win? I don’t think so. He’s nothing but a big bully. He’ll wait his turn.”
Even though she spoke with conviction, he noticed that she skirted carefully just out of the huge dog’s reach as she worked. He also noticed that her hands were trembling as she scooped food into the other animals’ dishes. Obviously this was some sort of test she was putting herself through. Was it possible that Punk represented another bully in Patsy’s life? Perhaps one she hadn’t stood up against? Justin couldn’t help wondering about all the gaps in her background he hadn’t been able to fill in.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as she kept on working.
“I just thought I’d stop by to see how your first day on the job at Dolan’s had gone.”
A smile broke across her face. “It went great. Everyone is really nice. They were very patient.”
“It didn’t seem to me they needed much patience. You were a whiz at the grill when I was there, better than Sharon Lynn, in fact. Have you done that sort of work before?”
“Way back,” she admitted.
He grinned. “It couldn’t have been that long ago. You can’t be more than what? Maybe nineteen?”
“Twenty-three, actually.” She turned a knowing look on him. “Probing for information again, Deputy?”
He shook his head. “Just making conversation.”
“If you don’t have anything better to do, maybe you could take Punk for a walk. He could use the exercise.”
Justin regarded the dog warily. “You have to take him for a walk? Is Dani crazy?”
She grinned at him. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of a little ole dog.”
“That dog is bigger than I am. He does not have a friendly demeanor.”
“He still needs to be walked.”
Justin sighed. He knew perfectly well he couldn’t go off and leave her to handle the beast. When they found itsy-bitsy pieces of her the next morning, he’d never forgive himself.
“I’ll walk him,” he agreed grudgingly, “if you’ll get Billy and come with me. We’ll stop for ice cream.”
He could read the temptation in her eyes. How long had it been since she’d had such a simple pleasure? he wondered. How long since her son had been given any kind of treat at all? With money scarce, he doubted there had been many. Patsy struck him as a very practical sort of woman who would put the basics first.
“Where?” she asked cautiously. “Dolan’s is closed and I haven’t seen any other places for ice cream around town.”
He grinned. “But I know the owner at Dolan’s and I have a spare key for emergencies.”
“Somehow I doubt this qualifies as an emergency.”
“True,” he agreed. “Actually, though, I wasn’t thinking of Dolan’s. I just bought a half gallon of rocky road and some cones. I figured we could stop by my place. It’s only a few blocks from here.”
That all-too-familiar wary expression clouded her eyes. “I don’t know.”
“Is Billy asleep?”
“No. He’s surrounded by kitties and glued to a video Dani left for him. It’s one of his favorites. I doubt we’ll be able to pry him away from the TV.”
“Sure we can. Besides he should get out and get some fresh air, too. A walk will be good for all of us.”
“Obviously you haven’t done much walking with a two-year-old. One of us will be carrying him before we get home.”
“I can carry him.”
“And control Punk?”
“That, too. Consider it a challenge.”
Her eyes sparkled at that. It appeared he’d finally made the offer too tempting to resist.
“In that case, I’ll get Billy. You’re in charge of Punk.”
He eyed the beast and wondered if it was too late to reconsider. “Okay,” he said, approaching the dog cautiously. “Come on, boy. Let’s go for a walk.”
Apparently that was the magic word. The dog began pulling at his restraint and barking joyously. As Justin neared, Punk jumped up and put both paws on Justin’s shoulders and began trying to lick him to death. Justin managed to pull back just enough to glance at Patsy, who was grinning from ear to ear.
“You knew, didn’t you?”
“Dani did mention he really, really liked to walk.”
“And that he was a pussycat underneath all that snarling?” he questioned.
“That, too, but I wasn’t sure I could believe her on that point.”
“So I was the human guinea pig?”
“Something like that.”
Justin frowned at her as the dog slobbered all down the front of him. “You’ll pay for this, darlin’. I guarantee it.”
Even in the face of his threat, she chuckled. “Sorry. I can’t help it. You look so...”