Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
I stood, taking the bill. “Great. Thanks.”
“He needs a pill twice a day and to come back to have the bandage changed. We’ll check it out again. Meanwhile, if he gets lethargic or starts trying to get at the bandage, bring him in. Or if you notice a lack of appetite—or anything that seems off.”
“Will do.”
We drove home, Miller letting his head hang out of the window, enjoying the fresh air. I had his leash tethered so he couldn’t get out, and he was strapped in for safety. He was a great dog. I had rescued him as a pup, a fluffy little bundle of furry golden retriever. He had been trapped in a burning house with his siblings, and I’d gone back in and gotten them out. When the owner screamed she was missing one pup, I’d run back in, searching under the bed where she had yelled he liked to hide.
I barely made it out before the roof collapsed. My chief gave me shit for days.
The owner gifted me Miller.
He’d been my steady companion for three years. He came with me on my shifts and was well cared for at the station. Other than the firefighters, he was friendly with others, but more reticent than retrievers usually were. I didn’t mind. Even at the dog park, he preferred my company to other dogs.
We were made for each other.
He grew tired of looking out the window and sat in the passenger seat, facing me. I rubbed his neck, happy to have him with me again. He lifted his head, pushing his cold nose into my hand.
“I’m glad you’re back, buddy. I missed you. Cold nose and all.”
He let out a low noise and rested his head on his paws. “No more going off the trail when we go for a run. I hate seeing you hurt.” I scratched between his ears. “I’m sorry I missed a piece of the thorn. I thought I had it all.”
His tail thumped as if he was telling me it was okay. I felt terrible for overlooking a fragment and his getting an infection. I was grateful for a good vet and being able to get him treatment quickly.
“I got you a treat for when we get home.”
He lifted his head at the word treat. He loved those.
“Cheese,” I added.
His ears perked up and I chuckled. That was his favorite treat. I finished the drive with my hand resting on his neck, relieved he was back.
At the house, I saw Casey’s SUV had returned. I parked at the side and went in the back, Miller following me. His ears went up at the sounds from the other side of the wall. I stroked his fur in comfort.
“New tenant. She’s got a cat.”
I swore his ears went back.
“No worries, bud. He’ll stay over there, and you’re safe here.”
I grabbed a soda and sat down on the sofa, Miller crawling up beside me. I took a drink as I rubbed his head. “We should have an early night.”
His tail thumped.
“I need to go over and build the cupboards in the morning.” I yawned. “I’ll do that first thing.”
I got another thump.
I frowned, listening to the noises next door. Casey was moving things around, and I idly wondered what she had bought.
Then I wondered why I was curious.
There was another loud noise next door, and I could hear her voice and some curse words. I started to get up, then forced myself to sit.
Whatever she was doing was none of my business.
I didn’t care. And she didn’t want my help.
I wondered why that rankled.
Then I wondered if, somehow, I was fucked.
The laughter in my head told me I was.
Chapter Four
JESSE
Iwas up early the next morning, anxious to build the cabinets and get them installed. I put on a pot of coffee, letting Miller out to relieve his bladder while it brewed. He never left the yard, so I wasn’t worried. He’d run around and sniff the bushes and trees, checking out his territory, then settle on the deck to oversee it all.
I forgot about the new neighbor, though. I carried my coffee outside, looking around, surprised not to see him. I called, expecting him to race around the corner, but he didn’t show.
Oddly enough, I could hear him, so I walked toward the sound, stopping when I saw him sitting on Casey’s little back porch, his head in her lap as she stroked his head.
And the kicker?
The damn cat sat there too, and Miller wasn’t at all bothered by it.
“What the hell?”
Casey looked up, and something caught in my chest. She wore overalls today, a tight T-shirt under them in a shade of blue that matched her eyes. Her damp hair was loose, hanging down to her waist, and she had sneakers on. She wore no makeup, jewelry, or adornments.