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He slid an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into a hug. I dropped my forehead against his chest and breathed in his soothing scent. He rested his chin on top of my head and held me tighter.
Eventually, I gave in and put my arms around his waist.
I needed this.
A moment of reprieve. Where someone would make me feel like it was all going to be okay even if it wasn’t.
I closed my eyes.
He rubbed a strong, comforting hand up and down my back. I held on.
“We’ll get through it.”
I wanted to tell him to save promises he couldn’t keep.
We skated by on sporadic donations and did the best we could with what we had. Somehow we managed to stretch and keep going. But there was never enough money.
Because there were always more dogs to be rescued.
We were about to the point that if we received a call today, we’d have to say no. But we wouldn’t.
Wecouldn’t.
No matter how hard it got, we always figured it out.
Miss Adeline and me. No one else.
Yet I couldn’t seem to tear myself out of his embrace.
His warmth brought a comfort I rarely, if ever, felt from another human. The dogs gave me peace. They didn’t care if my clothes were stained or I didn’t brush my hair or if I ate too much cake.
They loved me at my worst just as much as they did at my best.
Teague had gotten a glimpse at the not so glamorous side of my life. Instead of making excuses to leave, he’d jumped right into the chaos.
And I wasn’t sure what to do with that.
I yawned and sank further into him.
“Is that my cue to go?” His voice had a tease that brought a weary smile to my face.
“I think so.” Reluctantly, I lifted my head and was almost certain disappointment was etched on his features. “I appreciate . . . everything.”
I squeezed him one last time before I dropped my arms. He inched closer. I held my breath. He’d already mesmerized me tonight. His care for the dogs. The safety they’d felt in his arms. I’d wanted that. And now, he was giving me that same safety, and I appreciated it more than I’d be able to communicate. I’d say he smelled great, but he truly smelled like dog. Clean dog, but still. And of course, I even loved that.
But now, as he drew closer, I wondered.
Is he going to kiss me?
I froze, stuck between the desire to feel his lips on me and scared of what would happen if he did.
He was so close, the heat as he exhaled hit my skin. The moment of impact was imminent. And I didn’t know what I’d do.
Just before his mouth reached my forehead, he stopped.
Disappointment and relief sailed through me.
He cleared his throat as if coming out of the same fog I was in.
