My cock stirred.Laterwas one of my favorite words.
“I’ll take one of those.” Soren stepped through the mêlée of dogs to snag a couple of crackers.
“Oh. How about Sam?”
Soren met my gaze with his fathomless light-brown eyes that held…sorrow? Regret? He cleared his throat. “He gave his apologies—it’s a fairly long drive home for him, and the snow’s coming down quite heavily.”
“Oh dear.” Flora rolled onto her hands and knees.
I would’ve offered to help her get up—but I didn’t know the protocol for that.
Three dogs—none of them hers—surged forward so they could lick her face.
She laughed. “Yes, I love you too.”
Noah, who’d shoved the crackers into his mouth, said, “Off.”
Frankie and Roxy backed off.
Bear kept licking.
Glynnis was on her feet. “Bear.”
At her admonishing tone, her wayward dog gazed up with innocent, wide, dark-brown eyes.
“It's hard to stay angry at that.” Miss Esmeralda smiled.
“Shall I give you a lift back to the residence?” Soren held his hand, clearly offering to take the woman’s crumpled napkin and empty plate.
“Wait. Dessert!” I walked to the kitchen. To hell with the fruit platter. Vegetables would be consumed the next day. I grabbed the tray of doggie treats and made my way back into the living room.
By this point, both Flora and Noah were on their feet.
I made my way to stand next to Noah. “Will you do the honors?”
He grinned. “You’re the best.”
“That’s debatable. Who could’ve predicted snow?”
“You’re thinking like a Tennessean. They do get snow in Northern California.” Still, he pecked my cheek before snagging several green treats. “Okay, who would like treats? You have to be good.”
Penny got there first—with Daphne rolling her eyes. The dog gently took the offered treat after having sat.
Frankie and Roxy diddown. Haggis and Bear both didspin. Sleepy roused enough to shake a paw.
Our Sable and River were so excited, they could barely keep their butts on the ground. Each did a high five and then booted out of there with their treats.
Stormy stepped forward—a little shyly. As a full-grown Newfoundland dog, she was significantly bigger than even the biggest of the lab puppies. And she loomed large over Sable and River.
Noah had her lie down and then put her chin on her paws.
Several people in the roomoohedandawed.
As always, she was perfect. Once she’d taken her treat, she stepped away.
“Have Tibby do everything.” Soren puffed out his chest.
Noah grinned. Then took the dog throughsit, down, spin, roll over, shake a paw, high five, and speak.
