10. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Christian
T he drive to the Serenity Animal Rescue in Hartsville took a bit of time. Dealing with Pam Scholls, the director, took longer. The woman was in her early fifties with blonde hair. She was also on the shorter side and truly had a…strong…personality.
I liked her.
“I called your references.” She held Noah’s gaze. “Your old boss was really sorry you left in a hurry.” She arched an eyebrow.
“That’s on me.” I raised my hand. “I just needed to get out of there. See, I was supposed to marry this nice woman—Laura. And she ran away with someone else, and everyone in town was assuming she’d broken my heart and was treating me with kid gloves.
That’s so stifling, right? You know what I mean.
So, one day I asked Noah that if he could do anything—live anywhere—what would he do?
He said Foggy Basin and a dog training business.
I said we had to leave the next day. I might’ve implied I’d leave without him, which I totally wouldn’t have.
He was between training groups, and is there ever a good time to pack up your life and move? Anyway, we, uh, did.”
“Did?” Pam blinked.
“Did move across the country. We’re from Tennessee, in case you couldn’t tell. The accent sort of gives it away. Although some people guess like Georgia or Alabama. I guess the southern accent sounds the same to everyone out here, right?” I grinned.
She glanced between the two of us, finally settling back on Noah. “You’ve taken a lease on the house for a year?”
“Yes.”
“So you’re not just going to take off suddenly and leave the dogs behind?”
“Absolutely not. Stormy is our first rescue, and I’ll admit I was thinking an older dog—like a senior—but you told me about River and Sable and…my heart kind of melted.” He shot me a look, which I interpreted as please shut up, you’re not really helping.
Admittedly, I wasn’t a great liar, and I’d sort of told three or four half-truths in that monologue. Well, one-quarter truths. I ran through the words in my mind as Noah and Pam sorted the paperwork.
Okay. Several flat-out lies.
I winced inwardly.
But all that really mattered was that Noah got the puppies. Of course, he’d be the best owner ever—that was a given. Naturally he’d be able to give them the best home in the world—how could that be in doubt? Stormy and I were just a bonus.
Speaking of… My girl sat in the heel position by my leg and waited patiently. She’d been so excited to go for another car ride. We had a tether system for her so she could see out the window. We had two crates to bring the puppies home in .
When the nice other lady, whose name I totally missed, brought the two puppies out, my heart exploded.
They were smaller than the lab puppies, even though they were a couple of weeks older. They had light-brown-and-cream fur with weird markings.
The woman handed one to Noah.
His face immediately relaxed and transformed into the biggest, brightest smile. “Hello, Sable.” He pressed his face to the dog’s. “I’m going to give you the best home ever.”
She licked his nose.
Stormy pressed against me.
I petted her. “You’ll get your turn.”
Noah pivoted to us and slowly crouched. “Stormy, this is Sable. Be gentle.”
The warning was a nice touch, but my girl didn’t need it. She nosed the little dog and then licked her nose.
Sable let out a tiny yelp.
My heart melted.
Noah repeated the process with River.
Pam looked on with approval.
Forty minutes later, with the puppies secure in their crates, we headed for the pet store.
Dollar signs flashed before my eyes. You still haven’t told him about the money. Right. He had no idea I’d squirreled away every penny I’d earned basically since the day I went to work at the family firm as an intern.
Mr. Frankston insisted all employees—even family members—be paid a living wage. So, I’d been earning decent money since I turned sixteen. More, when I’d been promoted to a junior executive role upon graduation from business school .
I might’ve let my parents think I was frittering the money away.
In truth, I’d opened a bank account at a branch of a big bank in the next town over.
Quietly, every two weeks, I transferred most of my money there.
I’d invested conservatively, but wisely.
Almost ten years of hard work had earned me a nice nest egg.
And I’d sort of neglected to tell any of that to Noah.
He’d had to pay for much of his stuff over the years.
He could have the pets—as long as he took care of them and paid for them.
Vet bills were high, and anytime he managed to get something saved, one of his animals would get sick.
That was the peril of owning pets. “I got my first paycheck on Friday.” I had Stormy on a short leash as I pushed the cart through the store.
Noah had a puppy under each arm and, as I’d silently predicted, every single person we’d run into wanted to see the puppies.
One woman had brazenly asked Noah over for a puppy playdate .
I didn’t have anything against great Danes, but that dog could’ve squished one of the pups. So could Stormy, so watch out .
Noah gently declined the offer.
“I’ve got enough money. I haven’t spent my entire last check from the credit union, and I have the tuition money from the lab puppies as well as the three private clients.” He fingered several collars. “I don’t want to do traditional blue and pink.”
“Agreed.”
“So navy-blue for River and purple for Sable?”
I eyed the two bundles. “Well, we definitely need a way to tell them apart. What did the vet say she thought they were?”
“He. Dr. Malcolm Jones. We have an appointment in two hours at his Fluff & Tuff Animal Clinic back in Foggy Basin. Pam’s best guess is a terrier mix. I’m thinking there’s some Japanese Chin. ”
Although I tried to keep up, many of the breeds eluded me. I trusted Noah to prompt me if any knowledge was crucial. Knowing what these two were would be somewhat important.
He grabbed two collars as well as two matching leashes before tossing everything into the cart. “Why did you lie to Pam?” He tossed the question off casually, as if asking me if I wanted more sweetener in my coffee.
Spoiler alert—the answer was always hell, yes .
“Lie?” I might’ve squeaked that.
He eyed me. “That word vomit thing you did. Which is really not like you. Getting you to discuss anything personal is like pulling teeth, and all of a sudden, you’re giving a stranger your life story.”
“Well, not my entire life.”
He offered me a raised eyebrow.
“Just the Laura stuff. Which was all true. Everyone in town pities me for being stood up. I mean, we weren’t anywhere near the altar, but everyone assumed we were. Everyone assumed I was heartbroken—even though I totally wasn’t.” Then you started dating creepoid… that broke my heart.
“Still. You didn’t have to make it sound like I had to follow you.”
“Do you think they need raincoats?”
“With the drought? Not likely. They’d grow out of them in thirty seconds anyway. We can figure that out in the fall—months from now.” He pursed his lips. “But they will look super cute if, when they’re full grown, we buy them matching coats.”
I leaned in and petted each of their heads in turn. “Hear that guys? You’re going to be so cute.” I made the cutesy voice I knew drove Noah nuts.
He groaned .
We finished shopping, he paid, and then we loaded everything in the car for the drive back to Foggy Basin. We arrived at Fluff & Tuff just in time, and we were escorted to the exam room immediately.
The nice tech weighed our two new ones.
“Oh, we should get Stormy weighed as well.” I gestured to my girl.
Paxton had paid for a vet visit for her when she first arrived, and she was in perfect health, so she had a few more months before her first birthday check-up.
“Great, let’s step into the lobby.” The technician eyed Stormy. “She’s not going to fit on the little scale in here.”
We all laughed as I guided her to the much-larger scale.
She sat pretty, and the tech noted her weight, then compared it to a month ago. “That’s another seven pounds. She’s growing like a weed.”
I flashed to the two puppies. “She’ll stop eventually, right?”
“Yes, I promise. But she’s going to be well over one hundred before she stops.
” Another gentle smile. “Why don’t you head back into the exam room?
Dr. Jones did Stormy’s check-up a month ago, so he’ll be better able to give you an idea of what you’re facing.
I’m so glad she got rescued—she’s such a sweet dog. ”
I petted her head. “She’s just perfect.”
“We thought so. Hard to believe someone abandoned her.”
“Horrible thing to do. Except if they hadn’t, I wouldn’t have her, and she’s just the best girl.” I snuck her a piece of kibble.
She licked my hand.
The technician laughed and guided us back to the exam room.
Where I expected to find Noah alone, I discovered a super-handsome guy in a lab coat who was laughing uproariously with my best friend.
The two were a matched set—dark skin, laughing dark-brown eyes, and mirrored grins .
Noah spotted me first. “Oh, Christian, perfect timing. Malcolm was just telling me about the time, as a kid, that he…” He trailed off. “Are you okay? Is something wrong with Stormy?”
I had no idea what my expression actually was…but apparently whatever it was prompted Noah to be concerned. “Uh, Stormy’s fine. Malcolm?” I might’ve squeaked that.
The taller man, who was about my height, extended his hand. “Dr. Malcolm Jones. I’m not as formal as some vets are.” His gaze lowered to Stormy. “And how are you, precious girl? I hear you’ve found your forever home.”
Something in his tone had me relaxing.
A fraction.
The way he was so casual with Noah rankled. I couldn’t have been gone more than a few minutes.
I smiled. “Forever home is right. She’s just precious. And so smart. She already knows so many commands. And Noah’s teaching her tricks. Maybe you can tell him about that?” I gave Noah that look.
He cocked his head.
Sable yipped.
Noah and Malcolm laughed—again at the same time.
“Puppies don’t always appreciate being ignored.
Let’s take a look at these. I saw in their chart that the vet over in Hartsville examined them a couple of days ago, when they were first dropped off.
She didn’t note anything on the file, but I appreciate you bringing them in so I can give them a thorough exam.
” The vet gently stroked Sable’s soft fur.
“Well, you’re going to be their vet. So, we’re going to be getting to know each other quite well.” Noah was all grins.
I managed a smile.
Barely .
By the end of the exam, I could admit to being impressed. I knew nothing of vets and exams and all that stuff—those had always been things Noah had to deal with—but the way Dr. Jones handled the puppies was damn impressive.
Noah was just placing them on the ground when he pivoted his attention to the vet.
Okay, I thought we were finished.
“So, Christian happens to be single…” Noah glanced my way.
I shot daggers back.
Dr. Jones pivoted his attention to me. “I wasn’t going to ask, because I sort of got the vibe you were together—”
“Nope.” Noah answered quickly. “Just two gay best friends who are new in town and looking to meet people. Christian agreed to let me set him up—”
Oh hell, he did not just go there.
“And being his best friend, you’re obliging him?” Dr. Jones smiled. “Dating a patient’s parent isn’t encouraged, but one dinner won’t hurt. I’m newer in town and am always up for a good time helping to welcome newcomers.” He met my gaze. “If you’re all right with this.”
“Fine.” I plastered on a smile, all the while trying to figure out how I could murder Noah and get away with it.
“Great!” Noah beamed. “How about tonight? No sense letting grass grow under our feet.”
The favorite expression of our ninth-grade physical education teacher as he pushed us to do yet another twenty pushups.
I always hated the guy.
Even as these thoughts circled in my mind, I hatched a plan. “Blue Star Diner okay?”
“I love them. Can’t wait.” Dr. Jones offered me a wide grin with perfect teeth.
My gaze shifted to Noah.
Better sleep with your door locked.