She looked at her boss, who smiled, then turned back to the man.“I don’t understand.”
Thomas smiled.“I’ve bought the horse, and I have someone here to get him in the trailer and then home.You and the dog are coming home with me.”
She couldn’t wrap her mind around what he was saying.“Why would you want me with you?”
“Because I don’t think your animals would do well without you.”
“Oh, I’m sure they’ll be fine,” she said.“You don’t want me around.I’d just get in the way.”
She noticed the scowls on the men’s faces but didn’t understand them.
Thomas sighed.“You won’t be in the way.You’ll actually be helping my housekeeper, Daisy.”
The thought of staying in one place, especially with her animals, was a dream come true, but she’d learned early on that only people who deserved it got their dreams, not garbage like her.
“I’m sorry.But I don’t know anything.I’ll just be a bother.”
Thomas shook his head.“It’s nonnegotiable.If you want me to take the animals, you have to come with them.”
“Will you promise that when you get tired of me, you’ll keep them with you?”
The men glanced at each other, and then Thomas turned to her.“Yes, I promise.”
Her shoulders relaxed.“Okay.”
“Go get your things.I’ll be waiting here.”
She nodded, turned, and ran off.
“Slow down,” Thomas yelled.
She instantly froze and then walked the rest of the way to the stall she’d made her home for several weeks.The horse was gone, but Jaxx was still there waiting for her.
“Guess what?I’m going with you guys.”
Jaxx barked, making her smile.“We need to hurry.”
It didn’t take long for her to roll her meager possessions in a ball and stick them in the garbage bag she used to carry everything.She started to run back to the man, but caught his expression and slowed until she got to him.
“Thank you for slowing down,” Thomas said.
She nodded.She watched him raise his hand and then felt him cup her chin.She couldn’t prevent herself from flinching.
Thomas scowled.“You don’t like to be touched?”
She bit her lip.“It’s just that I’m not used to being touched.”
She could tell that made him curious, but thankfully, he didn’t ask any more questions.
Percy smiled.“This will be good for you.I know Thomas will take care of you.”
She nodded.She couldn’t think of any words, so she kept quiet.
Thomas wrapped a hand around her upper arm.“This way, Sweetheart.”
The endearment made her stiffen, but he didn’t seem to notice.He led her over to a large truck.
“Give me your bag,” he said.
