And I needed her too.
I spun my phone in my hand. It was after eleven. I shouldn’t wake her. Shouldn’t risk Grey Paws.
Once again, my father had taken away something else I could control in my life. I could be there for Ash, for Pepper. She could use the help. I wanted to be the one to do that for her.
Instead, I’d made a mess of things.
My father would continue to have control as long as I let him.
I rose, stiff from sitting so long. Sleep wasn’t coming, but a shower would be nice.
I tossed my phone on the bathroom counter. As I hung a towel on the rack, the phone mounted on the wall by the toilet was like a beacon.
How many times had I made fun of my brother for putting telephones in the bathrooms?
I closed the lid on the toilet, looked up the number to Grey Paws, and blocked the caller ID before I dialed.
Riiing.
It was late.
Riiing.
This was rude.
Riiing.
They’re probably asleep.
Riiing.
I bet I woke the dogs.
Riiing.
“Hello?” A breathless sounding Pepper finally answered.
Relief rushed through me. I’d just seen her a few hours ago, but it was so good to hear her voice.
“Hey. Did I wake you?”
“No.” A rustling came from the other end. “I just got back from walking Muffy and Sadie.”
I sat up. “This late?”
“It takes a lot of time.”
That didn’t mean I had to like it. “It’s dangerous.”
“They need more exercise than I give them as it is,” she snapped. “I can’t help that I can’t get it done within safe hours.”
I should be there for her. It would cut the load in half, maybe more because Miss Adeline did a lot. But it wasn’t good for her to be out in the cold late at night.
“You’re doing a great job.”
If I were there, she’d probably give me a dirty look for that comment, even if it was true.
“So great that I’m not one hundred percent sure everyone was fed. I was washing bowls and filling them at the same time.” She sighed and I pictured her sinking into the chair behind the reception desk. “It was a disaster.” Then she giggled. “But they all bark like they haven’t eaten in a week.”
On a night when I thought it impossible, my face cracked into a smile. “They’ll take seconds and thirds, right?”
“Without a doubt.”
“How’s Ash?” I hoped she was one of the ones thrilled with more food.
“She’s asleep with your scarf.” There was a fondness in her voice.
A spark of jealousy flared that she could be there to see that and I couldn’t. “I’m glad she’s resting.” And I was. That little bit of knowledge relaxed me a fraction.
“I thought about asking if you’d like to foster her since she has such an attachment to you.” Foster? I—I hadn’t had a dog since I was a kid. “But it’s not a good idea.”
Why? Did she think I wouldn’t be good to Ash? Had the time I’d spent with them proven I wasn’t fit to care for a dog?
That stung.
Regardless of what she thought, I wasn’t in a position to have a pet. I spent more time at the fire station than at home. It simply wasn’t feasible.
But knowing she thought so little of me . . . was disappointing.
“It wouldn’t be fair to her,” Pepper said quietly. “She’s already so attached. If she spent more time with you only to be taken away later . . . she’s been through enough already.”
I slumped against the back of the toilet.
I don’t want anyone else to have her.
That was possibly the most selfish thought I’d ever had. Ash deserved a home with more love than she could stand. But the idea I might never see her again didn’t settle well. We had a connection, one that transcended explanation.
“You’re right.” The words sounded like they’d been dragged from me.
“I have to put them first.” Creak. Had she finally sat down? “It has nothing to do with you.”
That made me feel marginally better. I shifted. Why were toilets so hard and uncomfortable?
I stretched out my legs, but that didn’t help my ass.
“Why are you making strange noises?”
I found myself smiling once again. “I’m using the phone in my brother’s bathroom. The only place to sit is the toilet. And it’s like a sheet of concrete.”
She snickered. A little more of my tension eased.
“You could try the floor.”
“It’s marble. Or something even harder,” I grumbled.
A comfortable silence stretched between us for a few moments. I’d temporarily forgotten the pile of crap that constantly weighed me down. Because she’d reminded me of the good.
“Why’d you call?” Only genuine curiosity laced the question.
I swallowed hard as the reason came crashing back.
“Cassano, he was the other firefighter at the blaze where I found Ash. The injured one. He—he died tonight.”
“Teague,” she breathed. “I’m—Are you okay?”
She’d almost said she was sorry. I knew it. And I was so grateful she hadn’t. While I didn’t doubt that she was, sometimes those words felt empty. What did it say about her that she was sensitive to that? That her immediate concern was me.
“I’m holding up.” I picked at a string on the hand towel lying on the counter.
“It’s hard to lose someone.” The sadness in her tone spoke of experience.
“I know.” All too well.
Cassano wasn’t the first brother-in-arms I’d lost and he wouldn’t be the last. I’d lost my mother. And in a way, I’d lost my father too.
But who had Pepper lost?
More silence.
What was there to say about Cassano? He was gone and nothing would bring him back. I hadn’t done enough to save him.
“I’m going to try to get Ash to eat for a few days. I don’t want to teach her bad habits. But if she won’t, is it okay if Miss Adeline contacts you again?” Pepper asked tentatively.
“I’d rather hear from you,” I blurted before I thought better of it.
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea.”
I liked the old woman, but she wasn’t Pepper. And why did she have to be so wise?
“Whatever you need, I’m here.” We’d just have to figure out a way to lay low.
She yawned. “I better go.”
“Thanks.” She’d been there for me when I needed to hear a friendly voice even though I didn’t deserve it.
There was a long pause.
“Goodbye, Teague.”
Before I could respond, there was a click. She was gone.
I hoped she got the rest she needed. That some of her worries would evaporate.
Just because you can’t see her, doesn’t mean you can’t be there.
My sister’s words came back to me in a flood.
Pepper needed more hands but would never ask for them. I could. I wanted to be there for her to support her, because that was where it felt right for me to be. By her side. With the dogs. Caring for them. Caring for Pepper. I wanted to be there with Pepper. Just . . . with her. Damn, I hated my father.
I grabbed my phone, not caring how late it was. After a few seconds scrolling, I found the number I was looking for and punched the call button.
“This better be good,” the gruff voice answered.
He sounded awake. And the good news was, it was difficult to tell when he was in a good mood or a bad one. His demeanor was mostly the same.
“I need a favor.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Pepper
“Hello? Anybody home?”
I nearly tripped down the stairs when Muffy got under my feet. Luckily, I gripped the railing before I took a nosedive face first to the bottom.
“I told you
we should’ve called,” another voice said.
Was that—
“Hey. What are you two doing here?” It was seven thirty. I’d overslept. Sadie and Miss Adeline arguing downstairs had woken me up.
“We had a day off and thought we’d come hang out with you.” Vivian flashed a cheeky grin at me.
Her best friend, Muriella, elbowed her in the side.
I was pretty sure Vivian didn’t work. At least not a nine to five. She didn’t have to. But Muriella was a teacher’s aide a few days a week. Though I was fairly certain she didn’t need to work either.
“Thank goodness you’re not here about the fundraiser.” I pretended to wipe sweat off my brow.
“We will need to discuss that at some point soon since it’s five weeks away.” Vivian hooked her arm through Muriella’s. “We didn’t bother taking our coats off. I’ve been told I should take exercise.”
I rubbed my face. Clearly, I wasn’t awake yet because my head was already spinning.
“Take exercise?” I asked carefully, unsure I wanted the answer.
Vivian waved me off. “Just a figure of speech. M and I are ready to walk some dogs.” She tilted her head. “Unless we need to clean kennels.”
Muriella smiled softly. “What she’s trying to say is we’re here to do whatever you need. Just put us to work.”
I stared at them like they’d just beamed in from another planet. Yesterday, Miss Adeline and I had worked ourselves silly doing just the basic necessities. Now, like a miracle, help was here.
“Thank you.” I motioned in a come with me gesture. “Umm . . . let’s see what’s going on in the chaos. Then we can figure out what needs to be done first.”
“Dark Lady,” one of Cher’s hits, played from the radio. Miss Adeline sang and clapped along. When she caught us watching, she grinned.
Guessed I wasn’t the only one with Teague on the brain. The reminder was a little painful, especially given the strange phone call last night. I’d wondered if I’d ever see him again as he left the park. Then, he’d called.
Because he lost a friend. One he thought he’d saved. He sounded so desperate, in so much pain. I wished more than anything I could have been with him, but I knew that wasn’t possible. I knew what loss felt like.
“Are you going to stand there and stare or do something?” Miss Adeline’s eyes were light as they bored into me.
“You have it under control.” I turned to Vivian and Muriella. “Ladies, we can put our feet up and drink sangria.”
“I knew we forgot to bring something.” Vivian snapped her finger in front of her in a dang it move.
“Then I suppose we’ll have to chip in.” I slung an arm around Miss Adeline’s shoulders. “Who’s had breakfast?”
She pointed to the far end of kennels. “They have. And Sadie.”
Of course Sadie had.
“If you’re serious about walking them, I’ll grab leads. But if it’s too cold . . .”
“Not at all.”
The bell jangled over the front door. We hadn’t had this many visitors in forever.
As I took a step toward the lobby to see who was here—and why the door was unlocked—two familiar faces appeared.
“Told you we should’ve taken the subway,” Vivian said.
One of the men scowled. The other grinned.
“But drivin’ my truck around this town is so much fun,” he said good-naturedly. “It’s the parking that’s a problem.” He moved behind Muriella and wrapped his arms around her.
“Did you find a spot?” she asked.
He kissed the side of her temple. A pinch of jealousy nipped at my heart. Their affection was easy. The love radiated from them.
I’d never really thought about a partner until Teague barged into my world. Now it seemed he had one foot in and one foot out, which was worse than if he’d never been there at all.
Vivian patted her husband’s cheek. “Someday you’ll learn we’re always right, and you’re always wrong.”
Daniel Elliott grunted and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
“Well, this is a surprise. Four of our favorite people, in the flesh.” Miss Adeline raised the dog food scoop she held. “Why have you been such strangers?”
“Because Stone and M have a seven-month-old,” Vivian said.
“And she’s been pretending like she was the one pregnant,” Muriella volunteered.
She shrugged. “It worked. I got waited on hand and foot.”
“You always do, Princess,” Daniel growled.
He was scary, all business all the time, but had been incredibly kind to us.
“Did you pray for volunteers?” I whispered to Miss Adeline.
She appeared as baffled by these four showing up as I was.
I scooped up a few leads off the counter. “I try to walk to the park and let them wander around for a while.”
Except I hadn’t been able to do that much since the arrival of our new friends. We’d make it to the park, but there wasn’t time to let them just be dogs there. I’d been getting more exercise than any of them.
Millie let me slip the loop of the leash around her neck. I passed her off to Vivian. She bucked toward the door, ready to take off.
“I think we’ll just do one at a time,” I said.
“I can handle another puppy,” Vivian said, even as Millie inched her closer to the door with her sheer strength.
“That’s okay.”
I leashed another dog and handed him to Daniel. In no time, they had four excited dogs stamping their feet in anticipation.
I loved that sound.
“Call me if you need me.” I waved my cell phone.
They disappeared out the front door. Millie yanked Vivian ahead of the group and the sound of their laughter could be heard through the windows.
I wandered into the back.
“I’m not complaining, but what brought them to our doorstep?” She scooped the gourmet dog food in a bowl.
I lifted both shoulders and lowered them. “I honestly have no idea. I haven’t talked to Vivian or Muriella in . . . a while.” The days all ran together and I couldn’t keep them straight.
“They came in the nick of time.” She wiped under my eyes with her thumb. “You’ve got bags. And it’s not from being ancient like me.”
As soon as she filled a bowl, I put it in a kennel. The sweet smacking commenced before I could set the food down.
“In case you haven’t noticed, the last few days have been stressful.” I fell into work beside her.
“I noticed those dark circles under your eyes too.”
I hadn’t looked in a mirror except to brush my hair . . . and I hadn’t spent more than a few seconds on that. And makeup? I didn’t even know where mine was.
“You don’t like my new look? Zombie extraordinaire?”
Muffy jumped up and down as I set his food on the floor. He gobbled half of it before I closed his kennel door.
“I didn’t realize it was intentional.” She scrunched her face up. “In that case, you’ve nailed it.”
I held up my hand to high-five, and she shook her head.
“Have you noticed since Mr. October—”
The bell jangled over the front door, cutting off Miss Adeline . . . thankfully. I didn’t particularly want to talk about Teague. All the mixed signals had me off balance. I still hadn’t figured out what I wanted his signal to be exactly.
Bark. Bark. Bark.
“I’d better go make sure all the dogs and people are in one piece.”
A man in a suit with a clipboard stood just inside the door. His gaze scanned the kennels lining the reception area like a robot doing inventory.
“Can I help you?” I asked in a raised voice over the barking.
He scowled. “Inspector Dawson from the Department of Agriculture and Markets.”
That icky, nervous feeling that always attached itself to surprise visits squeezed my chest.
I fashioned a smile on my face
, though it felt plastic. “Where’s Inspector Smith? She usually drops in.” In the summer. But why bother pointing that out?
“I need your business license and the record of the animals in your care for the past year.”
Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
My heartbeat drummed in my ears. I hadn’t had time to enter the Jersey track dogs into our system.
“Sure,” I croaked.
He’d already moved over to the kennel closest to the door. He scribbled something on his notepad. Argh. Inspector Smith wasn’t exactly going to win any personality contests, but at least she waited more than three seconds to make notes and demands.
Did they train these people to scare the crap out of us?
I walked into the back on shaky legs.
“What’s wrong?” Miss Adeline asked, on high alert.
“State agriculture department is here.”
“Inspector Smith?”
I shook my head. “He wants our record of the dogs,” I whisper-hissed.
She looked to the side and winced. “Damn.”
The small miracle I’d prayed for that maybe she had filled in the log evaporated.
“What are we going to do?”
She straightened. “You start working on it. I’ll distract him.”
“The book is in the desk.” I pointed toward the reception area. “Out there.”
She tiptoed to the door and peeked. Then she motioned me forward. “He has his back turned.”
I crept to the desk. And held my breath as I kept my eyes glued to him.
Carefully, I pulled on the drawer.
Creeeaaak.
He whipped around. I flashed him a sheepish smile.
After another scowl, he returned to his work. I exhaled audibly, grabbed the log book, and practically ran to the back.
I rifled through a drawer until I found a pen. Miss Adeline kept watch, stealthily waiting for the right time to distract.
Oh crap.
I hadn’t even added Ash to our records. The last entry was Oscar. I wracked my brain, trying desperately to remember if he was the dog we’d taken in before her.
I wasn’t sure. But there was no time to waste.
I wrote as furiously as I could, certain we were going to get written up for this.
How much is the fine for an out-of-date book?
Crash: Crash & Burn Duet Book 1 (Shaken) Page 13
