Page 115 of Cautious Love

I repeat the location.

“Alrighty, I’ll head out there. Do you have a description of the animal?” he asks.

I look at the dog. “Looks like maybe a litter of puppies, mutts, a cross between a shepherd and a sheepdog, if I had to guess.”

Tom hums. “That’s a good thing, I doubt they’ll stay at the pound for long.”

“I was told that others were searched for, but none were found. Could you take a look just in case?”

“Yep, got it no problem. It’s possible out there, something larger got to them, but I’ll take a look around.”

“Thanks, Tom.”

We hang up, and I toss my phone on the counter.

“Can we keep him?” Shiloh asks.

I knew it was coming. I knew she was going to ask, especially since I spot two dog bowls, a little bed, and some toys tucked in the corner, like she was hoping I wouldn’t notice them right away.

“Shy, I work so much I can’t properly take care of a dog, let alone a puppy,” I say, running my hands through my hair.

She pouts, her lower lip puffing out more. “Please? We’ll kennel train him, and then you can bring him to work with you because I can’t have him at the diner. But I could take him to the Wooden Cowboy and keep him in the break room. We can make it work. Please?” she asks.

I now understand how my father felt when my mother already bought the goats, and convinced a ranch hand to build her a temporary pen, then looked at my dad like it’s all she ever wanted in the world.

He caved immediately.

Now we’ve had goats for the past twenty years.

She looks up at me with those hazel eyes expectantly, and I hate myself already, but I’ve always wanted a dog.

“Did you take him to the vet?” I ask her. He probably has worms.

“No, but I gave him a bath and cleaned him up.”

“As long as he doesn’t have something going on … fine,” I mumble, or sigh, probably both.

“Really?” Shiloh says.

“Yes, but we’re going to call June to take a look at him.”

She squeals and leaps into my arms.

I take a step back bearing her weight, and she grabs my face, smooching her lips all over my face.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’ve always wanted a dog, but my dad basically said the same thing, and I couldn’t argue with him.”

I smile at her excitement, and her eyes sparkle. “You’re welcome.”

She stays in my arms, hands still on my face, and it softens something inside me. She’s like sandpaper to my rough edges.

Shiloh leans forward, smiling against my mouth, and I hold her tighter while the puppy wanders around my feet. She kisses me deeply this time, and I savor it, letting it wash over me. She hums into my mouth and I nip her bottom lip before she pulls away.

“Thank you,” she rasps.

I grunt and set her down.

She drops down to the puppy, and he leaps at her. “What are we going to name him?” she asks.