Page 46 of Carver’s Craving

I scooped Walter into my arms and followed Poppin to the laundry room.

As Carver predicted, figuring out which container had their food was simple. Damn thing was gray and covered in dogs of every conceivable breed.

Locating the scoop was also simple and, unsurprisingly, each bowl had the dog’s name on it.

I gently laid Walter down. “Your daddy really does spoil you both. I love it.”

After I dished out their food, I sat back to watch them eat. Walter nibbled daintily while Poppin barely stopped to chew. She just wolfed everything down. When she was finished, she headed out of the room, undoubtedly toward the kitchen. When Walter’s bowl was empty, he gazed up at me.

I scooped him into my arms and headed back into the great room. “I can’t believe walking is so painful for you. If I sat around all day, I’d put on so much weight.”

“And yet he never does. Of course Poppin’s smaller than him—hence why they can eat the same amount of food. And he’s capable of walking around. I just don’t make him.” Carver shrugged. “Dr. Zephyra said as long as he gets some activity, it’s okay.”

“He seems incredibly content.”

Carver made his way to the couch with two spoons. Each had a bit of peanut butter and each had a pill barely visible.

“Bribery?”

He shrugged as he held each spoon so the dogs could lick the peanut butter off. “I’ve never had them refuse and the pills always go down without fuss. Dr. Zephyra suggested this and I have to say that it’s brilliant. She’s brilliant.”

“That’s nice. To have a good vet. I suspect that’s pretty important.”

“Yeah, Styx, it really is.” Carver nodded.

“I’ll finish dishing up the food.” Easy enough to do as he’d already started. I opened the fridge, and then frowned as I spotted a jar I’d missed. “Hey, is this cheese sauce? For the ham?”

“You could. I’ve got it for the asparagus.” He shrugged. “It’s just store bought. I’m usually too tired to cook it from scratch. Although I’m able to and I have a great recipe.”

I cocked my head, gave that a good thought, and then continued dishing everything out. “This smells amazing. Just let me throw the cheese sauce in the microwave.”

“You’ll never know how much I appreciate coming home to dinner being ready. I often just throw a microwave meal in.” He squinted.

I laughed. “Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me. I counted at least eight. I’m surprised you have room in your freezer for ice cream.”

He grinned. “I always have room for ice cream.” He waggled his eyebrows.

Another laugh burst from me. “Yeah, I can see that about you.” I put the plates on the table.

He rose—a little stiffly—and moved to the dishwasher. He put the peanut-butter spoons in there and then made his way to the table. “Thank you.” He sat.

I joined him. “This really is my pleasure. I appreciate you putting up with me. Or putting me up. Or however that goes.” Heat raced to my cheeks.

“I’ll say it’s my pleasure—because it is. It’s nice to have someone around.”

“Yeah…you really do keep to yourself.”

He stilled. “Not always. I’m close to a couple of guys at work.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I mean, I know everyone’s name. And I go out with them on Friday nights.”

“Poppin and Walter let you?” I teased.

“Yeah. They’re okay with one night. They’ve got pee pads, but they’re okay. I mean, I’m home by seven.”

I blinked. “That’s your night out?”