Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 76022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Detroit went to the kitchen, ready to make a good meal for our little guest. The others started to clean up. I went to grab the film and some supplies to bring up to the third floor.
All the while, I had a little idea forming.
About who I might bring with me to save a dog from the shelter.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Este
“Oh, boy,” I said when I heard a drilling sound coming from the other side of the duplex. “I guess we have a new neighbor, huh, girl?”
Trix growled toward the shared wall, but it was a half-hearted sound. She was still beat from a long game of fetch—her new favorite thing in the world we both discovered once the fence went up. It has been great to start to curb the boredom and excess energy that led to a lot of her barking and reactivity.
“I’m kinda hoping it’s another woman,” I told my dog as I went to the kitchen to check for baking supplies. New neighbors meant I had to offer baked goods. I didn’t make the rules. “For your sake. And therefore mine.”
I’d just gathered all the dry ingredients on the counter when there was a knock at my front door.
Despite knowing I was safe, that there were no signs that I needed to have my guards all the way up, my whole body tensed, my blood froze, my heartbeat started to beat hard and deep.
I didn’t realize my hand had gone automatically for the knife in my drainboard until I felt its smooth handle in my palm.
There was another knock, and I heard Trix’s nails click as she made her way toward the front door.
She wasn’t barking.
So it was probably just the mail lady.
I hadn’t ordered anything, but maybe there was some sort of mail for the landlord she needed to drop off.
I slid my hand behind my back but kept the knife in my palm as I made my way toward the living room.
It wasn’t until I was almost at the door that I heard a voice call through it.
“You home, Este?”
Saul.
I tried not to notice the way my heartbeat thrummed, how my blood warmed, how desire pooled.
I slid the locks and pulled open the door.
“Hey, Saul,” I said, shooting him a smile.
“Fence looks great.”
“It killed me to go with black paint,” I admitted. “But it did kind of make the whole thing blend in.”
“You made up for it with the hammock.”
“I was so happy when I came across that one at the thrift store. It’s perfect. Well, aesthetically. It’s kind of uncomfortable.”
“Looks like it might be pulled too tight. If you loosen the links, it might be better. Hey, girl,” he called.
Following his gaze, I saw Trix trying to wedge herself between me and the doorway.
“Not a single bark. I’m impressed. Were you cooking, or expecting a serial killer in the middle of the day?” he asked.
My hand had fallen from behind my back, and the big chef’s knife was on full display.
“I never get drop-by visitors,” I told him, moving aside in silent invitation. “So, what brings you by?”
I was kind of hoping he might say to finish what we started the last time he was in my home.
But nothing about his body language said he was ready to ravage me.
“I actually wanted to see if you wanted to come on an adventure with me.”
“An adventure. That’s mysterious. Is it to a new home improvement store?”
“It’s to a dog shelter.”
“A dog shelter?”
“A buddy of mine has fallen on some hard times, and his dog ended up in a shelter. He’s fucking sick about it. I wanna go and adopt him, so he can have him back.”
“That’s really sweet.” I placed my knife down on the coffee table. “But why do you want me to come?”
“I’ve never adopted a dog before. Not sure how it’s gonna go. Wouldn’t mind an expert.”
“I mean, I’ve only done it once. But I’d be happy to come. Do you want to go now?”
“He’s chomping at the bit to get his dog back.”
“I bet. I can’t imagine. Let me just find my… there you are,” I said, finding my shoes and shoving my feet in. “How long do you think we’ll be gone? Trix is usually fine for seven-ish hours. Though on slow shifts, I do sometimes rush home just to let her pee.”
“The shelter is only about forty minutes away. So back and forth, plus however long it takes to adopt him.”
“Is he in a normal kind of shelter? Or one of the private rescues?”
“Normal shelter. Why?”
“Because it’s much easier to adopt from a shelter. They don’t usually insist on the home visits and such. Typically, if they’re okay with your form answers, and you have the money, they will let you take him home today.”
“That’s the plan. Any sneaky questions I should be aware of?”