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“Look, Thor. This is just easier. You can pay me back if you want or I can just make it part of your remodeling fee.”
“My fee is covered for helping Caleb.”
“That’s a damn big favor for a friend.”
“So? I only have one best friend and he’s worth it.”
My gut churned. I didn’t have one of those. I had my brothers, but I’d never really had a best friend. Gage and Dare came close, but they felt more like another set of brothers. I was surrounded by them, for God’s sake.
“Whatever. It’s just easier. And the dog is worth it too.”
Lucky huffed out a growl. “I’ll pay you back.”
“Fine.” I slid the card closer to Janice. “Ring it up. Oh, and Grant wants us—Lucky—to come back in ten days. Could you make him an appointment?”
“Sure thing.”
The little dog was now his problem. I had enough of my own.
Five
Surprisingly, I didn’t even try to take my keys back from Ruby. I just got back into the passenger seat.
I could count the number of times someone other than me had driven my truck on one hand. Not that it was surprising she’d be the one. She was magnificent. All that red hair had been scraped back with a rubber band she’d stolen from the checkout counter. It made her angular face even more arresting. She’d stalked to the truck without even a second thought about having me drive.
Some guys would be offended, but a strong woman always got my dick heading for the happy land of paradise. Probably because I’d learned over the years that women were just as capable as men, if not more so. Ruby had capable stamped all over her in freckles.
The conversation back into town was nonexistent. She handled the truck like she did everything else—assertively. It was late afternoon and I really needed to get back to the site and clean up.
I’d left everything where it lay after I found Butch. The oily discomfort hit me squarely in the gut. I knew most people saw me as a good time guy without responsibilities, but over the last few years working for Gideon, I’d found my place. I was dependable when it counted. And the job site was one place I could be counted on.
I dug out my phone and found a few texts from Gideon. Wincing, I texted back that I’d take care of what I’d left behind.
But instead of being angry, he just asked about the dog via Kimmie. I grinned at the dog on my lap and snapped a photo to send back to Gideon. Then I told him I’d clean up and finish the job tomorrow.
“You’re not posting your new dog, are you?”
I looked up. “That’s an idea, but no. I was just checking in with Gideon.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, we did kind of just scram.”
“Yeah, but it’s under control.” Sort of. But I didn’t need to bother her anymore today. This woman hadn’t even thought about saying no to taking care of Butch. From driving to the clinic to paying for her, there had been no hesitation.
“I’ll pay you back, by the way.”
She didn’t take her gaze off the road. “Not a big deal. Just glad it wasn’t worse.”
“Agreed.” The dog was settled in my lap in a shrimp formation, her nose tucked under her fluffy off-white tail. The vet had to shave a few spots that were too matted to clean, but overall, she looked perfect.
Far too perfect to be a street dog, or whatever he’d called her. Chinese street dog? I stroked a finger along her head. “I wonder if dog DNA works the same as humans?”
“Why are you a mutt too, Thor?”
“Probably. I don’t really know.”
Her gaze whipped to me. “You don’t know?” Those expressive brown eyes were questioning, but a bit softer than I was comfortable with.
I shrugged. “Dad was MIA, mom was about the same. I lived with my gram for a little while before I hitched a ride out of town. I was around twelve. Can’t really remember. Been on my own ever since.”
