Page 26 of Making A Mess of Things

Daniel stopped by the doggie daycare for Snowball. The fluffy little American Eskimo danced to the window when she saw him and barked happily.

He thanked the daycare worker, snapped on Snowball’s leash, and walked outside with her, heading to the nearby park. How would Snowball get along with Stinker?

He frowned. What difference did that make? The two of them would never meet. It was impossible. Suzy and he could never be together. Why had she kissed him today?

It made no sense, but it sure felt like heaven on earth. How long would he have held her if that rude man had notinterrupted them? It was probably a good thing Mr. Peterson had.

It had been quite the morning. He left after cleaning. Suzy stared at him as if waiting for something. He wasn’t sure what she hoped for, but rules were rules. He had to keep his heart safe. He could never fall for an artist.

In his experience, they were totally absorbed in their work, and he refused to be a second thought or priority. He’d played that part for all his life with his mother.

Perhaps he should visit her grave. It had been a while. He could leave her fresh flowers and reassure her that the gallery was booming with success. Tears clouded the blue skies for a moment. He rapidly blinked. He refused to cry over the woman who had abandoned him.

Besides, Suzy insisted it was simply a kiss and nothing more, but why did it feel like so much more?

The young artist had captured his attention, and no matter how hard he tried, he longed to be with her.

Snowball tugged on her leash as they walked into the park. There were tulips everywhere, little squirrels galloped through the park in search of the peanuts left for them, and noisy ducks flapped their wings and ducked their colorful heads into the pond. Mother ducks floated along with their adorable babies trailing behind.

He could hear the laughter of children nearby from the playground. The sun started to create a lovely sunset in hues of purple, orange, and yellow, spreading across the horizon.

He loved running with Snowball, seeing her tail wag back and forth, her tiny pink tongue dangling from her mouth, and her excited barks.

“Alright, girl,” he said, finishing his stretches. “Are you ready?”

“Yap,” she replied with a wag, giving another tug on her leash.

“Daniel,” said a woman, approaching him. “Is that you?”

Megan. She was dressed in running clothes. In college, they would run together every morning until he dropped out.

“Hey,” he said, holding Snowball’s leash firmly.

“Is this your dog?” Megan said with wide eyes. “Is she friendly?”

“Yes, and yes. She’ll probably lick you to death.”

“That’s unusual for her breed.” She stooped down by Snowball and held her hand out for his dog to sniff. “What’s her name?”

He shifted. “Umm, Snowball.”

“Cute fits her.”

Snowball lunged forward and licked Megan’s face. Megan laughed, gently stroking the dog. “She is a friendly little one, isn’t she?”

“That she is.” He rocked back on his heels. “She has always been since she was a puppy.”

She glanced up at him. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for my sister.”

He shrugged.

“She’s young and impressionable,” she said, holding his gaze.

“Which is exactly why I didn’t let Nicholas get too chummy with her.”

Her lips turned downward. “I’m not worried about him.”

“Did someone else make a pass with her?” His brow furrowed as he clutched his hands tightly around Snowball’s leash. “Who was it?”

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