Zina moved across the foyer to take Gramps’s hand. “Your wife was a very lucky woman to be loved so much.”
Gramps gave her a smile before he headed toward the stairs. “Herbie will keep me company tonight, won’t you?”
The dog trotted along behind him, his tail wagging a mile a minute.
I waited until Gramps reached the landing and then slid my gaze to Zina. “You ready?”
Zina
“So where are we headed?” I gazed out the window as Alex raced down the county road.
“I thought we’d go into Swynton. There’s a sports bar not too far from Char’s. I need to stop and pick up some stuff at her place after if that’s okay with you.”
“I’ve got no plans tonight.” I glanced at his profile—the strong jawline, the hint of scruff covering his chin, the full lips he’d had all over me a few nights before. “I’m all yours.”
His head snapped my direction.
I smiled in return. It was time to make up. Living under the same roof and being at odds was taking a toll on our non-relationship.
“All mine, huh? You sure about that?” His gaze bounced back and forth from me to the road in front of him.
“The only thing I’m one hundred percent sure about is that there’s no way I’m going to get all of the dogs rehomed before you have to double down on the wedding plans.”
“What are we looking at?”
“Best-case scenario? I might be able to place another dozen or so in a shelter up in Beaumont until the roof gets fixed or they get adopted, whichever comes first.” There was no telling how long it might take for the pups to find a new home. Some of the dogs I’d had in the past only stayed long enough to get their medical clearance before they found homes. Others, like Buster, had been with me for months before he’d found his place.
Alex ran his hand over the steering wheel, letting it rest on the top. “So that would leave us with about a dozen dogs at the warehouse?”
“Give or take one or two. But I can move them back out to my place once Bodie gives me the okay.”
“No.” His tone left no room for negotiation.
“Excuse me?”
“Someone out there is trying to scare you. You’re not safe until Bodie figures out who it is and what they want. I know you think you can take care of yourself, but?—”
“I can take care of myself.” I backed up against the door of the truck. “And I don’t need you or Bodie trying to tell me any different.”
“That’s not what I meant. I know you can look out for yourself. But you don’t have to. You’ve got me.”
“I’ve got you?” I barked out a laugh. “What makes you think I want you?” Ouch. I didn’t mean to come across so harsh. Truthwas, I did want Alex. Wanted him in the worst way. Wanted him to be there when I woke up in the morning. Wanted him to be there when I went to bed at night. Wanted him to stay. But I couldn’t tell him that.
If it were up to me, he’d never have any inkling of the way my feelings had snuck up on me while I wasn’t paying attention and tied up my heart in hopes and dreams and wishes I had no business entertaining.
His eyes shifted. I’d hurt him with that last remark. I could tell by the way his pulse ticked along his jaw and the way he held the steering wheel just a little too tight.
“It doesn’t matter whether you want me or not,” he ground out. His voice took on a serious edge. “I’m here and I’m not going to let anything happen to you or the dogs while I’m around.”
I hadn’t seen this side of him before. He usually deflected any effort at trying to hold a serious conversation. But tonight he was dead serious.
“Look, Alex.” I let out a frustrated sigh. “I don’t mean to burst your bubble or dash your dream of being the white knight who rushes in to save the day.”
He grunted, shaking his head like he wasn’t going to even try to hear me out.
“Hey”—I put my hand on his arm—“I’m not your damsel in distress. I’ve been taking care of myself for years and I don’t have any intention of stopping just because you decided to play house for a little while.”
“You about done?” He jerked the steering wheel to the right and brought the truck to an abrupt stop on the side of the road.
