“You don’t think your parents found out?”
“Not that I’m aware of. Most of my family live several counties over, leaving enough space that gossip wouldn’t travel. My sister suspected there was more I wasn’t saying, but she’s not the type to snoop.”
She was still in awe how Connor had looked out for her even after all she’d done to hurt him. “If we go through with this, one day I want to tell them. I don’t want secrets.”
“That’s up to you. I’ll support your decision either way.”
“Thank you.”
He glanced at his watch. “I should go, or I’ll be late. Would you rather me stay here with you? I don’t want to leave you on a holiday.”
Taking a deep breath, she knew what she would do. If Connor had done all that for her nine years ago, then she could do this. “If you can wait another five minutes, I’ll go with you.”
His eyes lit up. “You mean it?”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t you bring Lilly with you? Gramps’ old hound passed away two years ago, and he says he won’t get another, but I know he misses having a pup around.”
“No one else will mind?”
He laughed. “You know my family and animals. They’ll surround her and treat her like a baby.”
“What do you think, Lilly? Want to take a ride?” She chuckled when Lilly yelped, and it sounded like yes. Some days she was convinced Lilly could speak a few words.
“I’ll get her things ready while you do what you have to do,” he offered.
“Thanks.”
As comfy as she was on her day off, she didn’t think showing up in yoga pants and an old t-shirt was the best idea. She went to her room and changed into a pair of denim shorts and a patriotic short-sleeved shirt she’d bought last year. It was strange not to spend Independence Day at Hope House, but she was striving to achieve a work/life balance.
She applied a coat of sunscreen and pulled a hat from her closet, adjusted it on her head. When she returned to the living room, Connor had Lilly in his arms, harnessed and ready to go with food and water bowls packed in a plastic grocery bag.
The affection for the dog on Connor’s face made Tiffany smile. “I’m still not sure why you didn’t keep her for yourself.”
“I’m not home enough.” He winked. “Besides, if I’d taken her, we wouldn’t have reunited.”
“You don’t know that. I could have come for one of the other dogs if Lilly was taken.”
“Well, now I get to see her often, regardless, so it’s all good, right Lilly?”
She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Is it me or the dog you come over to see?”
“You, of course. Lilly is a bonus.”
“Should we stop at the store and pick up potato salad or something else, so we don’t show up empty-handed?”
He gasped in mock offense. “I thought you wanted my family to like you. Aunt Nancy would never forgive me if I brought any store-made picnic salad. She prides herself on them every year.”
“I forgot about that. We wouldn’t want to upset her. What about a pie?”
He shook his head. “Grandma’s specialty.”
“Drinks?”
“Already in my truck,” he answered with a smirk.
“You could have told me that.” She swatted him playfully then grabbed her purse. “I’m ready when you are.”
