Page 21 of Sara’s Dom (The Doms of Madison County)

She thought about it a moment and then nodded. “Yes. I think I can.”

“Good girl. I’m going to get you home. I have to be back at the ranch tonight,” he said.

“Can I come tomorrow and visit Thor?”

“Yes. He doesn’t growl at me like he used to,” he told her.

Sara smiled. “Good. He’s coming around.”

“You’re very good with animals.”

“I have to admit, sometimes I’d rather be around animals than people.”

He laughed. “I’m the same way.”

He kissed her at her door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She lifted her hand and waved. “Drive safe.”

As he drove away from her house, it felt like he’d left pieces of himself with her. It wasn’t a comfortable feeling, and he didn’t know if he cared for it, but he also knew nothing would tear him away from her.

The thought that he might lose her when she found out about the ranch filled his head and made his stomach tighten with dread. He needed to tell her as soon as possible. He couldn’t keep putting it off, or it would just get worse.

Jesus, he was turning into a pussy. He would just tell her the facts and why he did it, but he wouldn’t let it affect their relationship. He wouldn’t lose her.

Chapter Eleven

The next day, Sara sat with her back to Thor and talked about anything she could think of. He didn’t hear the words as much as the soft tone. The food, vitamins, and medicine she’d been giving him helped. His coat looked better except for the dirt, and his ribs weren’t showing anymore.

She felt him sniff her back and continued to talk. She was amazed as he snuck up beside her and laid his head on her lap.

She let him smell her fingers. “Are you ready to be petted, Baby?”

When the dog relaxed, she started to scratch his head and neck gently and slowly.

“You are handsome, Thor. I would love to get my hands on the men that hurt you.”

She started to sing to him and smiled when he relaxed more and closed his eyes. Her back was starting to ache from sitting on the hard ground for so long, but she didn’t want to leave when she was finally getting through to him.

Sara looked around and saw Grant leaning against the barn closest to them with his arms crossed over his chest. She knew he didn’t like it when the dog was this close to her, but there was no one else around to help him.

The dog had shown no aggression toward her. It seemed like men were what he feared the most.

“I’ve got to go, Thor. But I’ll be back. Maybe someday you’ll want to come home with me. I’d like you to meet my girls.” She patted him one more time before she stood. Thor stayed in place until Grant headed their way.

He stopped her with his hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

She looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw you when you stood, and I could tell you were inpain.”

She grinned and touched her back. “I got a little stiff sitting there for so long.”

“I don’t want you in pain.”

Sara snorted. “I’m not. Remember, I’m not a teenager anymore.”

“I still don’t like it.”

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