Project Valentine (A Homespun Romance) Read online

  As she walked away Jessica wondered why she'd avoided one last look at the rocky mountain eyes.

  "Uncle Karl, we'll be late for the movie." Molly tugged at her uncle's sleeve. Why on earth was he standing still as a statue? She looked in the direction Jessica had taken. "What did that lady mean about you rescuing her? Was she in trouble?"

  Karl Wagner stared down at his niece. "She's only about sixteen," he said gently. It was strange that Molly who was so perceptive should mistake Jessica Woods for an adult. "And, yes, someone was bothering her."

  Molly's mind was on the film they were to see. It promised to be bloody, scary, and incredible. All an eight year old could ask for. It wasn't till the part where the dinosaur swallowed the Empire State building that she remembered something.

  Uncle Karl was funny. He'd said that person was sixteen, but she wasn't. She was a grown up. Couldn't Uncle Karl tell?

  Fixing her mind on why she was here today, Jessica decided, might help coax it back to its normal even keel.

  It had all started four weeks ago.

  The article in a Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times had caught Jessica's eye. The humane society in an effort to find new homes for some of their abandoned animals had come up with a novel plan. The animals would be on show in Clearview Plaza, a popular shopping mall in the city of Clearview, part of Los Angeles County, two weeks before Valentine's Day. Volunteers were needed to work with the animals on a one on one basis in the mall. What was expected of them wasn't difficult. Show the animals, share the background knowledge that was available, and try to match prospective owners with the right pet. Officers from the humane society would be in charge overall but the volunteers, would do the actual `selling.' Jessica's decision had been made by the time she finished reading the article. Ten minutes later she was at the humane society.

  "The odds are against him."

  The enclosure was barely big enough for the Great Dane lying in it. Tawny with a black face, he had a white patch on his chest. His lack of interest in her didn't surprise her. He'd been through too much lately to trust another human quickly.

  The expression in his eyes tugged at Jessica's heart. Anguish over being deserted by his owners lurked there, mingling with sadness that a lifetime of love and devotion had been rewarded with abandonment. It all added up to raw pain.

  And it was up to her to do something about it.

  "Why did they leave him? He's beautiful."

  The officer who was showing her around said. "It isn't easy to take a dog along when moving, especially one as big as this. There could be other reasons. See that white mark on his chest?" Jessica nodded. "Well, that's not desirable. It's like a disqualification in a dog show and lessens his value."

  They'd left him, just because he had a mark on his chest? The other reason made her sick. It hadn't been convenient to take him along. She wondered if anyone had loved the Great Dane or if he had been just another status symbol in a world of people that devoted their time to impressing others. The lump of anger in her throat made Jessica blink. Rage always produced tears. Crying wouldn't help anyone.

  She'd taken a deep breath. "I want to show this dog at the mall."

  "What's the use of backing a lame horse at the races?" Jose Garcia had asked reasonably, hitching his pants up over a belly that stretched the buttons of his shirt to a popping point. "I like this dog too, but that doesn't change the facts. Very few people want an animal this size. Showing him would be a waste of your time."

  I know best. A little thing like you should listen to me. It was all there in his voice, in his manner. The indulgence, the condescension. To Jessica it was like a red flag to a bull.

  Eyes narrowed she'd fairly spit her next words out, "When I called the humane society regarding Project Valentine I was assured I could pick the animal I wanted to show, providing that animal would make a good prospective pet. Is this dog vicious?"

  "No."

  "Sickly?"

  "No."

  "Too old?"

  "No."

  The matter, as far as Jessica was concerned, was settled. Closing the distance between them, she'd tilted her head and given Jose Garcia her fight-unto-death look. "Then I'm going to show him. He has as much right to another chance as any other dog in this shelter."

  The officer had looked at her face, made a snap judgment about indomitable fighters and sighed. With an expression on his face that would have cheered Job up, he'd said, "Let's go into the office and take care of the details. You can show him, but don't blame me if no one wants him."

  Bleeding hearts, he thought to himself, always look for things to make them bleed.

  Now Jessica surveyed the scene in front of her. A central area in the lower floor of the mall had been roped off. The volunteers, each with an animal on a leash formed an oval, facing outwards. In the middle, a folding table held all the necessary paperwork for releasing the pets to their new owners. Officials in blue and grey made sure everything was under control, talked to the public, spelled volunteers for breaks.

  The Project Valentine banner attracted a great deal of attention with its heart shaped, pink and white balloons. The theme, `Take home a real sweetheart for Valentine's day,' had worked wonders so far. Fifteen dogs and three cats had already found homes.

  Just not Arthur.

  Something about his look of patient suffering wrapped in regality had inspired the name on Jessica's third visit to the shelter. By then, he'd begun to know her and greet her by wagging his tail.

  "I'm back," Jessica announced, re-pinning her name badge under the Project Valentine one. A quick glance at her watch revealed her adventures hadn't exceeded the thirty minute break she'd been allotted. "Anyone stop by?"

  Jose Garcia looked at her cautiously as he handed her Arthur's leash. Behind her optimism he sensed the wall of fear. Stomping on her hopes made him uncomfortable. He knew her heart ruled her head and he was almost afraid for her.

  "No one." He tried to keep his voice noncommittal.

  One long moment passed before she lifted her head and looked at him. On a scale of one to ten her smile barely got a one for joy. For bravery it merited a twelve.

  "Well, it's still early," she said. "Thanks for standing in for me, Jose."

  After he was gone, her imagination opened the door, let the doubts pour in. What if he'd been right all along? If no one adopted Arthur today? The next instant, Jessica told herself not to be negative. The right person hadn't come along yet. When that person did appear, it would be a case of love at first sight and happily ever after for Arthur.

  She had to hold on to that thought.

  There was a pattern to the day that kept repeating itself with frightening monotony. People looked at Arthur in wonder, stopped to find out what he ate, how much he weighed, if they could touch him. No one evinced the slightest interest in taking him home.

  By two, Jessica's face ached with the effort to keep a smile pinned on. Her heart ached with the weight of presentiment.

  The odds are against him.

  Recalling the remark fanned the coals of her determination.

  "I don't care how much experience Jose Garcia has, he has no right to make that remark about you," Jessica told the Great Dane rebelliously, "I know all about odds. I've faced them all my life. Impossible is just a state of mind. We'll find you a home yet."

  A couple stopped, looked at Arthur and then moved on to the next dog without saying a word. Leash looped around her wrist Jessica patted Arthur. Squeals of joy pierced the air as a little girl and her brother exclaimed over a terrier mix. The happy, newly adopted dog, licked their faces in reciprocal joy. Jessica's throat tightened. She wanted a wedge of the same kind of happiness for Arthur.

  "Success lies in fighting for what one believes in, not letting someone else tell you what you can and can't do." Lifting her right foot Jessica rubbed it against the calf of her left leg to ease the cramp there. "I'm going to prove it by finding you a new owner today, a better owner." Her soliloquy t
apered off as a couple stopped in front of them.

  "What breed is he?"

  "Great Dane."

  "Bet he weighs a ton." They tittered, pleased by their own wit then they slunk off arms twined around each other like bean runners needing support.

  Beside her Arthur lifted his head, stared at another dog nearby, and then settled down again. Throat tight Jessica looked at her watch. Three o'clock.

  What if Jose Garcia was right? What if no one came by for Arthur in the next two hours? What if...

  Jessica clamped down on her imagination. No, that wasn't going to happen. As long as she thought strong she couldn't fail. Arthur would find a home by tonight.

  "If I could have you, I would," she told Arthur for the umpteenth time. "But they are very strict about pets in the apartment. If only there was some way I could afford a house...."

  That wasn't possible on a computer programmer's salary. Not while she helped David out, whenever his funds ran low. For the umpteenth time, Jessica searched her memory bank for anyone she knew who would fit the bill.

  Worry checked all the bases she'd covered so far. Her lunch hours last week had been spent talking about Arthur to anyone at work willing to listen. She'd put up huge notices by the coffee machine on each floor. Staying late one evening she'd printed some flyers and paid the newspaper boy to place it on car windshields around the apartment complex.

  The response had been disappointing. No one wanted a dog the size of Arthur. Besides, most people assumed it cost an arm and a leg to feed a Great Dane. Most people were right. But that wasn't the real problem. Finding a person who liked Arthur was. If only someone showed a real interest in the Great Dane, she was even willing to pay for part of his upkeep.

  Thursday, Jessica had put a call through to Universal Studios, talked to a couple of people. They had been sympathetic, but firm. They had all the dogs they needed for the time being.

  Restlessly, Jessica's gaze roamed the mall. So many people, so little time.

  The red dot she'd seen next to Arthur's name on Jose Garcia's pad this morning had scared her. Skewering the officer with her fiercest look, she'd demanded, "What's that for?"

  "The shelter can only keep the animals for so long, Jessica," he'd replied gently, "Arthur's time with us is almost up."

  Jessica closed her eyes briefly. The sands of time dragged her hopes along, as they ran out on Arthur's life. Harsh reality waited impatiently to force its way in.

  "Please," whispered Jessica. There had to be a patron saint of dogs somewhere, with more than human powers. "Please. We need a miracle."

  Two minutes later Molly and her father crossed her line of vision, halted in front of the bookstore. Jessica stiffened as neon bulbs came on in her head.

  Strong. Caring. Perfect.

  Molly looked over at their group. Interest flickered in her face as she saw the Project Valentine sign. Her eyes opened wide as she noticed Arthur. A flash of recognition lit her face as she saw Jessica. She tugged at her father's hand, said something. The pair walked over.

  Jessica fixed a smile on her face. Out of the corner of her mouth she said, "This could be our big break, Arthur."

  The man looked from her to the badge that bore her name, nodded briefly. Their earlier encounter might never have been.

  Not that there was much to hold his gaze, Jessica acknowledged humorously. Her straight chin length dark hair and eyes to match weren't exactly spectacular. Her mouth was too full, the rest of her features just there. She pushed her glasses up.

  "Hi!" greeted Molly with an infectious grin.

  "Hello again." Dropping ice cream on someone's foot forged an instant bond. They smiled at each other like conspirators. Jessica kept her eyes on the girl while every nerve ending informed her exactly where Karl Wagner was.

  "Is he yours?"

  Jessica looked from Molly to the dog in momentary surprise. For a couple of heartbeats she'd forgotten Arthur. "No, he belongs to the humane society of Clearview."

  "Did you bring him here so people could learn about Great Danes?"

  "No," Jessica swallowed hard, forcing herself to concentrate. Odd little quivers kept interrupting her thinking. "We brought the dogs to the mall today hoping to find good homes for them."

  "What's his name?" Molly asked.

  "We don't know. The humane society found him wandering the streets."

  The blonde head bobbed wisely. "My teacher told us all about the humane society. They round up strays and take in dogs no one wants. Did his owners just leave him, do you think?"

  "That's most probably what happened."

  He'd apparently just come along so his daughter could satisfy her interest in the dogs. His eyes already held a trace of impatience as he looked over the other dogs. There was no real interest there. Jessica's heart sank.

  The girl put a hand out to the dog.

  "Don't touch him, Molly," Karl Wagner snapped.

  "Arthur wouldn't hurt a soul." Jessica interposed quickly. "He's wonderful with children. I had a little girl here earlier who stepped on his paw by mistake and he didn't turn a hair. Good nature is a primary characteristic of Great Danes."

  "Arthur?" the deep voice pounced. "I thought you said he didn't have a name?"

  Jessica felt the color ride up under her skin. She blinked rapidly. "It's my own private name for him."

  Defiantly she met his gaze. That look of his was really something. She had a feeling the contents of her brain were on view.

  Molly put her hand out and let Arthur sniff at her. Then at Jessica's nod, she touched Arthur's head.

  "Great Dane?"

  "Purebred." The squeaky pitch of her voice was humiliating. Disgusted by the fact that her sales pitch was so hard to find, Jessica took a deep breath and tried again, "They make excellent companions and great watch dogs. I don't know why anyone would install an alarm system when they could have a dog instead. Research has proved pets provide excellent therapy. They improve heart function, lower blood pressure, ease anxiety." A quick breath and Jessica rushed on, "They are definitely man's best friend. Faithful, loyal, loving. Giving all. Asking nothing. In a few weeks you'll wonder how you ever lived without him."

  Out of breath, she had to stop finally. If he was impressed, he hid it well. In fact there was a tinge of sardonic amusement in his eyes she didn't care for at all. Not that it mattered what he thought. She wasn't the issue here. Arthur was.

  Karl Wagner looked from her to the dog as if he might say something, then merely nodded. An arm shot out, flexed. A wafer thin gold watch worth a lifetime supply of dog food, apparently gave him his clue, "Molly we have to hurry or you won't be able to get something for Nana."

  Molly gave Arthur one last pat before she turned away, slipped her hand into her father's.

  Failure was a dry well, disappointment the gravity pulling Jessica inexorably to the bottom. If she'd failed on her own account she wouldn't have minded so much. But Arthur's life was in question here. Tears threw themselves against the muscles of her throat, wanting out. Agony drummed a finale in her ears.

  "No."

  The word held as much conviction as a solitary male chauvinist at a women's lib rally. She'd not only failed, she'd broken every rule in the humane society book. Jose Garcia had warned her about this.

  Rule number one was to be detached about the animal in your care.

  Jessica hadn't been able to muster a trace of detachment after the first long look from Arthur's molasses eyes.

  Rule number two was never force a pet on anyone. For it to work, the process had to be a carefully thought out one.

  Jessica was a breath away from breaking that one as well. She wanted to run after Molly and her father, beg them to think of taking Arthur home with them.

  Irrational as the urge was she couldn't even explain it to herself. Gut instinct again. That's what it was. She just knew that Arthur and the pair would do well together. It had to do with the gentleness with which Molly had patted Arthur, the love in the hazel
eyes. Karl Wagner was right too, though he didn't seem to think so.

  "It's something to do with his mouth," she explained to Arthur.

  Jessica had studied mouths over the years. Thin lipped ones belonged to people who had a tendency to miserliness. Too full ones, hinted at deeply sensual natures except in her case...she was as sensual as a case of Granny Smith apples. Normal mouths, neither too thin nor too full, were a happy balanced blend of everything. The right sort for Arthur. The right sort for her?

  Unbidden, the memory of being scrutinized came to mind. Jessica shivered. She should have stopped for breakfast. Or made use of the break she'd been spelled for, by getting herself something to eat. Hunger was making her lightheaded, playing strange games with her emotions.

  "It's not as if I'm a kid," she elaborated to Arthur, "I'm a logical, clear headed, woman."

  Which fact still didn't buy one insurance against a pair of laser eyes or account for why her heart felt as if it had been on a roller coast all afternoon.

  CHAPTER TWO

  At half past three a woman in a fur jacket stopped by to talk about Arthur. Jessica took in thin lips painted a deep fuchsia, the pretentiousness of the stranger's manner, and her hackles rose.

  "Isn't he cute?" A blast of a hundred and twenty dollar an ounce perfume hit Jessica. "I could use him in my commercials."

  Jessica looked down at her shoes. A nightmare vision of Arthur perpetually on the end of a chain, being arranged in poses under the glare of camera lights all day, churned her stomach. His only purpose would be as a foil to this woman whose gravest concerns were the color of her toenails, the state of her hair.

  Over Jessica's dead body.

  "You don't want this dog," she said point blank, "he's got a sullen nature."

  "Oh my!" the leather skirted vision stepped back. Jessica's grip tightened on the collar and Arthur cocked his head benignly. The model moved her million dollar legs clear out of nipping range.