Page 66 of Dead Pretty

They’re both eager to come over to us, but Shelly has a good handle on them, considering they’re strong dogs.

I get down to my knees as they approach, giving them both strokes and fusses, getting face licks in return, making me laugh.

I like animals so much better than people.

Well, maybe except for the guy standing beside me. But I’m not even allowing my thoughts to go there. Not right now anyway. I can figure out my tangled-up feelings for Jack later—when I’m alone and away from his charming self.

“Sorry to drop and run,” Shelly says, handing the leads over to Jack. “Ronnie has just brought a dog in. Needs my help.”

“Go,” he tells her. “We’ll be back in an hour or so.”

She nods and disappears back to where she came from.

“Ronnie?” I ask.

“Her husband. They run this place together.”

“So, which doggy is mine to walk?” I ask him.

“You choose. But I’ll tell you, Pork Chop is a puller.”

“Pork Chop.” I laugh. “That might be the best name I’ve ever heard. And Pork Chop is which dog?”

“The Weimaraner.”

“I’ll take the husky then.” I grin.

Chuckling, Jack hands me the husky’s lead.

“So, what is my doggy called?” I ask as we begin walking to the door.

“Gary,” Jack says.

“Gary!” I burst out laughing. “I expected him to have a super-cool name, like Storm or Loki. Not Gary.”

Jack laughs as well. “Gary is cool … kind of.”

“Said no one ever,” I joke. “Aw, Gary, bud.” I pat his head. “Thank God you’re gorgeous because you got shafted in the name department.”

Not that Gary gives a fudge what I’m saying. His sole focus is on the door and getting outside. Can’t blame the little dude. I’m sure the people here are good to the dogs, but they probably also spend a lot of time in their cages, waiting for someone to take them to their forever home.

It makes my heart hurt for them.

Jack opens the door. He tries to let me through first with Gary, but Pork Chop is not having any of it and yanks Jack through the door.

Laughing, I catch hold of the door with my hand, letting Gary through first.

I have a feeling this walk is going to be a lot of fun.

We set off in the direction of a walking trail close to the center.

“So, you do this often?” I ask Jack.

“As much as I can.”

“You’re a good guy, Jack Canti.” I smile at him.

For the first time since I’ve known Jack, I actually see a look of shyness on his face, his cheeks reddening a touch.