Page 33 of The Other Half

“Don’t say it,” she warned, fighting a smile.

“I’m just saying.”

“Well, don’t. Come on, Poppy!”

Her little dog ignored her and continued chasing Hank in circles. When she called again and got ignored, I snickered. “Hank, come.” After skidding to a stop, he spun around the returned to my side. Expectant eyes stared up into mine waiting for the next command. Poppy followed him onto the porch and Cassie was able to snatch her up.

“We’ve never really worked on the whole commands thing.” Cassie shrugged. “I like her to feel like she has freedom of choice.”

Pinching my brow, I shook my head. “I like him to stay alive and having solid commands he listens to does just that.”

“I suppose.” She sighed. “Let me just lock her up.”

“Lock her up? Does she destroy stuff?” I asked, wondering how much damage a dog that size could do. When Hank was a year old, he’d eaten a hole through my wall and most of a couch. What could Poppy really do? Nick a shoe?

“I lock her in the bathroom with a big fluffy bed since it doesn’t have any windows. That way if a bear or a wolf or something breaks in, they can’t get to her.”

A lone eyebrow rose while I choked on my laughter. “What?”

She nodded, but I could see her losing her confidence in the decision under my stunned stare.

“You do know that’s insane, right? And we don’t have any bears or wolves for that matter. The only thing around here, besides Musky, that might take her are coyotes or maybe a hawk.”

“See! That’s why I lock her up!”

“In the history of Door County, no coyote or hawk has ever broken into a house and stolen a tiny dog.” I snorted.

“Really? You’re sure?” Those eyes searched mine and the child-like innocence inside them hammered away a little harder at my walls.

“I’m positive. She’s safe loose in your house. Where the hell are you from, anyway?”

Silence settled between us for a moment.

“Um, Chicago,” she answered then turned on her heel and went into the house. “Here you go, Poppy. You can be free in the house. Don’t get eaten. I love you.”

Peeking around the corner into her cabin, I watched her shower her dog with kisses. The state of the cabin surprised me as I looked around. Pink accents clashed with the brown and orange I imagined were there long before she moved in. The mismatched fabrics and colors made it look like she’d attempted to redecorate as best she could, and it only made her more endearing. Glancing to my right, I saw the open door to her bedroom and got a glimpse of the bed covered in soft pink blankets. While I wondered what she slept in, naked or maybe those cute pajamas I’d seen her in, the creepy owl lamp beside the bed made my eyes bulge.

“Ready!” she said, and I shook my head.

“How in the hell do you sleep next to that thing?” I jutted a finger at the owl lamp.

Sucking the air through her teeth, she shrugged. “Yeah. It’s the creepiest lamp in the history of the world. But it’s the only one in there and I don’t have the money to get a new one. So, every night I have to sleep with that hideous thing lording over me.”

“I’m a dude, and even I couldn’t sleep with that thing nearby.”

“It’s rough.” She laughed.

Trying to force the image of the distorted owl lamp from my mind, I helped her over to my truck. When I opened the door, Hank jumped in and settled into his spot in the middle. Cassie grabbed the handle above her head, and this time got in with less struggling. I was prepared to catch her in the event she tumbled out again.

“You in?” I asked before closing the door.

She smiled and nodded, so I closed the door and walked behind my truck.

“She’s just a friend. Like Jo,” I mumbled to myself before I made it to the driver’s side.

But when I opened the door and she brushed a long, golden strand of hair from her face, an inward groan forced my eyes shut. That wasn’t Jo sitting beside Hank in the truck.

Don’t get on the horse, Jake. Don’t get on the horse!