When Love Walks In ~ A Fictional Romance
When Love Walks In
A fun note: The Siberian Husky’s name in this story – “Ginger” – was selected from of a list of 31 fantastic Husky names suggested by my FiveSibes Facebook & Instagram followers, and then voted on for the overall favorite. Thank you to all who participated!
Lanie turned the skeleton key and gave the old wooden door a hefty push. Greeted by a blast of musty air, she scrunched up her nose. “We need to open a window, Ginger.”
Her blue-eyed, red-and-white Siberian Husky tipped its head in response. Stepping inside what once was the town’s train station turned Walt’s Pet Depot, autumn leaves rolled in through the open doorway. Lanie pushed the door shut then unclipped Ginger’s leash. The dog eagerly dashed off to explore the far corners of the store. Every now and again the Husky sniffed at some hidden dusty gem only she could sense, followed by sneeze.
Glancing around the vacant storefront, Lanie had been surprised to learn Walt Bennett left the place to her in his will. She had no idea he had even passed until his estate attorney phoned her. Walt had no family of his own, and back when she was a kid growing up in their small town with no siblings and two working parents, he became her unofficial uncle. Many weekends and summers were spent helping him around the store sweeping the floors, stocking the shelves, and caring for the stray dogs and puppies he took in until he found them homes. He was the town’s unofficial sanctuary way before it was a thing.
Lanie meandered around the dusty store, swiping at a cobwebs that decorated the corners. As she approached the check-out counter, she pinched her eyes shut and smiled as she recalled Uncle Walt’s quirky sense of humor and larger-than-life laugh as he’d chat with customers while ringing up their orders.
Regrettably, when she moved out of state to attend college, her visits to his store had become few and far between. She had phoned him every now and again, and kept up-to-date on happenings from her parents, which is how she heard that he had become ill and had to close the store down. Lanie always thought he’d rally back because nothing ever kept Walt Bennett down. Even at 90, he was always “fit as a fiddle” as he’d like to proudly say. Lanie had planned on stopping over to visit him when she was home during the upcoming winter break from college, but sadly, he succumbed to his illness.
“This place really needs some heavy cleaning,” uttered Lanie’s friend Susan as she entered the store, swiping at a cobweb. “Walt may not have done you any favors leaving you this old place. It’s been vacant a long time.”
“Oh, Sue, close that door! Ginger is in here somewhere investigating and I don’t want her to get out.”
Susan shoved the door closed, and as if on cue, Ginger, with her tags jingling, came running up with a fuzzy squeak toy in her mouth and shoved it Susan. Laughing, she gave the Husky’s neck a rub, and took the toy from her. Upon closer inspection, she saw it still had a tag on it and was covered in wet, saliva-dripped dust. “Ew.” Sue tossed it and Ginger went skittering after it. Sue wiped her hands on her jeans. “Maybe you should think about selling?”
“I don’t know. I kind of like the idea of being my own boss.”
Lanie pushed away the guilt that gnawed at her from not having been back more to see Walt, especially now that he left her his business. She cherished all the fond memories of the times they spent together at the store and with saving strays. It was because of Walt Lanie pursued an education to become a veterinarian technician. Now, she found herself not only a student, but also the owner of pet business—one that has been closed for several years.
Susan strolled around, checking out a few leftover items sitting on the dusty shelves. “What about school? And becoming a vet tech?”
Lanie ran a finger along the dusty counter, leaving a trail along the wood. “I graduate in June, so...” her voice trailed off.
Susan arched an eyebrow. “Oh, Lanie. I know that look...what are you thinking?”
Lanie spun around. “I’m thinking this could become a canine center.”
Susan’s mouth fell open. “A what?”
“Just promise me you won’t get so busy that you cut yourself off from being social. It’s been over two years since you broke things off with Mark.”
Lanie grimaced. “He didn’t like dogs. Besides, how much more social than owning a store can one get?”
The next day, Lanie was busy sweeping when the shopkeeper's bell jangled above the door. With a tennis ball in her mouth, Ginger zoomed by. Lanie dropped her broom and dashed out from behind the counter. Ginger! Whoa!"
The customer quickly closed the door behind him just as Ginger slid to a stop at his polished designer-shoed feet. Lanie froze in her tracks. He was strikingly handsome with dark-haired and a neatly trimmed goatee. Dressed in a tailored navy suit, he offered a light chuckle as he knelt down to pet a very eager Ginger, who in return deposited a slimy ball right into his lap.
“Oh, my...I apologize. She just loves tennis balls and thinks everyone who walks in the door is her playmate.”
“She’s beautiful,” he remarked. “Siberian Husky?”
“Thank you. Yes, I adopted her three years ago from a rescue.” Lanie gave Ginger the “sit” command and the dog immediately obeyed, but kept her blue eyes focused on her new friend.
Rick stood up and Lanie’s eyes widened at the sight of white fur clinging to his suit. “I’m Rick
Landry, by the way. I just opened the law practice in town.”
“Lanie McCready, proprietor of the new Ginger’s Spa & K9 Depot. I’m so sorry about all the shedding. Let me get you a pet fur roller,” she offered as she reached out and wiped some of Ginger’s fur off his jacket.
“No need. I have two Golden Retrievers, boys—Rex and Dex—who seem to always be shedding.” When his warm brown eyes met hers, her breath hitched.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. McCready.”
“It’s Miss, and please, call me Lanie.”
“Lanie.”
The way he drawled her name caused a kaleidoscope of butterflies to flutter about in her stomach.
“Walking by, I saw lights on and was curious. We used to come to town for vacation and always enjoyed stopping in here to check out the puppies who needed homes. So, you’re keeping it a pet store?”
“I’m actually turning it into a canine center. Besides the store, there will be a dog adoption center, complete with exercise runs, an outdoor play area, an in-house groomer, trainer, acupuncturist, and a vet on call. I’m a vet tech,” she cleared her throat. “Well, actually I’ll be graduating this June and then taking my national and state exams.”
“Congratulations!” he shot her smile, that sent a blush up her freckled cheeks.
“Thank you,” she ran a hand nervously through her hair, frowning as she pulled a crunchy dead bug from the curls. She quickly tossed it to the ground, and Ginger pounced on it. Glancing back up, her blush deepened when she saw the amusement register on Rick’s handsome face.
“The drawbacks to cleaning an old store.”
“Yes. Cobwebs. Bugs. Dust.” She shrugged while offering a nervous laugh.
“When do you open?”
Lanie brushed her hands on jeans. “I still have a lot of work to do, and contact to make. I’d like to carry a few things like all-natural treats from a local baker, and some homemade bandanas and calming collars, as well as traditional collars, harnesses, and leashes.”
“Sounds terrific.” Glancing around, Rick arched an eyebrow. “And a lot of work Are you doing it all on your own?” Off of Lanie’s nod, he pursed his lips. “You could use some help.” Rick’s phone jangled and he pulled it out from his jacket pocket. “I’m sorry. Work. I have to take this,” he said apologetically. “It was really nice meeting you, Lainie.”
And then he was gone.
Later that night, as Lanie and Susan sat on the store floor eating pizza out of a take-out box, Lanie filled her friend in about Rick’s visit.
Susan’s eyes grew wide. “Are you interested in him?”
“Oh gosh, I just met him.” Lanie chewed her lip. “But he was very handsome, and he has dogs. Ginger even kissed him!”
“Well, that seals the deal. If Ginger approves, he’s perfect for you.”
Lanie sighed. “But I think he’s married.”
Susan frowned. “Figures.”
A few weeks later as Lanie was stocking shelves, Rick stopped in. “Hi, Lainie. Sorry it took me so long to get back in here. Setting up my new office and hiring staff took longer than I expected.”
Lanie’s heart did a somersault. “Hello, Rick.” She noticed he was dressed casually in jeans and a fitted black t-shirt that put his well-developed pecs on full display. “Um, did you and your wife need something for your dogs?”
“I don’t know about my ex-wife, but I’ll take two boxes of those peanut butter treats.” He hitched a thumb at shelf full of locally baked dog treats.
Lanie’s cheeks flushed as she felt her heart suddenly come out of hiding. “Oh, when you mentioned ‘we’ the other day, I just assumed—”
“I was talking about me and my brother,” Rick
said with a grin as he leaned against the counter and glanced around. “It looks
great in here.”
“Thanks. I still have this room to paint.”
“I just happened to have a spare,” she offered with a smile.
“I do have one condition.”
Lanie arched a brow. “Are you trying to negotiate with me, Mr. Lawyer?”
“Yes, I am. I’ll help you if...”
Lanie’s breath hitched. “If?”
He shot her a grin. “If...you and Ginger will join me and my boys for dinner. I whip up a mean barbeque. Just ask Rex and Dex.”
“I’ll take that deal,” Lanie happily agreed.
After Rick left, Lanie mused that while she wasn’t looking for love, it may have just walked right in through the front door. And, she had Uncle Walt to thank for it.
The End
Author's Note:
Story, Blog Articles & FiveSibes Photos are
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