“I think I know what you were about to say,” Ryan said.
“You do?”
He nodded. “You were about to say that while you definitely don’t want poor Stanley to get hauled off to the boarding kennels from hell, you’re not entirely sure what you’re going to do with him while you’re at work.”
Grace let out an amused sigh and sipped her wine. “That just about sums it up. I didn’t really think it all through when I dashed out of the boarding kennels and took Stanley with me. I couldn’t face leaving him in that awful place, but I’ll have to think fast to come up with a solution for looking after him. I have a couple of days off work after tomorrow, but I need to organise something for the rest of the time. Speaking of which…”
She set down her wine glass and waved her phone in the air. “If you don’t mind, I’ll just do a bit of research to find out if there are any doggy day care services around here I could use tomorrow, and that could fit Stanley in at short notice.”
Grace tapped on her phone, her fingers flying across the screen. It took her a few moments to realise Ryan was still staring at her across the coffee table, and when she looked up, she saw that the amused look on his face had only deepened.
“Why don’t I just look after Stanley tomorrow?” he said with an easy shrug.
“No, that wouldn’t be fair,” Grace insisted, resuming her phone search. “I dumped Stanley with you today because of my own rash decision. I’m not doing it again tomorrow.”
“You’re not dumping him with me. I like the little guy. He’s cute and fun and behaves himself. Well, hemostlybehaves himself.” Ryan laughed and then gave another shrug. “Leaving him here with me tomorrow is the easiest option, right?”
“Well…” Itwasthe easiest option. There was no denying it. But that didn’t mean she should take advantage. “Surely you have plans already? I thought you said something about spending time with your grandmother and getting out and about together while she’s staying here with you?”
“We do have plans, but nothing that can’t be moved around a little.” Ryan laughed and shook his head. “You’re determined to make this harder than it needs to be, aren’t you?”
“No, I just don’t want you to think I’m being irresponsible. I’m the one who refused to leave Stanley at the kennels, so I’m the one who has to deal with the consequences.”
His eyebrows lifted and he gave her a mystified look. “Grace, you’re not being irresponsible. You’re being anythingbutirresponsible. I’m glad you want to look after Stanley while the warden finds out if there’s an owner out there searching for him, and I want to look after him, too. Why wouldn’t I? He’s a fun dog to be around.”
From his cosy dog bed, Stanley let out a muffled grunt at this, as if he knew what Ryan was saying about him and was voicing his agreement. Grace couldn’t help laughing.
“Look, I’ll take care of Stanley tomorrow,” Ryan said, his smile reassuring. “If you’re off work for a couple of days after that, then you can look after him then. Who knows, maybe by that point the warden will have found Stanley’s owner and his tale of adventure will have a nice happy-ever-after ending.”
Grace glanced at Stanley, knowing she wanted only what was best for the little dog, but also realising that she’d be sorry to say goodbye to the scruffy creature if his owner was located and the time came for them to part.
Still, there was no point thinking about any of that right now. The immediate problem was sorting out Stanley’s care while she was looking after him. Judging by the look on Ryan’s face, his offer to help was as genuine now as it was earlier today. She’d be mad not to take him up on it.
“Are you’re sure?” she said.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Ryan laughed, and the soft twinkle dancing in his eyes reassured her that he meant it.
Miriam wandered over to the seating area just then. “Come on over to the table, you two. Dinner is ready to be served.”
“Brilliant, Grandma, I’m starving,” Ryan said, getting up from the sofa.
“I hope I didn’t interrupt your conversation?”
Ryan shook his head. “We were just negotiating custody of Stanley for the next few days. We’re on dog duties again tomorrow, Grandma, if that’s okay?”
“It’s more than okay,” Miriam said with a grin as she ruffled Stanley’s ears. “We’re already fast friends aren’t we, Stanley?”
The dog scrambled to his feet as everyone moved towards the dining table. Stanley was clearly excited with the activity and made a beeline for the other side of the table, where Grace had earlier noticed two pet bowls had been set out on the floor for him.
“The food smells wonderful, Miriam,” Grace said.
“Thank you, dear. You two young things can carry the serving bowls to the table and I’ll top up everyone’s wine glasses.”
In the kitchen, Grace looked at the steaming bowls of food waiting to be carried over. There was the glossy and aromatic beef bourguignon in the casserole pot, a dish containing a mound of buttery, herby potatoes, and a third bowl of bright green beans.
Grace reached for the potatoes at the same time as Ryan and their hands brushed together. Another buzz of heat pulsed across her skin at his touch, just like it had earlier when she’d returned the soft towel she’d used to dry off after getting caught in the rain.
They both pulled their hands back from the bowl and laughed, but when Ryan’s eyes met hers and lingered for a long beat, Grace’s laughter caught in her throat.
