Page 52 of Finding Out

How did I end up here?

Squatting, I glared at the dark brown puppy whose tail was thumping against the hardwood floor.

“We don’t eat anything but our food.” I smacked the back of my hand against my palm, and the eight-week-old chocolate lab barked. “We don’t pee inside.” I cocked a brow, and he barked again. “And we don’t lick people.” As if on command, he jumped up and licked my face.

With a hiss, I stood again. I’d brought the puppy home two days ago and had demanded Jess come over and train him. After two sessions, he still peed on the floor and licked me. I couldn’t stay mad, though. He was too damn cute.

I scooped him up and headed for the living room. Wren would bewalking through the door any minute. She’d been busy with the Christmas auction this week, and I’d been occupied with finding, picking up, and trying to train the damn dog. The chocolate lab was a present for her, and yet I wasn’t sure the thorn in my side could really be considered a gift.

When the doorbell chimed, I hollered, “Come in, baby girl.” Then I growled at the adorable puppy in my arms. “You be good. We want her to love you.”

As the front door opened, I set the puppy down, my gut twisting with nerves. Like I expected, he rushed straight for Wren.

“Oh my gosh!” Before I even got around the sofa and into the foyer, she’d dropped her things onto the floor.

“Aren’t you the sweetest thing ever.”

I winced at the telltale slurping sound of Caffrey’s tongue against skin.

Instead of lurching back, Wren giggled. “Aw, little man. I love you too.”

She was sprawled on the floor, surrounded by grocery bags and her duffel, with the puppy jumping all over her. When his paw caught in her black-and-white sweater, I froze, expecting her to freak out.

“Careful, dude, you’ll get hurt.” She pulled his too-big-for-his-body paw free, not seeming to mind that he’d snagged her sweater.

“I see you met the reason we’re staying in tonight.”

She peered up at me from beneath her long lashes, eyes sparkling. “Where did you find him?”

“As of two days ago, he’s officially part of the Wilson family.” I leaned on the doorframe, watching as Caffrey flopped onto his back, legs splayed.

“You hear that, baby?” She rubbed his belly. “You get a Daddy Wilson now too.”

I threw my head back and barked a laugh.

“Let’s get him.” Wren snickered.

The next thing I knew, I was engulfed in perfume and puppy scent as they both kissed my cheeks.

“Enough.” I pushed the dog away as I wrapped Wren in my arms and planted my lips firmly on hers.

Caffrey yelped, and she pulled away to let him down. Instantly, he raced out of the room.

“Caffrey, no.”

“Caffrey?” She lifted one sculpted brow. I wondered how she’d feel about my naming the little guy after her favorite art thief fromWhite Collar.

“I couldn’t call him Peter, because we both know the rigid, grumpy FBI agent is pretty much me,” I grumbled.

Burying her face in my neck, she stifled a laugh. “It’s perfect. I can’t believe you got a dog. What were you thinking?”

I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to meet her eye and give her the full truth, no matter how vulnerable it made me feel.

“I never want you to be alone again. You were right the other day when you said that I can’t always be there with you. But you told me if I couldn’t, I should get a chocolate lab to fill in when I traveled.”

As much as I wished I could be there for her at any time, day or night, I had no plans to retire from coaching for a long while.

She sucked in a quick breath.

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