The reunion hadn’t gone as he had planned.
Nick flipped through channels, not really seeing what was on the huge plasma screen. All he saw was her expression when her gaze landed on him as he stood there in her pool.
Jannie claimed she wasn’t happy to see him, but her eyes and body language told a different story. Which was why he insisted she invite him in despite her reluctance.
He was right to show up. Despite still being the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen, he could tell she wasn’t well. Both her brothers had told him she was incommunicado, and they confirmed this wasn’t her usual behavior.
So, here he was, whether she wanted him here or not.
He scrolled to the National Geographic channel and read the title of the show,Lost on Everest, when he heard an oddthunk. Nick paused and listened, but all he heard was the sound of rushing water coming from somewhere behind him. Shoving away the mental image of Jannie naked in the shower, he clicked and started watching an interview with a young photographer when he heard the sound again.
Nick muted the TV and heard thethunka third time, also detecting a faint whine. Tossing the remote aside, he rose and moved toward the sound, scanning the large open space.
An airy kitchen with white cabinets and a stove that looked immaculate, although the faded lettering by the burner knobs proved it was well used. Gleaming coral-and-black granite countertops, deep double sinks with not a dish or fork in sight.
Had she eaten at all today?
To the left, a built-in glass cabinet showcased a collection of fine china teacups and saucers.
Thunk.
Ah, it was coming from the hallway. Spotting a large dog crate, Nick approached cautiously but heard no barking, and no ferocious beast burst out of the sturdy plastic door. Instead, he heard the distinctivethump-thump-thumpof what he realized was a wagging tail.
“Oh, it’s you, Cujo,” he said in a low tone. “Locked you up, did she?”
Louder thumping and a soft whine.
“You really want out, don’t you?”
Slowly, Nick bent down to peer into the crate. No teeth, no snarling, just big, soulful brown eyes and a calm doggy grin.
He considered for a moment. It wasn’t his place to release someone else’s dog, and the German Shepherd could very well attack him again, but everything he knew about dogs told him this one was no longer a threat.
Poor dog wanted out, and badly. Did he need to relieve himself? Maybe Jannie wouldn’t be upset if he let him out. Not too upset, anyway. He didn’t think she’d want the dog crapping in the crate.
Slowly, he reached for the latch, pausing to see if the shepherd reacted.
The tail wagged faster.
Nick squeezed the crate’s plastic latches. “All right, but if you bite me …”
The next second, the dog nosed the crate door, bursting out in a joyful bound.
“Whoa,” Nick said.
Maybe this hadn’t been such a great idea.
The dog made a swift lap around the living area, in a way that told Nick he had excess energy to burn.
He came back around and sat directly in front of Nick, looking from him to the sliding glass door leading to the backyard, his round brown eyes pleading and eager at the same time.
“You want to go outside?”
The animal’s heavy tail swished excitedly against the floor. Nick glancedat the wall, behind which the sound of rushing water could be heard.
“I guess it’s all right.”
He needed something for his feet, and Nick remembered Jannie had mentioned some sort of slippers in the closet. He found several pairs neatly arranged in a row by size, but the only pair that fit him had smiley faces all over them.
