“I want a baby,” Jenna said, eyeing Amelia and their sisters. Both Cait and their youngest sister, Melisa, were expecting. “You still have time to make awish.”
Grady pressed his lips into a grim line and exhaled through his nose. “I’m too old forwishes.”
“And I’m too young to quit wishing,” Jenna said. “How about anotherdog?”
“No dogs.” Grady felt a rumble of anger ignite in his gut. “No dogs, and nowomen.”
“No one said anything about women,” Jenna said with a huff. “Is there a particular one you’reavoiding?”
* * *
Linx Colson frownedas she brushed her dog, Cedar. “What were you doing running through thecreek?”
Cedar gave her a baleful look and laid her head down, allowing Linx to pick the burrs and twigs from her long reddishcoat.
Linx found Cedar four years ago after a forest fire worked its way to the edge of herhometown.
Cedar had been burned and suffered smoke inhalation. Her paws were blistered and parts of her fur were charred, but the dog had bravely traveled down the creek and found her way tosafety.
Her owner hadn’t cared to post in any of the lost dog forums, nor did he show up in town looking for her. Linx didn’t feel too guilty keeping the dog, who obviously needed a stable, lovinghome.
Tenderly, Linx brushed Cedar’s lush reddish fur marked with a white crest on her chest. As far as Linx could determine, Cedar was a chow chow and collie mix with a touch ofAkita.
She was intelligent, loyal, and very loving, keeping Linx company and providing her with a listening ear through the lonely nights up in these parts of thewoods.
“There you go, little girl.” Linx detangled the last of Cedar’s fringe. “All pretty and sassy again. Don’t you go running off up that creek. You hear? There’s nothing up there for you. Your home is here, with me.Forever.”
