29. Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter twenty-nine
R yder
We’d fallen into a nice routine over the past few weeks. He went home occasionally on weeknights, but he stayed for dinner even on those nights. But no matter what was going on, on Friday, he brought clothes and stayed until Monday morning.
But what hadn’t changed was our morning routine. Coffee in the morning with him had become my favorite time of the day. We drank our coffee out on the patio and talked about our upcoming day.
“So,” I said, taking a drink of my coffee. “I’m hoping we get this job finished up today so we can move onto the Thompson job.”
“That’s the empty house, right?”
“Yeah, we’re redoing the kitchen so they can sell it. Speaking of which, I need to get going.” I finished up the coffee and gave him a kiss. Then I headed out to meet Desi on the job site.
I pulled in to find Desi’s truck parked off to the side, but I didn’t see him right away. I found him sitting on the front porch steps holding a small puppy.
“Where did that come from?” I asked.
“I found him in this box”— he kicked at a box on the ground in front of him— “on the side of the road. Shit, hoss, I almost ran over it. I only went back and checked the box because it was the same brand ceiling fan I knew we were putting in here, and I was afraid you got here ahead of me and lost it out of the back of the truck.”
“And the puppy was in the box? Like maybe he’d crawled inside?”
“No, man, the box was taped up. Someone dumped him. I was just waiting on you to get here to let you know where I was going. I’ll have to take him to the pound.” He looked at the puppy like he was heartbroken to even say such a thing. “I would take him home, but Angela’s allergic to dogs.”
“Let me see him,” I said. He handed the puppy to me, and the little guy hid his head in the crook of my elbow.
“Well, aren’t you just a cute little thing.
Who would want to be so mean to you?” I held him up in one hand to get a look at him.
“Looks like a lab mix of some kind, and judging by the size of those paws, he isn’t going to be a small dog. ”
I turned him so I could see his face and snapped a picture, then sent it off in a text to Brennan.
Me: Look at this cute guy.
Angel: OMG he ’ s so cute ! D oes he belong to the homeowner?
Me: No idea, Desi found him .
Angel: Like he was abandoned?
Me: Yeah, exactly like that .
Angel: Daddy! Bring him home to me, please!
Brennan
I’d never wished for a way to call back a text so hard in my entire life.
I was just so excited about the little puppy.
I’d always wanted a dog, but my parents had never let me have one, and Patrick didn’t like animals, so I couldn’t get one when I was living with him either.
My plan had been to get one as soon as I got a place of my own, but then I saw this little guy’s adorable face, and I knew he was meant to be mine.
I’d spent days thinking of Ryder as Daddy in my head, and I didn’t even think before I sent the text.
I was pretty sure this was something we should have talked about before I just started calling him Daddy, but it looked like that ship had sailed.
I debated apologizing or sending a laughing emoji so maybe he would think I was joking around, but before I could decide, my phone buzzed with a response.
Anything for you, Angel. We ’ re on our way.
My mind was reeling. Not only had I just called Ryder Daddy, but he was bringing me a puppy. An adorable tiny little puppy that I had no idea how to take care of. I wondered if Daddy had ever had a dog. If so, he would know what to do. If not, I could always read about it.
I didn’t have much time to worry about it before I heard the truck in the driveway. I didn’t hear the garage door open, so I figured he must have just parked outside. I flung open the front door and rushed out to meet them.
“Let me see him,” I said as Ryder started towards me with a tiny little bundle of black, white, and brown fur in his arms. I knew I was overreacting, and it was just a puppy, but I was so excited I could hardly stand it.
But Ryder didn’t make fun of me the way my father would have.
Instead, he smiled at me like I was just as precious as what he had in his arms and carefully handed him over.
“Here you go, Angel. The second I saw him, I knew he was yours.”
I pulled him to my chest and murmured to him that he would be okay now, and that we would take care of him. “I’ve never had a dog before,” I said, looking up at Ryder.
“We always had dogs growing up, so don’t worry, I can show you what to do. The first thing he needs is a vet visit to make sure he’s healthy. Considering where we found him, I’m assuming he hasn’t had any shots.”
“I don’t understand why anyone would dump a puppy like that. It’s cruel.”
“It is. But he’s in good hands now. Let’s get inside and find the little guy a vet.”
“But you need to get back to work. I can take him to the vet while you do that.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. You can’t leave Desi to do the work by himself. Besides, you were planning to finish up this job today, so you go back to work.”
“Okay, use the card I gave you for the groceries for the vet visit. Then when I get off tonight, we can go to the city and hit one of the big pet supply stores to get everything he needs.”
I went to the couch and sat down, positioning the little one so that he was lying in my lap. “I think Travis mentioned having a dog. I bet he could give me the name of a vet,” I said, pulling out my phone.
“You’re right. They have a King Charles Spaniel, I think.”
I dialed the phone and put it on speaker while I waited for him to answer so I would have both hands to gently stroke the puppy’s fur. He was so tiny.
“Hey, Brennan,” Travis answered.
“Hey, do you have the name of a vet? I have a puppy I need to get seen quickly.”
“Oh sure, hold on and let me grab the number. But while I get it, tell me about this puppy. Did Daddy Ryder get you a dog?” It didn’t surprise me that that was the conclusion Travis would jump to.
In his mind, all good things came from his Daddy.
But I felt my face flush, and I suddenly felt shy.
It was one thing for me to think of him as Daddy, but something else to hear someone else call him that out loud.
I glanced over at Ryder, and he looked so pleased that most of the embarrassment faded. “He did. Well, kind of. He and Desi found him, and he brought him home to me. He’s so cute, Travis, here look.” I used the phone to snap a picture and send it to him.
“Oh, he is tiny, but look at those paws. I bet he doesn’t stay tiny long. Do you have a pen to take down the number?” I looked over at Ryder, and he was standing there with his phone out, waiting for the number.
“We’re ready.”
“Okay, his name is Chris Morrison, and you can reach him at 555-6985.”
“Awesome, thanks Travis. I’m going to call and see how soon he can see me.”
“Do you have any puppy supplies?”
“No, but Ryder has to go back to work, and he said when he gets off, we can go to one of the pet stores and get what we need.”
“Oh, if Ryder’s going back to work, how about if I come and go to the vet with you? I’m off today, and then I can drive while you hold the little guy. Then you won’t have to worry about how to manage him and getting there.”
“That would be great, Travis, thanks.” I wasn’t surprised that Travis offered to come with me. Not only had he become a good friend to me, but when we went to the spa the other day, he’d talked about his dog like it was his baby.
“No problem, just text when the appointment is, and I’ll head straight over.”
I reached down and gave the puppy’s head a scratch. “Travis is going to come ride with me to the vet.”
“Good. Do you want me to wait until he gets here?”
“Goodness, no. We’ll be just fine here until we can get in to see the vet. Hopefully he can get us in soon. I’m a little worried because he’s sleeping like this. Shouldn’t he be freaking out?”
“I think he’s exhausted. Desi gave him water when he got him out of the box, and he drank plenty. I tell you what…let me call the vet and make the appointment for you so you can focus on him.”
He dialed the number Travis had given us and then spoke with the person who answered the phone. He explained where the puppy came from, and she said we should bring him right in.
I called Travis and let him know we could go now, and he said he was on his way.
“Okay, I’m going to get back to work. You just call me if you need anything.” Ryder reached over and gave the puppy a scratch. “He’s a cute little guy.” He kissed me on the forehead and left.
I shifted the way I was sitting, which disturbed the little one’s sleep. He whimpered a little and moved further up against my body, curling up into a little ball. “Don’t you worry, little one. You’re going to be just fine,” I said in what I hoped was a soothing voice.