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She spun about and stomped through the doorless opening. He heard her call out, “Living room. Now,” followed by the thud of a door closing somewhere inside. Then quiet.
Grinning, he set up the portable light to banish the shadows and got to work. Less than an hour later, he lifted the door back into place and, within minutes, had it swinging easily on its newly oiled hinges.
He went searching.
Felicity sat rigidly on the sofa, her back to him, the dogs spread across the faded carpet. Millie lay sprawled on her stomach, legs sticking out in four directions. Maggie lay on her side, eyes open but unmoving. The third — well, Maisie wore a distinctly petulant look, clearly just waiting for the right moment to break command.
He couldn’t stop the quiet chuckle. “I think you’ve shown them who’s boss.”
Felicity jerked. So did number three, and she jumped to her feet.
“Maisie. Sit,” Felicity barked.
Maisie sat.
Ronan laughed again. “Impressive.”
Felicity harrumphed. “I was feeling sorry for them,” she muttered. “Giving them time to adjust.”
“Instead, they tested you.”
“Sorely. Maybe now they will stay in their bedroom, and I can finally get a decent night’s sleep.” She stood. “Is it safe to release them?”
“Yeah. I’m done.”
She clapped her hands. “Okay, ladies. You’re free.”
Maisie in the lead, they hustled through to the kitchen.
Felicity lingered. “How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
“Ronan.”
“Felicity.”
“Fine.”
“Good.”
She stomped past him into the kitchen, casting him a stink-eye.
He grinned and followed, enjoying the sway of her hips far too much.
The pugs crowded around the new flap, snuffling suspiciously.
Felicity huffed. “Guess I need to train them to use it now.”
He touched her shoulder. “They’re smart. Give them a moment.”
Maisie tried it first, pushing her wrinkled face against the plastic. It swung back and tapped her squarely on the nose.
She backed away and gave it a warning bark.
Felicity sniggered.
The intrepid dog tried again, pushing harder this time. She disappeared through the opening, the swinging flap catching her on the butt.
