Page 29 of Where the Wattles Bloom

‘Hey, boy.’ Lachlan crouched down to pet the dog.

The dog promptly dropped to the ground and panted in doggy ecstasy as Lachlan rubbed the furry belly and behind floppy ears. Another dog barked further away and she noticed a blue cattle dog in what appeared to be a wooden baby playpen on the veranda near the front door. Several wiggling forms yipped excitedly from behind the bars.

‘You remember Red?’ Lachlan said as he stood.

Red thumped his tail against the ground as Rowena said, ‘Hey, Red,’ and gave the dog an ear scratch.

‘Come meet Blue,’ Lachlan said after a beat or two. ‘And her puppies.’

Rowena followed him across the lawn to the steps. In the distance she could hear the screech of cockatoos. Unfortunately, they didn’t distract her from the way Lachlan’s ass looked in his blue jeans, pulling taut as he powered up the steps.

The man should live in denim.

‘Hey, girl.’ More crooning and love for the blue cattle dog, who whimpered in delight, her puppies mewling and keening, climbing over each other to get their share.

They were so freaking cuuuute!

‘Blue,’ Lachlan said, ‘this is Ro. She prefers Rowena but I think she’s coming around.’

Rowena laughed. ‘Considering half the town is calling me Ro, I don’t appear to have a choice.’

Even though his attention was firmly focused on the dog, Rowena could see the smile playing on his mouth. ‘How old are the puppies?’ she asked as she reached into the pen to pet the nearest one baying for her attention.

‘They’re six weeks old. That one’—he tipped his head at the puppy she was stroking—‘is Pistachio. Then we have Wally, Macca, Pecan and Hazel.’ He pointed to each one as he named them, then he picked up two of the squiggling bodies, straightened and handed her the girl called Hazel.

Rowena’s heart just about melted as the dog snuffled her enthusiastically, laughing as it licked her chin. ‘You named them after nuts?’

‘Sure. Reggie likes giving them food names. The last litter we named after spices because they were all girls.’

She laughed again. ‘I’d like to have seen that.’

‘It was quite funny.’

‘What do you do with them?’ Rowena cradled the panting pup as if it was a baby, rubbing the soft hairless skin on its belly. ‘Do you keep them?’

‘We sell them locally. Lotta places around here need good working dogs. Why?’ He cocked an eyebrow. ‘You want one?’

Had she been asked before this moment, Rowena would have categorically denied wanting any animal. Given she’d barely been able to look after herself recently, she didn’t think being responsible for something else was wise.

But, oh, they were ah-dorable!

‘I’m not sure a cattle dog would be at home in the city.’

He didn’t answer for a beat. ‘True.’ Their gazes met for a fleeting moment before he looked at the puppy he was cuddling. ‘They’re very energetic and have been bred to work. But they’re also very loyal and protective, so if you’re prepared to exercise them every day then it doesn’t matter where you live.’

‘Thanks, but—’ Rowena held up her puppy, a hand under each front leg, letting her hind legs dangle. ‘Cute as you are, little girl, I think I’ll have to pass.’ She wasn’t here to form attachments, for crying out loud—four legged or two!

‘Sorry,’ she apologised.

‘Don’t be. I think she’s fulfilled her purpose here today. You feel better, right?’

‘I do.’ She really did.

‘See? All you needed was some puppy therapy,’ he teased. ‘You’re welcome to come out any time if you need more.’

Rowena smiled as she nuzzled her nose against the dog’s wet one. She laughed as Hazel licked it. ‘I might just take you up on that.’

Lachlan placed his puppy back in the pen and relieved Rowena of Hazel, repeating the process. ‘Better get you inside. Reggie’ll be busting a gut to get the meal out.’