by Carrie Elks
“We’ll take good care of him,” the vet reassured her. “There’s no point in sitting around here. I’ve been told many times that the chairs here are uncomfortable.” He gave them a rueful smile. “And when you come back in, our receptionist will be here. She can take all your insurance details in the morning.”
“I don’t have insurance,” Jackson told him. “I’ll pay by card. Whatever it costs to make him well.”
Lydia squeezed his hand harder.
“You really should think about pet insurance,” the vet told him. “Dogs like Eddie love to eat things they shouldn’t. This time he should be okay, but if he’d needed surgery it could be very costly.”
“He’s not my dog. I’m just taking care of him,” Jackson informed him.
“We found him by the side of the road. Brooke looked over him and promised to keep an eye out for his owners, but they haven’t been found yet,” Lydia added.
“That’s a shame.” Max frowned. “I’ll ask Brooke to do some more digging. You shouldn’t have to pay for his care when you don’t own him.”
“I’m happy to pay,” Jackson insisted. “Eddie got sick on my watch.”
“We’ll see. In the meantime, I’m going to head back and check on Eddie, and see if there’s anything else he needs to get the jellyfish out of his system.”
Jackson shook his hand. “Thank you for seeing us so quickly.”
Max gave a half smile. “You won’t thank me so much when you get your bill. But you’re welcome, anyway. We’ll call you some time after nine and give you an update. And hopefully you can take him home soon after that.”
“You’re shaking,” Lydia murmured, as Jackson steered his car into the driveway. His hands were tightly gripping the wheel, yet she could still see them trembling.
“Yeah.” Jackson let out a sigh. “I really thought it was bad. That we might lose him.”
“I was scared, too,” Lydia whispered. “I’ve never seen a dog throw up that much before.”
“Hopefully we’ll never see it again.” Turning off the ignition, Jackson faced her. “You doing okay?”
She nodded.
“I’m glad you were here with me,” he told her, taking her hand between his. “I wouldn’t have wanted to go through that alone.”
“If it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t be going through it at all,” Lydia reminded him. He turned her hand over and traced circles in her palms. It made her shiver in the best kind of way. “I’m the one who found Eddie.”
Jackson lifted his gaze. “And I’m glad you did. I don’t like to think about what could have happened if we hadn’t found him. He could have run into the road and gotten hit by a car. Or starved.” He cleared his throat. “Or worse.”
He lifted Lydia’s hand to his mouth and kissed her wrist. She squirmed in her seat. “Maybe you were always meant to find him. You need each other.”
His lips curled against her skin. “Yeah, I think we probably do. Now let’s go inside. I need to show you how much I need you right now.”
Oh! She’d been wondering if it was wrong to feel this sudden need for him when Eddie was still at the vet. But from the way he was kissing her neck, he felt exactly the same. She’d once read that scary circumstances could increase desire. As though people needed the distraction from reality, and the reminder they were still alive.
“Oh yeah?” she said, the corner of her lip curling. “How are you going to show me that?”
Tugging at her hand, he pulled her until she was leaning across the console. There was a neediness in his gaze that sent desire through her body.
“First I’m going to kiss you,” he murmured, brushing his lips against hers. “And then I’m going to strip every item of clothing off you, throw you on the bed, and give you exactly what you need.”
“More sleep?” she said, arching an eyebrow.
He grinned. “Yeah, more sleep. Just as soon as I’ve made you scream my name.”
Somebody needed to stop that screeching noise. Jackson blinked open one eyelid and reached out for his phone, his hand patting the bedside table in a futile attempt to find it.
Then he remembered about Eddie, and sat up ramrod straight. Was it the vet calling? He finally located his phone in his jeans pocket, where he’d hastily shoved it before they’d headed to the emergency vet. Pulling it out, he frowned when he saw the dark screen.
Another screech. It was coming from Lydia’s side of the bed. Shaking his head wryly at himself, because it wasn’t Lydia’s side, both of them were his, he reached across her still sleeping body to shut the noise off.
He could feel the heat of her skin against him as he leaned across. “What’s that?” she asked, her eyes still closed.
“It’s okay. Keep sleeping, it’s your phone buzzing.”
Grabbing it, he tried to turn it off, but instead the screen lit up.
‘Your flight is ready for check in' the banner on the screen announced. He stared at it for a moment, then turned down the volume and replaced her phone on the table next to the bed.
Flopping back on the mattress, he could feel a frown pull at his lips. It was stupid, because he knew she was leaving soon. He’d known it from the start. And yet seeing those words had put him in the worst kind of mood.
The kind that left a bad taste in his mouth.
Grabbing his own phone, he checked on the time. It was seven a.m. Usually, he’d have been up for at least an hour. Even on the weekends he rarely slept in late. Not because he liked getting up, but because there was always something to do. But right now all he wanted to do was look at Lydia as she half-slept, her blonde hair spread across the pillow in a crazy mess, her cheek red from where she’d been sleeping on it. And her lips pink and so damn kissable, something he knew from a lot of experience.
Less than a week, and he wouldn’t wake up next to her again.
The thought of it made his stomach feel tight. It was crazy, because they’d only been sleeping with each other for a few days, but it felt like so much longer. Since she’d arrived, he’d fostered a dog, become a godparent, and had the best damn sex he could ever remember, and all of those things had changed him.
But it was Lydia who had changed him the most. Every time he looked at her he felt contradictory emotions. He wanted to bundle her up and protect her, to make sure her sunny nature wasn’t taken advantage of, but like a bird he wanted her to fly free.
He couldn’t imagine her being anything but that wild, intrepid explorer who flew from country to country the same way other people commuted to work. And he couldn’t ask her to change. Not for him.
In another world, maybe he’d go with her. Give up his job and his house and follow the sun the same way she did. But in his heart, he knew he couldn’t do it. He had a business to run. Staff to take care of. And his dad needed him, too.
Not to mention Eddie.
The fact was, Lydia traveled alone and made friends as she went. He was just another friend. Yeah, one with benefits they both enjoyed, but in a few weeks she’d probably have moved on.
He gritted his teeth at the thought of her with somebody else. The thought of it made him want to curl up his fists and hit something.
There was another buzz, this time from his phone. He didn’t recognize the number that flashed across the screen, but he opened the message.
Hi, it’s Brooke. I just got into work and found out that Eddie has been sick. In case you’re worried, I checked on him and he’s sleeping happily. I think he’s dreaming of food, because he keeps chewing the air! Give the office a call when you’re awake and we’ll arrange for you to pick him up!
It was stupid how happy that message made him. He pushed down the dark thoughts that had been swirling around in his brain. He’d wake Lydia up and they’d go pick Eddie up, then spend the day spoiling him so he knew that they cared. And he’d persuade her to spend the night again, so he could wake up and see her beautiful face lying next to his.
That was enough. It had to be, because he w
asn’t getting any more than that.
21
“We have two pieces of good news,” Brooke told them as she led Jackson and Lydia into the kennels. Eddie was laying on a blanket in a pen. As soon as he saw Jackson, he scrambled to his feet, his tail wagging wildly as he pressed his wet nose to the Plexiglas door. “First of all, Eddie’s managed to eat something and keep it down. Just boiled rice, but it’s a great sign. We’d advise you to keep his diet bland for the rest of today and tomorrow, but after that you can start trying kibble again.”
“He’ll be better that quickly? I thought food poisoning could take weeks to get over,” Jackson said. There was a smile on his face that Lydia found infectious. She loved the way his face lit up as Brooke opened the door.
“Dogs tend to recover a lot faster than humans.” Brooke hooked Eddie’s leash on, and passed it to Jackson. “They’re like children. They want to be running around and having fun, so they tend to recuperate fast.”
“What’s the second piece of good news?” Lydia asked, as Jackson scooted to his haunches and ruffled Eddie’s fur. Eddie put his front paws on Jackson’s shoulders, and licked him all over his face. Jackson laughed, and tickled beneath his chin.
“We think we might have found his owner.”
Jackson looked up, his hands stilling. “You have?”
“Yeah. Doctor Grant has a friend who works in a veterinary office on Golden Ridge. We sent them a photo of Eddie, and they think they know the owners. They’re going to make a phone call today.” Brooke lifted her eyebrows. “So you may be free before you know it.”
Lydia sneaked another glance at Jackson. He was stroking Eddie again, but his expression was distracted. “How will we know if they’re the real owners?” he asked. “And not some people who want a free dog.”
Brooke laughed. “No dog is free. After you pay our bill you’ll know that. But the vet up in Golden Ridge should have details that match Eddie’s. And of course, Eddie’ll recognize his owners if he sees them.”
Jackson nodded, his expression impassive. “Okay. Keep us updated once you speak to them, please.”
“We will.” She patted Eddie’s head. “You’re good to go. If you stop at the front desk you can pick up Eddie’s medicines.”
When they’d signed Eddie out of the veterinary office, Jackson glanced at Lydia. “It looks like I’m going to be stuck in the house for the day with him. You should go spend some time with Autumn. I feel like I’ve taken up all your time while you’ve been here.”
Lydia pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “I can come keep you company.”
He gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I have a lot of work to catch up with anyway. I’ll get Eddie’s bed out and work on the deck. There is one thing you could do for me though.”
“Sure.” Lydia nodded. “Just say the word.”
“Could you dog sit for me tomorrow? I have to go into the office to meet a potential new employee and I can’t give Eddie my full attention while I’m there.”
She nodded. “Of course, I’ll be happy to.”
“That’s if his owners don’t pick him up in the meantime.” Jackson’s voice was low. She glanced up at him, but she couldn’t read his expression.
“Maybe they’re not his owners,” she said, trying to find a way to make him feel better.
He set his jaw, and opened the car door, helping Eddie into the backseat. “I hope they are,” he told her. “It’ll be so much easier if I’m not having to take care of him when I should be working.”
Her smile wavered. “But you’ll miss him, won’t you?”
He shrugged. “It’s been fun having him around. But it was never meant to be permanent.”
She wanted to remind him of what he said that morning – that he and Eddie needed each other – but the words died in her throat. Maybe it was better this way. If Eddie’s owners really had been located, the dog would be going with them, whether Jackson liked it or not.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to hang around today?” she asked. “I can be quiet and keep an eye on Eddie.”
A ghost of a smile passed his lips. “It’s okay. I got this. You go home and have some fun with your sister. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
So he didn’t want her to come over tonight? Lydia swallowed hard, trying to hide the hurt from her face. “Sure. I’ll be over by seven. I know you like to leave early for the office.” Rolling onto her toes, she pressed her lips to his. He kissed her back, but didn’t deepen it.
“Thanks,” he murmured, walking around to the driver’s seat and climbing inside the car. “Hop in, I’ll give you a ride home.”
Autumn walked into the living room later that evening, carrying a bottle of red wine and two glasses. “Skyler’s asleep and Griff is in the garage working on his surf board,” she said to Lydia, who was moping on the black leather sofa. “So I figured we’d open a bottle of cabernet sauvignon and you can tell me why you’ve been walking around all day with a face like thunder.”
“Do I really have a face like thunder?” Lydia asked.
Autumn put the glasses down and filled them both generously. “Kind of. I guess it’s more like a hurricane. Which isn’t how somebody should be looking after they’ve spent the night with Angel Sands’ hottest bachelor.”
“I spent most of the night watching a dog vomit from both ends,” Lydia reminded her, as Autumn passed her one of the glasses. “I’m sorry. We’re supposed to be spending quality time together and I’m bringing us both down.”
“Did Jackson do something wrong?” Autumn asked. “Because the last time I saw the two of you, you couldn’t keep your hands off each other. The way he looked at you when you were giving your speech, whew!” She fanned herself. “It made me sweat like a Manhattan summer.”
Lydia swallowed a mouthful of wine, and put her glass on the table. “He’s a bit hot and cold,” she admitted. “One minute he’s all over me, the next he’s talking about having to work and giving me the distinct impression I’m not wanted.”
Autumn shot her a sympathetic glance. “He does work hard. Maybe he was just being honest.”
Lydia sighed. “Maybe. But it didn’t feel right. He didn’t mention me coming over tonight, or whether he’d even call.”
“So that’s it? You’re left hanging?”
“Well, I’m going over to dog sit tomorrow so he can go to the office. I guess I’ll see him then.” She curled her feet beneath her, laying her head back on the sofa. “It’s just that I have so little time. I really want to spend it with him.”
Running the pad of her finger around her wine glass, Autumn looked up at her sister. “Maybe he’s finding this whole last week thing difficult,” she said, giving Lydia a soft smile. “It’s easier to be the one leaving sometimes. You have something new to look forward to, things to distract you. But the one who stays, that’s tough. There’s an emptiness where things were once full.”
Lydia shook her head. “No. I’m just a distraction for him. A bit of fun, I guess. He said as much to Griff.”
“What exactly did he say?” Autumn leaned forward.
“I wasn’t supposed to be listening,” Lydia admitted. “But I overheard him tell Griff that he was bad at relationships and this was just a vacation fling.”
“Oh, honey.” Autumn pressed her lips together in sympathy.
“Please don’t feel sorry for me. He’s right. I guess I just wanted… I don’t know. Something other than this.”
“Would you stay if he asked you?” Autumn asked, her brows pulling together.
“I can’t,” Lydia whispered. “I have my job. And I know how much you love living like this, but I don’t know if I can. Traveling is who I am. It’s what I do. I don’t know anything else.”
Griff walked into the living room, took one look at Autumn and Lydia leaning in and speaking softly, and went to walk out.
“Where are you going?” Autumn asked him, as he turned his back.
“I thought
you were having girl talk.” Griff shrugged. “I’ll go sit out on the deck.”
“Sit here,” Autumn said, patting the empty seat next to her. “You might be able to give us some insight.”
“Into what?”
“Into Jackson, of course.”
Griff’s eyes widened. He held his hands up as though to ward them off. “Hell, no. That kind of talk will only end in tears. Probably mine.”
“I’m not asking you to betray any confidences,” Autumn said, shaking her head at his mock-horror. “Just give us a male point of view.”
He sighed, but sat down. “Okay, hit me with it.”
“Why do guys blow so hot and cold? One minute they’re all over you, the next they don’t want to know you.” Autumn glanced at Lydia from the corners of her eyes.
“So we’re talking hypothetically and not about Jackson, right?” Griff lifted a brow.
Autumn sniggered. “Yup.”
Blowing out a mouthful of air, Griff raked his hands through his thick hair. “Well, let’s say this hypothetical guy had some heartbreak with women before. He got dicked over by the woman he loved, after he saw his dad go through exactly the same thing when he was a kid. And he’s learned that the only way not to feel hurt is to wear some armor over his heart. To protect himself. So every time he gets close, there’s this little warning bell that goes off in his head. Telling him there’s danger everywhere. He retreats and armors his heart all over again, because he’s too afraid to do anything else.”
When he’d finished, both Lydia and Autumn were staring at him, their mouths open.
“What?” he asked.
“I’ve never heard you speak for that long before,” Lydia said, biting down a smile.
“Wow,” Autumn agreed. “You really know this stuff, don’t you?”
His lip quirked up. “Yeah, well it wasn’t so long ago that I was living it, too. Remember how I tried to keep things between us casual?” he asked Autumn.
“I remember.” Her eyes were soft. “We both thought we were so clever. Pretending we were friends when there was so much more going on. I swear all of Angel Sands knew we were in love before we did.”
