, just three days before her cheating
husband was caught playing peek-a-boo with someone other than Liz.

With a heavy sigh, Liz put the frame back in place and sauntered into
the country style kitchen.

She loved that kitchen. It was definitely different from her
million-dollar home in Cincinnati. The butcher-block counter and the brick
floor were special touches Paul would’ve never gone for. He liked the bare,
cold, institutional look of granite countertops and tile flooring

She thumbed through the Grandberry Falls Chronicle searching for the $5
off coupon for Claws and Paws, and checked the address. It was all the way on
the other side of town. This was unusual for Grandberry Falls, since most of
the stores were right in the center of town.

They even bought Tramp’s dog food from Benton’s IGA, because it was
cheap and closer to their house.

Tramp’s bark kicked Liz into gear. She grabbed her purse and shoved the
coupon inside. She grabbed the leash off the counter before opening the front
door.

“Come on.” Liz quickly locked the door behind. She dug her Uggs into
the snow once she saw Tramp barreling towards her.

As soon as he sees his leash, he goes nuts. And seeing it in
three-inches of snow was no different.

True to form, the yelping began before she could get the leash attached
to his collar, and once it was, the pulling game started.

He jerks forward, nearly pulling her shoulder out of the socket. She
yanks him back, making him gag. And this game goes on and on, leaving neither
one of them victorious. They were both hard-headed.

“I will win.” She opened the car door with a bit of hope he would soon
be learning some obedience. “The last laugh is on you, buddy.”

She wasn’t sure, but when Tramp took his place in the front seat, she
could’ve sworn he turned to her and smiled.

He loved sitting in the front seat in the car. Liz rolled down the
window and put the heat on high to keep the chill off of her. He hung his head
out the window with his ears flapping in the wind. The weather was cold but his
carefree personality didn’t care. His coarse hair didn’t move as the wind
whipped around him. Standing a total of three-feet high and weighing 100
pounds, he was scared of very little.

Claws and paws was a little mom-and-pop pet store. As they pulled into
the parking lot, she could see that it was practically empty. Liz picked up the
coupon to confirm she had the right time and place. Tramp was already gnawing
at the door handle to get out after Liz put the window up.

Tugging his leash, Liz stumbled behind him all the way to the glass
doors of Claws and Paws.

“Good afternoon. Can I help you?” The older gentleman behind the
counter asked.

“I’m here for the obedience class.” Liz tugged hard on his leash
causing him to put his leg back down, but was too late. “No, Tramp!”

Embarrassed, Liz looked wearily at the man.

“I’m so sorry. This is why we need the class.”

“Don’t worry.” He held out a spray bottle and a roll of paper towels.
He gestured, pointing out the fact they
were
a pet store. “It happens
all the time. Nature of the beast.”

Liz took the bottle and bent down to clean up the mess. Tramp was all
over her, trying to apologize for what he’d done. She knew he was good-hearted
and patted his head to let him know she still loved him.

“You must be Tramp.” Liz could feel someone behind her.

She tried to wiggle and adjust her jeans. Granny panties weren’t the
best option for hip huggers, but they were clean.

“Hi, I’m Cole, Tramp’s teacher.” He smiled and stuck out his hand.

She stood up, surprised, and more uncertain than ever.

The man from The Trembling Cup was standing in front of her.

Cole? So that’s his name.

She put her hand out, but Tramp managed to wrap his leash around her
ankles causing her to wobble, like a Weeble, to the left, then the right, then
down to the floor.

“Let go of the leash.” Cole guffawed.

The leash was cutting into the palm of her hand making her wince. When
she let go, Tramp ran off with his leash trailing behind him.

“Can you teach this goofy dog to use a leash properly?” She tried to
redeem what little self-esteem she had left at this point. “Elizabeth Day, nice
to meet you. I don’t believe we were properly introduced at the Trembling Cup.”

“Well, Elizabeth Day, it looks like we have our work cut out for us.”
Tramp had come back to sniff Cole. “Good thing he’s the only student this
session.”

Cole seemed to have ignored her comment about Jenna. She got the sense
he didn’t want to talk about it. He hadn’t even flinched. Well, there was
plenty of time to figure it out, but right now she needed to get this dumb dog
on track.

“Sit.” Cole put his hand out and miraculously, Tramp sat.

Liz pointed. “He. . .he never,” Liz started to say, but Cole
interrupted her.

“I’m going to take Tramp back to the training room. Joe will help you
fill out all the paperwork. You can come on back when you’re done.” His dark
brown eyes were compelling, even magnetic.

Silently she watched as he turned on his heels and strode to a door in
the back of the store.

“Did you bring his immunization certificate?” Joe asked, bringing Liz
back to reality.

Shaking off the tingling in the pit of her stomach, she dug into her
seemingly bottomless purse to find the certificate the shelter had given her.

“I hope this helps. We got him from the shelter. He isn’t due for
shots, but I need to find a veterinarian around here.” She looked back at the
door, but Cole and Tramp had already disappeared.

“Great. This will work. He’s due for shots in three weeks. I recommend
the clinic down on Country Street. I hear he is a good vet.” He continued to
look at Tramp’s paper work. “Okay Mrs. Day, it’s all in order.”

“Ms. Day. Liz, I mean.” The words fell out of her mouth. She didn’t
ever want anyone to call her Mrs. again. “Call me Liz.”

“Cole is a great dog trainer. You’ll get special treatment being the
only student.”

Liz wasn’t sure exactly what Joe meant, but she was looking forward to
getting to know Cole a lot better. “Well Joe, for this price, I’d better get
great treatment.

“Don’t worry, Ms. Day, you sure will.” Joe’s smile had a hint of
sarcasm.

Liz found herself a little taken aback by the instant attraction she
felt when she looked at Cole. She hadn’t felt that weak feeling, deep in her
heart for a long time. She had to wonder if her attraction had anything to do
with his self-confidence.

Those were the men she had to watch out for.

She couldn’t help but smile. She lifted her hand to shield her mouth.
How lucky was she that Tramp was the only student? She was going to get to the
bottom of the secret between Cole and Jenna. What if Jenna had a one night
stand with him?

A twinge of jealously tweaked her heart.

“Good.” Liz wanted to hurry back to the room. “Tramp is going to need a
lot of training.”

“I wouldn’t count on it.” Joe picked up the ringing phone, and said,
“He’s kinda like that dog whisperer guy. Mornin’, Claws and Paws.”

Liz looked at Joe. She hoped he was wrong. The dog whisperer solved
issues in a couple of days, and she didn’t want the lessons to end that fast.

She pushed the door open and was surprised to see a room filled with
all sorts of training equipment. The floor was covered in soft cushioned
flooring.

Cole was rubbing Tramp’s back, and softly speaking to him. “Man you are
one lucky dog sleeping in her house.”

Tramp’s tail was wagging 20 miles per hour like he knew exactly what
Cole was saying.

Liz pulled at her turtle neck. Suddenly it got very hot in there.

“Excuse me?” She heard him perfectly, but would he say it to her face?

“I was telling Tramp he’s a dog and he needs to stay out of your bed at
night. He needs to learn his place.”

Right! She played off the lie he’d just told her. She’d heard it
firsthand.

“He doesn’t sleep in my bed.” This back and forth game was becoming fun
for her.

“Well, my training is working and I’ve only given him a couple of basic
commands.”

“Is that right?” Liz asked while taking in all she could of him.

Cole can’t be much older than forty, and she liked his mature look. She
was trying hard to concentrate on the hand gestures he used with Tramp. But his
broad shoulders got in the way. The entire world would fit on them. He seemed
stable, a man’s man. She loved the way his dark sideburns had speckles of grey
in them and how they were at a perfect angle. Not many men can pull off wearing
sideburns.

“You okay, Elizabeth?”

Liz looked up, finding Cole staring at her..

An irresistibly devastating grin crossed his face. “You must’ve been
thinking of something good. You wear your emotions on your face.”

His smile was infectious. She tried to focus on Tramp and remembered
Jenna’s words.
“He’s a nobody.”

“I can’t believe how well he listens to you. And please, call me Liz.”
She smiled.

“You can come get the leash and we’ll see how well he does with a few
gestures from you.”

She noticed his big hands next to her small fingers when she reached
for the leash.

“If I’m your only client, I can wait until another session.”

Liz was only being polite, and prayed he wouldn’t fall for it. The last
thing she wanted was to go home to an empty house, especially if she had the
option of staying here.

What is wrong with me?
She questioned herself while waiting for
his response. The prolonged anticipation was unbearable.

“Nah. It’s winter. Most people do obedience training during the
summer.”

A spark shot through her when their hands accidentally touched as she
took the leash from him. They both stepped back.

“Besides, it will allow me to try some new techniques on Tramp. He
seems to be really receptive to me. You can take a few minutes to look through
the manual and see if you have any questions before we get started.”