Raspberries and Vinegar (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 1) by Valerie Comer Read Free Book Online Page B

wheelbarrow handles down and turned to his mom, who was on her knees in a flowerbed.
    She settled onto her heels and brushed hair off her forehead with the back of a gloved hand. “He was here a minute ago. I got after him for digging. Thought he was with you.”
    Zach groaned and whistled for the pup. Sadie and Old Pete loped around the corner of the house and dropped beside Mom.
    “Good dogs.” She ruffled their ears. Old Pete closed his eyes, sighing in delight. “That pup is the runningest collie we’ve had on the place. He disappears every time I turn my back.”
    “Domino!” No happy yelp greeted him, and no flash of black and white appeared between the trees or outbuildings. The stupid dog. Why couldn’t he be content hanging around when they were outside working in the yard? Domino was only locked in his run when no one was home and even then managed to get out. Otherwise he was with Zach or Mom, often in the house, but he had plenty of exercise, too.
    “Like people,” Mom mused. “Always wanting what he doesn’t have.”
    Zach shot her an irritated look. True, he didn’t like the farm any more than Domino did, but at least he announced when he was leaving and kept in touch when he was gone, unlike the mutt.
    “ Domino!” he bellowed. Here he’d thought he was making such great progress with the pup. He’d been a wee bit proud Domino responded better to him than Mom, being as she was the expert. Probably wasn’t a good idea to foster the relationship, though. He couldn’t take a dog that size with him to the city. Soon enough the spring farm work would be done and he’d be free to pursue his own life, even if Dad wasn’t quite ready to come home yet. By the time the hay needed cutting later in June, Dad should be up for the task. Zach hoped.
    Zach opened his mouth to call again, but thought he heard something. Voices. He cocked his head. Women’s voices and laughter. Coming closer.
    Great, he needed somebody witnessing his failure at keeping the dog under control. To say nothing of his grungy farm clothes, now covered with dirt and manure on the knees of his oldest jeans. Doubtless he smelled a treat.
    What did it matter? Nothing. The women he’d meet in the city would be sophisticated and never have to see him looking like a farm boy.
    The voices came closer, and Jo and Sierra came around the corner of the house, Domino prancing beside them.
    Zach focused on the pup, trying to squelch his flare of frustration. “Domino, come.”
    The dog stopped and stared at him just long enough for Zach’s ire to surge. He took a step closer ready to grab the collie by his scruffy neck and clarify who was boss. Domino bounded the remaining few steps.
    “Sit.”
    The pup’s bottom sank to the ground for an instant.
    “Stay.”
    Domino flopped over onto his back, twisting and grinning at Zach. This wasn’t precisely sitting, but Zach figured he’d made enough of a scene already. Domino was due for some detention time for his escapade. “I apologize. He vanished a few minutes ago. I’m sorry he bothered you and you had to return him again.” He looked into Jo’s brown eyes, but it was Sierra who responded.
    “He wasn’t a problem. Jo and I were on our way over to ask a favor and he ambushed us at the end of your driveway. I don’t think he’d been off your property.”
    Some sort of consolation, at least.
    Jo knelt beside Domino, who squirmed over onto his belly like a beached seal. “He’s a great pup.” She scratched between his eyes and down his nose until Dom dissolved in a quivering puddle. “Aren’t you?” she all but crooned.
    Zach didn’t precisely want a nose scratch, but he could relate to the bliss on the dog’s face. He glanced at Sierra.
    Her mouth twitched when their gazes met, and a lively spark of humor danced in her blue eyes.
    Zach’s mom clambered to her feet. “Good to see you girls. Would you like a glass of juice and some cookies? Come, sit on the veranda and visit a