Single Kid Seeks Dad

“Go ’way,” she mumbled, pulling her covers over her head to block out any hint of light.

“Mom, you have to get up.”

“Mom doesn’t exist.”

A corner of her blanket was pulled back and something warm and aromatic was practically shoved under her nose.

Lucy opened one eye to see if the aroma was real or a dream. Nick held out her largest mug filled with coffee. Light streamed in from the hallway. At least he’d been smart enough not to turn on the light in her bedroom.

She kept her eyes slitted. “What time is it?”

“Four-thirty.”

She groaned loudly as she pulled the covers back over her head. “I changed my mind. In fact, drive yourself to the shelter. I’m sure you can whip yourself up a fake driver’s license in no time. I promise not to tell.”

“Mom, you said you’d help us,” he reminded her. “You always said we have to honor our promises.”

Lucy bit back a curse. There was nothing worse than a son spouting back what a parent had taught him. She reached out and took the coffee mug from him. She sighed happily as she sipped the strong brew.

“I even turned the shower on for you, so by now it’s a nice warm temperature,” Nick said in a coaxing tone. “And I’m making waffles.”

Lucy perked up a little. “Waffles?”

“And bacon and eggs scrambled just the way you like them.”

She was starting to give in. “You hate getting up early just as much as I do.”

“I need to help get the dogs ready for Adoption Day.”

“And if you’re not there, who knows what that cranky old judge would do to you.” She pushed the covers back more. That was when she noticed that Nick was already dressed in a pair of ragged denim shorts and a faded T-shirt that she thought she’d thrown away a week ago. Considering what he’d be doing that morning, it was probably just as well he wasn’t better dressed. She slurped more coffee and held the mug out. “Please refill this for me while I shower.”

Nick took off. The refilled mug was returned before she finished crawling out of bed.

Lucy realized how important this day was to Nick when he cleaned up the kitchen after breakfast and she found Luther’s litter box filled with fresh litter. The stormy gray cat peered at her through golden eyes filled with feline suspicion before he stalked off to his favorite corner in the family room where he always took his morning snooze.

Her only problem was what to wear. She knew she should wear something she wouldn’t care about if it ended up ruined, but the feminine part of her didn’t want to look like a hag in front of Logan. Just because she was leery of dating him didn’t mean she didn’t want to look her best.

She dug through her drawers until she reminded herself that she was over thirty and wasn’t looking for the perfect outfit to wear to school, so she could impress the captain of the football team.

She also reminded herself that she wasn’t interested in Logan. She had a full life and didn’t need a man in it. A couple of times she’d considered getting back into the dating game, but it only took a few dates for her to realize dating wasn’t anything like she remembered. She wasn’t sure if she was dating the wrong men or she was the wrong woman for them. Either way, she’d come to the conclusion she was better off going solo.

“Just pick something.” She finally closed her eyes and pulled out a pair of old cotton shorts and an oversize T-shirt that she knotted at her waist. “Nick, please pour the rest of the coffee in a travel mug for me!” she called out. “The really big mug.”

“Already done. Like I’d let you leave the house without enough caffeine to send you rocketing into another galaxy,” he hollered back as he headed for the garage. “Come on, Mom! We’re gonna be late.”

Lucy started to leave her bedroom then paused and ran back to the bathroom to apply a hint of blush and lipgloss.

“Don’t want to scare the dogs,” she muttered to herself.

LOGAN HAD just checked on his patients who had remained in the clinic overnight when he heard shrieks and laughter coming from the kennel area.

“Bertie Beagle is starting to wake up,” Gwen announced, looking into the closet-sized room that doubled as Logan’s office. “He looks good, so does the pug. However, you look like hell. What time did you get to bed last night?”

He stretched his arms over his head. “Who says I got to bed? The Sullivans called about 2:00 a.m. and brought in their iguana. Sigfried wasn’t doing well.”

Gwen shook her head. “I guess you need this more than I do.” She set a coffee shop to-go cup on his desk.

“Is that one of those fancy drinks you like? The nonfat, no-foam, double-shot whatever?”

“Just be darned grateful I’m willing to share, Logan. Unless you want to wait while I make what you consider coffee.”

“Because I’m a wonderful boss who wouldn’t dream of depriving his favorite vet tech of her beloved coffee, I’ll wait for the coffee.” He smiled winningly. “What’s going on outside to cause all the laughter? Kristi isn’t known for having anything even close to a funny bone.”

“Nick Donner has one and it seems his mother does, too.” Gwen picked up the coffee carafe and carried it out to the sink. “The dogs are giving the crew a run for their money.”

Logan uncoiled himself from his chair. “Maybe I should take a look out there.”

She shot her boss a knowing look. “Right.”

Logan ignored her parting shot and headed down the hall.

“When Nick was little he hated baths with a passion, but he was never as bad as these guys!” Lucy laughed and jumped back but not fast enough as a wet soapy tail slapped her in the face.

“Thanks, Mom, just what I want people to hear.” Nick stood at another tub hosing down a Labrador mix that was happily enjoying his bath.

“Mothers love to embarrass their kids,” Kristi told him. “You should hear some of the sh—uh—nonsense my mom dishes out.” She caught the expression on Lucy’s face and quickly amended her words. “My mom told me I’ll do the same when I have kids.”

Kristi grabbed a tighter hold on the Labrador’s collar as he twisted around under the stream of water she directed at the dog. “Joey, you are a true water dog.”

Lucy drizzled shampoo on her rottweiler’s head and lathered it up with a steady stream of water.

“Why not wear a bikini?”

At the sound of Logan’s voice Lucy spun around from the tub, forgetting she still held the hose in her hand. Even though the water wasn’t turned on high, it was strong enough to hit him square in the face. She gasped in shock and quickly turned off the faucet.

“I am so sorry!” she apologized, handing him a towel until she realized it was too damp to do any good. Without saying a word, he took it from her and mopped his face.

“Wish I’d done that,” Nick chortled.

“No, you do not!” Lucy glared at her son.

“More than once we’ve all thought of soaking the boss,” Kristi said, “but he always stays inside all nice and dry while we’re out here getting as wet as the dogs.”

“But you enjoy it so much,” Logan reminded them as he tossed the towel to one side. He paused to look at Lucy. He’d seen her dressed up at a couple of local parties and he’d seen her dressed casually when she dropped Nick off here. But he’d never seen her like this. Her faded navy T-shirt with Basketball Mom From Hell on it, and her equally faded navy shorts were more wet than dry. He’d learned the hard way about the rottweiler’s love for water, so he wasn’t surprised she looked like the proverbial wet rag. Even wet, with her perky ponytail and lack of makeup, Lucy still looked cute, although he doubted she would want to hear that description.

Logan recalled that it was Lucy’s laughter that had first caught his attention. Full-bodied like a heady wine, rich like pure gold, the throaty sound traveled along his spine.

“And you hold your Adoption Day here?” Lucy asked, picking up a dry towel and drying off the large dog.