Long Time Gone (Rough Riders #16.5)(18)
Author: Lorelei James

“What kind of dog?”

“Australian shepherd-blue heeler mix.” Cal lifted the luggage as if it weighed nothing. “She’s in the backyard. You’d better change so she doesn’t tear your stockings and dress to shreds.”

Kimi snagged the small case and once they were inside, headed for the bathroom. She stopped in the living room. “You have furniture.”

“Well, darlin’, it has been over a year since you’ve been here. So why are you surprised?”

“I figured you’d be the type to leave it empty until you got married and let your wife decorate it.”

“Nope. I can’t go that long without a TV. And I have an aversion to a couch covered in flowers that I can’t sit on.”

In the bathroom she changed into a pair of floral pedal pushers and a sleeveless blouse, not bothering to put on shoes. Wandering through the house, she paused by the screen door to watch Cal playing with his dog. He’d ditched the western shirt in favor of his undershirt. Lord. The man looked even more muscled than the last time she’d seen him.

Then her attention was completely commandeered by a black and white and gray puppy bounding all over the place. The little dog would run toward Cal, stop, jump back, jump sideways. The puppy tore circles around him, yipping and barking until Cal was laughing so hard he had to rest on his knees. The puppy plopped right beside him, panting like crazy.

A warm, sweet feeling flowed through her at seeing such an unguarded moment. The instant she opened the screen door, the puppy’s ears perked up. Then she emitted the cutest, most ferocious sounding barks as she raced forward to assess the threat to her master.

“Gigi!” Cal shouted. “Sit.”

Gigi ignored him and jumped up on Kimi, her paws leaving muddy prints on Kimi’s pants, her tail wagging crazily. “Hey, sweet girl.” Kimi felt Cal’s eyes on her. “You’re a pretty little thing. Even your dog has those gorgeous blue eyes like yours.” Stupid thing to say, Kimi. Trying to mask the awkward moment, she petted and praised the dog until the pup rolled over and showed her belly. She laughed.

“I’m happy to hear that sound,” Cal said quietly.

“So you’re not chastising me for laughing just a few hours after I buried my mother?”

“Not my business to judge you.” He looked down at her hand on Gigi’s belly. “She likes you.”

“Puppies like everyone.”

“True. But not everyone likes puppies.”

“I love them. We weren’t allowed to have pets, which I understand because they would’ve been neglected.” Just like I was. “I swore that someday I’d have as many dogs as I wanted. Now I’ve added chickens to the list of future critters.”

Cal crouched down. “Chickens? Why?”

“A friend of mine from St. Mary’s was from an Ag family. I went home with her one weekend and found out that her mom raised chickens. I thought it was the funnest thing, gathering eggs in the morning. Who knew chickens had different personalities? I went from knowing nothin’ about them to wishing I had my own flock.”

“Maybe someday you will.”

“Maybe.” Gigi whined and Kimi scratched under her chin. “Poor neglected pup. Are you hungry?”

“Speakin’ of… Are you hungry?” Cal asked.

“No. But I wouldn’t turn down a shot of Jack.” Kimi kept ruffling the puppy’s soft fur as she gazed at Cal. “You don’t have to worry that I’m a minor. Two weeks ago I turned eighteen and I’m legally an adult.”

A strange look flitted through Cal’s eyes and then it was gone. “Look, I have no problem with you knocking back a shot. But I can’t in good conscience give you booze and then put you on a bus with a bunch of strangers.” He sighed. “Besides, I don’t think you’re thinkin’ clearly. Grief screws you up.”

She put her hand over the top of his as he pet the dog. “You’re probably right. Still, I could use whiskey to take the edge off. But then I’d be shit outta luck as far as where to go because I won’t spend another night under my dad’s roof and I’m too mad at Carolyn to stay with her and Carson.”

“Then have that drink and stay with me tonight. I’ve got plenty of room.”

“Stay here with you?”

“Yeah. You could crash on the couch. It’d just be a friend helpin’ out another friend.”

Their eyes met.

Kimi saw nothing but sincerity in his steady gaze. Maybe the fact Cal hadn’t heard from her or seen her in a year had cooled his feelings. “No girlfriend to get jealous?”