Josh found his voice. “Hello, Annette. What a surprise…”
“Joshua, I don’t have much time. I must return to my house quickly. Riley and Dillon are coming over. We’re riding together to Easter services at eleven. So this won’t take long. But we do need to talk, you and I. May I come in?”
“Uh. All right.” He stepped back, and she entered, thedog right behind her. Josh was too befuddled by Annette’s unexpected arrival to explain that he hadn’t meant she should bring the dog in, too.
But what the hell? The dog was clean and calm. He didn’t seem prone to running wild or chewing the furniture.
“Your house is beautiful,” said Annette. “I love this soaring ceiling. And the property… Joshua. What a find.”
“Thank you. I love it here.” He led her to the kitchen, “Have a seat.” She took a chair at the table. The dog dropped to his haunches beside her. “Coffee?” he suggested.
“Perfect. With a little milk if you have some.”
He poured her a mugful and put the milk in front of her. Then he took his seat again. Sipping the last of his own cooling coffee, he waited for her to begin. But the moment stretched out as both she and the unknown, untagged dog sat calmly and stared at him.A beago, he found himself thinking. Definitely. The dog looked like a cross between a beagle and a golden retriever.
She petted the animal’s head again and asked, “What’s his name?”
“The truth is, Annette, I have no idea what his name is because I’ve never seen him before.”
“Ah.” She frowned. “Do you want me to put him back outside?”
The dog had big, intelligent amber eyes. He looked from Annette to Josh and back to Annette again—as though he understood what was being said and really hoped he would not be put out the door.
“No,” said Josh. “He seems like a good guy. I’ll, uh, take care of him.” Maybe someone would come by in search of him. “You think he’s hungry?”
“I’m sure I have no idea.”
“I’ve got some leftover pot roast in the fridge…”
Annette sat calmly sipping her coffee as he set out a bowl of water and then quickly cut up some meat.
“Here you go, boy…” He set the plate of food on the floor.
The dog quivered but remained at attention beside Annette.
“Come on. It’s okay. Eat…”
Cautiously, tail tucked, the dog got to his feet and approached the plate.
“Eat,” Josh said again.
That did it. The dog scarfed down the food. Once he’d licked the plate clean, the dog drank from the water bowl. Then he returned to his post beside Annette.
Annette patted his head again and tried, “Lie down.” The dog stretched out and put his head on his paws. “Good boy.” Her gaze swung to Josh. “I would take him home with me. But I’m at the hotel day in and day out. I’m sure he would be happier here with you and your son. A fine dog like this deserves a family.”
What could he say? He liked the dog, too. “You can leave him with me. I’ll look after him and try to find his owner…”
“And if no owner can be found, you will adopt him.” It wasn’t a question.
But what the hell. Why not? Shane had asked for a dog more than once. And Josh had been thinking about getting one. He’d put off making a move because he dreaded having to train a puppy. But this dog was better behaved than most humans.
“Sure,” he said. “If no one claims him, I’ll adopt him.”
That coaxed a big smile from Annette. “I’m so pleased to hear that—and now, Joshua, there’s a delicate matter I need to discuss with you. The problem is, I don’t knowhow to begin, and I am very well aware that this isn’t my business…”
Well, that didn’t sound good. “And yet, you’re here to talk about it anyway?”
Annette gave a wry little nod. “Yes. Yes, I am. Joshua, I love my daughter-in-law. And she’s pregnant—by you.”
