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He didn’t even have to coax her. She lapped gently until it was gone. I poured a little more and she mopped it up too.
The pressure that had been on my chest since she’d stopped eating eased. She’d eaten. And she was happy.
We sat in silence for a long time. Ash was content to be nestled between Teague’s legs. I was fine with prolonging the moment too.
“I should go,” he finally said, though he made no move.
Everything in me rebelled at that. I wanted to ask him to come home with me, have supper, maybe take the dogs for their evening walk. Instead I stayed statue still.
Regret washed over his features. His strokes became stilted. Ash looked up at him as if she knew time was short. She put her head on his leg in ayou’re not going anywheregesture.
“I can’t do this every day.”
“I wouldn’t ask that of you.” And I wouldn’t. He had a life. He wasn’t responsible for me or the dogs.
We always found our way and we would again.
He brushed his thumb across my cheek. I closed my eyes.
“In another life . . .” he said hoarsely.
“This is the one we have.” I gathered the bowl and put it back in the plastic sack before shoving it into my bag. “Ready to go home, Ash?”
I stood. She remained sitting on Teague’s foot. The next step would be her wrapping her paws around his leg and refusing to leave.
I hoped it didn’t come to that.
Reluctantly, he rose. As predicted, Ash still didn’t move, literally glued to him.
He looked at me helplessly. I lifted a shoulder and lowered it. There was no good answer.
“Will you let her sleep with you tonight?”
I was caught off guard by the request but nodded. Gently, I tugged on the leash. She wouldn’t budge.
Teague unwrapped the scarf around his neck and held it out to me. “It’s only fair since I have her paw print.”
Oh God. My chest tightened painfully when he patted his pocket. Did he have the imprint with him? Had he the other day?
I swallowed hard, my throat too clogged to speak as I accepted the scarf.
He bent to kiss Ash’s head and whispered something against her fur.
A crushing sensation walloped my heart. She whimpered, as if she knew this was goodbye.
He flicked his chin at me and walked off without looking back. Ash struggled to chase after him, even pulling me a few feet. She barked until he was out of sight. No words I used to try to calm her worked.
I wrapped the scarf around her neck, hoping Teague’s scent would soothe her.
Ash tried to pull me in the direction he’d gone but eventually conceded to heading home.
I knew without a doubt she wouldn’t eat until she saw him again.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Teague
I emptiedmy pockets onto the dresser.
