Chapter 7 10 Months Later
“I’m never moving again.” Ethan sagged onto the couch in the living room. In a sea of boxes, it was the only piece of furniture available.
“Those are famous last words. We’re going to need more acreage for all the rescue dogs at some point,” Jordan said, plopping down next to him and resting his arm across Ethan’s tired shoulders.
They’d bought the house after Jordan had been offered and accepted a position at Western Washington University.
It sat on a quarter acre and backed up to a green space, so they had privacy, room for pets, and room to breathe.
They’d definitely been in the right place at the right time when this property came onto the market.
“One. One more rescue dog. We’re both gone too often to commit to more,” Ethan said. Although, admittedly, it was rarely at the same time.
He hadn’t even thought that one dog was a good idea.
But he’d been the one to stroll innocently into the local Petco when they were having an adoption event for the Whatcom Humane Society.
And returned the next day to pick up a scruffy white fluff of cotton with a personality big enough for ten dogs.
Jeffrey was a lot, over the top, completely ridiculous. And even though Ethan adored him, Jeffrey was Jordan’s dog. How did that even happen? Right now, the menace was out with their fourteen-year-old neighbor so he wouldn’t be underfoot while the movers lugged in all the damn boxes.
“One more dog and one cat. Cats are independent. If we’re gone at the same time, the cat will be fine and keep the dogs company,” Jordan countered, like they were bargaining but also keeping a watch out the street facing window. “Plus, we can contribute to Jackson’s college fund or whatever.”
The problem wasn’t wanting dogs, cats, rabbits, or any creature, it was wanting to save all of them.
Ethan twisted his head around to see what Jordan was looking at.
Fifteen-pound Jeffrey was dragging a laughing Jackson down the sidewalk toward their new house.
Jackson was home-schooled, which, fine, wasn’t Ethan’s favorite thing, but it could work out if done right.
But Jackson’s dad rarely seemed to be home, and as far as they knew, his mother lived in Oregon or Idaho. Not close by at all.
They were aware of all of this because they’d visited the new house several times before making an offer, and after closing had camped out with sleeping bags and instant coffee while waiting for the moving trucks to arrive from two different locations.
And Jackson had been their own personal welcoming committee.
Jackson was smart and, so far, reliable.
Jeffrey adored him almost as much as he adored Jordan.
“You are terrible,” Ethan said with a sigh. He wasn’t terrible—Jordan had a heart of gold.
“So, it’s a plan? One more dog and a cat,” Jordan said with a smile in his voice as he scooted even closer to him.
Dammit. Ethan could never resist the man.
“Maybe we should see if Jackson can come with us next time? Seeing as we’re thinking about a dog and a cat, and he might sometimes be taking care of them.” Ethan said. “Maybe we should ask him what he thinks?”
“I’ve always loved your brain, Doctor Moore. I love all of you.” Jordan planted a sloppy kiss on his ear.
“I love you back, Professor Ferguson,” Ethan replied, wiping off his ear. He was going to add more, but there was a knock on the front door followed by shrill, demanding barks.
“Come in,” Jordan called out.
The door opened and Jeffrey darted inside, followed by a smiling Jackson.
“Sorry about that, Mr. Moore and Mr. Ferguson, but Jeffrey was ready to come home.”
“It’s Ethan and Jordan, Jackson,” Jordan reminded him again.
Ethan cocked his eyebrow at Jordan and nudged him with his toe. Jordan looked confused for a second but quickly rallied.
“Jackson, we appreciate you looking after Jeffrey. He can be a real handful. And, uh, we’re seriously considering adopting another dog and a cat.
Do you think your dad would be okay with you coming along to the humane society with us?
Seeing as we hope to hire you as our pet sitter when we go out of town? ”
For a split second, Jackson stared at Jordan, his eyes wide. Then he darted a glance over at Ethan, who nodded confirmation that Jordan wasn’t spouting nonsense. A huge grin spread across Jackson’s face as he visibly vibrated with excitement.
“I guess that’s a yes,” said Jordan.
“I’d say so.” Chuckling, Ethan stood up and grabbed Jeffrey’s rainbow leash so he could unhook him.
Jeffrey proceeded to flop onto the hardwood floor as if he’d done more than just saunter around the block at a pace that made banana slugs look fast and then pulled Jackson for only the last twenty feet or so.
The dog was a drama queen, no doubt about that.
“Dad won’t care,” Jackson said matter-of-factly, his hands jammed into the back pockets of his worn jeans as he stood by the front door.
“I can go whenever. I gotta head someplace now though.” He pointed a thumb over his shoulder.
“There’s a retro Dungeons and Dragons game starting at the library today. Promise you won’t go without me?”
“We promise,” Jordan said.
With that, he was out the door and down the steps.
Ethan stared after the kid. “Retro Dungeons and Dragons? I think I need to go take my afternoon nap.”
“How about we take a nap together?” Jordan said, waggling his eyebrows. “And afterward we can unpack your walker and totter to the library and show those whippersnappers how the game is played?”
A guffaw escaped Ethan. “As if. We’d look like buffoons. But I love your courage. And I love you.”
Jordan patted the couch cushion. “Sit your ass down and let me show you how much I love you too.”
The End