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“You no longer live with your mom,” Cruz said.

“I know, but so much time was spent here, and...” She frowned. “I guess you’re right. I mean, Belle comes here all the time. What about you? Do you have a dog?”

“No, I’ve not had a dog in a long time. Not since Stella passed away.”

“Stella?”

“She was a dog I had when I was twenty years old, a mixed breed no one wanted. She was with me for fifteen years, until I had to let her go.” Cruz had been so brokenhearted. He’d cried over the loss of his dog. It was true what they said, that a dog was a man’s best friend, and he felt like he lost a part of himself when his dog passed away. That pain stayed with him, and he never grew attached to another dog.

“I’m so sorry,” Kate said.

“Yeah, that’s the part that sucks about having a dog. They’re only in your life for a short time, but you’re their whole world,” Cruz said. “I think I read that somewhere, and it just ate at me.”

“I know Tillie didn’t want to leave Belle, neither did Jaxson.” Kate smiled. “You know, I am going to have to tell Tillie that Belle likes you. She is not a very big people person, and she is falling right asleep.”

Cruz looked down, and he knew he’d fallen in love with a dog that was not his. “I better get going,” he said, reluctantly handing over Belle, and then saying goodbye to Kate one final time.

Chapter Two

Kate couldn’t believe she was doing this. It was so stupid of her to even be considering this, and yet here she was, complete with the finished, bounded edges of the tablecloths Cruz had wanted. That wasn’t all, because she couldn’t seem to help herself, she also had a tray of cinnamon rolls.

With the weather being so cold, it always made her want to do a little baking, and seeing as she had an excuse with Cruz and his ranch, it was the perfect time. Usually, she could only bake one thing and she’d have to freeze it into individual portions. That was what she would be having for the rest of the week or month, depending on what she baked. Today, she’d baked an entire tray, twelve cinnamon rolls, with the delicious cream-cheese frosting spread right on top.

Stepping out of her car, she let out a gasp, as the temperatures had dropped within the last twenty-four hours. It was late as well, just after six-thirty, as she had to open the shop, and it had been a particularly busy day, with quite a few people wanting to finger the fabrics. She was never going to complain about a full shop. Belle looked at her, and she didn’t have any spare hands.

“I had no idea you were coming up here,” Cruz said, startling her, and she was able to keep hold of the cloths and the cinnamon rolls, but she did turn around with a gasp.

“You startled me,” she said, letting out a light laugh. “We agreed I would come and drop these off on Monday.”

His gaze went to the cloths, then to her other hand that held the tray of cinnamon rolls.

“And what are these?”

She smiled. “They’re cinnamon rolls for you.”

“Come on, let’s get you out of this cold.” He looked past her shoulder. “Is that Belle I see?”

“Yes, it is.”

“She looks frozen. Come on, girl, let’s get you inside into the warmth.”

Seeing how gentle he was with the little doggy, it warmed her heart so much, as he leaned down and cradled Belle as if she was a child. Belle seemed to be loving the attention. Kate knew she was missing Tillie. They had a call just that morning, and the two looked like they were missing each other. Even Jaxson looked like he was missing her.

Closing her car, she locked the doors and followed Cruz to his home, and the moment she stepped inside, he immediately closed the door, and she was enveloped in the warmth. It felt nice. Even standing outside for mere seconds, she was close to freezing.

He placed Belle on the floor, took the cloths from her, as well as the rolls, then gathered a small bowl of water for Belle. The little dog had a good few licks, then started to explore the area. She’d already taken her out for a quick walk, for her to be able to do her business, so there was no fear of her suddenly going in Cruz’s kitchen or home.

“Would you like a coffee? Hot chocolate?” he asked.

“A hot chocolate would be wonderful, thank you.” She enjoyed her coffee, but it was a little late.

He filled the kettle with water and placed it on top of the stove. Next, he moved back toward the counter, and she watched him take a peek under the aluminum foil.

She chuckled. “You can have one. They’re all for you.”

“How about I join you in this hot chocolate and we both have one?” he asked.

“Sure.” It was his home, and she always thought he had a lovely home. She saw he had fresh paint on the walls, and some of them had been replastered. She knew that from listening to Tillie and her mother talk about the work Jaxson had to do.