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That made him laugh. “Done.”
“I think food is a substitute for sex,” I mused.
He eyed me as we strolled past stands selling honey and blueberries and muffins. “Princess. You are asking to be spanked. Seriously.”
Why did that suddenly sound so appealing? “We’ll see.”
Christian groaned. “You’re killing me. This is cruel.”
“Don’t be a baby.” I grabbed his hand. “Oooh, look, puppies.” They were behind a baby gate, tumbling over each other in a blur of brown-and-butter-colored fur.
“Puppies. No. I am not getting you a puppy.”
“I never said I wanted a puppy.” Though the idea had merit. “But now that you mention it, I do have a house and I do live alone. Maybe I need a guard dog.”
One of the puppies was biting the other’s ear.
“Yeah, these guys look terrifying.” He rolled his eyes.
“They’re puppies! They will grow into being tough.” I looked to the woman who was standing by the gate with a rescue dogs T-shirt on. “Hi. Are these dogs up for adoption? What breed are they?”
“They’re border collie–golden retriever mixes. They are easily trainable, good with people and children, and very loyal.” She bent over and lifted one up. “Want to hold this little guy?”
The puppy squirmed in her arms and I basically died. It was so adorable. “Yes.” I reached out for him. “They’re good with children, Christian,” I said, thinking about both Camp and the baby I was carrying. Not that he knew that, but still.
“Fabulous.” His tone indicated he thought it was anything but. “I love dogs, Bel, but this isn’t a good idea, you know that.”
“I don’t know anything.” I cuddled the puppy to my chest, rubbing my lips over his soft fur.
Christian laughed. “I don’t think that came out the way you meant it to.”
“Do you have children?” the adoption specialist asked.
“Yes,” Christian replied. “A nineteen-month-old son.”
“Every boy should grow up with a dog.”
My heart was being swallowed whole by the adorableness of the puppy in my arms. The dog yawned. I couldn’t help but give an exclamation of delight. “OMG. This is the cutest little man ever.”
“Your wife seems really taken with him,” the lady said.
Wife. Ugh. That dented my joy just slightly. Would I ever get married? That seemed like something that might not be in the cards for me for a very long time. But I held the puppy out to Christian, hoping to distract him. I didn’t want him to point out to this total stranger that we weren’t married. “Just look at this face.”
“He’s very cute.” He rubbed the puppy’s head.
Christian was doing that thing he did. Where he was calm and easy. But I was learning that it actually masked a very stubborn man. “I work in adoption. It only seems logical that I should adopt.”
That made him snort. “Give the puppy one last kiss then let’s go get you some fried cheese.”
Reluctantly, I gave one last squeeze and handed the puppy back to the woman. “Do you have a card?” I asked. I knew getting a dog was hugely impractical, but it was lonely living by myself. I would love to have a snuggle buddy.
“Sure.” She reached over and gave me the brochure for the rescue center. “We always have new litters being born, so whenever you’re ready, there’s a best friend waiting for you.”
“Thank you.” I sighed as we walked away.
“You’re just not happy unless you’re nurturing something or someone, are you?” Christian asked. “But given that you have no furniture, maybe you should stick with nurturing the plants in your garden right now.”
That did make me laugh. “That is a fair point. But I don’t like living alone. I like company.”
