Page 140 of The Best Thing He Never Wanted

“Yes, I’d like that.”

They made their way through to the pens, and Bea smiled when she spotted the familiar cream-colored little dog with his tan ears and permanently unimpressed expression.

“What kind of dog is he?” she asked. “I meant to ask you before.”

Sabine considered him. “We think maybe Kokoni, perhaps mixed with something else. They are little Greek dogs. Clever, loyal. Usually very social.” She looked at Sifis. “He has his own ideas about that last part.”

Bea laughed.

Sabine opened the pen and let them in. Bea crouched down, and Sifis regarded her solemnly before giving one sharp bark.

“Well, hello to you too.”

He approached cautiously, sniffed the hand she held out, then sat down in front of her looking thoroughly unimpressed.

“I don’t think he likes me very much.”

“I do,” Sabine said.

Bea looked up.

“Normally he will not let anyone get this close.”

“Oh.” Bea looked at him again. “Then I’m honored.”

Sifis came a little nearer and sat staring up at her with that sullen little face of his.

“Oh, you poor thing.” She reached out slowly and ran a hand over his head. Her heart squeezed when he leaned his weight into her palm.

Sabine smiled. “Do you want to take him for a walk?”

“I’d like to, but don’t you need me to do something useful? I’m here to help in whatever way you need.”

“Taking him for a walk and giving him some time is a big help. There are many jobs here that anyone can do.” She nodded toward Sifis. “He is not one of them.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Don’t suppose I can talk either of you miserable bastards into coming over to Deacon’s with everyone tonight, can I?”

Blane exchanged a look with Mav before they both turned to glare at Cash.

Cash held up his hands, laughing as he backed toward the door. “I know. Stupid of me to ask. But one of these days, I’m going to talk you both into it.”

Mav didn’t say a word, and Blane knew damn well why. The guys only got together at Deacon’s on the nights their women all went out together. It didn’t happen often, maybe once a month, but somehow over the last couple of years it had become a regular thing. It still amazed Blane. Most of these guys had been single—or at least divorced—for years. Now damn near all of them were settled down again.

Except him and Mav.

And nobody with any sense pushed Mav on that subject. He and Libby had been together most of their lives before the divorce, and Libby was still as much a part of this family as anyone. Cash might enjoy poking at the wound, but Blane had no intention of joining in.

Cash caught his gaze from the doorway. “If you’d bring your Bea back here to live, you could come hang out with everyone while she went off with the girls.”

Blane scowled at him. “What are you going for, anyway? You don’t have a woman to drop off wherever they’re meeting and pick up afterward.”

Cash shot a glance at Mav. “I have a friend I give a ride home afterward; make sure she gets back safe.”

Blane took a mental step backward even if his boots stayed where they were. There it was. Cash was always digging at Mav about Libby, and Blane didn’t need to get caught in the middle of it.

Apparently, Mav agreed, because he turned to Blane instead. “What’s going on with this woman of yours anyway? When’s she coming over?”