Home for a Hero

by Heatherly Bell

  Unable to sleep, she quietly crawled out of bed, glancing back to Ryan, the sheets folded just below his abs at the V of muscles, looking like nothing less than a blond Adonis in her bed. He had one arm thrown over his face, the other stretched out. She studied him for a minute like a voyeur, still stunned by his utter maleness.

  Tonight, they’d had what could probably count as their first fight. She’d have to say they’d managed alright, even if they hadn’t technically resolved a thing. But maybe there was nothing to resolve. She had Boo back, he’d eventually recover from the trauma and she’d go about finding him the perfect home. It had to be done. But Ryan’s words came back to her in the dark and still night.

  Did she secretly want to keep Boo? If so, this was selfish. Unfair. She’d never thought of keeping him permanently because he’d be better off in a bigger house. Possibly as the only dog, she’d considered regretfully, because he really was an introvert. Shy and preferring to keep to himself. This would make sense if he’d been the only pet in the Dawson home, but she understood they had a nonworking ranch on their land. Horses, pigs, chickens. He had to share attention with more pets than normal there. Another reason not to give him back.

  Corky really was his best friend because she left Boo alone and let him have his space. That part often made Zoey feel guilty. Boo was putting up with a lot in her crowded little house. Indie occasionally biting at his ankles, Bella attempting to steal his food. It really was taking forever to find him a home, but she couldn’t even think of giving him right back to the man who stole him. Stole him, right out of her own backyard! Why? Because he was afraid she wouldn’t understand? Please. She was the most understanding person in the world.

  She threw on her robe and tiptoed out of the bedroom so as not to wake Ryan and walked into the living room to check on everyone. All lay in their beds, Indie snoring loudly for a small dog. Boo wasn’t sleeping but he also wasn’t moving. He was just lying on his pillow, eyes opened, head down. So, yes, for the first time since she’d met Boo, he did look...depressed for lack of a better word. There was just no other way to describe the despondent look in his soulful brown eyes.

  Sitting cross-legged in front of him, she patted his head. “Hey, boy. What’s wrong?”

  He simply gave a doggy sigh. Unfortunately, Zoey couldn’t read his mind this time. She didn’t know if he meant It’s good to be home or I miss my old home, or I’m tired.

  He hadn’t eaten his dinner. Maybe the Dawsons had been feeding him junk like hot dogs. The stuff dogs loved but was bad for them. It would go right along with the Dawsons being irresponsible owners. Being a fur parent wasn’t easy. It meant denying fur babies what they wanted because it wasn’t good for them.

  It meant hanging in there when they smelled from disgusting farts or taking them for a walk in the arid heat of the day if necessary. For her it had often meant sacrifices. She wouldn’t buy the brand of ice cream she loved but chose the bargain brand so that she could afford the premium dog food.

  She couldn’t get away much because no one wanted to house sit three dogs and a pig for an entire weekend. Jill was busy and so was Carly. A baby. A wedding to plan. Mrs. Martinez would do it, except her cat really was bonkers. Tio and Tia were against her having so many dogs, too. They’d always had one family dog at a time and spoiled it rotten.

  It was time to consider that Tia was right and she was also being irresponsible by having too many dogs. Zoey had to split her attention with them. And Jill had implied that Zoey hadn’t made room in her life for a man because she’d hid behind her pets avoiding intimacy.

  No. That wasn’t right. She could always make more room in her heart, for Ryan or for more pets. Abandoning was never the answer.

  “We’ll get through this, Boo.”

  He gave a slight whimper.

  “There you are,” said a deep and raspy voice behind her.

  She turned to see Ryan, hair adorably mussed and disheveled, unshaven, wearing nothing but his boxer briefs. They rode low on his hips, exposing all that delicious tanned and taut skin.

  “I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

  “You didn’t. I rolled over and you weren’t there.” He sat behind her, pulling her between his long legs, and jutted his chin in Boo’s direction. “He okay?”

  “I don’t think so. You’re right. He’s depressed.” She leaned her head into the dip of his shoulder.

  “Meant to ask. How did it go at dinner yesterday?” Ryan asked.

  “Oh, no. That didn’t happen.” She closed her eyes, hating to rehash it all over again. “Thursday night I decided to tell Tia about Jorge and why I didn’t want to come to dinner. She had Veronica come over so I could tell her.”

  “Good.”

  “I was right. She didn’t want to believe me. But by the time I left, she did. I don’t know what she’s going to do, but now she knows.”

  “I’m sorry, baby.”

  “I wish you could have been there.”

  “Wait.” He shook his head. “So then you were free Friday night?”

  “Um, yes.”

  “You didn’t call, so I assumed you’d gone to dinner.”

  “I knew you were busy with your party.”

  He cocked his head. “A party you were invited to.”

  Instead of a stuffy party, she’d gone up to the Ridge to see Jill, Sam and check on Fubar. She’d needed a mental health break and had to remind herself there was still so much to be grateful for. Family.

  Good friends.

  Ryan.

  Now, she blinked with what she was certain had to be barely concealed guilt. “I didn’t have a dress. I didn’t—”

  “You didn’t want to go,” he finished for her. “I get it. I didn’t want to go either.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No, don’t be sorry. It’s just that I have to go to these events. And I missed having you there with me.”

  “Really?”

  The knowledge that he wanted her with him wrapped around her heart. And realistically, he wouldn’t be doing this job much longer. In less than six months, someone else would have to run for sheriff.

  Ryan would be happier, and she’d have him all to herself.

  “I promise I’ll go to the next party,” Zoey said.

  She turned her attention back to poor, sad Boo.

  “What are you going to do with him?” His warm breath teased her neck as he spoke.

  “I’ll pay him extra attention.”

  “That might work. I know I like that.” His voice was smooth and deep and sexy.

  That made her laugh and she turned in his arms. He was such a man. Which, of course, she happened to love. “Aw, baby. Am I not paying you enough attention?”

  He grinned, both dimples showing. If she ever had a child, she’d want him to have these dimples. And that smile. His heart. Whoa. Slow down, woman. You’re going to see where this goes.

  “You paid plenty of attention to me tonight,” Ryan said.

  “I wouldn’t want to be a slacker.”

  He nuzzled her neck. “Trust me. You are no slacker.”

  “That’s good to know.” She stood, and he followed her up.

  Then she took his hand and led him to the bedroom where she continued to show him just what an overachiever she could be.

  Chapter 24

  Sunday was day one of Boo’s recovery and Zoey took him to work. She’d decided he would be tethered to her for a while until he adjusted again. It’s what she’d done when she first brought him home from the shelter. He’d been skittish and so frightened that Zoey took him with her everywhere she could. She’d taken him along to Friends and Family Day on the ridge, to the pet store and even to The Drip, the coffee shop where she, Jill and Carly had once worked together.

  “Mommy, Mommy! Look, it’s a horse!” A little boy pointed to Boo
, who sat to the side of the register where Zoey had cleared a spot for him. It meant she’d had to do some rearranging of displays—and move the cat so she wouldn’t freak out.

  “Honey, that’s a Great Dane,” the mother said, holding her son’s hand. “Aren’t they beautiful dogs?”

  “He’s good with children,” Zoey piped up from behind the register. “And one of my dogs looking for a good home.”

  “I don’t think he’d get along with our little terrier. He’s our only dog and not too friendly with others,” the mother said, bending to pat Boo. “He’s beautiful, though.”

  The morning progressed, and everyone asked after Boo, but no one had any idea of who would be interested in an extra-large dog. Three weeks ago tomorrow he’d been stolen and now she couldn’t find any takers. But Mr. Dawson couldn’t be the only person in Fortune who wanted a Great Dane. When Hannah came in the afternoon to relieve Zoey, she took Boo to the dog park, where he walked with his head hung low, as if the energy to even hold up his neck was now too much for him. Maybe he needed a trip to the vet. Dr. Rick would know what to do.

  After getting a call from Jill, Zoey wound up at The Drip after the dog park. Carly was already sitting next to Jill. Boo had to wait outside as usual, which irritated Zoey to no end.

  She slid a look to the big picture window where she could see him sitting on his haunches, looking like he’d lost his best friend. “I don’t know why he can’t come inside—”

  “We know, we know,” Jill interrupted. “He’s better behaved than some children.”

  “Well...he is.”

  “Speaking of children...” Carly said.

  “How’s Grace?” Zoey asked the obligatory question. By now she understood that Carly took offense if no one asked about her stepdaughter. This was interesting for many reasons, not the least of which was when Carly first met Grace she hadn’t much liked her.

  “She’s great. Very excited.”

  “About what?” Jill asked. “Are you all going to Disneyland?”

  “I can’t stand it another minute!” Carly said. “I just have to tell you guys. We’re pregnant. We’re having a baby.”

  “Oh my god, honey!” Jill squealed. “That’s so great. Better than Disneyland, even.”

  “Really? Another one?” Zoey asked.

  Far be it from her to say, but there was an overpopulation problem in case anyone cared. Not just among dogs and pets of all kinds. If only more people “fixed” their dogs and cats there wouldn’t be so many unwanted animals, some of which were euthanized every day across the country. The thought made Zoey want to cry. No way would they all be saved. She shook her head. They were talking about babies now.

  “Yes, another one,” Carly said. “Levi hopes for a boy this time, but of course I will happily take another little girl. I never had a sister. She and Grace would be the best of friends.”

  “I bet I’ll be right behind you after we’re married. Sam and I want kids, of course.”

  Of course? Sometimes she didn’t understand her best friends. Why was it so important to reproduce? As if one’s genetic makeup was so special it had to be replicated. Passed down from generation to generation. Adoption was the only reasonable choice. On the other hand, wasn’t she the one fantasizing last night about children with Ryan’s dimples and smile? Whoops. Seemed her womb had hijacked her brain.

  “How many does Sam want?” Carly asked.

  “He said as many as I want would be fine,” Jill said. “I’m going to see how the first one goes. I’m not a big fan of pain.”

  “Levi said he’d like four. Can you imagine? I don’t think so!”

  “Four?” Zoey gasped. How incredibly selfish of the man. And she’d thought Levi was a nice guy.

  Jill laughed and caught Zoey’s gaze. “That’s how many Ryan wants.”

  “He does?” Zoey couldn’t believe her ears. Ryan! Four children.

  “Yeah, why don’t you know this?” Jill said. “You probably just haven’t talked about that yet. But he and Lauren had talked about kids. Apparently, she claimed she doesn’t have child-bearing hips. I have to agree.”

  Zoey looked down at herself. Someone had once said she had child-bearing hips. She’d had no idea what they’d meant until this moment.

  “Now, you.” Jill pointed to Zoey. “You’ve got an ass on you.”

  “W-what?” Zoey said.

  “You’re freaking her out.” Carly laughed. “She doesn’t mean you’re fat, Z.”

  “Of course not!” Jill said. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But you’re not fat. You just have a very shapely behind.”

  “And I’m sure you could squeeze out all those babies,” Carly said. “If you want to, I mean.”

  Zoey thought about squeezing babies out, which she very well knew didn’t come out of her ass, and flinched. “We haven’t talked about any of this.”

  “They’re still new,” Jill said to Carly. “And taking it slow. Seeing where it goes.”

  “That’s right.” Only that wasn’t completely true considering she’d already fallen for him.

  She had no idea where Ryan stood on this subject and now felt a little stupid for not asking. He’d wanted four kids with Lauren. She felt a hot spike of jealousy, which didn’t make any sense at all.

  “He talked about all this with Lauren?”

  “They were engaged,” Jill said.

  Zoey gulped down some ice water. Yes, that was true. People talked about this kind of thing when they were getting ready to be married and start a life together. It made sense she and Ryan hadn’t discussed it because they weren’t in that place. This made her both mad and sad. So she was smad over something ridiculous.

  “How are you and Ryan doing?” Carly asked, stirring her herbal tea.

  “Great,” Zoey said. “He stayed over last night after he brought Boo back.”

  “Okay, that’s enough of that,” Jill said. “We don’t need any more details. He stayed over. For all I know he slept on the couch. Yes, that’s where he slept. I’ve decided.”

  “You’re ridiculous,” Carly said, laughing and elbowing Jill. “Like Zoey would ever share anything saucy.”

  “But...well, I really like him. A lot,” Zoey said nervously.

  “What’s not to like?” Jill asked.

  “Exactly,” Carly said.

  He wants four kids. He wants me to give Boo back to a bad person.

  And still...

  “He wants me to give Boo back to the man who stole him.”

  Both Carly and Jill exchanged a look.

  “That doesn’t sound like Ryan,” Jill said.

  Zoey was forced to explain the whole sordid tale of the Witchy Wife and poor Boo, who’d never done anything wrong but be born supersized.

  “Oh, wow,” Carly said. “That poor man.”

  “To think someone would be so cruel,” Jill added, shaking her head.

  “So cruel to the dog,” Zoey said.

  “That too,” Jill said. “You mean he wants the dog back?”

  Zoey nodded.

  Carly and Jill exchanged another look. Zoey didn’t like the fact they were having an entire conversation without her. Rude.

  “What?” Zoey finally said, slapping the table.

  “Well... I mean, he didn’t do anything wrong. Did he?” Jill asked.

  “Sounds like he loves his dog and wants him back,” Carly said.

  “It doesn’t matter. Boo deserves stability and a happy home. Can you imagine what it’s like in that house with a woman like that? What if she does it again?”

  “I doubt he’d let that ever happen,” Carly said. “Sounds like he learned his lesson.”

  “You both agree with Ryan?”

  “One thing I know about my brother is that he’s tough. When it comes to crime, he’s t
he first one to want someone who did the crime to do the time. He was a detective, for coffee’s sake. If he thought for a second the man didn’t deserve another chance, he wouldn’t hesitate to tell you.”

  “You think I should give his dog back. Give him another chance.”

  “But we’ll support you in whatever you decide.” Carly elbowed Jill.

  “Of course,” Jill said, rubbing her arm. “Maybe you should meet the man, and that sixth sense you have about kindred animals might tell you something. What if, even with this strike against him, he and Boo are a perfect match?”

  “Well...” Zoey rapped her fingers against the table. “I want to do the right thing.”

  There seemed to be no one else on the horizon for Boo, and unless she wanted him, she had to consider this obvious option.

  Chapter 25

  Repairs on his personal money pit were proceeding as well as could be expected. Ryan spent Sunday installing the new kitchen cabinets with Sam. The new estimates for the countertops they’d ordered wouldn’t break the bank but they weren’t his happy place either. Said happy place remained in the bed of Zoey Castillo—he even found her fiery temper attractive.

  He guessed that was because there had been plenty of people in his former life who’d demonstrated the worst in human behavior.

  But Zoey was not even in the same galaxy. Her anger was a righteous indignation he understood far better than she realized. She was protective of those that needed a voice and he found that enticing him more each day. It didn’t hurt that she had a heart bigger than the Pacific Ocean.

  And a rocking body. Yeah, he wasn’t too noble to ignore that.

  The sun was heating up the valley and another trickle of sweat rolled down his back to join all the others. Sam had just taken a break for lunch and left with Jill to bring back sandwiches for them all when Zoey pulled up in her car. In the back passenger seat he caught Boo strapped into his dog car seat, the window rolled down. She’d said she’d be taking him everywhere with her until he readjusted and obviously she’d meant it.