The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service (24 page)
Read The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service Online
Authors: Beth Kendrick
Tags: #Animals, #Contemporary Women, #Nature, #General, #Pets, #Fiction, #Dogs
Chapter 33
“Happy zeroeth anniversary.” Lara kissed her groom. “Happy zeroeth anniversary to you, too, although I’m not sure such a thing really exists.”
“It’s less cheesy than saying the first day of the rest of our lives.”
“It is, and I appreciate that.” Evan closed and locked the door of the riverside cabin they’d booked for their honeymoon in Sedona. Although the little bungalow’s exterior looked rustic, the interior was all French cotton sheets and bedside Belgian truffles.
“My feet are killing me.” Lara grimaced as she struggled with the tiny bejeweled gold buckle on her ivory stiletto sandals. “I will never understand why brides are expected to spend the whole day running around in shoes that effectively hobble you.”
Evan leaned down and kissed the nape of her neck. “Hobbled or not, you looked amazing today.”
“Thanks. My mom picked out the gown.” Lara yelped as she felt a cold, wet nose replace Evan’s warm lips. “Gah! Honey, off.”
She heard the click of nails against hardwood as Honey scuttled off and leapt up onto the bed.
In addition to selecting Lara’s gown, Justine had also selected Kerry’s maid of honor dress, the venue, the flower arrangements, the invitations, the menu, and most of the guest list. The result had been a gala worthy of a five-page spread in
Martha Stewart Weddings
.
Lara looked up at Evan and smiled. “I think today was the happiest day of my mom’s life.”
“But she doesn’t believe in marriage.”
“Exactly. This was her chance to throw the wedding of her dreams without having to bother with any of that pesky commitment.” She held out her arms and examined her freshly paraffined skin. For the last five days, she’d reported to the Coterie salon in Scottsdale every morning like it was her job, checking in at nine a.m. and clocking out promptly at five. She’d been buffed, waxed, plucked, polished, exfoliated, and slathered with acetone until the staff deemed her suitably transformed. “I think I finally lived up to her expectations.”
“Your mom’s proud of you. You know she is.”
“She has to be—I’m her employer now. But I’m proud of her, too.” Justine hadn’t tried to hide behind a scarf or a veiled hat at the reception. She’d selected a fashion-forward pale green suit, put on a light layer of makeup, and made the rounds, personally greeting every guest along with her date. “Did you like Mullet’s new ’do?”
The Shih Tzu had also been subjected to the full spa treatment, and was almost unrecognizable after having her hair trimmed, shaped, and subtly highlighted to complement Justine’s gold jewelry. Lara had administered the finishing touches this morning, adding volume around the muzzle and ears with a few well-placed spritzes of Big Sexy Hair.
Evan loosened his tie and went to work on his shirt cuffs. “I have to tell you, I didn’t even notice Mullet.”
“Too busy staring at your hot new wife?”
“Pretty much.”
“But surely you noticed that Honey looked even prettier than usual.” While her mother had obsessed over every detail of the event planning, Lara had focused her energy on training the bloodhound to walk down the aisle on a white rose-entwined leash in preparation for her role as ring bearer.
Honey had hit her marks perfectly, holding a ten-minute sit-stay while Lara and Evan exchanged their vows, and coating the rings with only the bare minimum of drool when Evan untied them from her collar. But when the groom kissed his bride, Honey had raised her muzzle and let loose with a roof-raising howl that would have done Frederic and Elfrida proud. And Kerry’s baby girl had joined in as well.
In the spirit of joy and new beginnings, Justine had let Honey live, but she’d been banished to the back room during the reception. (Mullet, of course, had a seat of honor at the head table.) Everything else had been picture-perfect—with one notable exception. The father of the bride hadn’t shown up. Gil and Trina had sent their regrets, along with one of the bone china place settings that Lara (or, more accurately, Justine) had registered for.
Evan kicked off his shoes and flopped back on the enormous four-poster. Lara joined him, curling up against his chest.
Not to be left behind, Honey wriggled her way into the embrace and collapsed across her humans’ feet and shins.
“How can such a skinny dog weigh so much?” Evan marveled. “I swear, her bones are made of iron.”
“It’s a bloodhound thing,” Lara explained. “They have freakishly dense skeletons.”
“I can’t move my legs.”
“Luckily, the phone is in reach. We can dial room service.”
“Works for me.” He reached across the bed and grabbed an extra pillow for Lara. “In fact, I may never leave this cabin again. Everything I need in life is right here.”
“Me, too. I would like to change out of this dress eventually, though. It’s kind of binding.”
“Don’t worry. That dress is coming off soon enough.” But his words ended in a yawn.
“Big talk from a man who’s losing consciousness.” Lara listened to his heart beat and let her eyes close. “I’m so glad the wedding’s over and we can get back to our real lives.”
“I’m so glad we’re finally taking a vacation.”
“I’m so glad we found a four-star resort that takes pets.”
They started to kiss, then broke apart, laughing, as the lace hem of Lara’s gown got trapped under Honey’s paw and ripped.
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
“Woof
.
”
Acknowledgments
A big, slobber-drenched thank-you to . . .
Shawna Swanson, who let me tag along to dog shows and shared stories about competing, rescuing, and dating in the dog world. If you live in the Phoenix area and need a trainer, seriously, contact her right this minute:
www.MaverickDogTraining.com
.
Kresley Cole, amazing author, dear friend, and girl genius, who continues to make my life “easy peasy lemon squeezy.”
My mom, who routinely kicks my ass at online Scrabble and will swear with her dying breath that “brung” is a word.
Jeannette Viteri and, of course, Etienne, Aiden, and Bella, without whom this book would probably still not be finished. I’ll be over with a batch of M&M cookies directly.
Danielle Perez and Ivory, Kathie Galotti and Eskie, Erica Ashcroft and Petty, and all the Facebook fans who nominated their dogs for cameos in the story. (I’m still laughing about “Lucy Fur.” You guys are the best!)
And of course, my own darling dogs, Roxie and Friday, who keep my feet warm and my entire wardrobe covered in fur.
Photo by Anna Peña
After growing up with a purebred Bernese mountain dog,
Beth Kendrick
fell in love with a scruffy stray terrier named Murphy and has been a sucker for rescue dogs ever since. She lives in Arizona with her family and two rambunctious red mutts. Despite owning three vacuum cleaners, she is constantly covered in dog hair.
Also by Beth Kendrick
The Bake-Off
Second Time Around
The Pre-nup
Nearlyweds
Fashionably Late
Exes and Ohs
My Favorite Mistake