.

      “Your place or mine, Counselor?”

      Dumbfounded, Cassie almost dropped the phone. “You, Mr. Hardin, have to be the most arrogant, insufferable man I’ve ever met.”

      “Well, nobody’s perfect,” Nick agreed, “but you’re the one who said we had a problem to solve. I’m just suggesting we settle things over a bottle of wine and a sensible conversation.”

      “Oh, I’m sure you handle all your problems with a bottle of wine and a sensual conversation…”

      “I said sensible conversation,” Nick corrected.

      Cassie ignored him. “I left Duchess with the vet earlier, but we won’t know for a few weeks if she’s going to have puppies.”

      “Then what?” Nick quizzed.

      “Then you can save yourself a lot of trouble and pay for the damage your mutt caused, or we can go to court.”

      “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you, Counselor?”

      “What do you think?” Cassie challenged.

      He laughed. “Lady I think if you’d let nature take its course the way your fancy show dog did, you’d have a much better outlook on life.”

      Dear Reader,

      You might say I’m living proof that love has a lighter side. I met my husband on a blind date to, of all things, a Halloween party. Dressed as a punk rocker with purple streaks in my hair, who knew I’d meet the man of my dreams? His incredible sense of humor overlooked my ridiculous costume and two years later we walked down the aisle. This time, however, I had baby’s breath—not purple streaks—in my hair.

      A big fan of romantic comedy even before my own personal episode, I got the idea for Lady and the Scamp while watching a telecast of the Westminster Dog Show. The Best In Show winner was all puff and fluff and the poor trainer was having a terrible time keeping her away from the big red-bone hound who won runner-up. “Don’t you know the trainer would have a fit if those two got together?” my husband asked, and by the time we both stopped laughing, the story was already forming in my head.

      I had such fun writing Lady and the Scamp. I hope you have just as much fun reading it.

      Best Wishes,

      Candy Halliday

      I owe special thanks to my husband, Steve, for putting up with the crazy life of a writer. I also owe special thanks to my agent, Jenny Bent, and my editor, Susan Sheppard, for believing in me.

      This book is dedicated to my wonderful daughter, Shelli, who has always been the pride of my heart and the joy of my life.