Page 33 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

“I just don’t know how someone can not know that I’ve disappeared for almost a week? Don’t I have a family or a boyfriend? Friends? How can no one have noticed?”

Frowns appeared on Logan’s forehead. “Even if you lived with someone, it’s possible they could have gone away with work. It would explain why he doesn’t know you’re not home.”

“I know I had money; that dress I was wearing is expensive. I just wish I knew something. Anything would be better than this empty space I have inside.”

She caught herself. She was complaining too much, and to the one person who had helped her. “Sorry. I don’t mean to concern you with all this. You have enough on your own plate.”

“I understand. That’s why I…” His eyes darted to one side suddenly, a look of exasperation coming over his face. Setting down his coffee, he jumped up.

“Loki! Put that cushion down!”

The dog had a very expensive embroidered cushion in his mouth and was dragging it across the floor like a security blanket. He looked so much like a child that Jane smiled.

“He doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s just a baby. And those are just things. I’m sure you can afford to replace them.”

Logan shot her a funny look that had her regretting her words.

Why had she said that? What money he had was none of her business. She couldn’t believe that she had been so crass. She focused her attention on a safer subject.

“Loki,” she called in an enthusiastic and friendly voice. “Why don’t you put that cushion down and come play with me.” She patted her knee to emphasize her point. Loki forgot about the cushion completely and bolted to her side, skidding across the waxy floorboards in his haste. She caught him before he shot past her. At her touch, he flopped over.

“Oh, you want a tummy rub, do you? I guess I’d better give you one.” Jane laughed, enjoying her moment with the lovable puppy.

Logan watched them silently before turning his eyes to the clock behind Jane.

“My driver will be here soon to take me to work,“ Logan explained as he started for the door then stopped. He looked at Loki lying before Jane, a puddle of delight.

“You’re really good with him,” he commented.

He was right. Jane was completely comfortable with the dog — it was the only time she had truly felt comfortable since she had woken up on that beach. She was obviously used to being around one. Maybe she had her own dog out there somewhere.

If that was the case, she hoped to God he or she wasn’t starving, waiting for her to come home.

She shook the morbid thought away.

There was nothing she could do about it either way. Whether her imaginary dog was dying without her was something she probably shouldn’t think about, not if she ever wanted to sleep again.

“I must have experience of being around them,” she said simply.

“What do you have planned for today?” He asked.

She hadn’t given it much consideration. “I guess, spend the day on the internet, to see what I can find out.”

He mulled over whatever was on his mind. “Do you want to come with us?”

“To where, your work?”

“I need to take Loki to the set, but I don’t have time to be keeping an eye on him. You could help look after him while I’m being fitted for my costume.”

“I could just do that here though, if he’s going to be trouble at work?” Jane offered.

“Loki has to come with me today. My publicist has arranged a photographer to grab some candids of us on set so I need him there. You’d be doing me a huge favor if you came,” Logan replied.

She could hardly say no, given her current situation. Despite the flutter in her heart, she nodded.

“OK.”

“There’s just one thing. I don’t think people would be very understanding about our arrangement. A lot has been said about me recently that hasn’t done my reputation any good, so I’d rather not give the gossip rags even more to print about me. Do you mind if we keep how we met, and the fact you are staying with me, confidential?”

It was half true. Mostly, he wanted to keep things confidential so that he could protect her.

“Of course.”

There was a lot about his world she didn’t understand, but his request had seemed simple enough.

Why, then, was there a sense of foreboding so great that it made her shiver?

What could possibly happen by agreeing to help look after his dog?

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