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“Are we going to open these or leave them piled up?”
Before I could answer, Muffy attacked one of the boxes, ripping it open with his teeth. He stood proudly with little pieces of cardboard all around him.
“I guess we’re opening them.”
Chapter Seventeen
Teague
“Want to grab a bite for lunch?”
Pepper looked at her feet. “I can’t. We have too many dogs to leave Miss Adeline on her own.”
“Beau’s with her.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
We’d unpacked all the beds and scattered them throughout the shelter. Something about the word shelter didn’t sit right. Miss Adeline and Pepper had created a home for the dogs. Their love and care and dedication to the animals was admirable.
“You have to be hungry. I’ll run to the deli down the street and get a spread for everyone.” I sounded desperate. I knew it and didn’t care.
Beau was going to give me hell for this later. I didn’t care about that either.
Seeing the look of awe and gratitude on Pepper’s face when she saw what we’d bought, made it worth it. She’d struggled to find words for her emotions, but she didn’t need them.
I liked that maybe we’d made things a little easier for her.
She loaded a stack of flattened boxes into the truck bed.
“I’m sure you have other things to do.”
I leaned against the lowered tailgate. “Not really.”
“Your sister is only here for a short time.Shehas things she’d rather do. And you should spend time with her.” She fidgeted with the edge of a box.
“If she didn’t want to be here, she wouldn’t be. Besides, she’s happy for the excuse to be off work.”
“Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” cranked up from my pocket. It was a reminder I hadn’t been at the station in a few days. Normally, this ringtone would’ve been a different song by now.
Pepper arched a brow but said nothing.
“Hey, big brother.” I put the phone on speaker.
“Where’s Beau?” Always to the point.
“She’s with me.”
“I thought she had jet lag.”
“She does. I’m showing her the latest therapy for that.” I winked.
Pepper stared at the phone with wide eyes. My brother’s abrupt style was an acquired taste.
“What therapy?”
“Come to West Seventeenth Street and you’ll find out. It could help you too. You’re drawn up so tight you couldn’t get a speck of dust up your ass.” I mouthedsorryto Pepper, who stifled a snicker.
“Because I’m responsible for everything,” he snapped, then sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day. Dad’s hounding me about Beau’s whereabouts.”
