Jack's Surrender (Holiday Cove 5)

My stomach growled as though reminding me that watching food on TV was not the same as actually eating. I pushed off the bed and reached for the binder that stood on the TV stand. We were just outside of Holiday Cove and I knew within minutes I could be at any number of familiar restaurants. Still, I also knew that I’d run the risk of bumping into Jack. A somewhat inevitable event that I wasn’t quite ready for. In the end, I ordered a pizza and had it delivered to my hotel room.

Hunter begged relentlessly as I ate my first slice. I finally groaned and shoved off the bed. “Fine, hound. I’ll get you your dinner.”

As soon as I said the word dinner, he jumped from the bed and raced around the room. I laughed at his antics but then the smile slipped from my face. I couldn’t remember unpacking his food dish or the Rubbermaid container that held his kibble. After a thorough sweep of the room and the back of my car, I broke down and called Rachel, who immediately found both items on the floor of her kitchen.

I hung up the phone and raked my fingers through my hair. “Damn it.”

After a longing look at the rest of my pizza, I closed the lid on the box and slipped into my sandals. “Come on, Hunty. I’m not leaving you here alone with that.”

He gave me his best pouty face but cheered up once he realized that going with me meant a car ride. Hunter was made for car rides and beach trips. And food. Lots and lots of food.

We drove into Holiday Cove, to our regular pet supply shop, and parked in the small lot. It was the only shop that carried Hunter’s specialty food. We went inside and after giving the regular cashier a friendly wave, we bobbed and weaved through the store to get to the correct aisle.

I grabbed the right bag and carted it back toward the counter. Halfway there, Hunter snagged a squeaky toy from one of the bins. “Hunter!” I lunged at him, trying to grab the toy away, but it was too late. He’s decimated the poor, plastic hedgehog into a million little pieces right there in the middle of the store.

“Hunty,” I groaned, squatting down to pick up the remnants.

While I was sweeping the slobber-soaked pieces into the palm of my hand, Hunter tugged on his leash and started barking his head off as he made a beeline back to the front of the store. I lunged for his leash and missed. Son of a bitch! This single dog-mama life is rough! How do people deal with toddlers?

“Hunter!” I stuffed the scraps of plastic into the pocket of my jeans, abandoned the bag of dog food, and tore off after my crazed mutt before he could get out the front door and run into traffic. “Someone grab him! Sorry! Hunter, get back here right now!”

I bolted after Hunter and found myself barreling straight into Jack. I tried to put the brakes on, but my sandals had no traction on the slick linoleum flooring and I sailed halfway down the aisle and narrowly missed face-planting at Jack’s feet. Jack caught me before I fell and I crashed into his solid chest with an oomph.

My heart was slamming around in my chest and I realized Jack’s was pulsing just as fast against the side of my face. I straightened and untangled myself from Jack’s arms. Hunter was behind him, chasing Princess in tight circles in the middle of the aisle.

“You okay?” Jack asked. He slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans—the well-worn bootcut ones that made his ass look like he should have been the magazine model for the brand. God, he looked good. His hair was windswept and I knew without asking that he’d spent the day at the beach.

I nodded. “Yeah, thanks.” I glanced around the store. “What are you doing here?”

“Princess lost her tennis ball at the beach today. It was a little ratty anyway, so I thought we’d come get a fresh canister before tomorrow.”

“Big plans?”

He shrugged. “I have the day off. Not much else to do but chill at the beach. We drove up to Sunset Beach today, actually.”

“Oh?”

My heart hurt. Physically hurt.

Jack shifted his weight between his feet. “Went to Joe’s.”

“Aha. A taco feast.”

Jack smiled. “This one fell asleep in the sand,” he added, dropping a glance down at Princess who was now sitting at his feet. Hunter was sitting on Jack’s other side, peeking over at his big sis every few seconds, as though trying to mirror her. He was always so well behaved when she was around.

“You sure it was Princess that took a nap?” I teased.

Jack’s smile bloomed into a wide grin. “Guess there’s no getting one past you, huh?”