Page 12 of Then Came You

“I know you’re just trying to be nice, but—”

He held up a hand. “Say no more. You don’t owe me any explanations.”

“I’m trying to apologize.”

“It’s really not necessary.”

“Lauren said I’ve been rude to you.”

He laughed. “I can handle whatever you throw at me.”

“I believe that.” He still cut an imposing figure even in his casual clothes.

“Look, Gillian. You don’t have to worry about my…intentions. I’m not after anything, but I happen to like you and your dog. I hope you won’t hold that against me.”

Just then, Cocoa and Rocky came barreling around the corner and headed straight for them at top speed. Sam squatted down and held out his arms, and Rocky ran right into them, knocking Sam to the ground. Gillian and Cocoa looked on as Rocky licked Sam’s face until he shouted, “Off!” and Rocky immediately obeyed.

Sam stood up and brushed the dirt off his clothes, but otherwise, he didn’t seem the least bit upset about being tackled by a hundred-pound dog.

Gillian was glad for the distraction from their somewhat-awkward conversation. “I think I’m going to head out now.”

“Yeah. Us too.”

They walked toward the parking lot, and the dogs ran up ahead.

“So, what can I expect on Saturday?”

“Well, we’re hoping for eight to ten kids and at least one adult to accompany each. One of us will introduce you and give you a book to read. It’ll be short since kids don’t have a long attention span. Afterward, if you want to hang around for a few minutes, they might have some questions for you. But if you don’t have time, that’s okay. We’re just glad you said yes.”

“Do I get a say in which book I read?”

She looked up at him with surprise. “Do you want to?”

He shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind. I’d kind of like to know what I’m reading beforehand.”

She liked that he seemed genuinely interested in doing this. “Okay. If you stop by the store in the next day or two, we can look at some books together.”

“Will do.”

They’d reached the gate that led to the parking lot, and both dogs were standing there, waiting with their tongues hanging out.

They leashed the dogs, and then Sam held the gate open, indicating for her to go through first.

“I have water and a dog dish in the back of my truck. Does Cocoa need some before you take off?”

She felt foolish for not having thought of it. “Sure. Thanks.”

She followed him across the gravel parking lot to his truck and waited while he opened the tailgate. He set a bowl on the ground and then filled it with water from a jug.

Cocoa stood back while Rocky drank first, and then Sam refilled the bowl for Cocoa. She was impressed with how well both dogs were behaving despite just having met. Humans could take a lesson from them!

Sam refilled the bowl a few times as the dogs took turns drinking their fill.

“I’ll remember to bring water next time,” Gillian said. Then she realized how that might have sounded. She hadn’t meant to insinuate that she and Sam would go there together, but she shouldn’t have worried.

“Maybe we’ll run into each other here again sometime. Enjoy the rest of your day off.”

“You too.” She turned and started walking toward her car, which was parked a few spaces away. She drove a small sedan, which was a bit cramped when Cocoa was on board. Owen had owned a pick-up truck like Sam’s, but she’d sold it a few months after his death. At the time, she hadn’t pictured herself driving it much, but now she regretted getting rid of it.