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Rebelle hesitated, she didn’t understand why Diane was here and why she wanted to see everything. At the same time she just wanted to get rid of her. Maybe if she just did what the woman wanted then she would leave? Rebelle was dying to ask about Will. She had seen his GQ shoot, well, had specifically searched for it. And then drooled over the pages, him shirtless, his arms behind his head, his thick biceps flexed and the tattoos coveringhim that she ached to trace. She couldn’t get it out of her head, wanted the man himself right here.
She took her back to the dogs and Diane lingered over the two Chihuahua brothers, Bruiser and Beast. For the first time since she arrived, Rebelle noticed her expression soften.
“They came to us after being rescued, someone had left them in the woods, and they managed to survive until they were found.”
“Oh!” the cry slipped from Diane taking Rebelle by surprise.
“They’re fine now, we found them and they’re looking for theirfurever home,” Rebelle said, emphasizing the ‘fur’ and Diane snorted.
“That’s good, I like that pun.”
Rebelle hid her smile behind her hand and for some reason felt extremely proud of herself for cracking Diane’s harsh façade.
“I’ll take them. I can pick them up in a week. It would be sooner but my husband is whisking me away for a few days. I saw them when I last visited and couldn’t stop thinking about them,” Diane revealed, barely taking her eyes off them.
“Would you like me to get them out, you can play with them for a little while we do the paperwork?”
“No,” Diane said firmly. “I’ll want to take them now if I do.”
Rebelle understood. Diane didn’t want to get attached to them until she could take them home. Rebelle had a similar feeling, had worked hard to not get attached to the animals but now she couldn’t help it, she was weak.
She gestured for Diane to take a seat in the office and they filled out the paperwork together. Then once it was done, Diane said a quick goodbye to the pups and Rebelle walked her to the sportscar that reminded her so much of Will.
The whole encounter with Diane, although great because Rebelle had adopted out more animals, felt a bit strange. “Diane, why did you really come here?”
Diane turned to her and arched a formidable brow. “For the dogs.”
“Okay, why else did you come here?”
Diane pulled on her expensive looking leather driving gloves. “I was interested.”
“In the shelter? I won’t sell it, no matter how much you offer for it,” Rebelle replied fiercely, and amusement lit Diane’s blue eyes.
“No darling. I was interested in you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, I wanted to see if you’re as miserable as he is.”
Rebelle choked on the air leaving her lungs. Eternally optimistic Will was…miserable? Visibly, not trying to hide it, miserable? She needed more information, was greedy for it.
“And?” she asked, her voice strangled.
“You’re hiding it better than him but I’d say you’re about as bad as each other. In his entire life, I’ve never seen him the way he is now.” Diane flicked some invisible lint from her coat, feigning boredom but now she had revealed a weakness. She cared for her son, deeply, to be here checking up on Rebelle.
“I like you, Rebelle. You’re a good woman and I did my research on you. I have a feeling I know the things you’ve overcome, and I will forever admire your courage and tenacity. We’re a lot alike and for that, I’m excited to get to know you. He’s chosen his match well.” Diane hit her with a hard stare. “But if you hurt my son, I will destroy everything you love.” Then she put her glasses back on and turned, getting into her car.
Rebelle stood there, no words coming to her, the whole conversation had left her in shock, and her brain couldn’t compute the information or form words.
“Thank you for letting me adopt those two beauties in there, even though I know I’ve been difficult. I look forward to havingthem in my life, and you.” Diane waved and then she drove off, leaving a gobsmacked Rebelle tripping over her thoughts.
Will was miserable, without her? If he was so miserable, why hadn’t he chosen her? Why hadn’t he comehome? It didn’t make sense.
The dogs started howling, it was past their dinnertime and she jumped to work, realizing that meant she needed to be at Christy’s in one hour.
It was the night before the wedding and Justine wanted to spend it with all her bridesmaids. Rebelle hadn’t heard from the others if Will was coming or not, although she had assumed he would be, knowing he and Blake were friends.
She finished her jobs at the shelter and packed up the things she needed for the night then hopped into her truck to head to Christy’s, as the men were holed up at Justine and Blake’s.
