“How bad is it?” she asked, clutching the phone to her ear.
“The house is still standing. Beyond that I don’t know yet.”
“Well, that’s good news, I guess. Is there anything I can do?”
“There’s not really. We’re just standing around out here. After we walk through the building, we’re going to head over to the condos to make phone calls, reschedule today’s appointments, insurance, all that stuff.”
The knot in her stomach loosened. This fire was bad news for them, certainly, but it wasn’t disastrous. The building was still standing. No one had been hurt. All their classes were conducted outdoors so they’d only lost their office space. “I’m so glad it wasn’t worse.”
“Me, too.” Mark sounded tired. “What time are you working today?”
“Nine to closing.” She was booked solid today. And while she would shift her schedule around in a heartbeat to help Mark and the guys if they needed her, it would really hurt to do it. She’d already taken so much sick time in the last few months.
“Could you do me a favor and drop Bear at my place on your way in?”
“Sure. Or she can stay here. I don’t mind.” Jessica rubbed the dog behind her ears.
“I know, but you’re going to be gone all day, and I’ll wind up at my condo by midmorning. But if you’re running late or anything, don’t worry about it. She’ll be fine.”
Jessica laughed softly. “I’ve been up for hours already, Mark, I’ve got plenty of time to drop her off before work, and you’re right. She’ll be much happier with you than here all day by herself.”
“Trent has a spare key. Just knock on your way up.”
“Will do. Keep me posted.”
After she’d hung up the phone, she went down the hall to shower and get ready for her day. An hour later, dressed in her spa uniform and with Bear in tow, she stepped outside. The early December air slapped her in the face, shocking away the last of her fatigue.
She’d let Bear outside earlier to do her doggy business so now she led the way straight toward her car. The dog walked beside her for a few steps and then trotted off across the yard and into the woods behind the house.
Dammit.Why hadn’t Mark ever gotten her a leash and collar?
“Bear, come back here, girl,” Jessica called, keeping her voice light and friendly.
No response.
She walked to the tree line, looking around for any sign of the dog. “Bear!”
Nothing.
“Bear? Come here, girl. Where are you?” She walked into the woods, grateful that the leaves were off the trees now, making it easier to look for Bear.
The dog trotted into view a few yards away, tail wagging. She watched as Jessica walked toward her and then took off, running farther into the woods.
Jessica huffed a breath. “Bear!”
She was not going to lose Mark’s dog this morning. Nope. Wasn’t going to happen. She zigzagged through the woods behind her house, looking in vain for the dog. She was just formulating her next plan of action when Bear came trotting toward her, still wagging her tail. “You’re a real diva when Mark’s not around, aren’t you?”
The dog fell into step beside her, walking back toward the house.
“Okay, let’s get you home.” Jessica walked to her car and opened the back door, motioning for Bear to hop up.
Bear gave her a look, wagged her tail, and then ran across the street and disappeared into the woods on the other side.
“You know, I think I’m starting to get an idea of how you wound up all alone in the woods in the first place!” Jessica called after her, exasperated.
What should she do? She knew absolutely nothing about dogs or how to catch one who had decided to play hard to get. Thinking on her feet, she raided the lunch she’d packed for herself, pulling a slice of roast beef out of her sandwich. And dammit, she needed a leash. She poked around in her shed until she found a short length of rope, which she coiled and stuffed into the pocket of her jacket.
Sorry, Bear, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
