Page 9 of Peril in Piney Woods

Sundown Road

Sunday, May 5, 8:30 a.m.

“Listen up,” Griff said to the dogs eagerly waiting at the doors of their kennels. “Dr. Howell is coming this morning for checkups, shots or whatever any of you need. I expect you all to behave.”

Sad, gloomy eyes peered up at him as if they’d understood every word.

“Don’t give me that,” he argued. “You behave yourselves and you all get treats.”

Ears perked up and tails wagged just a little, and he smiled.

“All right then. You’ll be staying in your kennels until after Dr. Howell has seen you, so just chill for a while.”

As he walked away, the animals began to settle in for the wait. Though some had been abused and all were castoffs, they trained easily and well. Even Petey, the newest arrival. Griff gave the old bloodhound a nod as he passed his kennel. Petey had settled down, following the lead of the others.

Griff couldn’t remember a time when he wasn’t surrounded by dogs and other animals. Every morning he spent hours feeding and filling water bowls and troughs. But he loved every minute of it. He shook his head at the idea that he’d ever thought for one minute he could be happy in the world of high finance in the big city. But as his grandmother had often told him, if he hadn’t given it a go, he would still be wondering. Now he knew.

Outside the veterinarian’s truck had arrived. “Morning,” Lonnie announced as he headed Griff’s way.

Griff opened the gate to the large pen that surrounded the barn. “Morning, Doc. The day been good to you so far?”

Lonnie chuckled. “As good as it can when you’ve got a calf in distress during delivery. We had a rough go of it for a bit, but luckily, we managed all right. Mama and baby are just fine. Henry’s wife even made me breakfast.”

Henry Bauer was a neighboring farmer. His family had owned their farm almost as long as Griff’s had.

“Good to hear.” Griff gestured to the doghouse, which was actually a two-thousand-square-foot building with forty dog kennels and a storeroom. The kennels were all inside, but there were plenty of windows, and each kennel had access to this large fenced area in back of the building. “Your patients are ready. If you need me, let me know.”

“I always look forward to your crew. And I appreciate you letting me come on a Sunday morning. The better part of the upcoming week is looking a little crowded.”

Griff understood. Lonnie’s partner had retired due to health issues, and so far he hadn’t found a replacement. The man was swamped. “No problem. I’m just thrilled you could get to us.”

Lonnie paused before moving on. “By the way, I may know someone who’s interested in the bloodhound.”

Griff liked nothing better than finding loving families for the animals, but loving was the key word. “You made them aware that she’s old?”

“I did. He already has a dozen of his own. Like you, he likes giving them a good life—age or condition is irrelevant. Trust me, Griff, he’ll take good care of her when you’re ready to let her go. And she’ll be with others like herself.”

How could he say no? Bloodhounds were pack dogs. She would be happiest with a group of her own kind. “Sounds good. Have him give me a call at his convenience.”

“Will do.”

Lonnie wandered on to the kennels. Griff was caught up for now, so he headed to the house. Meg had promised to come and have a late breakfast with him. She’d managed to persuade him to go home last night without providing details about what happened at the Gas and Go. He hadn’t been thrilled about the idea, but she’d been exhausted, so he’d given in. Part of him had wanted to park outside her place and keep watch all night. But that wouldn’t have helped. She wasn’t in any danger. If he’d ever had any doubts about her taking care of herself, he had none now. He was the one who had an issue.

He wanted to take their friendship to a different level, but she insisted she wasn’t ready for that sort of relationship just now. Not exactly the answer he wanted to hear, but he couldn’t deny understanding where she was at. He’d been there. Leaving Nashville eight years ago hadn’t been just about being unhappy with his career choice. His whole life had been turned upside down when the woman he’d expected to marry and spend the rest of his life with had announced she had a new vision for the rest of her own. Even more surprising was the reality of how little he’d missed her. Then had come the unexpected relief. Looking back, he realized he had come way too close to making the mistake of his life.

He walked through the back door and into the old farmhouse kitchen that badly needed an update. He hung his hat on the hook by the door and headed to the coffee maker. He’d had a quick cup at 5:30 a.m. this morning, but he needed another desperately just now. While he waited through the hissing of the machine doing its thing, he considered the cabinets, counters and appliances that were the same as when he’d been a kid. Until recently, he hadn’t thought much of the aged interior. It was all serviceable. Clean. What else did a man need? Except his sister had suggested he might want to update if he ever expected to lure in potential wife material. What woman, she’d insisted, wanted to see herself in this kitchen?

Griff shook his head and barely restrained a laugh. His sister, on the other hand, couldn’t stop renovating. Louise Griffin Alvarez had married a mere twelve years ago, and already she’d renovated her house twice. Good thing her husband had a sense of humor and a healthy bank account.

Griff loved his little sister. She was so much like their mother. In fact, Louise had built an in-law suite during her last renovation, and their mom loved living with her daughter and her grandkids. Louise teased that if Griff would just get around to having kids of his own, maybe he too could enjoy some nana time. Griff glanced around the old kitchen and couldn’t stop the flood of images and sounds that echoed in his brain. He and his sister had been happy growing up here. The only bad memory was when he’d found his father down by the pond, and even that one wasn’t all bad. His father had died the way he’d wanted to. He’d been working in the yard and gotten overheated. He’d taken a break in the shade by the pond—one of his favorite places.

Taking walks down memory lane happened more and more often these days. Maybe because his sister reminded him every chance she got that he wasn’t getting any younger. And it was hard not to visit the past when he lived in the house where he’d grown up. His grandfather had built the home and the barn. His father had grown up here too. His parents had planned to live here until they passed, just as his grandparents had. Though things hadn’t worked out exactly as planned, Griff intended to go for that same goal. He just hadn’t expected to do it alone. When he’d come back eight years ago, he’d figured that eventually he’d meet someone and start the rest of his life. So far that had not happened—he hadn’t even come close. He shook his head and pushed away from the counter.

He scrubbed a hand over his face. Maybe he did need to renovate. Shake things up. New paint colors and all that.

Too bad the woman his heart seemed intent on wasn’t interested and likely wouldn’t be impressed by a shiny new kitchen.

Speaking of Meg, he spotted her truck coming up the drive. Meg had insisted on bringing the food. All he had to do was provide hot coffee and orange juice. The scent of the fresh brew lingered in the room. He opened the fridge door, grabbed the carton of orange juice and placed it on the counter, where he arranged a couple of glasses and mugs. He considered pouring a cup of coffee to take to Lonnie, but the knock on his front door derailed the notion.

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