Page 26 of Loving Her

“What happened?”

“Some asshole ignored a cross-walking sign. Lee was crossing the street and Otto jumped in front to keep Lee from getting the brunt of the accident.”

“Shit,” I murmur.

“That’s a hell of a dog,” Jeff says.

“He is. Lee rescued him and his sister Luna. They were part of a puppy mill bust three years ago. She pulled them through, but she says they saved her. I think they kind of all saved one another,” she answers distractedly. “If he doesn’t make it, it will destroy her.”

“Hey, you’ll save him if it’s at all possible,” I try to reassure Indy. She looks up at me and stares into my eyes. I don’t know what my woman is looking for, but maybe she finds it because she surprises the fuck out of me by going up onto the tips of her toes, pressing her lips against mine. It’s a light kiss, but it’s meaningful just the same.

“Thank you, Breaker,” she murmurs, her eyes warm.

I smile at her. I couldn’t talk right now if I wanted to. I’m lost in the look on her face. I made her happy. It was something simple and done to try to calm her. Knowing it meant so much to her has me even more determined to make sure Indy knows just how truly amazing she is every single day.

Before either of us can say anything else, an old, beat up, eighty-something-model Ford pickup comes barreling into Indy’s drive, causing dirt and gravel to fly—not to mention the dust storm following in its wake. Before the truck barely comes to a stop, a woman with wavy, brunette hair, who looks like she might be five-and-a-half feet or so, jumps out. She’s wearing a pink thermal top and faded jeans. “Indy, please tell me you can save him,” she begs, tears running down her face.

While the woman is talking, she’s already at the back of her truck, pulling the tailgate down. Indy sprints over and I’m right behind her, carrying the board.

“I’m going to do my best,” Indy promises, jumping into the back. It’s the wrong time to notice, but the strength she shows in her legs and core muscles make me want to see how tight she could hold on to me as I pin her against the wall and fuck her raw. I shake myself from my daydream when the sound of growling and barking hit me. I look at the dog lying in the back of the truck. He’s breathing is harsh. It’s rapid and jarring his whole body with each exhale. His eyes are closed. One leg is at a weird angle, but it’s hard to tell because I’m pretty sure the hip is messed up, too. My gaze moves up to find the source of the sound, since there’s no way it’s the dog that’s hurt. There’s an almost identical German Shepherd, the coat a mixture of browns with black dominant around the face and back. The only difference between them is that the one inside the truck has a white spot on her forehead. It’s growling at Indy and the girl, its paws hitting the back glass.

“Luna, calm down,” the girl says, her hand against the glass as if she’s trying to reassure the other dog. I guess this is the sister of the dog that was hit.

“Okay, let’s get the board under him. We’ll need to do it gently.” I move as the girl jumps down to make room for me and Jeff. I squat down beside Indy and wait to do her bidding. “I need you both to lift him at the same time, as careful as you can. I’ll slide the board under. That will be easier than the normal procedure. The two of you will be able to lift him evenly.”

“Sounds good,” I mutter, hoping I do this right and don’t cause more damage to the dog.

“Where’s Jeff?” Indy questions.

I jerk my head back, looking for him. I just assumed he climbed in behind me. He’s out by the truck looking at the ownerof the dogs like he’s seen a ghost. She’s staring at him in much the same way.

“Jeff?” she whispers.

“Jeff, get up here. I need to get some imaging done and take Otto back for surgery.”

Jeff nods, with one last look at the girl. Then gets up in the truck to help me.

Before I turn back to the dog, I notice the girl has yet to take her eyes off Jeff. I wonder if this is the girl that he spoke about earlier. She’s definitely looking at him like he means something to her. In fact, the hunger in her face when she looks at Jeff is almost painful to witness. I shake it off. I need to help Indy. I know instinctively that if she loses this dog, it will hurt her immensely.

I don’t know if I was a praying man in my past, but I send up a prayer now for the dog and for Indy because the last thing I want to see is my woman’s tears.

Chapter 16

Indy

I did everything I could. I know I did, but that reality lies bitter in my stomach. As I hold Lee and let her cry in my arms, I just feel like a failure. I can feel the tears rolling down my face, but I ignore them.

“I’m so sorry, Lee,” I whisper as Luna whines at our feet.

“It’s all my fault,” she whispers through her broken sobs.

“Stop that, Rylee,” Jeff says, surprising me. I hadn’t even realized he was in the lobby with us. I watch as he moves in front of me. He goes to the other side of Rylee and then pulls her from my hold and gently cradles her body against him.

“He died because of me. I wasn’t worth it. He should have saved himself,” she bawls.

“Bullshit,” he snaps. “Indy, can you leave us alone, please?”

“I …”

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