Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“What’s this?” My mouth felt drier than my dusty driveway. I blinked. I couldn’t rule out a hallucination, but Carson seemed real enough as he strode toward me.
“Got cleared to drive.” Carson stopped in front of the steps.
“Your appointment must have gone well. Congrats.” I wasn’t sure what else to say, and I sure as hell didn’t want to say the wrong thing.
“First solo trip.” Carson gestured back at the truck. “Had to sweet-talk Colt.”
“I’m surprised he agreed.” I gave a shaky laugh as I stooped to retrieve my keys.
“Mav helped.” Carson scratched the back of his neck, blue-plaid western shirt rippling with the movement. He looked so much more like a cowboy now, faded jeans, pearl-snap shirt, boots, leather belt. I wanted him so much I could scarcely move.
“Maverick is good at balancing Colt’s overprotectiveness.” How I was managing any conversation at all was a wonder.
“Yep.” Carson climbed the steps to stand next to me. He smelled like sawdust and spice. Familiar. “Gonna ask me in?”
“Sorry.” My laugh went from shaky to downright maniacal. “Didn’t mean to leave you outside. I’m a bit dazed because I was about to come to you.” I held up my truck keys. “And then here you are.”
“Here I am.” Carson followed me into the kitchen, where the dog was waiting for us, regarding Carson through wary eyes. His shaggy black-and-white coat looked far better today after a bath and some patient brushing on my part. No bark, but he was taking his time coming to an opinion regarding Carson, who held out a hand. “Whose dog?”
“No one’s yet. The Youngs found him wandering near their place. Luna talked me into fostering him for the weekend.”
“He sure looks comfortable.” Carson gestured at the large bag of chow next to the shiny dishes occupying the same spot all my childhood dogs had. Near the dining table, multiple tennis balls jockeyed for space with chew toys and two stuffed animals with squeakers.
“I maybe went a bit overboard at the feed store,” I confessed. The large-size bag of chow was far more economical than the tiny packages, and I’d seen enough herding dogs with skin sensitivities to be picky about brand and type beyond what we’d had at the office. “I didn’t know his toy preferences, so I got him an assortment to try.”
“I see.” Carson rubbed his jaw as if trying not to laugh before pointing at the large cushion near the couch in the next room. “And the bed?”
“Thought it might keep him out of mine.” The dog apparently decided Carson was friend, not foe, and approached him slowly.
“Uh-huh.” Carson’s eyes twinkled as he leaned down to pet the dog. “Got a name?”
I pursed my lips. I’d resisted as long as I could.
“I’ve been calling him Lucky.” The dog gave a happy wag at the sound of his temporary nickname. He was a smart one. “Kept telling him he was lucky I’d agreed to the weekend. Lucky eventually stuck as his name for now.”
“For now.” Carson didn’t sound convinced I’d pass Lucky along come Monday. I wasn’t either, but I wasn’t ready to admit that yet. Carson scratched Lucky’s head. “Looks to be a real hardship.”
“Terrible imposition.” I chuckled, a bit self-conscious at how quickly Lucky had wriggled his way into my life. I’d thought it was mainly me missing Carson, but now Carson was right here in my house, and I wasn’t any more inclined to make calls to find Lucky a permanent placement.
“Surprised you didn’t get one sooner.”
“Luna’s been after me to at least foster for years.” I sighed at my own ridiculous resistance. “Guess I wasn’t ready. Had a whole list of excuses.”
“I feel that.” Carson’s expression softened, eyes appearing more green in the late afternoon sun streaming through the windows. “Used excuses to avoid coming out.”
“You had valid reasons,” I countered. My stomach twisted. The dog had been an excellent distraction, but we’d inevitably arrived back where we’d left off. My pulse sped up. I still didn’t have a good reply to Carson’s offer to come out.
“Some maybe.” Not meeting my gaze, Carson stooped to play tug with one of the toys with Lucky. “I told Colt.”
“What? Really?” Voice rising, I jumped enough to make Lucky drop his toy and come to my side.
“Chill. Not about us.” Carson’s eyes flickered with disappointment a second before his jaw hardened. “Just me. I’m gay.”
“Oh.” My pulse went from fast to legitimately tachycardic.
“Was the first time I said it.” Carson’s voice dropped to a near whisper. Finally shifting his attention from the dog, he lifted his eyes to meet mine, a quiet vulnerability to his expression that made me reach for him.
“Wow.” I pulled him into a hug. I couldn’t not touch him. Everything else between us could wait. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks.” Carson accepted the embrace, breathing deeply before stepping back. “Felt free. Like I’m flying.”