“Oh, Rimmel said I could stay on and help a few days a week this semester. So I won’t be leaving.”
“Oh yeah? That’s great news.”
Kelsey blushed even more, and I slid my arm through Trent’s, linking us together.
A door burst open, and Andi appeared. “Dad! Come see Lolo’s new puppy!”
“She picked one already?” I mused.
“It was love at first sight, Dad! Geez.”
“Yeah,geez,” Trent repeated.
I gave him a look. “That intern totally has the hots for you.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Are you jealous?”
“No,” I growled.
I was totally jealous.
Trent’s laugh quieted, and he leaned close. “You’re the only one I want.”
“Look!” Andi exclaimed and held out her arms like she was presenting a million dollars.
London sat on the floor with a golden puppy in her lap and three others all around her. Her long dark hair was wavy and mussed as though she’d been rolling around on the floor with four dogs—which, yeah, she probably was.
Purple-framed glasses bordered blue eyes that sparkled with happiness as the dog licked her cheek. She laughed and scratched behind the puppy’s ear.
Another puppy climbed onto her lap, and she giggled more, scooping them both into her arms. “Daddy, look! They both want to come home with me.”
I turned to where Romeo stood not far away, hands tucked into the Wolves jacket he was wearing, staring at his daughter with a wistful expression on his face.
“Dad,” London called again.
He blinked and smiled. “You look just like your mother.”
“Acts like her too,” I noted, watching the puppies climb all over her.
Andi sat down and held out her arms. Two puppies rushed her, and she fell back with a squeal while they climbed all over her, tails wagging.
Laughing, Rimmel reached down to pet one and ended up on the floor with both the girls.
Trent, Rome, and I stood there shaking our heads at the pile they made, but none of us hurried them along. It was good to see them smiling and carefree after everything.
“You know, when they asked for puppies, I didn’t expect actual puppies. You don’t get a lot of those here, do you, sis?” I asked.
Pushing her hair off her face, Rimmel sat up with one wiggling in her arms. The hoodie she wore was covered in dog hair, and there was drool on her glasses. “Not a lot. We do usually get animals that are a bit older, but these guys were left near the firehouse in town in a box. One of the guys brought them over the other morning.”
“Kelsey posted them this morning, and we’ve already gotten a few calls, so I’m sure they will all have good homes in just a few days.”
“What about the other dogs?” Lolo asked, looking toward the hall where the other dogs were housed.
“We’ll find them homes too,” Rimmel promised. “But sometimes the older dogs don’t get picked as fast as the puppies.”
“Why not?” Andi asked.
“Well, because they’re older, and a lot of people want puppies because they’re very cute.”
