They both dove into the gaggle of puppies, picking one and two up at a time and snuggling them. He loved the sound of Reese’s giggles almost as much as he loved the tiny puppy licks.
“They’re so soft and colorful! And they all have such pretty blue eyes. How am I supposed to choose, Hudson?” She glared at him. “I want to pick themall.”
“Only if you’re sticking around to help raise them.”
“I wish I could.” She turned away from him, and whether it was to search for the right puppy or to hide her emotions, he couldn’t be certain. “Can you at least tell me if you want a girl or a boy?”
“Nope.”
“Don’t make it easy on a girl or anything.” Reese knelt down, allowing the puppies to come to her. Some stayed a minute then hurried off. Some ignored her completely. But one half black on one side and half white on the other with hints of caramel throughout darted for her like they were long-lost friends.
He knew.
Reese knew, too.
She lifted to her feet, holding the puppy above her head. “Looks like you’re getting a boy.”
Chapter 8
Reese
Reese reread Vanessa’s email for the fourth time, but still the words weren’t sinking in. She hadn’t made it past the first change request in another long list since she cowardly hid in her bedroom an hour ago.
After picking out Hudson’s future puppy, Reese was a pile of mush. Puppies made the world a better place. They made her feel warm and fuzzy.
And empty.
She could never have a puppy of her own in Chicago. She wasn’t home enough hours in any given day. What kind of life would one have from the ninth floor of her apartment building? Taking the elevator down to find a patch of grass. Watching the world go by from a window.
A puppy deserved open fields and fresh air.
With Reese still on a puppy high earlier, they’d gone straight from Marshall’s ranch to Ernie’s Hardware to pick out paint and flooring. Both were still at the store, waiting for pickup tomorrow per Ronnie’s instructions. Ordinarily she would’ve felt annoyed at the absence of things to do tonight, but she was happy for the excuse to hide out in her room.
At least shehad been.
Now she was stir-crazy.
One more failed attempt to interpret the second change request on Vanessa’s list, and Reese closed her laptop. “I’m on vacation.” The words spoken aloud felt foreign, despite that her emails had auto-responders telling people as much. They also listed people who were helping out in her absence. Why was it so hard to let go? She could take the week off—truly off—and not jeopardize her promotion.
Hudson’s words from earlier chose that moment to whisper in her ear.You sure you want that promotion?
Of course Reese wanted that promotion. The only reason she didn’t accept it on the spot was to make sure she had time to review the offer. A quick yes would’ve eliminated her ability to negotiate terms. She would be the youngest director at the company. In its entire history. After only three years of employment. That sort of thing was unheard of. Peter said as much as he left her standing on the airport drop-off curb.
“Of course I want that promotion.” Memories of cuddling puppies threatened otherwise.
Reese picked up her phone, scrolling until she found Mom’s number. Her finger hovered over the call button.They’ll be over the moon, and you know it. They’ll forgive you about Peter. But Reese tossed her phone aside and popped off the bed.
She grabbed a sweatshirt and slipped down the hall, toward a back door she spotted earlier. She caught the glow of flames before she turned the knob. A small fire roared from the center of a patio slab. Hudson and Jed sat on either side, taking turns poking the fire with a stick.
Part of her felt like an intruder wanting to join them. Another part was simply afraid to face Hudson. Reese was starting to feel things she couldn’t so easily dismiss. Things she had no business feeling about her best friend’s brother. She blamed the puppies.
She craved fresh air and a star-filled sky to ease her unsettled nerves too much to retreat. At least outside, they’d have Jed as a buffer.
Remembering the massive haul of groceries Ronnie dropped off earlier, Reese backtracked to the kitchen in search of hotdog fixings. She’d eaten too light a dinner and was starving. She’d bet the guys were too.
“Reese, we saved you a spot,” Jed said with a wave as she struggled to close the door behind her.
“What did you bring?” Hudson asked, nodding at her full arms.
