Bodie waited out front while I packed up what I’d need to be away for who knew how long. He’d better hope he found the people responsible. Because if I figured it out first, I’d just as soon wring their necks for the pain they’d caused me, not to mention the animals I spent my days and nights trying to protect.
“Got what you need?” He pushed off from where he’d been leaning against the side of his truck.
“I think so. Any idea how long I’ll need to stay away?”
He shook his head. “I wish I knew. I’d say plan on at least a few weeks. If you need to come back for anything, just let me know and I can meet you out here or bring it to you.”
“Okay.”
“Hey”—he reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze—“I’ll figure out who’s behind this.”
“I know.” I held the emotion at bay, not wanting him to see me break down.
“In the meantime, you’re welcome to stay with Lacey and me. We’d love to have you.”
I nodded. “I’ve already had this conversation with your wife. I’ve got to be closer to the dogs. Y’all live too far away.”
“She told me you’d say that. But the offer stands, okay?” He gave me a half-hearted smile. “I’ll call you if I hear anything.”
“Thanks.”
He waited while I tossed my bag in the back of my truck. My tires spun on the gravel as I executed an awkward three-point turn and hightailed it down the drive, leaving my home behind me.
By the time I got back to the warehouse, I only wanted for one thing . . . a shower. I parked in front of the Phillips House and entered the first floor, calling out for Alex or his grandfather. Neither answered.
Alex wouldn’t be happy about giving up his room, but he was staying for free, so he didn’t have a choice. I pulled out a fresh change of clothes and locked the bedroom door. Then I turned on the hot water and prepared to wash away the stress of the day that had barely started.
While the warm water flowed down my body, I considered my options. Stay at the Phillips House until everything blew over and Bodie figured out who was behind the threats. He’d been working on this case for over a year already. The likelihood that he’d be able to bust up the dog-fighting ring and put an end to the threats seemed about as likely as the odds of me settling down with Alex and starting a brood of our own.
I could stay at the Phillips House as long as I needed. Lacey wouldn’t rush me to find a new place. But I had to move the dogs as soon as possible since Alex’s precious penguins would be arriving soon. Which meant I needed to come up with a different temporary solution.
By the time I’d rinsed off, towel dried, and pulled on a fresh pair of jeans, I had a plan. First step, get through the adoption event this afternoon. I had twenty-eight dogs I needed to rehome. It was time to get the word out. And the best person to work with me on that was Lacey. Whether she liked it or not, I was about to do whatever it would take to get her to put that circle of influence she’d been curating to good use.
CHAPTER 20
ALEX
“Canwe see some polar bears? And maybe pet the dolphins while we’re here?” Dolly held tight to my hand, dragging me away from the ticket counter.
“I don’t think they have polar bears at the aquarium.” I tried to check the map in one hand while she tugged and pulled at the other. “First we need to find the penguins.”
“Can we watch them feed the sharks, Uncle Alex?” Frankie pulled on my shirt. “Please?”
“Yeah, we’ll have time for all of that. But first, we have to find the penguins.” I lifted my head from the map, doing a headcount. Ever since the night I’d left Dolly at home, losing one of the girls was my greatest fear. Char would never forgive me if I came home one short. The smell of popcorn filled the air. It had been years since I’d been to a place like this.
“Can we get ice cream?” Jordan spoke up from behind me.
“Yeah, sure. Here, get your sisters an ice cream while I figure out where we’re going.” I pulled a twenty out of my wallet and watched while the girls joined hands and made their way over to the ice cream cart. “Gramps, do you want ice cream?”
No response.
I turned around, trying to locate my grandfather in the sea of strollers and kids. The old man sat on a bench about twenty yards back, fanning himself with the baseball cap he’d pulled off his head. I kept an eye on the girls while I made my way back to him.
“You okay?”
“It’s hotter than Hades out here. Aren’t there any exhibits inside? Who visits a place like this on the hottest day of the year?” Gramps pulled his short-sleeve button-down shirt away from his body.
I glanced up to where the sun hadn’t even reached its peak yet. A hint of a breeze blew by. “It’s not even noon. You sure you’re okay?”
