Page 19 of Second Chance for the Grump

“We’re getting Charlie back.” I waited for her nod. “And when this is over, we’re talking about us. You and I and where we’re going to live.”

The words surprised even me, but she didn’t object.

7

MAISEY

The crowd finally slowed as I pulled Rowan and me away from the market area. They’d begin cleaning up in an hour, and the older kids would come out to ride the carnival rides well into the evening.

Lights poured out from rides and games, but my heart sat heavily in my chest. Probably because I’d spent the last hour pretending to be fine when in reality all I could think about was Charlie. I wanted to leave the festival and hunt him down, but Rowan promised Jonathan wouldn’t have him here and was already long gone.

Apparently, we worked better in stealth.

I couldn’t get the picture from Rowan’s phone out of my head.

We walked toward the exit, and I grabbed his hand for comfort. “I should have noticed something was off about Jonathan sooner,” I whispered.

He heard me anyway and immediately shook his head. “No, you can’t blame yourself for this, Maisey.”

“But Charlie’s my dog. It’s my job to protect him. I should have kept him safe.” I nodded in agreement with myself. “Why didn’t I notice Jonathan was unhinged?”

Rowan just didn’t understand. This was all my fault.

“No,” Rowan said again, louder this time.

I looked up at him.

His jaw was tight, and his eyes locked on to mine. “We’re getting Charlie back, and you’re not going to beat yourself up about this.”

The certainty in his voice unlocked something in my heart. He stepped closer, the carnival lights reflecting in his deep brown eyes as he held my gaze.

“Then what?”

Rowan’s tight expression softened. “Then we move forward.”

I swallowed. What did that mean? I needed more from him. “Rowan?”

“We get our dog and then we’ll figure out the rest.”

Butterflies bloomed in my stomach, sending me into a whirlwind.

“That’s not exactly a step-by-step plan.” I preferred things in writing, spelled out, and signed with a notary present.

“It is for me.” He chuckled. “But if you need more. We’ll rescue Charlie, stop Jonathan, and build something.”

The butterflies freaked out. Maybe I didn’t want to know his plans. He could surprise me. “Rowan.”

His grip on my hand tightened as we continued walking toward my car. “You and I have a long history, Maisey. After we figure out where we’re going to settle, we’ll get a house.”

“A house?” That was a big jump. “Where?”

“That’s the part we have to decide. First a house and then a dog.”

“We have a dog,” I said before realizing what I’d agreed to.

Rowan’s grin widened. “Two dogs.”

“Rowan, stop talking.” I couldn’t take any more of his promises in case these didn’t work out.