AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shake my head again, keeping my voice low. "She's a widow."
Lucille nods, a look of understanding on her face. "Well, it doesn't mean you can't fall in love again. Life is too short to not take chances on things that make us happy."
I open my mouth to respond, but my attention is drawn back to Sam and the pack of dogs. I watch Sam as she scoops up a pup and nuzzles its face, and I feel a sudden surge of protectiveness. I don't want anyone to hurt her, ever again.
Myself included. Because no matter what Lucille is thinking...I'm not the best guy in the world.
I sure would like to be, though.
As if sensing my thoughts, Lucille gives me a knowing wink and heads back inside. I'm left alone with the dogs, and the sound of Sam's laughter fills the air. They're running circles around her, their tails wagging and tongues lolling out of their mouths. Sam's laughing and shouting, her face flushed with excitement.
I can't help but smile, feeling a warmth spread through me. Maybe Lucille's right. Maybe we should both take a chance on this connection between us, even if it's just for one night.
As if sensing my thoughts, Sam turns and catches my eye, then leaves the dogs and walks over to me.
"I'm gonna go inside and get their meals all set," she says. "You wanna get them wrangled up?"
"Sure," I tell her.
I run the dogs a little longer, and then I head inside to make sure everything is all set. Lucille is helping Sam set up kibble bowls and kennels for each of the dogs, and I glance back to the dogs starting to scratch at the door. The house is tiny and old, with cute decorations andlotsof dog-themed trinkets and artwork. Tom looks to be cooking something on the stove--food forus, rather than the dogs.
"Just putting some soup on for you two," Lucille says, looking back at her husband. "You must be starving."
"Thanks," I tell them both. "I was actually wondering where the guest room is...just want to drop my stuff in there and take a quick shower."
"Yes, sir," Lucille says. "Right down the hallway, first door on the right. Bathroom is just beside it."
I grab my backpack and follow her instructions, and I switch on the light to find a quaint guest room with a homemade quilt on the bed.
Of course...there's a problem with that.
There's only one bed.
I file that away to deal withaftermy shower.
Clear head first.
Then I'll deliver the news to Sam.
Chapter five
Sam
It'swellpastmidnightby the time we actually get everything settled, and we'll have to leave fairly early if we want to get to Safe Harbor before nightfall tomorrow. Still, I give myself time to have a quick shower after the day's work, stepping in for a moment's reprieve.
Steam fills the room as the shower runs, and I close my eyes as I step inside the shower. The warm water on my skin makes my heart pound, and it feels weirdly good as it runs in rivulets over my breasts and stomach. I sigh and run my fingers through my hair, my lips parting...
...and I see Evan Hart's face in my mind's eye.
I snap my eyes open and growl, scrubbing my scalp hard with shampoo. I can't think like this; I have a job to do, a family to get back to...
Or maybe I'm just angry at myself because I haven't felt this way since David died.
I just met the guy yesterday; I barely know Evan Hart. But there's definitely something between us. Maybe just the animal rescue similarities, maybe the fact that I know his family and love them, maybe that he's adamn fineman.
I get out of the shower with a grumble and scrub my hair as dry as I can get it before tying it into a loose braid over my shoulder. Then I get dressed in a t-shirt and PJ shorts before I head back to the room.
It's only then I realize there's a single bed.
