Page 64 of Better Luck Next Time

They drove over to Dog is Love, talking about the show and hypothesizing about the models used by the clown artist. Did he travel from circus to circus? Were they based on people he didn’t like? When Finn pulled into the lot, ten minutes late—lunch had taken longer than he’d thought, partially because Bryan had brought over his origin story speech at the end of their meal and asked Finn to both edit and sign it—he saw River’s car.

“Well, there you go,” Adalia said, grinning. “You need to talk to him, and the universe delivered. I’m sure Dottie would have something to say about that.”

Except he suspected it wasn’t a coincidence at all. Maisie must have been desperate enough to duck River—or at least being alone with River—that she’d changed her meeting with him to coincide with Finn’s visit. And she’d neglected to tell Finn, fearing (correctly) that he’d cancel. He was tempted to just pull out of the lot and leave, but if he did that he’d have to explain to Adalia, and she might feel compelled to say something to Georgie, and then…

“It’s not a coincidence, is it?” Adalia said. He started to say something, but she raised a hand. “Say no more. I can tell you’re on the verge of telling me what’s going on in there. But I’d prefer to keep it a horrible surprise.”

“Well, I’m not inclined to argue with that.”

He went around to open her door, and she hooked her arm through his like they were about to go on a picnic.

The front door was open, since they’d come during the shelter’s regular hours, and an older bearded guy sat behind the desk, eating some sort of smelly cheese Danish.

Seeing them, he swallowed thickly.

Finn introduced himself, thought about shaking the guy’s hand, thought about the Danish, and settled for a nod.

“Maisie’s already back there with River,” the guy said. “They’re in the visiting room. Do you need me to show you back?”

Finn grappled with his conscience. Maisie obviously didn’t want to talk to River alone, and part of him thought he should go back there and save her. But another part of him genuinely believed that she was avoiding the inevitable. That her hesitation to talk to River, and maybe even divulge her secret, was causing both of them pain. Besides, he believed in River and Maisie’s friendship—even knowing what he knew—and it was never going to get back on track if they didn’t talk it out.

“Actually, maybe we could look at the adoptable dogs first?” He shot a glance at Adalia and gently pulled her to his side. “This one’s thinking of becoming a foster mom.”

Chapter Twenty-One

The man got up and walked around the desk, licking his fingers and thumb, and Adalia resisted the urge to cringe. Was that a wise idea in a place like this?

“I’m Dustin, by the way,” he said, leading them to a side door. “Are you sure you don’t want to head back and see Maisie? She seemed pretty insistent that I send you back as soon as you got here.”

“No,” Finn said, but Adalia caught the glance he shot to the closed door in the back before he headed for the door markedKennels. “I promised Adalia she could see the dogs first.”

“Okay…” Dustin said, sounding like he wasn’t sure that was a good idea.

“You don’t need to show us around if you’re busy,” Finn said. “I know my way around.”

Dustin appeared reluctant, but his gaze drifted longingly to the Danish on his desk. “If you’re sure you don’t mind…”

“Not in the least,” Finn said, already opening the door.

“But try to hurry,” Dustin said. “Maisie really wanted you to join her.”

Finn didn’t answer, and instead ushered Adalia into a large room with multiple kennels on one side and lots of windows on the other. The fans on the ten-foot ceiling were circulating the air, but the room still stank of dog.

Barks and howls filled the space, and the first kennel held a large lab mix who was adding to the chorus. He jumped up, the metal door clanging under his paws.

“Oh, that poor dog,” she said, reaching toward the door.

“Be careful,” Finn said, pulling her hand away. “Some of them are biters.” He released her, nodding to the door. “But this one seems to be okay. Maisie labels the ones that you need to be careful with.”

She looked up at him, her eyes narrowing. “Why didn’t we go back to the room with Maisie and River? What’s going on?”

“I thought you didn’t want to know,” he challenged with a small smile. “I thought you wanted it to be a horrible surprise.”

“Well…the fact that you’re avoiding it like it’s a smallpox plague has me intrigued. You don’t tend to shy away from conflict.”

He grimaced. “River was supposed to come see Maisie this morning, but she obviously rearranged her schedule so that we’d be here when he showed up.”

Her brow lifted. “And you didn’t know she’d rescheduled?”

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