“Do they have homes?” Cara asks, also grinning at the boy. “They’re adorable.”
Louie nods. “Five of them do.”
“Only five?” Seth frowns.
“One of them still needs a home.” Louie points to one of the black puppies. “One of the black males isn’t spoken for yet.”
“Well, Seth,” I say, wrapping my arm around Cara’s shoulders, “I thought that maybe you might like to take him.”
“Me?” Seth asks, his eyes wide. “Really?”
“A boy needs a dog.” I shrug.
“Which one is mine?”
“I guess that’s a yes,” Cara murmurs with a laugh.
“That little black fella you’re holding right now,” Louie informs Seth, and props a booted foot on a bucket.
The little guy just curls up for a nap in Seth’s lap.
“I think he likes me.” The boy’s face is all smiles, his eyes are shining in excitement.
“Looks like,” Louie agrees, and helps Seth out of the pen with his new friend. Louie clasps a simple leash to the dog’s collar and hands it to the boy.
“I can take him home?” he asks me hopefully.
“You can. But he’s your responsibility, Seth.”
“I get it.” He shakes his head and buries his nose in the fur on top of the pup’s head. “I’ll take care of him.”
“He’s so adorable.” Cara takes the puppy out of Seth’s arms and snuggles him. “Oh, I love that puppy smell.”
“We’ll all think he’s great until he’s chewing our shoes and anything else he can get his paws on,” I remind her as I lead them out to the truck. Seth jumps in the back and Cara hands him the pup before shutting the door and climbing into the passenger seat.
“I’ll train him,” Seth announces. “I’ll look at videos online and learn how.”
He giggles as the puppy licks his face and then burrows in Seth’s neck to take a nap.
Cara clasps my hand in hers and squeezes tightly. “This is good for him,” she whispers.
I nod and drive us back to the ranch.
“What are you going to name him?” Cara asks as I pull up to the house and we all climb out.
“Optimus Prime,” Seth announces proudly, making me laugh.
“That’s a long name,” Cara reminds him with a chuckle.
“He’s not a Spider-Man.” Seth furrows his brow, deep in thought.
“No, he’s not,” Cara agrees dryly.
Seth leads the dog around the yard, waiting for him to relieve himself before going into the house.
“I know! Thor!”
“Thor?” I ask. The kid obviously loves comic-book movies.
“Thor.” Seth nods his head decisively.
“I like it.” Cara’s smile is sweet and happy.
“Thor it is.”
“Come on, Thor, we have to do our science project.”
“We don’t have any supplies for him.” Cara frowns up at me as Seth guides Thor into the house.
“We have other dogs on the ranch, honey. I brought a dog bed in. He can eat with the other dogs in the morning, and we’ll get him some toys the next time we go to town.”
“Okay.” She pulls me to her and stands on tiptoe so she can brush her lips over mine. I immediately grip her hips and pull her against me, sinking into her.
Each time I kiss her it’s like the first time.
“What was that for?” I ask as I pull back to give us both a chance to breathe.
“I just like you.” She shrugs as if it were no big deal.
“Gee, that’s convenient.” I swat her ass, then soothe it with my palm. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Convenient,” she agrees, and plants a sweet kiss on my chin, then pushes her hands into my hair and pulls me down for another all-consuming kiss, practically climbing me. It’s all I can do to not pull her into the backseat of my truck and take her hard and fast.
“Thor peed!” Seth announces as he comes barreling out of the house with a happy Thor.
“You go back to work.” Cara laughs and pulls away reluctantly. “I have to teach science and potty-train a puppy.”
“I didn’t mean to add more work for you.” I grimace as I realize that’s exactly what’s just happened.
“It’s fine.” She shrugs. “You owe me.”
“I’ll make it up to you, sweetheart.” I feel the smile grow across my face as I picture exactly how I’ll make it up to her.
She answers with a grin of her own. “I know.”
* * *
“So did you find the Mustang?” I ask my brother, my phone pressed to my ear, as I stride toward my house. The sun is shining brightly again today, making my head sweat under my green hat. I need a shower.