We stopped at the store to get a leash, food, kennel, bed, bowls, some toys, and dental treats. Laida stayed in the truck with him while I shopped. Whatever we were missing, we could pick up later. When I came out, they were asleep on the front seat. I set everything in the back of the truck and quietly gotinside. Rusty barely moved. He opened his eyes and lifted his head to acknowledge me but then laid it back down on Laida’s lap. She had one her arm draped over his body and was leaning against the door.
It was a quiet ride the rest of the way home.Home.It seemed like an absurd thought since we hadn’t even solidified if we were dating yet, but it did feel that way. It was an easy thought with Laida. I hadn’t considered being with another woman since my ex, but Laida is special. There is something different about her and I find myself thinking of her every second of the day.
From the moment I saw her in the firehouse, I knew she was someone I wanted to know more about. She’s quiet and a little reserved but was slowly opening up to me. We really hadn’t been able to spend much time together since that first week that I met her. Still, there was chemistry in that kiss, but it was scary at the same time. I didn’t know if I was ready to date again.
I wanted to spend more time with her. Work was settling down and my routine was set, so I was optimistic that it would be easier. My mind kept drifting back to my hand on her leg and her hand on top of mine at the Vet’s office. The touch was electric and we both felt it.
I finally pulled down the long gravel road to her farm. When I parked the truck, Rusty hopped up and nudged Laida with his nose under her chin. “Hey… oh my goodness, I fell asleep.”
Smiling at her, I said, “I didn’t have the heart to wake you. You’ve had a long day.”
“So have you. I’m sorry this monopolized your evening.”
I fixed my eyes on hers. I didn’t want to mince words. “I can’t think of better way to spend my night.” The connection with Laida felt instant and I hadn’t been able to shake it. It was frustrating being so damn busy at work that I couldn’t spend as much time as I would’ve liked with her. I love my job, and for along time, it’s been all I’ve needed, but meeting Laida changed that.
As we got out of the truck, I grabbed Rusty’s new things. Laida started walking with Rusty toward the porch and he was walking fine. The doctor was right, so I breathed a sigh of relief.
Rusty started pacing once we got inside and I had a feeling he was thirsty, so we got him all set up with a bowl of water and some food. He started scarfing the food and lapping the water up as soon as we laid it down. Poor guy must’ve been starving. Laida said, “I’d like to kennel train him just until we can get him into a routine. This is so unexpected, and the house is still a construction zone. I don’t want him to get hurt.”
In agreement, I said, “Yeah, that makes sense. He’ll be okay.”
After we let him outside to do his business for the night, I put him in his bed, inside the kennel, closed the door, and put a blanket over it to keep him warm. I had a dog growing up and learned that dogs see their family as their pack. If you completely shut them off from their new pack, it won’t be long before they start whimpering, so I left the blanket cracked a little. This way he could still see us and didn’t feel alone. Rusty watched us through weary eyes as we made small talk, and within minutes, he was snoring.
Laida said, “I’m exhausted. And I stink. I never did get to shower after working in the yard.”
That was my cue she was ready to be alone. “Right. Well, I’ll go…” but she cut me off before I could finish.
“Do you want to stay for a while? I have wine and some snacks. I just need to shower. I’ll be quick, but I totally get it if you’re busy.”
Not wanting to miss the opportunity to spend more time with her, I eagerly answered, “No! No… I mean, I’d love to stay for a drink.”
She blushed, “Make yourself at home. You know your way around. I’ll be back down soon.”
I watched her turn and go upstairs. All I could think about was that she was about to be naked in the room above me, and I wanted to follow her.
Chapter 8
Laida
After my shower, I put my hair in a long braid, tossed on some sweats that hung off my hips and a sweatshirt that hung off one shoulder. I was dressing to flirt with him, and I didn’t know whether that was a good idea or a bad one. After the second kiss, though, and his hand on my knee… my body was awake.
When I stepped downstairs, he was sitting in front of the woodstove in the living room, putting a log on the fire. There was something comforting about seeing him there, like he belonged there, athome. Even though it was June, the late evenings still felt cool enough for a fire. The warmth of it made the room feel cozy like a fall evening. I decided to grab his attention. “Hey…”
He looked up from where he was sitting. His eyes opened wider as he looked me up and down, then said, “…Hey, I hope you don’t mind. I started a fire. This old house can be a bit drafty, even in June.”
“I don’t mind at all. Thanks, Jesse.” I liked saying his name and I liked the way he smiled when I said it. “Not a sound from R-U-S-T-Y?” I spelled out his name because dogs have megahearing capabilities, and I just knew he would wake up if he heard it.
Jesse chuckled, quietly. “No, I could hear him snoring again, just a few minutes ago. I bet this is the best sleep he’s had in a long time.”
I grabbed two glasses, a bottle of Dandelion wine, and sat down on the floor next to him. Jesse is gorgeous. Hazel brown eyes that held untold stories stared into the fire. He’s built, but I guess he has to be in his line of work. I can’t imagine carrying people out of burning buildings.
“What’s this?” He asked.
“This…” I poured him a glass and then mine, “… is Dandelion wine. It’s incredible.”
He smelled it and then had a drink. “Honey…”
Grinning, I said, “It does have a honey-like flavor.”
