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Getting assaulted by the weather.

He just glowers at me like I committed a felony.

“I outta lock you up so ya stay put and don’t get into any more trouble. Do you know I got three calls on your ass that you ran down Main like a complete psycho after that stupid dog?”

“He’s not stupid.” I tug on my arm to no avail. “He’s scared.”

“And ya think you runnin’ around chasin’ him is gonna help?”

I scowl because I’m not a stranger, per se, but maybe I did get a little extra with it.

But before I can muster a response back, Dodger lifts me by my waist and practically tosses me in the front seat of his truck before slamming the door in my face.

I sit up, scooch to the other side, and stare down the road while Dodger rounds the front of his truck again.

I’m sopping wet, my clothes sticking to every inch of me and so are Dodger’s when I glance over to steal another look at him. Tiny droplets of water cascading down the brim of his hat, and I wouldn’t say he was mad.

He’s downright furious.

“We have to get him,” I prod because why not? I’m already on his naughty list today. “He’s out there⁠—”

“Don’t say another word, AK,” he leers, and his jaw ticks just once before he reaches for the shifter and puts his truck in drive.

The vehicle moves forward, and when I think Dodger is going to help and go look for Pickles, he’s only turning the truck so he can back up and head back into town.

“Wait,” I say desperately. “I’m gonna go find that dog.”

“Not today, you’re not.”

“It’s rainin’, Dodger.” He slowly turns to look at me, but I keep going. “This storm is gonna get bad. And he needs shelter and⁠—”

“Way to read the room, Captain Obvious. You’re not standin’ another minute in that rain. Now, it’s a safety hazard. And I’m takin’ you home.”

“I’ll just come back out.”

He glowers at me. “Ya wanna bet, Adeline? Keep resistin’ what I’m tellin’ ya to do, and I’ll lock ya up.”

“No, you won’t.”

His expression lifts like he’s not above cashing in that challenge. “Wanna bet? I’ve had enough of your shenanigans.”

He puts the truck back in drive, and that’s when I make my move before he really takes off down the road.

I pluck the lock and push the passenger side door open when the truck comes to a jolt from how hard he threw on the brakes.

His fingers suddenly reach and curl around my waist, his arm twisted to get a hold of me, and I know I’m being difficult.

However, I didn’t just get pelted for the last twenty or so minutes with rain to not get Pickles to safety. I didn’t chase him or have been trying to get him to warm up to me for even longer.

“You’re on my last damn nerve, Adeline,” he warns me, pulling me closer to the middle of the bench seat. “Now, ya wanna tuck and roll?”

“No one asked you to save me, Dodger. I’m fine.”

“Ya could’ve been hit⁠—”

“Ya said all that already. I’m gonna go look for that dog.”

Dodger’s fingers tighten around my waist, alluding that that’s not going to happen. “Now, I’m convinced you’re hard of hearin’. Because I swear I just said ya ain’t goin’ back out there.”