Page 163 of The Best Thing He Never Wanted

“Then why don’t you stay a couple weeks and find out?”

Blane loosened his grip on the phone. “Yeah. I think I’ll do that.”

“Thought you might. Everything good?”

Blane looked back up toward the mountain, then down the road that would take him home to Bea. “Everything’s more than good.”

“Glad to hear it. Listen, I gotta run, but we’ll talk soon, yeah?”

“Yeah. See ya later.”

~ ~ ~

Bea looked over at Sifis as she pulled in through the gate when they got home. The poor little thing was shaking and looked thoroughly miserable. She couldn’t blame him. It seemed Sabine hadn’t told her the full extent of what had happened on the phone because she hadn’t wanted to worry her—or make her feel guilty enough that she thought she had to bring Sifis home. But he hadn’t simply been bullied. The new dog had attacked him.

It was nothing too serious, thank goodness, but he had an awful bite on his rear end and the poor little thing was wearing one of those horrible cones. When Bea arrived at the shelter, he’d looked up at her beseechingly with those big brown eyes of his, and she’d immediately picked him up for a cuddle. He hadn’t been terribly open to that on her earlier visits, but this time he’d snuggled against her, trembling.

“Never mind, sweetheart. We’re home now. You’ll be safe here. We’ll take good care of you.” She cleared her throat. “You’ll get to see Blane, and I’m sure that will make you feel much better for however long he’s here. But I’ll take good care of you. Even after he has to go home, you’ll be safe with me.”

The back of her car was piled high with blankets, a bed, food and water bowls, and apparently every other thing Sabine could think of that Sifis might need. Sabine seemed determined that neither of them should find themselves unprepared. Bea left it all there for now. The only thing that mattered was getting Sifis inside and letting him begin to understand that this was home.

She was lifting his carrier out of the passenger seat when Blane pulled in through the gate. That fizzy feeling rippled through her chest again. He really was here. She still couldn’t quite believe it, and she was mostly doing a good job of steering herself away from the question of how long he would stay.

“It’s okay, Sifis,” she told the little dog, who had retreated into the corner of his carrier and was letting out a low growl. “This isn’t some stranger. This is Blane. I’m sure seeing him will make you feel much better.” She laughed softly. “I think you and I are rather alike in that respect.”

Blane climbed out of the Vitara and came toward them wearing a frown. “Is that a cone on his head?”

“Yes, I’m afraid there was rather more than bullying going on.”

His expression changed immediately. “Aw, little man. Can I take him?”

“Of course.” She set the carrier down and unfastened it, and her hand came up over her heart as she watched Blane lift the little dog out.

Sifis wriggled against him ecstatically, letting out delighted little yips as Blane cradled him against his chest. “What’d they do to you, little man?”

Bea had to clear her throat. “Apparently, the new big dog they brought in tried to claim Sifis’s corner of the yard, and Sifis wasn’t prepared to give it up.” Her heart melted as she watched Blane’s huge hand stroke over the little dog’s head.

“Gotta pick your battles, little guy.”

Sifis’s eyes drifted closed, and Bea could have sworn there was a smile on his face as he leaned his weight against Blane.

“Let’s move this heartwarming reunion inside, shall we? You two go and sit down. I’ll bring his things in.”

“You take him in. I’ll get it.”

“No, don’t be silly. Look how pleased he is to see you again. I can do it.”

“I know you can. But he’s pleased to see you too, and he didn’t get the chance before I butted in.”

Blane handed Sifis to her, and Bea’s heart melted all over again when the little dog did the same ecstatic wriggling against her chest. “I must have grown on you over these last few weeks,” she murmured as she carried him inside.

It wasn’t long before Sifis had made himself completely at home. Blane set up his bed in the corner with far too many blankets and toys, and his food and water bowls sat on a mat in the kitchen as though they’d always been there. And every time Blane moved, the little dog trotted after him.

“I knew he was heartbroken when you walked away from him that first time.” The thought hit her before she could stop it, and she drew in a sharp breath. It was silly. She knew it was silly, and she should let it go.

Of course, Blane noticed and gave her a puzzled frown. “What’s up, darlin’?”

“Nothing.” She smiled too quickly. “Nothing. I was thinking I could make us moussaka this afternoon.”