AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ash gently nudged Eric as if reminding him to take her leash. Muffy barreled out, then looked back at me guiltily like he’d forgotten to wait for permission. Sadie stood at the edge of the van and stared down at the ground as if she wasn’t sure she wanted to jump that far.
Beau joined all of them in the garage and suddenly Sadie and I were the only ones left in the van. She glanced at me, almost in a daring you get out first way.
The overhead garage light illuminated the fact that my suit was coated in dog hair. I resisted the urge to brush it off, though I couldn’t stand to be unkempt.
“You wouldn’t get in and now you’re afraid to get out.” Lexie poked her head through the door.
Her taunt spurred me to action despite that I was over forty, a grown man, a successful business person, and should be beyond allowing anyone to intimidate me. I did as I pleased on my own timetable.
Except when it came to Lexie Logan apparently.
I scooted across the van floor and got to my feet. Sadie blinked at me, and I groaned but lifted her out of the van and set her on the concrete floor.
“She is so spoiled,” Miss Adeline said affectionately as she grabbed her leash.
And I was obviously a sucker for dogs, women who drove VW buses, and guys who wore outrageously colored bow ties that coordinated with their sister’s clothing.
Muffy pawed at my leg.
He’s a dog. He wants something. He’s not intentionally trying to maul your suit.
I inhaled a lungful of air through my nostrils and willed patience to infuse me. The entire car ride had been a test, one I wasn’t sure I was going to pass.
He pawed again. I caught his foot and set it back on the ground. He wagged his tail, seemingly happy with my attention.
“Take his leash,” Miss Adeline whispered.
I thought that was the signal for a treat . . . of which I had none.
Reluctantly I picked up the lead. He bolted forward, and I stumbled. Lexie and Beau snickered.
I scowled, though that wasn’t enough to quiet either of them, and followed Miss Adeline and Eric on the familiar path to the elevator.
My only friend, Daniel, and his wife owned most of the building. I’d been to their apartment a few times, but we mostly met to play basketball or tennis. As of late, I’d come here to see my brother.
After the fire at Grey Paws, Daniel had graciously offered Teague, Pepper, and Miss Adeline an apartment and the entire bottom floor for the dog rescue.
While I would have preferred they stay with me, these accommodations worked better for the dogs. I understood that and while grateful to the Elliotts for their kindness to my family, I didn’t like not being the one to take care of them. I’d failed my family once by not being able to protect my mother. I wouldn’t fail them again.
Teague, and by extension Pepper, Miss Adeline, and the dogs, were my responsibility. It didn’t matter he was only a few years younger than I was and more than capable of seeing after himself.
I couldn’t change the habit of a lifetime.
That habit included Beau too.
“You didn’t come home last night,” I said quietly when she caught up to me.
Lexie sped ahead to walk with her brother.
Beau’s face turned red, though I wasn’t sure if it was guilt at being caught or anger that I was prying in her personal life.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but it was late. You’d already gone to bed.”
Both. That was what the red shade of her cheeks meant.
“What my sister does is absolutely my business. Especially under my roof.”
She yanked on the chain around her neck. “I can find a new roof to sleep under,” she huffed. “And you sound like Dad.”
