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Lucas
It turned out the dogs needed more stuff than I did when I traveled. Between the beds, leashes, doggie clothes, dishes, food, treats, and toys, we set two packed suitcases into my SUV.
Ellen had been so relieved when we’d offered to take them, she’d hugged us both and cried. But I worried how tonight would go if I was being honest.
“You sure Caleb and Daisy will be okay with the dogs in their house tomorrow?”
Brooke nodded. “I think so, but I’ll ask them to confirm and let you know if we need to make other arrangements.”
“Okay. Assuming everything is good, I’ll drop them off in the morning on my way to work?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Text me when you’re on your way, and we can do the exchange. Will you be okay alone with them tonight?”
I eyed the dogs, who were currently going berserk in my back seat, clearly excited about the car ride. “Yeah. Thanks again. I couldn’t do this without you.” And I really wanted to be able to do this for Myrna and her family.
I stepped forward to hug Brooke, but the moment I touched her, I knew it was a mistake. The sensation of her curves under my hands didn’t bring the comfort I’d sought. Instead, I started getting hard. I practically shoved her away so she wouldn’t feel the evidence of my inconvenient desire. “Um, good night. See you in the morning.”
I’d grown up with dogs and knew what to do, but these pampered, pedigreed pooches would surely miss their dog momma tonight, not to mention their home. And in fact, the poor things started whining once we got to my house, clearly unhappy about their new surroundings.
Deciding the best thing to do was take them on a walk to tire them out, I put on their pink rhinestone collars and clipped on the glittery leashes. Something told me Myrna was looking down with a chuckle at the picture I made walking down the sidewalk with her pedigreed dogs and their girly accessories.
Once home from the walk, I set out their beds, water, and dry kibble in the laundry room. But the moment I closed the door, both dogs showed their impressive lung capacity with gut-wrenching howls.
“Okay, ladies. What do you want?” Even as I posed the question, I already knew. “Alright. Come on.” I was resigned, knowing the only way I’d get some sleep was if I let them on my bed.
It didn’t take them long to settle down then, each curling up next to me on the mattress. The older girl put her chin on my hand.
“I know. I miss her too.”
It was a long night with sad dogs who didn’t sleep well. Because I didn’t have a fenced backyard, every time one whined like she might have to use the potty, I had to get the leash and take them out for a walk. Sometimes they’d take advantage of the opportunity. Most often they didn’t.
By the time six a.m. rolled around, I’d gotten maybe three hours of broken sleep and had two tired dogs who now didn’t want to get out of bed. Good thing they were cute.
After a shower, I packed up their things and drove to Caleb’s house.
Brooke came outside once I pulled into her brother’s driveway. Dressed in PJ bottoms and a T-shirt, rumpled from sleep, she looked entirely too fuckable for comfort.
“How were they?”
“Not bad once I let them in my bed.”
She chuckled. “They have your number.”
“They certainly do.”
She cocked her head to the side, her ponytail provoking a fantasy of pulling on her hair while kissing her senseless. “You look tired.”
“They needed out a lot during the night. I think they were restless because they missed Myrna.”
“I bet they do.”
“Did Caleb and Daisy leave already?”
“Yep, they got an early start for a drive up to wine country. I’m officially on baby duty. But unlike these babies, he’s at least been sleeping.” She flashed her phone showing a live feed of baby Henry fast asleep in his crib.
“If the baby and the dogs become too much, call me.” I’d figure out something.
She gathered their leashes and led them out of my SUV. “I’m sure we’ll be fine. At least Caleb has a fenced backyard. What are their names again?”
