Page 26 of Wanted

Questions swirl. The vague information teases my curiosity. How many brothers? Are they all married? What about sisters? Do any of them live here too?

Jude’s dog Ashe trots into the room like she owns the place and leaps onto the queen-sized bed. Her cold, wet nose bumps my palm.

“Hey, girl.” I stroke her thick fur.

“Ashe, out,” Jude orders.

“She’s not a bother. I don’t mind if she stays.”

“I do.”

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re kind of a grump?”

He levels me with a glare and crosses his arms. “Most days actually.”

“Oh good. I thought maybe you were unaware.”

“You aren’t a ray of sunshine yourself.”

I scoff. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My personality fills the room.”

“Sure. It’s as pleasant as a dog’s fart.” His gaze drops to his trusty canine. “Come on, Ashe.” A sharp whistle follows his command.

She looks up at him with a stubbornness I feel in my bones. Apparently, I’m not the only one that likes poking the big bear.

My teeth pinch my lip as I fight against a smile. “I guess she likes me more.”

“Ashe,” he orders again.

The dog lifts her head and barks once as if to tell him where he can shove his command. She drops her heavy head on my thigh.

Jude releases a frustrated sigh and brushes his hand over his beard. Seems to me like the man doesn’t like to share his loyal companion.

“She’s fine. I promise I won’t convince her to come home with me in your absence.”

“That’s not a concern, darlin’. Seems to me you can hardly care for yourself, let alone a dog.”

The air leaves my lungs. Traces of humor vanish from my expression. “Thank you for helping me out of the dress. Now you’ve overstayed your welcome.”

My choice of words dares him to say the same. To kick me out and prove he’s no different from anybody else.

Tell me, Jude. Tell me I’m no longer welcome.

It’s not as if I haven’t done everything in my power to push him away.

He runs a hand through his dark hair, and his eyes look a little wild. As if he can’t believe the words that slipped out of his mouth, but he’s too stubborn to take them back. Holding his shoulders rigid and tense, he looks at his dog one more time before exiting the room.

7

Jude

The intake building needs a fresh coat of paint.

It’s the third task I’ve settled on since this morning. After taking out the dogs and cleaning up the yard, I set up three stalls for some incoming strays we’re having transferred from the county animal control. They ran out of room and needed somewhere comfortable for the dogs to wait out their mandatory stray hold. If nobody claims them, they can become part of our rescue pending adoption.

Once that was finished, I couldn’t help but notice the chipping paint on the exterior wall. This winter was harsh, and if I don’t take care of this today, I’m not going to be able to stop thinking about it. Our dad, Terrance, taught us a lot once we came to live with him. One thing he hammered home was to complete a task and get it off your mind. If you’re strong and capable now, don’t put it off because you might not be tomorrow.

With his words in my head, I gather the paint supplies from last year. This sudden motivation has nothing to do with the woman sleeping in the room down the hall from mine. I’m certainly not avoiding the fact that I owe her an apology. At the very least, I owe her another meal.

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