Spring Secrets - Allie Boniface Page 0,45

Springer Fitness. The sixty-year-old walked five miles a day and did pushups and crunches on his front porch in all kinds of weather. As a practicing physician for over thirty years, he probably didn’t have a fitness question at all. Dash braced himself.

“I’m sure you’ve seen my son back in town.”

Dash cracked his knuckles. “He stopped by the gym.” He took a deep breath and forced himself to look Doc in the eye. Wasn’t the old man’s fault that Al had ruined Dash’s life.

“He’s not here on my asking,” Doc said. “Just wanted you to know that. He called me up, said he wanted to make amends. I told ‘im until I saw proof he was clean, I wasn’t interested in anything he had to say. Actually, doesn't matter if he is. I’d prefer it if he found somewhere else to live altogether.” The man talked in controlled tones, but the blood that rose into his cheeks belied his composure.

Dash started to answer, but Doc went on before he could.

“Now, I don’t know all the details about what happened with the two of you out in California, and I’m not sure I want to. But I see what you’ve done here with that gym, and I know you’re a good man with a good head on his shoulders. Just want you to know that.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I haven’t heard from him in a few days. If you do see him around, I’d appreciate a heads-up. I told him he wasn’t welcome, but if he’s desperate for a place to sleep or something to eat, he might end up staying.”

“Will do.” Dash cracked his knuckles again.

Doc clapped him on the back. “Hang in there, my man. You did your time. Everything else is water under the bridge. Enjoy your pretty date tonight.” He winked and walked away.

She isn’t really my date, Dash started to say, but Doc was gone before he could. Sienna returned to his side, chattering about the homemade desserts she’d spied in the back, but he couldn’t concentrate. All he could think of was Al Halloran. Neither his father nor Dash had seen Al around town, and he hoped that was a good sign. He better be gone. For good.

He stuck his hands into his pockets. The place did look great, decked out from floor to ceiling, but he wasn’t used to finery like this. His feet seemed too big, his tie too tight, his tongue too thick to make conversation. He recognized a few faces in the crowd, but not many. “Want a drink?” he finally asked Sienna.

“Sure. White wine would be perfect.”

He nodded and watched her walk along the tables of prizes. She took her time, touching a few and smiling as she read the names of the donors. He wondered what she thought of it all. With the upscale decor, open bar, and band warming up in the corner, it was fancy by Whispering Pines standards, but he didn’t know what kind of life she was used to. She lived in a regular house on a regular street in town, sure, but the way she carried herself, she looked like someone who could easily get used to the best. Educated. Intelligent. Classier than most women he knew. Maybe she’d been to a dozen events here at the Villa Amore.

Dash turned to the bar and ordered a glass of wine and a beer.

“Well, look who the cat dragged in and cleaned up.” From nowhere, Zane appeared at his elbow.

“Hey, man. Didn’t know you were gonna be here.”

“I’m working an angle,” Zane said, with a nod over his shoulder toward a group of single women.

“Which angle is that?”

Zane just shrugged and laughed. “You brought Sienna, huh? Thought you were trying the just-friends thing with her.”

Dash gave him a lopsided grin. “We are just friends.” We talk, he wanted to add. She brings me food when she knows I don’t have a thing in the house. I read books to her students and she asks me about California and for the first time I don’t feel completely terrible talking about my past. If that was what friends did, maybe he could do it with Sienna after all.

“You’re crazy,” Zane said. “She’s hot. And single. And smart. Although I can see there why you might think she’s outta your league. Bein’ friends is the probably the only shot you’ve got.”

Dash glanced around and then flipped him a quick bird.

Zane laughed. “Seriously, as long as you both