Bodie shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “You came into town and told her you were delivering some fancy wedding planner on a plate. Chyna somebody? I’m surprised she didn’t have a heart attack on the spot.”
“Oh.” His shoulders visibly relaxed as he realized Bodie wasn’t about to knock him out of his boots. “Yeah, what a coup, huh?”
Bodie scratched his chin. “Hope it all goes well. I wouldn’t want Lacey to get all worked up and put the baby at risk.”
I stepped in. “Bodie, stop issuing idle threats. You’re going to scare him off before we even get the penguins’ swimming pool built.”
“I ever tell you that you suck the fun out of everything?” Bodie grinned. “How about you help me get these dogs inside?” He gestured to Alex, who followed him over to his truck.
I huffed out a sigh. The last thing I needed was two men fighting over alpha dog status as I tried to hold things together. I had more to worry about than whether Alex got his feelings hurt. Like how I was going to provide an outdoor space for the dogs to get exercise since there wasn’t any kind of fencing around the warehouse. It would take forever to let them out a few at a time.I’d have to see if I could rustle together some extra volunteers or put up some sort of temporary enclosure.
With a list of to-dos forming in my head, I gathered the next crate and carried it into the warehouse. Alex and Bodie had sectioned off the back third of the space and set the kennels up in long lines. I didn’t have crates for all of the dogs, so I’d have to rig some makeshift pens for the better-behaved pups. My temples began to throb at the sheer undertaking it would be. All of this work for something temporary.
But who else would fight for the pups? If it hadn’t been for rescue dogs like the ones from For Pitties’ Sake, my own brother would never have recovered as well as he did. With a renewed sense of purpose, I headed back outside to pick up another crate.
CHAPTER 6
ZINA
The next morningI arrived at the warehouse just after dawn. I needed to check on the dogs and make sure they’d all survived the night. By the time I’d taken them out a few at a time and filled everyone’s bowl with breakfast, I didn’t have time to run home and change before my meeting with Lacey. It wouldn’t be the first time I showed up at the mayor’s office looking like a hot mess.
As I slid the key under the flowerpot, tires crunched on the gravel. What was Alex doing here? He got out of the truck looking like he’d just hopped out of a magazine spread. His hair curled up at the edges, still damp from his shower. Faded jeans molded themselves to his thighs and he’d pushed the sleeves of his shirt up, giving me a chance to appreciate his strong forearms.
I patted at my hair and tried to adjust the topknot that had shifted to more of a side knot and sat lopsided on my head.
“Good morning.” Alex headed my way, two cups of coffee in his hands. “I figured I’d find you here.”
“I had to check on the dogs.” I longingly glanced over my shoulder, wondering if I had enough time to duck back into thewarehouse and try to freshen up. Or at least shove a stick of gum in my mouth. I’d barely even had time to brush my teeth.
“Coffee?” He held a cup out.
“Yes, please.” Grateful, I took it, letting the scent of the strong brew bolster my spirits. “I hoped I’d have time to run home and get cleaned up before our meeting with Lacey, but . . .”
“I think you look great.” One side of his mouth quirked up in the most adorable way.
“I think you knocked your head harder than you thought yesterday.” I might joke, but inside I glowed at the compliment. I shook off the shivers running up and down my spine. The only thing I wanted from Alex was for him to come through on the wedding plans. That was all. I just needed to keep reminding myself of that. It was too easy to get caught up in his smile.
“As long as we’re both here, do you want to ride over to the mayor’s office together?” Alex gestured to his truck. “The cab’s still warm.”
“I’ve got to pick up some dog food from the feed store on my way back.”
“I don’t mind. I’m meeting with a contractor out here this afternoon, so I’ve got time.”
“Who did you decide to go with?”
“Toby Townsend. Lacey recommended him. You know him?” Alex asked.
“I know everyone around here. One of the joys of living in a small town.” I pulled my jacket tighter around my shoulders and walked around to the passenger side door.
He did a good job of making small talk and by the time we turned in to the parking lot at city hall, we’d discussed the weather, the unfair misconceptions about pit bulls, and whether Alex should look to South America or Latin America for his next job when he left Ido.
As we reached the door to the mayor’s office, Lacey’s assistant stepped out, her eyes rimmed red.
“Chelsea, what’s going on?” I immediately went to comfort her while Alex looked on.
“I’m just running to get some tissues. We’re all out.” She swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.
“What happened? Why are you so upset?” I asked. Chelsea wasn’t the kind to wear her heart on her sleeve. Something or someone had to have upset her.
