Page 28 of Cruel Saint

“I don’t mind.” I did my best to hide the emotions bubbling to the surface over seeing my old companion. There was a time when I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.

Based on the way he currently licked my face, he didn’t think he’d ever see me again, either. It didn’t matter that I now bore little resemblance to the man I once was. Ollie somehow knew it was me. The thought provided me with an unexpected source of comfort.

“Hey, boy.” I scratched him behind his ears, remembering how much he loved that spot. His tail thumped harder against the ground, proof he still loved it just as much. “You’re a happy hound, aren’t you?”

Imogene studied me with curiosity, looking between Ollie and me. Would this be the tipping point? Would my dog be the thing that allowed her to put the pieces together?

“What is it?” I pressed, pushing down my nerves.

She squinted, raking her gaze over me like a detective searching for clues. A moment of tense scrutiny passed before she released a long breath and shook her head, as if reminding herself I was dead. That was the only thing that made my plan feasible. My ace card, so to speak.

No one would expect a man who was dead to suddenly re-enter their lives.

“Just trying to figure you out, Mr. Saint. That’s all. You don’t strike me as a dog person.”

“I think there’s a lot about me that might surprise you.”

“I’m beginning to realize that.” A blush bloomed on her cheeks as she bit her lower lip.

“Would you like to join me?” I gestured to the vacant chair across the table.

She gave me an apologetic smile. “I need to let this guy burn off some of his excess energy before he’s cooped up all morning while I’m at work. He may be thirteen, but he’s still a puppy at heart.”

My chest squeezed at the reminder of his age. He looked to be in good shape, but I could see the evidence of his years, the normally brown fur around his eyes and nose sporting hints of white.

“You’re welcome to come with us if you’d like.”

I should have told her I couldn’t. Came up with some excuse about needing to get home.

But when Ollie looked at me with his pleading eyes, I was powerless to resist and pulled myself to my feet, strolling alongside Imogene as Ollie led her down the beach path.

The salty breeze brushed against our skin, the sound of crashing waves creating a calming melody in the background. Imogene’s hair danced in the wind, catching bits of the rising sun. As we walked, I couldn’t help but admire every inch of her —the freckles sprinkled across her nose, the curve of her lips as she laughed at Ollie’s antics, the hint of the tattoo visible on her hip.

And it was that tattoo that had me rethinking everything.

That and the memory of feeling her in my arms as I rushed her to the hospital.

“How are you feeling after…everything?” I asked after a few moments of comfortable silence while Ollie marked his territory, glancing back at us with a wide grin on his face, obviously proud of his accomplishment.

“Other than a few scratches and bruises, I’m fine. The doctor told me to take it easy for a few more days, hence why I’m stuck walking instead of going for a run or surfing. But I don’t mind. Gives me more time with Ollie.”

“You don’t take him running with you?”

“He can’t go super long distances. Not like he used to.” She swallowed hard, a flicker of sadness washing over her expression. “Plus, he can get easily distracted, as you can see,” she said, her voice chipper once more. “I’d have to stop every few seconds to let him sniff, pee, or both.”

As the words left her mouth, Ollie tugged her toward a nearby trash can, sniffing it for several seconds before lifting a leg and marking his territory.

“Case in point, I suppose,” I said around a laugh.

“Exactly.” She gave a gentle tug on Ollie’s leash, and he bounded back toward us, trotting along the beach once more. “So tell me something…”

“What’s that?” I took a sip of my coffee before returning my eyes to hers.

“Who are you, Gideon Saint?”

“I own a venture capital firm.”

She shook her head. “Not that. I know who you are on paper. Or on the internet.”

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