“I don’t see why not,” the chief answered after watching the pair with a gleam in his eyes. “As a matter of fact, why don’t you and our three Sothard heroesallaccompany them?” He looked at Buck, then rattled off the address of the vet.
“No argument here,” Buck assured him.
Mason responded in the affirmative as well. “Okay.”
“Sure,” Spencer also readily agreed.
Hah.Neither of his brothers were ready to let go of their rescues, either. If Buck were a betting man, he’d say that their wives would be getting calls soon, to see if some new, four-legged friends would be allowed to join their households.
There was nothing but love, here, all the way around.
“So, we’re in agreement,” Buck said, his mouth wide with a smile that just wouldn’t quit. He received a lick to his chest this time. “Everybody head for the van.”
“Uh, bro?” Mason’s eyebrow quirked upward as he regarded Buck.
“Yeah, Mase?”
“We have our wetsuits on, but don’t you think some clothes might be in order for you?”
CHAPTER 14
Before Buck could makehis way over to the neat pile someone had made of his shirt, jeans, and sneakers, Bobbie approached him.
“You okay?” she asked, cuddling her sweet canine.
“Are you kidding?” Now that it was over, Buck looked pumped. “This was the best op, ever. Rescuing four puppies and they’re all fine? I count that as a huge win.”
“Will you count this as a win, too?” she asked, growing bold. Before he could figure out what was happening, Bobbie moved close, grabbed his chin to tip his head down, and kissed him squarely on the lips.
It was meant to be a sweet moment, but…
“Ack!” Bobbie backed up in horror, practically gagging.
Buck looked gobsmacked, in more ways than one. “What…? Why…?”
“Eww,” she answered tartly. “You taste like onions.” She grimaced, scrubbing her mouth with the back of her free hand.
Buck started laughing, and…really?
She screwed up her face at him.Hethought this was funny? She wanted an explanation. That wasnothow she’d planned on their first real kiss going.
“Yeah, I…”
Buck cracked up again, then sucked in a breath and started over, attempting to calm himself. “Here it is in a nutshell. The guy I bought the equipment from ate onions like they were candy, supposedly to fight off some imaginary, airborne, viral infection.
“The regulator I used must have been his favorite, because it was permeated with that unmistakable, pungent taste. I obviously didn’t know about it until I put the regulator in my mouth for our emergency, and by that time it was too late to do anything about it. Obviously,” he reiterated and snickered.
“And nowyouare Mr. Onion-mouth.” Bobbie teased, sticking out her tongue. “Well, I’ll say this. I don’t regret the kiss, but Ifullyregret the flavor.”
Buck’s ears flamed, but he didn’t hesitate to give a come-back. “I don’t regret that you did it, either, and if you want to repeat things, I’ll make sure I’m onion-free next time,” he told her raspily. “I promise.”
“Good to know,” she smirked, giving him a sassy bump with her hip. “Now, however, I think you should get dressed.” She glanced down to where he was still shivering in his wet boxers.
Buck looked down also, and…
Relief filled his face.
Bobbie wanted to giggle.
