Page 114 of Carver’s Craving

I’d been wrapped in kindness. Overwhelmed. We’d come so damn far.

We were halfway to the front door when it opened. Obviously Baxter had turned the handle, but Poppin came flying out of the house to greet us.

Styx crouched down so she could lick his face.

I caught sight of Baxter, hanging back. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I just thought…that maybe she wanted to go out.”

“Possibly. Or she might’ve just been excited we were home. She recognizes my SUV a long way off. We haven’t left her alone often since Styx moved in.”

Baxter nodded. “Sure.” He stepped back into the house.

Poppin, undaunted by the snow, found a spot to do her business.

“I should grab Walter while we’re at it.” Styx headed into the house.

My dearest girl started barking her head off.

“Hey, come here. You know you’re supposed to be on a leash.” Then I heard the sound of tires on the gravel. I made a grab for Poppin and caught her. “Wouldn’t do for you to be hit by a car.” Well, a nice-looking SUV. I squinted.

Oh shit.

Still, I plastered on a smile. For some reason, I hadn’t expected to see Seth. I waved when he exited his vehicle with a small bag. “Hey. Come inside. It’s fucking freezing.”

“Sure.” He followed me indoors.

Styx passed us with Walter. “I suspect this won’t take long.” He headed toward the clearing we’d made.

“If this is a bad time—” The RCMP officer began.

I waved him off. “Just a bit of doggie chaos. I need to get a towel because even though she was out for just a moment, she’s already wet.”

Even as I said the words, though, Baxter appeared from the laundry room with a towel. I was absurdly touched that he’d figured out the routine and was fitting in so well. To me, that made it easier to convince him to stay until he was back on his feet. However long that took.

He stopped short when he spotted Seth.

Pure panic.

Seth held up the bag. “I’m returning your things. Okay? Nothing more.”

“Arlene?”

“She’s in jail and due for a hearing about bail in a few days. I doubt she’s going to get it.”

That wasn’t a guarantee, though. Which worried all of us.

“Walter’s done.” Styx came inside and closed the door.

Baxter handed me the towel and spun around. He stalked back to the laundry room.

“What…?” Styx frowned.

“He didn’t take my visit well.” Seth winced. “I didn’t really think this through. I could’ve asked him to come to the station, but—”

“You brought his stuff?” Styx gestured to the bag.

“Yes. Just—”