“Do I know you?”she asked after a long pause.
Henry stiffened.She intended to let him inside, right?Perhaps he needed to ask since he’d left abruptly.He’d run.Hell, she probably suspected he was a fruitcake.
“Yes, I’m the idiot who left without telling you why and behaved as if I had a fire lit under my butt.”
“Ah!That Henry,” she said, humor lurking in her voice now.
Henry’s breath puffed out in relief.This was fixable as long as he stopped repeating the same mistakes.Since he was older, he should be the mature one, but he was striking out big time.
That had to stop.
Itwouldstop.
He’d act his age and ask her out to dinner.He’d take her somewhere outside of Middlemarch.Maybe to Naseby for dinner and a visit to the curling rink.Or they could tramp part of the Rail Trail and have a picnic lunch.These thoughts flashed through his mind while he waited for Maia to open the door.
His brows rose.“Are you going to make us stand out here all night?”
“Us?”
The door cracked open, and Juno went on alert.
“Yes,” Henry said, his mouth twitching.
“Gah!”she muttered.“Why didn’t you tell me instead of letting me behave like a moron?”The door flew open, and a frown dug into her cheeks until she spotted Juno.
“A dog?”Her gaze shot to his, her entire expression a question.
“Juno is one of my dogs.I thought you might like her company while you’re at home.You can drop her back with me when you need to spend time away from Middlemarch.”
Maia’s face lit up.“Really?”
“Yes.”Henry held himself stiffly, frightened to move because the impulse to embrace her almost overwhelmed him.Then it was too late.Maia hugged him.He breathed in her decadent scent of soap and floral shampoo and felt her muscles press against him.Without volition, his arms wrapped her body, tugging her closer.He buried his face in her hair, immense satisfaction filling him with a sense of lightness.Happiness he hadn’t experienced since Jenny.
She stepped back, beaming, and Henry’s arms fell to his sides.“What commands should I use?I presume you’re training her as a security dog?”
“Juno is my star pupil.I’ve brought food, a leash, and a bed for her to use.I’ll grab them now.We’ve already walked around your house, so she’s familiar with her surroundings.”
“I didn’t hear you.”
“We were quiet in case you were asleep.”
“Can I help you carry her supplies inside?”
“I’ve got it,” Henry said before running through the commands he used.“I use hand signals because dogs are visual learners, and a security dog is often in a situation where it’s impossible to give verbal commands.”
“Should I show Juno around inside?”
“Do you intend to let her have the run of the house?”
“Yes,” Maia said without hesitation.
“Then that’s a good idea.”
Henry had a spring in his step as he went outside to retrieve Juno’s supplies.Maia had hugged him, and he’d managed not to embarrass himself.Things were looking up.
Maia waited until Henry’s footsteps faded before signaling the massive, shaggy black and brown dog.To her delight, Juno followed without hesitation.She entered each room and let the dog sniff to her heart’s content before moving on to the next.
In her bedroom, she stroked Juno’s silky ears.“He’s letting you stay.I hope you’re okay with that.We’ll have fun together.You can train with me.I’d love the company.”
