Read Wildflower Wedding for Free Online Page B

with his nose. Tony chuckled at his panting dog, whose tongue lolled out the side of his mouth. Exhausted, Digger still begged for more. When Tony turned and headed toward the back patio, Digger barked a protest.
    â€œCome on, Dig, I’ll get you a
treat
,” Tony promised, knowing Digger would follow at his heels. They could both use a big drink of cold water. Tony glanced up at the kitchen window of his neighbor. He thought he’d seen the curtains flutter earlier, indicating she’d been looking out. Her red Cadillac SRX Crossover sat in the apron in front of the detached garage, so he knew she must be home and it was about time he introduced himself to his neighbor who was also his landlord. Reaching up, he swiped at some sweat with his forearm. First, he needed a shower.
    When Tony opened the back door, Digger bounded past him and then danced in a circle in front of the glass jar holding doggie treats shaped like bacon. Tony tossed Digger one and then added an extra, feeling terrible that he’d been neglecting his trusty companion who had been by his side ever since he found him half-starved and digging in the Dumpster in the alley behind Marino Pizza. Gloria had protested keeping the sorry-looking dog, but all it took was one look into Digger’s soulful eyes and Tony’d been a goner. When he’d first considered the apartment, the lease had said no pets. Tony was going to look elsewhere, but Maggie McMillan apparently knew his landlady and he was relieved when she agreed to allow him to keep his dog.
    Tony filled Digger’s big water dish and then pulled a sports drink from the fridge, downing the blue liquid so fast that his head hurt. When Digger looked up at him with adoring eyes, Tony reached down and scratched behind his ears. Digger had remained a calming factor in Tony’s chaotic year from hell. And thank God for Reese, who had been a voice of reason when anger at Gloria threatened to consume Tony.
    â€œDude, she fucked you over, but don’t let her ruin your life,” Reese had said.
    â€œEasier said than done,” Tony mumbled, and then shoved his fingers through his damp hair. He’d waited until his midthirties until getting married, wanting to be sure before taking the plunge. Too many of his friends had gone through tough divorces and he didn’t want to join those ranks. In the beginning, his marriage had been everything he’d dreamed of and then some. Gloria was passionate and loving until the recession hit. When she could no longer spend money freely and when Tony had to devote most of his time trying to save Marino Pizza, she became sullen. Bitchy.
    Unfaithful.
    Ten years of marriage with only half of them being happy cost Tony a business that had been in his family for nearly fifty years. He’d been too blinded by his adoration and so sure of their love that he hadn’t even considered a prenup. What a dumb-ass he’d been.
    â€œAh, don’t go there,” Tony growled, drawing Digger’s attention. He did that little dog eyebrow questioningly thing, making Tony laugh. He really needed to thank his landlady, but first he needed a shower. Digger followed Tony up the stairs to the master bedroom. Being furnished was one of the other draws of the two-family house. Until Tony had signed a year lease, the two-bedroom unit could be rented on a weekly or monthly basis as a vacation getaway because of the close proximity to the river. Fishing and boating were supposed to be pretty good at this wide section of the Ohio River—not that Tony would get the chance to find out anytime soon.
    The hot water sluicing down his tired body felt heavenly. Tony had started running when Reese suggested exercise would help clear his head and strengthen his body. Reese was right. Tony suddenly found himself in the best shape he’d been in since he could remember. With a groan of pleasure Tony lathered up and took a leisurely shower instead of the