Page 59 of Sincerely, Mr. Braden

My heart stumbles. I didn’t think I’d ever want to be anyone’s girlfriend again, but I never thought I could be his.

Chapter Twenty

Taylor

“Seth, he’s only one dog. He doesn’t need an entire bag of treats and four bones for one afternoon,” I say as Seth drops another beef marrow bone into the basket. After breakfast, we both handled what we had to, clearing our schedules for the rest of the day, and Seth insisted we go to the pet store before picking up Barney.

“Says the woman who has five dog beds in her house.”

I didn’t realize he noticed. “One never knows which bed a dog will want to sleep in.”

“As if they don’t sleep in your bed?” He tugs me into a kiss, then drags me to another aisle and tosses two balls into the basket. “Let’s find a Frisbee. Dogs love Frisbees.”

“I don’t even know if Barney has seen a Frisbee before.” I secretly love seeing him act like a kid in a candy store for a dog he’s never met.

“All the more reason to get him one.” He plucks a blue Frisbee off the shelf and puts it in the basket. Then we head to the register. “What’s Barney’s story? How old is he?”

“He’s nine, and his story is sad. His owner was older, and he’d raised Barney since he was a puppy, but then he had a stroke and had to go into an assisted living facility.”

He finishes paying and takes my hand as we head out to the parking lot. “What about the guy’s family? Nobody offered to take Barney?”

“Nope. They said their lives were too busy. When Barney first came to the shelter, he was depressed. My friend Joe, who manages the shelter, said Barney whined every night when the lights went out.”

When we reach Seth’s SUV, he draws me closer, his gaze softening, and says, “Well, sweetheart, we both know how much that sucks, so we’ll make today extra special for him.”

Knowing that big heart of his embraces dogs and not just people makes me fall a little harder for him. “That kind of charm will get you everywhere, Mr. Braden.”

Seth

The blond guy behind the counter at the animal shelter lights up as Ellie comes through the door. “Hey, Taylor,” he says enthusiastically, standing so fast his chair skids. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

I bet you have. He’s looking at her like she’s sunshine itself.

“You have?” she asks.

“Yup. I made you something.” He grabs a bag from the desk and comes around the counter. He is tall and fit in a flannel shirt and jeans and looks closer to Ellie’s age than mine. “I saw your name on the schedule yesterday, and I happened to be baking sourdough last night.” He holds up a bag and shakes it. “Your favorites. Cranberry-orange and chocolate-cinnamon.”

She squeals—actually squeals—and hugs him. “Thank you!”

Great. Bread guy returns her embrace like she’s his and starts talking about sourdough like it’s foreplay.

“You’re so sweet! I have been having withdrawals.” Ellie turns to me and says, “Seth, this is Joe, the best sourdough baker in Port Hudson.”

I shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, Joe.”

Joe nods, but he keeps looking at her like she’s hung the fucking moon. “I’ll get Barney. I know he’ll be excited to see you, too.”

“Thanks,” she says.

As the door closes behind him, I slide my arm around Ellie’s waist and say, “Barney’s excited to see you, too? Seems like Joe’s a fan.”

“He’s so nice. Wait until you taste his bread. It’s like heaven on a plate.”

“Guess I’d better up my game.”

Her eyes glint with amusement and surprise. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy?”

“Maybe,” I admit with annoyance. “I’ve never been jealous before.”