He didn’t know what to say. Cait must have taken his silence for a bad thing because she was quick to add, “He peed on the newspapers by the back door, and did his other doggy business outside as soon as I let him out after feeding him. He’s really smart.”
Clearing his throat he managed, “I wasn’t thinking about him chewing it at all…just as a way to block the doorway so he wouldn’t get loose. By the way, I checked with Mitch, and no one in town has called about a missing dog. He even posted a notice on the town’s website, but no hits yet.”
“Then maybe he’s not lost.”
The hope in her voice was music to his ears, because if he was going to keep this puppy, he needed all the help he could get caring for him while he was at work. Depending on how busy schedules got, he might have to ask one more person to help, but he’d think about that later. They were OK for now. “So, did he actually eat any of the tabletop?”
“When I cleaned up the shredded mess, it seemed like most of it was there. If he did eat some, it wasn’t much…besides, I don’t think it tasted as good as the busy bone I left him with.”
“You bought him dog treats?”
“I figured he needed a treat for staying home alone and probably being scared. Murphy’s Market had some…oh and I picked up some puppy chow until you’ve had a chance to buy some more chicken or chop meat to boil up for the dog.”
“I’ll pay you back—”
“Don’t even think about it. We said we’d both take care of him until we found out if he was lost or a stray needing a home. I’m sure he’ll need something besides the bright red collar and leash that he’s very proud of.”
Jack’s day suddenly seemed endless. The need to be with Caitlin—and Jamie—filled him. He had been tempted to kiss her last night, and couldn’t decide today if he was the smartest man in the universe or dumb as a stump. If he asked his friends, the answers would be equally divided. Half of his friends were bachelors, like himself, and the other half were happily married.
Married. Now that was a word that didn’t often enter his mind unless he was about to attend the wedding of a family member, friend, or neighbor. No siree, Bob…not a word he thought of often.
“You didn’t buy him a collar too, did you?” Caitlin asked.
“No,” he reassured her. “And even if I had, it wouldn’t have been money wasted. It’s always good to have a spare. Jake chewed through a couple of collars when he was little, until we realized we had to buy one that was a perfect fit, so that there wasn’t a piece that he could grab onto and chew.”
“Do you remember Brutus?” Cait asked him.
He smiled. “The McCormacks’ boxer? Yes, I do. He was a walking garbage disposal.” The bells on the front door rang. “I’m not sure if Mrs. Sweeney is back from running errands yet. Can you hang on one sec? Be right back.” He put the call on hold as his office door opened. “Mrs. Green,” he greeted his next patient. “Right on time. Come on back to the examining room. I’ll be right with you.” After settling her in one of three examining rooms, he walked over to the reception desk and picked up line one. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Cait, but she’s not back yet and my three o’clock just arrived. Are you still making dinner for us tonight?”
“I am but undecided about what to make. After walking in on the scene of the crime—your poor table, I’m thinking it should be something quick but packed with protein, so that we’ll have energy.”
Desire sparked and began to simmer as he thought of what he’d like to use that energy for. Unable to help himself, he asked, “Energy to do what?”
“Tire out Jamie. What did you think I meant?”
“It’ll keep,” he told her. And it would until tonight, when he’d make the first move. He couldn’t spend another night wondering what it would be like kissing Caitlin…he’d seen firsthand how short life could be.
“Oh,” her breath sounded a bit thready. He couldn’t have been more pleased with her reaction to what he had in mind. “Jamie should be fine until I get back to your house around six thirty. I want to stop home and get cleaned up. You don’t want to know where my hands have been today.”
He didn’t bother to echo her last statement. “See you at eight.”
Straightening up, he walked over and knocked on the door to room one.
“Come in.”
“So, Mrs. Green,” he said, closing the door behind him. “What brings you here today?”