“You got it.”
“I’m heading to your house later to take Zeus for a walk. Did you forget to tell me anything else or where you keep the saddle?” Liam asked her.
“You’re too kind. I didn’t want to ask you to take him for a walk,” she stammered. “Zeus will love you forever. I keep his leash in the mudroom. Tell him you’re taking him for a walk and hold out the harness. He’ll stand still while you put it on him. He’s great at walking and stays one step ahead of you.”
“I’ll take good care of him and will drop by in the morning,” he said. Taking the pad, he scribbled down his cell number. “Call or text me if you hear from Doc before I arrive. I’ll take you home.”
“Oh, Liam. You don’t have to do that,” she said. “I can find a ride.”
“I’m coming to get you. You already said you don’t know many people here,” he insisted. “It’s not a problem, I promise.”
“Thank you, “ she said as he rose from his chair.
“Wish me luck. If I don’t answer my phone, Zeus has decided to eat me,” he teased, making her laugh. “Goodnight, Addy.”
“Goodnight, Liam,” she murmured.
He nodded before closing the door. The way she bid him goodnight sent his motor running. He threw his bag into the SUV and headed to the facility to start his new life, hoping Addy was part of it.
CHAPTER 5
Liam lethimself inside Addyson’s home. “Zeus,” he called. He heard the dog’s thunderous run down the stairs. This time, the Great Dane didn’t freak.
Entering the mud room, he saw the harness and held it out to Zeus. “I’m going for a walk.” The dog bounded toward him and stood still while Liam attached it. Truly impressed, he grabbed the leash and attached it, taking the dog outside. True to her word, Zeus stayed one step ahead of him as he held the flashlight to see the road. Did Addy walk him this late at night? Questions swirled in his head. She mentioned she didn’t know many people, lived in a remote area, and walked at night. It’s not like someone would try to attack her with the Great Dane by her side.
When Zeus slowed down and turned back toward home, Liam let him take the lead. He let him roam outside in the fenced-in area to do his business. When he brought him back inside, he refilled his water bowl and gave him another treat. Checking to make sure the house remained secure, Liam made a round. A dog home alone and bored might get into mischief. He walked up the stairs and glanced inside the rooms, not wanting Addy to return home to a mess.
He pushed the door wider to find Addy’s room. The bedspread and room appeared feminine, but in an entirely different way. Everything matched in different natural tones and light browns. A little ruffle here and there, but the room immediately sent out relaxation vibes. She set up a small reading nook, and he found a ton of how-to manuals. A puzzle table sat near the bed, and a notebook opened to a grocery list. Liam moved on to the next room to find a memorial wall dedicated to her husband. Candles sat beside the table, recently burned. Pictures of his military service and his flag sat in the corner, while the others contained flashes of her life with Sam. They seemed like a happy couple.
He checked the last bedroom and found an empty rocking chair with a teddy bear sitting inside. Heading back downstairs, he locked the back door and patted Zeus. “Don’t worry, buddy. She’ll most likely come home tomorrow. If not, I’ll visit you again and keep you company,” he assured him. Zeus stood on his hind legs, placed his paws on Liam’s shoulder, and whined. His head rested against Liam’s chest and he rubbed the animal’s back in comfort.
“Do you feel lonely? All right. How about I stay a bit longer and we watch TV?” he asked the dog.
Zeus ran to the couch and made himself comfortable while Liam turned on the television and picked a movie.
Letting him get comfortable, Zeus placed his head on his lap, peering up at him with huge eyes.
“Addy said you’re her baby. Now I see why she said it. You’re nothing but an overgrown one.”
Zeus pawed at him, wanting him to scratch his head. Rubbing the soft grey fur between his eyes, the dog fell asleep. Liam didn’t have the heart to move him, so he leaned back on the couch, getting cozy. His eyes drifted closed and he thought about the woman who occupied his brain day and night. Samuel diedthree years ago, and Addy moved here two years ago, according to the other staff members. It seemed like a long time to mourn, and he wondered if she moved on or if she didn’t allow herself to have a life without Sam. The man died a hero, saving eight men. He couldn’t fault her for having unresolved issues after seeing the happiness in the couple’s eyes.
Something told him to back off, but a voice inside his head said, “Stay.” He drifted off to sleep with an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other.
CHAPTER 6
Leo leftthe hospital feeling determined to make things right. Returning to the facility, he called Jake and Carol to pick up the kids, then called Samantha for the massages. Setting his alarm for 1400, he worked on the mound of paperwork sitting at his desk. When his watch buzzed, he finished reviewing the last contract and grabbed his jacket and the small bouquet of daisies he purchased for his daughter, tied with a bright purple bow.
He parked the truck in the school parking lot and watched for his daughter as the kids piled out of the school, running for the buses or breaking off into groups to speak with their friends.
He saw her fiery red hair, like her mother’s, and waved. She didn’t see him as she spoke with LJ and Emma, two of the Serenity Mountain kids.
“Melody,” he called, waving.
She turned and scanned the school yard until her eyes landed on him. She said something to her friends before turning around and walking toward him.
Leo felt a bit of sadness at seeing her take her time getting to him, when in the past she used to light up and run into his arms.
“Hey, June Bug,” he said, hugging her affectionately. “I counted the hours until your school day ended. I missed you.”
