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“He said I could call him Dex.”
He didn’t, but he liked her fudging of the truth. A woman after his own heart.
“Well, don’t be bothering Dex. You can help Perry with the kitten feeding.”
“I was giving him advice. Good advice.”
He nodded. “True. No fingers in the cage and stop thinking of myself all the time.”
She stood and brushed off her jeans. “Just be careful, okay?”
“Okay.” He shared a quick glance with Ashley, who suddenly looked softer in the presence of her daughter. “Take care of yourself, Sparkle.”
“Sparkle?”
“Yeah, like the jewels on your sweatshirt.”
Willa’s mouth stretched in a smile that lingered as she headed out.
Ashley remained behind. “Sorry, she’s kind of bossy.”
“That’s okay. I’m used to people bossing me around.”
She came in and stood before him, looking down. “What was that about fingers in the cage?”
“She told me it would be … injudicious?”
“Ah. She’s on a word of the day kick, trying to improve her vocabulary. And that’s something you want to do?”
“Just trying to get him used to me. Maybe I could walk him sometimes?”
She bit her lip. So cute. “There are liability issues. If you were to get bitten again or if he bit someone else …”
“Not on the street. Just in the play area, when no one else is around. I think he was just scared the last time, but if we spent some quality time together he might adjust better.”
She gave that some consideration. “I’m a little worried about letting him go to a home with kids, especially after what he did to you. So anything we can do to socialize him …”
His heart checked. “He’s up for adoption?”
“They all are. We’re organizing an Empty the Shelters event next month. Most of these animals will find homes then, but not all. But for some of them, the ones who need a little extra attention, we hold them back to see if we can get them ready for prime time.”
Not all of them would find homes. That was a little closer to the bone than he expected. He pulled himself upright.
“Can I help with socializing him? I’ll sign something legal absolving you of any liability.”
“If you really want to do this, I don’t want to stop you.”
“Ah, so you’re fine with me doing this probably stupid thing.”
She chuckled, light and breezy. “I’d never want to stop a man from doing something stupid.”
Dex put a hand on his chest. “That’s cold, Ashley.”
“It is, isn’t it? You go ahead and walk Bandit and see if that decision comes back to bite you.”
“Fair enough. Can we start now?”
“Give it ten minutes. I’d prefer if Willa wasn’t here. She’ll want to pet him.”
