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Now he was stoic as I’d been forced to experience far too often.
I nuzzled the puppy against my chest, grateful that at least he didn’t seem any worse for wear. As I sensed Phoenix was looking at me, I closed my eyes. “We need to find his owner. He’s not a stray. The other dog had a collar and he’s well fed.”
“I know who the owner was. Unfortunately, the puppy is an orphan now.” There was almost no emotion in his voice.
“How do you know that?”
“I just do,” he said.
“You’re infuriating.”
“And you don’t need to worry about it.”
“Damn it, Phoenix.”
As he slowed down, he rubbed his hand across the puppy’s head. “What are you going to name him?”
“You’re avoiding the subject.”
“Am I doing a good job?” His grin was only half what it had been before, his eyes still holding tremendous concern. “By the way. It’s tough for Justin to meet new people. I think he feels like they’re going to take him away. He spent some time in a foster home before his grandparents finally came to offer some help when Dahlia was in and out of rehab. I’m only telling you this because he’ll probably reject you at first. He might even do something like hit you. I’m trying to teach him how to be a gentleman, but sometimes he doesn’t listen. I don’t think he’ll hurt you, but I can’t be certain.”
I was surprised he was the one rambling. After unfastening the seatbelt, I scooted a little closer, the puppy whining as soon as I did. “Did anyone ever tell you that you talk too much?”
He burst into laughter. “I can’t say I’ve had that one before.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t be offended. Maybe the puppy will break the ice.”
“He loves animals.”
When he pulled up to a house, the door was thrown open immediately, a young boy racing outside.
“I’m not going to name him. Justin is because it’s his puppy.”
When Phoenix gave me a stern look, I winked then blew him a kiss.
“You’re a damn handful, Ms. Tillman.”
“Which is why we’re made for each other.”
I eased the puppy onto the seat, slipping out and tugging the coat tightly around me. The sun was warmer than the day before, additional snow already melting, but I wasn’t certain I would ever feel warm again. How could I? A woman came onto the porch. She was older, reminding me of the perfect grandmotherly type. By the smile on her face, it was obvious she cared for Justin deeply. I felt terrible that I’d been jealous of her.
Jealous.
I hadn’t realized that’s the way I’d felt but it was true.
As the little boy raced toward his father, I sensed the moment he noticed me out of the corner of his eye. He stopped short, his face pinched. I had a bad feeling he was about to throw a tantrum or start crying. Instead, he walked over to me with purposeful steps.
“What are you doing, Justin?” Phoenix called.
I held out my hand, shaking my head at the same time. Then I hunkered down to be at Justin’s level, allowing him to come to me.
He held out his little hand and I sensed Phoenix had slipped behind the truck. “Who are you?”
I took his hand into mine and the strangest feeling rushed through me, a warmth unlike anything I’d felt before. “I’m Wren Tillman. I’m a friend of your daddy’s.”
As he cocked his little head, he wrinkled his nose as if trying to figure out if it was okay I could be a friend. “You’re pretty. I think I like you.”
“I think you’re handsome as well. And I have something for you.”
