Chapter Twenty-One
Idon’t know who I even am anymore,” Pepper announced to the cute wiggly fur ball. “This isn’t me. I’m not a dog person.”
The puppy gazed from her lap, all innocent eyes, and tried to nip her nose. The sweet little bundle couldn’t cause any harm unless it affectionately slobbered her to death.
“There you go, you’re doing it again,” she cooed. “That face. How can I resist you when you make dat widdle face.” It was as if being with Rhett had expanded her heart and now there was room for even more surprises. Like baby-talking to a puppy. Good lord, if Tuesday could see this she’d catch hell.
Pepper frowned. Speaking of her sister, she hadn’t returned her last two calls or three texts. She grabbed her phone and checked again to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. Nothing. The last message—Hit pound if you’re still alive—from last night sat in the message box delivered but unread.
“Coast’s clear.” Rhett sauntered back into the room. He headed to a well-stocked bookshelf, fiddled around, and music filled the room, a virtuoso acoustic guitar. “Lou Ellen’s left the building.”
“Speaking of your sister.” Pepper tucked her feet up under her legs. “Is she always so…inquisitive?”
“That was her best behavior.” He grimaced. “She liked you.”
“I liked her, too.” And she did. “We’re two bossy dames at heart. Big sisters unite.” Hopefully she didn’t come on that strong to Tuesday. She only ever meant well when advising her sister, but sometimes had an “I know best” attitude.
“She means well, but likes to get a rise.”
“I prefer getting a rise out of you more.” She traded her moment of sisterly worry for a teasing flirtation. Hopefully fluttering her lashes would drive away the uneasiness.
“I’m partial to it myself.” His drawl didn’t have a hint of humor. The hot look in his eyes made her cross and recross her legs.
“Careful now.” She covered the puppy’s ears with a wink. “Kitty has big ears.”
When she said the name it felt perfect.
“Kitty?” he rasped.
“I’m keeping her.” There’s a sentence she never expected to be saying.
“But…” He blinked. “You don’t like dogs.”
“I know.” There was no way to explain the feeling filling her heart near to bursting. This was her pet. Hers and hers alone. The truth sank in to a bone-deep level. It didn’t make any sense, but that didn’t mean it was any less true. Her fur mama hormones kicked in to hyperdrive. “But she’s not any dog. She’s Kitty.”
“You sure you’re up for that?” His forehead crinkled skeptically. “You don’t know anything about having a puppy. It’s hard work. Lots of responsibility.”
“Good thing I live next door to a really smart vet.” She waggled her eyebrows. “And he’s a looker to boot.”
He sank beside her on the couch. “If you’re serious, then here are a few tips. First, there’s going to be lots of chewing. You ready for that?”
“I can hide my special shoes.”
“Vaccinations, a bathroom routine, food, obedience, socializing.”
She nodded. “Not a problem. Routine is my jam.”
“But why do you want to do this?” He looked inquisitive.
There it was. The million-dollar question. “I don’t know,” she said. “It’s that…she needs me. But it feels healthy rather than co-dependence. Like we can help each other.” She screwed her nose and ducked her chin, embarrassed to open up. Deep inside was a part of her desperate for unconditional love. But that was heavy stuff, and flings were light as air. Weigh them down and pop—the magic would vanish.
She liked Rhett, and Rhett’s magic, too much to want to kiss it goodbye just yet.
Take the awestruck way he watched her. Like she was this fun, relaxed, confident woman. Boy, she had him fooled. The last thing she wanted to do was remove the mask like aScooby-Doovillain and say, “I’m actually a neediness vortex. Hah hah. Fooled you!”
Kitty heaved a contented sigh, blissfully oblivious to her new owner’s internal turmoil, and drifted asleep.
Dog care was a breeze compared to her confusing feelings toward her secret fling. “What should I do now? I can’t hold her all night, but it’s a shame to wake her up.” Faulkner, Steinbeck, and Fitzgerald crept under the table, tails thumping against the floor, checking on what all the fuss was about.
