Her smile widened. “All of those, but mostly your dog. I’m crazy about Lulu.”
“Harriet doesn’t need you back in Manhattan?”
“It’s quiet right now. A lot of people have left the city to escape the heat and the tourists. And I can manage all the paperwork, invoicing and business side of things from here. I’ve set up in our old bedroom. I need to advertise my services. You said I could put a card up on your board in the waiting room?”
“Of course. Do you want a pen and paper?”
“No need. I’ve already had some printed.” She whipped some cards out of her bag and offered him one.
He glanced down at the card in his hand. Slick. Professional.
The Bark Rangers. Professional dog walking, bespoke caring service.
“You had these printed since we went sailing. It’s only been a few days.”
“I already had the artwork. I just needed to tweak it. I used the printer on Ocean Road. He was good. And he fed me cookies while I waited, so it was a good deal.”
“Where else are you planning to put them?”
“I’ve put one in Country Stores, and I’m planning on dropping a few more off once I’ve taken Hero back to Matilda.”
He watched as she prowled to the other side of the clinic, full of nervous energy.
Something was wrong.
?
?You can leave a couple of extras with me. I’ll take them with me on my calls.”
“Do you have time for lunch? I was thinking we could pick something up and eat it on the beach. Lulu could join us. We could talk.”
She wanted to talk?
“About anything in particular?”
“Not really.” Her gaze slid from his. “I’m practicing saying what’s on my mind a bit more, that’s all.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing specific.”
He didn’t believe her for a moment. “I’m not too busy. And eating it on the beach sounds good.” He picked up his keys before she could change her mind, exchanged a few words with the receptionist and headed for his car. “Have you seen Matilda?”
She slid into the car next to him. “Yes. She seems to have taken to motherhood pretty easily.”
He glanced at her face, wondering if that was the problem. “Does it hurt, honey? Seeing the baby?”
“No. It really doesn’t. I think I cried the last emotion out of myself that night at the beach. I love little Rose. She’s adorable.”
“Then what’s wrong? And don’t tell me nothing, because I know it’s something.”
“It’s nothing important. Everything is great.”
If he had a dollar for every time Fliss had told him she was “fine” or “great” he could have bought every mansion in the Hamptons.
He started the engine. “You’re right, you need more practice. Generally when people talk about problems, they actually describe what they are. That’s the first step.”
She rubbed her hands over her legs. “My grandmother said some things, that’s all. Not that important.”