Page 49 of Ruined: Tobias

Chapter Eighteen

One puppy whimpered when Tori picked up its sibling. She put the puppy down and both made the high-pitched, unhappy noise.

“They’re used to always being together,” the woman who fostered them said. She then picked them both up and handed them to Tori.

The little dogs were fat, fluffy and they smelled of innocence and sleepless nights. They were perfect and adorable. Since they’d been abandoned, the foster mother had no idea what breed they were or how big they’d get. Judging by the petite paws, Tori guessed they’d not be very big.

“I can’t possibly take both. I am hardly ever home and my cottage is tiny.” She kissed both fluffy faces and placed them down. Oblivious, the puppies began to play, chasing each other and pouncing.

The woman nodded. “I understand. After a few days, I’m sure they’d be fine if separated.” She didn’t sound convinced. Both she and the woman watched as the two bundles of fur continued to play.

“What will happen to them if both are not adopted?”

The woman smiled. “I run a no-kill rescue. The dogs remain here permanently if they are not adopted. My husband gripes about it all the time. Currently, we have six grown dogs and these two troublemakers.”

They were across the street from the café at the town square. The woman and her husband had agreed to bring the puppies to play in the park that afternoon so Tori could see them. She’d fallen in love when seeing them online and they were even more adorable in person.

“I don’t know what to do. I want a dog but, at the same time, it may not be the right time.” For some reason, she sniffed. The last thing she needed to do was to cry about puppies.

“How hard can it be? Either you take them or you don’t.” Tobias’ deep voice made Tori and the woman turn to look.

Upon hearing the timbre of his voice, the puppies raced toward him. It was then she noticed Luke was just a bit further back. The puppy foster mom smiled at Luke. “How are the dogs doing? Rosie is one of them, right?”

Luke nodded. “Both are doing great.”

The last thing she needed was to run into Tobias. Instantly, the fact she’d been intimate with another man came to the front of her mind.

“I better go. I’ll think about it and call later,” Tori told the woman and then turned on her heel, determined to get away from Tobias.

Luke touched her arm as she passed him. “You two should talk.”

“We did,” Tori replied. “There isn’t much more to say.”

It struck her how different Luke was now than before going to war. His eyes seemed to soften. “There is a lot more.” With those cryptic words, he walked over to play with the delighted puppies.

“I came by last night,” Tobias said, catching up with her. “You were out, or not answering the door.”

It was best to not reply. The last thing she needed to do was discuss her love life with Tobias. “I heard.”

“Didn’t get married after all.”

When her stomach lurched and her chest tightened, Tori wasn’t sure what to make of the strange sensations. To make matters worse, she had to take a deep breath before speaking.

“I’m sorry.”

He shrugged, his hazel eyes boring into her. “I was forcing the issue. It worked out for the best.”

“So she broke things off?” Tori had a hard time picturing that. If anything, Mimi seemed determined to get Tobias to marry her no matter what.

Tobias shrugged. “A legal thing. But, yeah, I guess you can say that.”

Without thinking, Tori slugged him in the arm. “Don’t you find it crazy that fate has to step in, otherwise you’d marry someone you obviously are not in love with?”

“Can I see you later? I need to talk to you. About…”

Tori cut him off by putting her hand up, palm facing him. “I really don’t think we have anything at all to discuss anymore, Tobias. The past is gone, we should move on.”

“I’m having a hard time.” He swallowed, all the while his gaze pinning hers, keeping Tori from moving. If he only knew how much power he had over every one of her senses.