Page 83 of Captivating Anika

We have beds, bowls, leashes, treats, toys, and a massive bag of food I ended up carrying through the store on my shoulder. But Anika is happy in the passenger seat, despite a slight tug-of-war we had at the cash register. It didn’t take long, and was resolved when I pointed out the bill was less than half the mortgage payment I technically owed her for crashing at her place for as long as I have, and it was up to her which one she wanted me to pay.

It’s nine o’clock on the dot when I pull up in front of the shelter. I haven’t even turned off the engine when Anika is out of the truck, heading for the front door. I follow slower, diving in the back seat to grab the dogs’ leashes first.

When I walk in, she’s already sitting on her butt on the concrete floor, the dogs going nuts around her. I crouch down and they briefly come to say hello before crawling all over Anika again.

“I see how it’s gonna be,” I grumble, my knees popping as I stand back up.

“They’re like kids,” Annie shares. “They want their mommy when they’re little, but once they start growing, they’ll shadow their dad.”

I have no personal experience, but I guess we’ll find out. For now, I’m getting a kick out of watching Anika loving hard on the pups. I have a feeling she’d be that way with kids too, getting down on their level to connect with them. I’m more of an observer, but she dives right in.

Like last night. That was unexpected, but it felt damn good, hearing those words from her. Then the conversation early this morning was another eye-opener. For a long time—even before I backed off last year—I’ve held in my feelings, figuring she wasn’t at the same place. I’m getting the sense that’s no longer an issue.

Anika wants to sit in the back seat to keep the dogs company. Every so often I check my rearview mirror to find her grinning, ear to ear, both pups half-draped over her lap, tongues lolling. I don’t blame them.

When I turn down our street and see the police cruiser parked along the curb in front of her house, a quick glance in the mirror shows Anika’s happy grin gone.

Fuck.

“Cute,” Evans shares as we watch the pups sniffing around the backyard, with Anika keeping watch from the deck.

I have a suspicion she’s out there to delay what she’s afraid might be coming.

“How old?”

“Four months, according to the vet.”

“Two of them?”

“Couldn’t pick one.”

“Hmm.”

He doesn’t even bother hiding the smirk on his face.

“Is there news?” I ask, changing the topic.

Immediately his expression changes.

“Yes, but let’s wait for Anika.”

“Just tell me if you’re planning to tell her about Kim.”

“Yes.”

As if summoned, Anika comes in a moment later, followed by the two rambunctious pups, who greet Evans and myself as if they didn’t just see us five minutes ago. She fills their water bowl, and the two slobber noisily, dripping all over the floor. Then both dogs jump on the couch, curl around each other, and promptly fall asleep, completely ignoring the oversized dog bed next to them on the floor. That bodes well.

“Would you like some coffee?” Anika asks Evans, who shakes his head. “Can I get you something else?”

“I’m fine, thanks. Why don’t we sit down.”

Anika’s eyes lock on me, holding a silent plea. I reach for her hand and lead her to the couch. She ends up sitting down next to the pile of assorted dogs, and I squeeze in between her and the armrest. More foreboding, I suspect.

“This morning, Brian Cooper was transported by the feds from the hospital to an undisclosed location. A safe house,” Bill starts, taking a seat in the club chair. “He talked quite a bit last night. Turns out he is the one who got his brother involved in chip walking after Chris lost his job. Something he regrets now, because not only is the organization holding him responsible for the money his brother skimmed, but after Chris failed to retrieve those chips, they decided to grab him off the street and are now threatening to kill him unless Brian can come up with it.”

“So what now?” Anika wants to know. “Are those people going to come after me?”

When Evans throws a glance my way, I know he’s about to crush Anika, so I scoot a little closer and grab the box of tissues from the side table.

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