“You need to cut yourself a break. How is Frog liking the new digs?”
Thario blew out a breath and chuckled as Frog ran over. “He freaking loves it out here. He’s running around like a youngster, not the old dog he is.”
“Good. Did you go see the cabin?”
"I did." Thario went into the details about the cabin and how it would be a great place to live. After twenty or so minutes talking to Sharp, they ended the call.
He was about to go in when a car pulled in, and he saw it was Elowen. Calla waved from the front seat, making his heart speed up.
He stood and moved toward Elowen's car. Frog followed closely.
“Hey, we’re picking up pizzas for dinner and were wondering if you wanted to join us tonight,” Elowen said.
“Sure. What time?”
“How about you show up at five or so? We’ll have pizza, maybe a movie. A storm is supposed to be rolling in later, and we thought it would be nice to have a night in.”
Thario glanced up at the sky, not seeing any evidence of a possible storm. “Sure. I’d love to spend some time with you all. I know Frog would love to see Knuckles.”
“She would be happy to spend time with Frog.”
He liked that Elowen included Frog and Knuckles in their friendship. His dog was a huge part of his life. Without Frog, he wouldn’t be here. He was smart enough to acknowledge how dark his mind had gotten before Frog. His dog had become more than a pet. He was family.
“I’ll be over in about twenty minutes? I want to pick up a bottle of wine.”
“Sure. I have a few reds, maybe something else.”
Thario chuckled. “I’ll get something good.”
He waved as they drove off, glad they’d dropped by. His head was better, and his wheelchair would be delivered in a week. His computer equipment was due to show up at Elowen’s place in the next day or two.
Life would get back to normal. Or as normal as it could be. He hoped Calla could relax and find some kind of normal, and he really wanted to be a part of that. But it was up to her. If he pushed it, she would turn away from him. That was the last thing he wanted, that and Brent coming back. He needed to figure out where Brent was and stop the bastard. Calla deserved that much, actually she deserved more. He hoped he could give it to her.
Chapter 25
Thario pulledinto the drive for Elowen's place and slowed. The guests were outside playing ball, and they looked like they were having a blast. He waved as he drove past, hoping they were prepared for the storm.
He’d checked the weather app on his phone and seen that a huge storm was coming.
When he pulled up at Elowen’s cabin, Knuckles ran around the house, her tail wagging. Frog looked like he was going to open the door all on his own.
“Okay, boy. Hold on.” Thario leaned across the van and popped the door open for him. “Go, have fun with your friend.”
He laughed as he watched Frog run around the yard with Knuckles. They were playing some form of tag or something, jumping around like they were puppies. But he could see Frog slow after only a minute.
It broke his heart that Frog wouldn’t live another ten years. He needed to find a new dog and get them trained. No new dog would be as good as Frog.
He blew out a breath, pushing away the fear of losing Frog, and concentrated on the fun they would have tonight.
The door opened, and Calla stepped out. She was wearing a blue dress and her brown hair was down, cascading over one shoulder. He wondered what it would feel like to run his hands through her hair.
He pushed away the thought and got out of his van, then walked around and grabbed the bottles of wine out of the back.
“Hey, can I help you with those?” Calla asked.
“I’ve got it, but thank you.”
“How is your head?”
