But I have yet to meet Newton’s gorgeous owner. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised because people who hire dog walkers are usually people who work a lot, and that’s why they need me. Still, Logan is my only client whom I’ve never met, or even spoken to over the phone. All of my dealings are with Mariella, whom I’ve realized is only one of several assistants.
We round the corner to our street and Logan’s house comes into view. To be honest, the mansion is much bigger than my parents’ home next door. It’s a beautiful brick manor with white columns on the front porch that give it a stately air. The front door is cream with frosted glass windows, and of course, the property is meticulously maintained. There are beautiful dogwood trees scattered about, as well as white rose bushes giving the estate an elegant air.
I frown as we approach. Newton has been particularly hyper on our walk today, but at least it’s almost over. But as we make our way up the long path leading to the property, a squirrel darts in front of us and it’s all over. Newton bolts off and this time, the leash is ripped right out of my hands, leaving my palms sore.
“Newton! Come back here, you drat dog!” I yell, but of course, it’s no use.
Newton takes off at a full run, and chases the squirrel around the house to the back door. I fly after him as fast as I can, panting like a madman with my hair whipping around my face. Dang, today was not the day to wear a skirt because I’m sure it’s flying up in the air and showing off my creamy cheeks and cherry red thong right now. What was I thinking? But with the other dogs I walk, I swear it’s not a problem at all.
Unfortunately, despite being big, Newton is also fast and I don’t catch up to him until he’s already on the back porch. Whatever he was chasing apparently disappeared or he just forgot about it, because he’s turns to give me a doggy smile before pushing through the doggy door and entering the house. I step onto the porch, clutching my side through a stitch while trying to catch my breath.
“Newton, I swear you’re killing me. Logan really needs to get you some obedience lessons, and not with me. Someone else needs to take you.”
But the Newfoundland merely pants on the other side before scampering off to drink from his water bowl. Huge amounts of water are being sloshed onto the floor as he laps thirstily, and then the dog lets out a happy bark from inside. Sighing, I reach into my pocket for the house key, and then freeze. My eyes widen as realization hits me because with this skirt, I don’t have any pockets, which means I don’t have the key to get in the house. This wouldn’t be a problem with any of the other dogs I walk, but with Newton it’s a huge problem because of his ADD medication. I need to get inside to give him his medication, or who knows what the pooch will do? Probably tear the manor apart with his hyperactive behavior as he bounces off the walls in a frenzy.
OMG, OMG, what do I do? Closing my eyes, I reach out and try the handle on the back door, praying I forgot to lock it on the way out. But it doesn’t budge.
“Fuck!” I swear. “Fuck fuck fuck!”
I drop my forehead against the door and knock, which is pointless since no one’s home except for Newton who I can hear shuffling around just on the other side.
“Open the door, Newton,” I beg. “You do know how, right?”
Of course, Newton doesn’t open the door because dogs can’t open doors. Well, dogs with zero training like Newton can’t open doors because it’d take a doggie with brains and discipline! And I can’t leave without giving the pooch his medicine either, so what do I do?
I back up onto the emerald green lawn and look up. There are a ton of windows surrounding the massive house, so I start tiptoeing around the hedges, tugging every window as hard as I can trying to find just one that’s unlocked. Unfortunately, no dice. As I tug on the last with desperation, my heart sinks and anxiety creeps up, forming a lump in my throat. How could I have been so careless? I’ve only had this job for one week and already I’ve made this stupid mistake. Logan Henley probably knows people who know people, and my reputation as a dog walker will be ruined. My new business will be in ashes before it’s even started, and all because I decided to wear a skirt today! Fuck!
But I can’t let something so stupid ruin my new career. I’ve just got to find a way inside to give Newton his meds, and then everything will be fine. It’ll be like it never happened.