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“How old do you think they are?” Scarlett asks.
“It’s hard to be sure, but I think this little one—”
“Delgado,” I say, feeling a rush when I look over and see Scarlett trying to hide her smile.
“Delgado.” Theo grins. “Nice. I think he’s maybe a year and a half or two, and have you named the husky?”
“Lucia.” I reach out and pet her.
“I think Lucia’s maybe a year at most. And I don’t think they’ve been on the street long. Their paws aren’t too bad and Delgado would’ve been showing signs of distress more than Lucia.” He stands up and looks at me. “I told Scarlett I’d post about them in some of the groups I’m in and if you guys put the word out around the lodge and at the businesses on Heritage Lane, we should be able to get them back to their owners in no time…if they want to be found.”
Scarlett nods and leans down to pick up Delgado. He looks over at me smugly.I know it, buddy. I’d be happy leaning my head against her chest too.
“Brought you some things. Best dog food I know of is what Sally Shire makes, but I wouldn’t recommend giving them that unless that’s all you plan to ever feed them.” He grins and rocks back on his heels. “I’ve gotta run. Call me if you need anything else. I can’t tell whether to hope you find their owners or that you don’t. Which one of you is keeping them?”
There’s something a little sly in the way he asks, and I can tell I’m right by Scarlett’s pointed look and his attempt at innocence.
We both speak at the same time.
“Me.”
“I can now that I have the leashes.”
“Lots to figure out around here,” Theo says.
Definitely a little shit-stirrer. He reminds me of myself when I’m trying to get under Zac’s skin. Scarlett looks down at Delgado, but her jaw is clenched. I stifle a laugh and pretend like it was a cough.
Theo reaches out to give Delgado one last pet and walks to the door. “I guess I’ll see both of you at Grinny’s dinner party on Saturday night.”
“Yeah, see you there,” I respond. “Thanks for bringing all this over.”
“Sure.” He knocks on the doorframe twice and leaves.
“Well, I’d better get to work,” I tell her. I lean down to pick up the box. “I can come back for them once I get this out of here…”
“It’s okay,” she says, shaking her head. “They’re good here.”
“Are we fighting over custody of our dogs now, Scarlett?” My lips curve up.
She sniffs. “We don’t knowwhothey belong to yet…but if we don’t find their owners, I think they should be with me.”
“And why is that?”
“You’re not even planning to be a Landmark resident. Do you plan to take them back to Boston in six months?”
I shift the weight of the box to my other side. “You’re looking pretty far ahead…what’s wrong with enjoying these dogs while I’m here, figuring the rest of it out as we go?”
“Because you’ll leave them brokenhearted when you decide you can’t be tied down to small-town living,” she spits out, her face flushing.
The only sound in the room is Lucia sliding into a sprawl across the floor.
“Does that mean you’re planning to stay too?” I stare right back at her, and she squirms, crossing those sexy as fuck boots in front of her.
I want to lift that sweater dress and see what lacy surprise is underneath.
If she’s wet for me.
“I have more resources for finding them a home around here than you do, and you’re busy running a lodge.” She lifts her hand around the room and dips her head, offering an annoying yet valid point.
