She touched his arm, and he jumped almost out of his skin. Her question sounded like an interrogation. Like he was somehow wrong in speaking Alana’s name out loud.
“That’s her first name,” Brian said. “I don’t know her anymore because she’s passed away.”
“I’m sorry.” Cait slid her hand from his arm to his hand and grasped it.
It felt good, but also strange at the same time, so he didn’t squeeze her back. It wasn’t their night for what she called lovemaking.
The dogs also jumped off the bed and hovered around him, wagging their fluffy tails, so he petted them. “This is Sierra. She’s the older one, and the black one is Melia. They were supposedly lost after the accident.”
“They feel scrawny under all that matted fur,” Cait said. “We should take them to the vet and get them checked out. Do you think Thornton is looking for them?”
“They’re not his dogs.” Brian felt his throat tighten at the mention of the senator. “Alana, er, Mrs. Thornton got them for their son, Glen. He has trouble relating to people.”
“Oh, then we need to make sure Glen gets his dogs back.” Cait rubbed Sierra’s head like she was good friends with her. “Let’s get some sleep, and tomorrow we’ll go to town and get on the internet.”
“Right,” Brian agreed. “We sleep. I’ll take the couch.”
Cait’s idea was brilliant. The dogs would lead him back to Glen. All they had to do the next day would be to contact the senator and let him know they might have found Sierra and Melia, but they wouldn’t turn over the dogs to anyone except for Glen.
“Brian.” Cait tugged his arm. “The bed’s big enough for all of us.”
“No, tonight’s not the night.” He shrugged her off. “I said I’ll take the couch.”
Her mouth turned down in a frown and she huffed. “Be that way, but at least give your wife a hug. Aren’t you glad to see me?”
He dutifully followed her instructions. It was easier to give her a hug and say he was glad to see her than to endure more talk and discussion.
“I’ll see you in the morning.” He hazarded a kiss on her forehead. “You can have the dogs to keep you company.”
See? He was making progress. He even gave her a concession.
Mrs. Thornton would be proud of him for improving his social skills. So proud, she’d give him a reward by taking off her clothes and letting him touch.
He always did like to please Mrs. Thornton, and he was the best student she ever had.
