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“Hey. Slow down. It’s not going anywhere.”
He ignored me and licked the bowl over and over even when there was nothing left.
Mrs. Quinn took in the scene without a word. I prayed we looked like we knew each other well so she wouldn’t make Sam go to the pound.
“Have some soup.” She gave me an encouraging nod and held out her hands for Sam’s empty bowl. He stretched his neck as though he wasn’t quite ready to let it go. His stomach made a strange noise, and then he laid his head back down on my lap.
My first few bites of the vegetable soup were tentative, but then it was like I’d taken a lesson from Sam. It wasn’t long before I hit bottom, the spoon scraping against the porcelain. I shouldn’t be starving either. I’d only been gone from Tamas a couple hours at most . . . but it was as if the quiet and warmth—the safety—of this place had that effect.It was okay to let my guard down . . . momentarily.
“We don’t normally accept pets.” She tilted her head as if reconsidering. “Strangely enough, there have only been a handful of incidences where the issue has come up. But there’s always been someone to foster the animal.”
“No.” I clamped my mouth shut. What the hell was I doing? I needed this place to hide out. Was I going to give it up for a dog I didn’t even know?
If the way I put a possessive arm around his skinny frame was any indication, I was in trouble. The cold must have done something to my brain. I didn’t get tangled up emotionally with anyone—human or dog.
Her smile turned sympathetic. “You’ve been here less than thirty minutes and have already sparked an idea for a new program.”
I tucked my feet up under my legs and realized too late she’d probably have to have the sofa cleaned.Crap. But when I looked up at her, expecting exasperation, it wasn’t there. How could she look past our filth?My filth . ..
“Animals can be therapeutic, and I feel certain some of the area shelters would be willing to partner with us.” Mrs. Quinn almost seemed to be running through her idea in her mind, talking to herself more than to me.
I understood where she was going. There were programs between prisoners and dogs that were supposed to be good all the way around. Not that I knew much more than that.
“You can help us get things off the ground.”
I blanched, but Sam didn’t seem to notice, still dead to the world. “Me? Um—”
“We can discuss it later. Why don’t we start with you telling me what’s brought you here? Then we’ll get you two settled in.”
I swallowed a small sob because it had been a while since someone had showed me such kindness . . . without wanting something in return.
Chapter Five
Drew
“You are notto go into the resident’s living area unaccompanied.”
Then why are you showing me where it is?
Instead of being a smart-ass to the woman who seemed to hold my fate in her hands, I nodded. Mrs. Quinn gave me an extra-long stare. I wasn’t sure if she didn’t believe me or was waiting for me to voice my understanding. I stared back.
“Mr. Carter, I have to give people the benefit of the doubt to a point. It’s no different with you.” Obviously, I didn’t get as much of that benefit as Easton and Dad. She’d been all smiles with them and all business with me. As if I was a street punk. “Don’t mistake my kindness as an opportunity to take advantage. You don’t get three strikes.”
I flinched at the baseball reference. Angry that after all this time I still wasn’t over the past.
“Got it,” I said acidly.
She didn’t react to my mood. I wanted her to. I wanted someone else to feel as irritated as I did all the time. As childish as it was, I wanted her to pay for the low blow. For reminding me of the game I only wanted to forget.
I opened my mouth to do just that, but she stole the opportunity. “You’ll primarily be in the kitchen with Miss Nece.”
“I don’t know anything about cooking,” I said snidely.
Easton shot a warning look in my direction while Dad appeared as though he expected nothing less.Why were they still here?
“She’ll teach you what you need to know.” Mrs. Quinn walked away from the looming door to the resident’s area, heading back in the direction we’d come. “When she doesn’t need you any longer, find me. There’s plenty to keep you busy.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I muttered under my breath.
