Page 38 of Wicked Little Thief

I hope you slept well, little honeybee.

I had to leave early this morning to continue dealing with the work problem from last night. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you goodbye, but you looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you.

She brought her free hand to her chest—that was so sweet! And how thoughtful of him to be quiet as he got ready; she hadn’t even heard him.

She continued reading.

I let Phoebe out before I left, but she hasn’t been fed.

Janice, my housekeeper should arrive around ten this morning. She usually stays until two or three. I told her you’re staying with me, so she won’t be surprised to find you here.

Janice’s daughter, Cindy, might be stopping by after her last morning class to meet you and Phoebe. She’s interested in the dog walker position.

I’ll text you later this morning.

I’m not sure what time I’ll be home tonight. Hopefully before it gets dark. There are a few things I promised you last night that I need to make good on.

Make sure your purple device’s batteries are charged.

He included a smiling, winking face with devilish eyebrows.

See you tonight.

--Liam

Utah examined his neat, block-style penmanship and felt her stomach dip when she reread the part about making good on his promises.

Good grief, even his handwriting was sexy!

She really needed to get a grip.

The jingle of Phoebe’s tags and the clicking of the dog’s toenails grabbed her attention, and she smiled when the pup rounded the corner and wagged her stubby tail at the sight of Utah.

“Good morning, pretty girl,” Utah called as she walked toward the refrigerator. “Are you hungry?”

Phoebe watched with interest as Utah scooped out the breakfast portion from the dog food pouch and put it on a plate, covered it with a paper towel, and put it in the microwave.

As the timer ticked down, she glanced at Phoebe patiently waiting at her feet and asked, “Should we go for a walk after breakfast?”

The cocker spaniel’s tail wiggled back and forth, like she understood what Utah was saying.

Phoebe had come to ARF as a stray, but it wasn’t hard to believe that maybe once upon a time, she’d had an owner who talked to her about going for walks.

The microwave dinged and Utah took the food out and scraped it into Phoebe’s dish, then put it on the ground in front of the dog.

“You eat your breakfast while I get dressed, then we’ll go.”

As Utah changed into a pair of black yoga pants and a sky-blue t-shirt, she wondered if they’d run into the women Liam told her yesterday were gossiping about them. If so, what would she say to them about being there two days in a row?

She decided she wouldn’t say anything as Liam’s words ran through her head.

It’s none of their damn business.

Besides, she doubted there was anything she could say to keep their tongues from wagging.

Maybe if she put headphones in, she could get away with just smiling and giving a princess wave.

Chapter Fifteen

---