Meant to Be by Terri Osburn Page B

field, manes flying in the wind, basking in their freedom.
    Instead they were in a pen, or what looked to be a series of pens, with little room for running. What was the good of being wild when they couldn’t be free? The questions related to her own life as much as to the horses’ lives. Even with the fences gone, after her grandparents had passed and were hopefully enjoying the afterlife, Beth continued being what they wanted her to be.
    Beth shoved down the threatening resentment and headed back to the Jeep. Her grandparents had scrimped and saved to send her to college, and she owed them for those sacrifices. Other than thanking Joe for showing her around, she didn’t say much on the way back to town. Until Joe parked in front of Dempsey’s.
    “What are we doing here?”
    Joe shrugged. “Patty told me to drop you off when we were done. She and Dad are both working, and she didn’t want you left at the house alone.”
    Beth ignored the trace of disappointment that Joe wasn’t stopping for lunch. He’d promised to show her the lighthouse and the horses, not spend the whole day with her.
    “Dozer needs water, so I’ll take him back by the kitchen door, but you go ahead.” At the mention of his name, the mutt squeezed himself between the seats and drooled on Beth’s shoulder.
    “Yes, that’s you,” Joe said. “Let’s go, bud.”
    Beth followed the pair onto the deck that ran across the front and down the side of the restaurant. As Joe and Dozer reached the top step, the dog froze, emitting a growl that vibrated the boards beneath her feet.
    Finding the source of his agitation was easy enough. Between the step and the entrance stood Cassandra Wheeler, shooting Dozer a look that said she’d be wearing him by winter.

CHAPTER TEN
    “E asy, Doze,” said Joe. The dog grew quiet, his body still ready to pounce.
    Beth climbed the last two steps to take the spot on the other side of Dozer, but when she did, the dog moved in front of her as if protecting her from the dangerous blonde. Joe said his name again and the dog sat, never looking away from Cassie.
    “I see all your heathen creatures are still the same,” Cassandra taunted, looking unamused. “You really should learn to keep them on leashes.”
    Beth didn’t think Joe had other pets, so she had no idea what that comment was about.
    Then Cassie looked at her. “You look familiar. Who are you?”
    “This is—” Joe started, but Beth interrupted him.
    “I was working at Lola’s store when you came in to see her. You left your business card with me.”
    “That’s right. She hasn’t called me yet either.” Cassie tucked a clutch under one arm and stuck a hand on her hip. “Did you give her my message?”
    “I did.” No need to admit Lola threw the card in the garbage. “I can see you’re on your way out. Don’t let us stopyou.” Beth stepped to the right, forcing Dozer and Joe to do the same.
    Cassandra narrowed her eyes, clearly not missing Beth’s dismissal. “My offer still stands, Joe. Call me when you’re ready to talk.”
    Beth could have won an Oscar for her casual response to Cassie’s words. Cruella must have assumed that she and Joe were together, hence landing a parting shot. Dozer continued the growl as Cassie passed by, putting as much distance between herself and the mutt as possible. For a moment Beth imagined Dozer chewing one of Cassie’s expensive heels. Drool would do a number on that silk skirt, too.
    “Let’s go, Dozer,” Joe said as Beth watched Cassie climb into a Mercedes. “What was that all about?” he asked.
    She doubted Joe was talking to Dozer, so she turned around. “What was what about?”
    “You stopped me from introducing you as Lucas’s fiancée. Why?”
    Beth had actually been saving him from mentioning where she worked. The last thing she needed was Cassie knowing a rep from her daddy’s law firm was on the island. One call and Beth could be forced to become one of Cassie’s minions.
    She