It seemed to change him, as if it were part of his dominant aura.
“Why don’t you walk me around the property?Show me what we have to work with?I have a few ideas already loaded on my tablet, and we can sit down and go through them.”
“It seems like you should be asking other people.I didn’t even show up to my high school graduation party.”
“I can.If you hire me, I’ll be happy to contact your family members myself, get their ideas then make my recommendations to you.”
“Yeah.You’re definitely going to earn every penny you’re paid.”
From nowhere, a gigantic, seemingly unkempt, barking dog raced toward them.She took an instinctive step back.
“That’s Loopy.My mother got her when she was about a year old.She got too big for her previous owners and they were going to abandon her.My mother couldn’t let that happen, so Mom took her in.”
“What is it?”
“A mutt.We know she’s part Old English sheepdog.”
“And part polar bear?”she asked.
“Could be.”
The gargantuan four-footed ball of fluff skidded to a stop in front of them, tail wagging furiously and her tongue hanging out.
“Does her name have any significance?”
“You tell me,” he replied.
“I’m guessing she wasn’t the pick of the litter?”
He grinned, showing his affection for the pup, and allowing her to see another side of him.How many grown men adored crazy dogs?
“Loopy, say hello to our guest.”
Obediently, the dog lifted her giant paw in Sofia’s general direction.Overgrown hair covered the animal’s eyes.
“How does she see anything?”
The dog whined and batted toward her.
“Her feelings will be hurt if you don’t shake,” he informed her.
“Are you serious?”
“Oh yes.She’ll resort to licking and jumping up on you if you don’t say hello.”
Grateful she’d worn black pants instead of the white ones she’d considered, she handed her belongings to Cade then bent to accept the proffered, muddy paw.
Apparently still not satisfied, Loopy lunged forward to lick all of Sofia’s face, from bottom to top, in a single swipe.
“She likes you.”
She wiped off the affection and accepted Cade’s help to stand.“Does she greet everyone that way?”
“If she doesn’t like you, she nips your heels to herd you back into your vehicle.”
“You’re making that up.”
“No, ma’am.”
