“Is he hurting, Dr. K?” Evie whispers.
“He’s just sleepy. Pat his head, and he’ll drift off.”
“Will he sleep here alone?” It’s obvious Evie hates that idea.
“No.” Sarah walks behind the counter like she needs the barrier. “I’ll take him home so I can monitor him.” She glances at me. “I don’t board animals here.”
Right. She’s a large-animal vet.
“But I can come tomorrow and help give him a bath, right?” Evie is practically bouncing.
I should say something. Nothing comes out. I’m watching my kid with the woman who should’ve been the mother of my children. It ought to feel wrong. It doesn’t.
“You named him Bandit?” I stroke Evie’s hair.
“‘Cause he’s got a mask,” she explains seriously.
Sure enough, darker fur crosses the mutt’s eyes.
“That’s a great name.” It’s not easy to form words around the knot in my throat. I’m talking to Evie, but I’m looking at Sarah.
Hunger tears through me—not just for her body, though I crave that like sin—but for something deeper, the kind that feeds a man’s soul. Hating her was easy when she was out of sight. But here, now, with that face and those eyes on me, I can’t make myself believe she lied.
Which leaves me staring down theothertruth: that Landon raped my girlfriend. That’s harder to swallow than thinking she got drunk and fell into his bed.
And yet….
“Evie picked it,” Sarah says softly, smiling at Evie. “She wanted a strong name. A survivor’s name.”
My kid’s four and already wiser than most adults I know.
I scrub my face and exhale. She wants the dog. I want her to have the world. Tillie’s going to skin me for walking in with a new animal unannounced.
“If you don’t want him,” Sarah says hesitantly. “I’ll keep him. He’ll be safe with me.”
That twists something mean in me. The thought of her raising something Evie already loves…it’s too close to the line I’ve tried to keep.
Bandit lets out a tired huff. Evie eases down and cuddles upto him.
The doorbell tinkles, and Joy comes in then, all smiles. “Looks like the dog picked his family.”
I glare, but Evie’s looking at me with her gentle eyes, and the fight drains out.
“Fine,” I agree wearily. “After Dr. K says he’s ready. Shots first. And”—I look at Sarah—“he’s getting neutered.”
Evie squeals and hugs Bandit. He licks her ear and grumbles like a laugh.
Sarah’s gaze meets mine for half a heartbeat, then she looks back at the dog—at the girl—as if she didn’t just loosen another brick in my wall.
I can’t stand it. “Evie, I’ll be outside.”
I step out.
Joy follows.
“Hey, Cade.”
I stop by my truck and lean on the door, pulling in long breaths. Whatever happened in there, between that dog, Evie, and Sarah, I’m spun sideways.
