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Maybe it was just a trick of the light, but Anna Beth thought there was a sheen of tears in Sarah’s eyes.
“Of course. I appreciate you, too.”
For the first time, Anna Beth didn’t regret her return to Snowy Springs. Maybe Ian really had been onto something.
Eleven
Jared woke up sputtering as something warm and wet slid across his lips and cheek. His eighty-pound chocolate lab, Rip, hovered over him, panting in his face. When Jared didn’t move fast enough, Rip let out a series of ear-splitting, excited barks. Jared groaned.
“I bought you a doggy door so you could let yourself out to pee. Why are you all up in my grill at…” Jared squinted at his clock on his night stand. “Six-twelve in the morning, on a Sunday?”
Rip bounced off the bed and came back with a stuffed duck toy in his mouth. He dropped it, slick with dog drool, on Jared’s chest.
Jared grimaced. “I get it. I haven’t been home much the last few days and you missed me. Still doesn’t mean I want such a rude awakening.”
Rip laid down on the bed with a huff, as though he didn’t appreciate being lectured.
Jared stretched before climbing to his feet. He stared down at his dog, whose tail thumped rapidly against the comforter as he walked around the end of the bed.
“I’ll go get cleaned up and, if you’re a good boy, we’ll get a pup-cup at Foam Capped Java.”
The minute he said pup-cup, Rip released a stream of excited barks and tore out of the room, zooming back a minute later.
“Yeah, you’re excited. Now, give me some space. I need to make myself gorgeous.”
Jared picked his phone up off his charging station and slid his thumb over the screen. A new text from Anna Beth with an attachment. He clicked on the picture. It was a selfie of her, smiling while the kitten she’d found asleep on her chest.
I think I’m in love.
The message was sent after eleven last night, but he’d already passed out by then. After only four hours of sleep yesterday, followed by hours with his family decorating, he’d been dead on his feet and barely remembered the snowy drive home, let alone climbing into bed.
She probably wasn’t awake yet. Lord knows, he wouldn’t be if not for his pain in the rear dog. He texted her back anyway.
Very sweet. I like her stripes.
Jared set his phon
e on the bathroom counter. He took off his boxers and went through the short hallway into his tile shower. Jared bought the house as a foreclosure last year and worked his ass off remodeling it, especially the destroyed bathroom and kitchen. He’d built his shower as a walk-in with dual shower heads on opposite walls and the deep soaking tub under the window looking out over the trees. He never used it, but maybe he’d meet someone to build a life with who would enjoy it.
He finished washing and rinsing his hair and body and stepped out of the shower. He dried off and wrapped a towel around his waist while he finished his routine.
He turned on his playlist and 90’s grunge blared through the room. Rip lifted his head off the bed and his tongue lolled out of his mouth as he watched Jared moonwalk to his dresser. His parents had dogs while he was growing up, but they’d never let them up on the furniture. Jared didn’t mind sharing his bed with Rip. His pal could sleep anywhere he wanted too.
And if a woman ever had a problem with it, he’d show her the door.
Jared dug inside the top drawer and his hand touched the envelope mixed in with his socks. He pulled it out and slid the folded letter out. Another envelope dropped onto the hardwood floor, but that one wasn’t addressed to him. It had Anna Beth’s name on it.
Jared opened his letter, reading it again.
Jared,
This letter probably came as a surprise to you. You may have even forgotten who I am. I’m going to write this letter as though you haven’t. I don’t know why you and Anna Beth stopped talking, although, I can hazard a guess. She is an amazing woman, but I bet you already realized that.
I don’t know when but, at some point, she will go back to Snowy Springs without me and I’d like to make a request of you. Please, look out for her. Help her. She will be hurting. I want someone who knows and cares about her to watch over her.
I might be pushing my luck, but here goes. I’ve enclosed a letter for Anna Beth. Please, make sure she gets it when her list is finished?
The way Anna Beth talks about you, I know you’re a good man. I only met once before the wedding and I wish we’d had a chance to get to know each other. Thank you in advance.
