Page 27 of Housebroke

She’d get over this. She had before and she’d do it again. It was her job, and she loved it, even when it hurt.

She got dressed and went downstairs to make breakfast. She was surprised not to see Linc already in the kitchen working, since he was usually up well before her. She let the dogs outside, then went to the guesthouse to make coffee.

Linc was there sipping his coffee and brewing another cup for her. When it finished, he handed it to her.

“Thanks,” she said, going to the fridge to grab the cream. She poured a small amount into her cup, then took a few life-affirming sips. “Did you sleep in this morning?”

He shook his head. “No, I just had some calls to make. What are your plans for today?”

“Plans?”

“Yeah. It’s Saturday, Hazel. It’s the weekend.”

“It is?” She’d kind of lost track.

“Yeah. I thought it would be fun to drive to the beach with the dogs. You know, relax and have some fun.”

She couldn’t quite comprehend the idea of taking the day off and going somewhere with Linc and the dogs. “Why would you want to do that?”

He shrugged. “You had a rough day yesterday, and the beach is fun. Besides, I could use a break, too. What do you say?”

Her mind was a jumble of thoughts, and a lot of emotion only added to the mix, so she didn’t answer him.

“Say yes, Hazel. We’ll all have a good time.”

Would they? Would she? More importantly, would Linc? She didn’t think he was fully aware of what a road trip with her—and more importantly, the dogs—would truly entail.

“You know, it’s not easy maneuvering five—I mean four dogs.”

“I think we can handle it. We’ll take my truck.”

She winced. “My car is already dog proofed. How about we do that instead?”

“Sure,” he said with a shrug. “If that makes you more comfortable, we’ll take your car. And I’ll drive.”

She cocked her head to the side. “No you won’t. It’s my car.”

“But I’m the guy.”

She snorted out a laugh and walked past him, cup in hand. “Now I know you’re joking. I’m going to feed the dogs, then start breakfast.”

After feeding the dogs, she made a quick scrambled egg and bacon wrap for them for breakfast, then they both went upstairs to get ready for their trip. Hazel didn’t truly understand why Linc would take a whole day off just to spend it with her. She was fine.

Okay, she wasn’t exactly fine. She missed Boo. But that was just something she was going to have to get used to. It wasn’t the first time she’d fostered a dog who ended up leaving, and it wouldn’t be the last. Eventually, she’d get better at letting go.

Hopefully.

She should probably stop thinking of these dogs as hers. But how could she not fall in love with them and bond with them since they so clearly needed her? How was she supposed to maintain an emotional distance when they relied on her for everything, including love?

She couldn’t. So she’d just have to suck it up and take the heartache whenever they left.

Heartbreak should be something she was used to by now.

She stood in front of the mirror and brushed her hair, then wound it up in a bun on top of her head while she glared at herself.

“You sure are feeling sorry for yourself today, aren’t you?”

Why, yes, yes, she was.

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