Page 52 of Jagger

“I think the pup is a she,” I said absently.

There was a hard thumping of my heart that had nothing to do with adrenaline from taking risks or craving danger.

I closed my eyes, thankful both were alive until I heard a little voice that formed a jagged edge in my jaded heart.

“Mama?”

CHAPTER 15

“Those who say that we’re in a time where there are no heroes, they just don’t know where to look.”

—Ronald Reagan

Bella

I’d never really thought about heroes since I’d had none in my life. But I’d witnessed one on a horrible night when I’d almost lost the one good thing I’d ever really done since I was born. Maybe my friends would tell me otherwise, but creating a little lifeform like Cally had provided me not only with the unconditional kind of love that I’d never known existed, but also the strength to push forward with every decision and tough endeavor. The thought of losing her had almost wrapped a level of despair around me that I would never be able to abate.

Jagger was an unexpected hero, although if you really looked inside my psyche, my inner voice would tell me that I’d known what he was capable of. Even if he hadn’t. Or maybe the better term to use was that he’d refused to be considered heroic underany circumstances. Why? I had my thoughts, but they were muddled like all my emotions.

A strong, resilient arm snaked down mine, a large and impressive hand shaking a glass of wine gently as a sinful offer. I lifted my head, resting it against the back of the couch and smiled.

“You read my mind,” I told him. I accepted the glass, finally able to take a deep breath. I’d checked out Cally from top to bottom, much to her enthused debate. All she’d wanted to do was to hold the puppy.

Who had her muzzle and paws on my feet at the moment. With Cally’s head in my lap, I was trapped, grateful for the drink. I didn’t care what time it was. Time had no meaning at this point after what I’d almost lost.

Jagger moved toward the chair, plopping down and immediately staring at the fire.

There were so many things I wanted to say to him, words of gratitude that would never be enough, but he had to be the first to speak. It was an innate knowing.

“How’s Cally?” He asked the question without looking at me. It was as if he was embarrassed about managing to save both our lives. Again.

“Bruised and banged up, but the dog saved her from hypothermia. As I told you before. She’s a fighter.”

“That’s good. And as I told you, she’s just like her mom.” His smile was slight, but so genuine.

“What are you going to do with the pup?”

He snorted and took a long sip of his drink. Whiskey I was sure. “That’s up to you. The pup is the real hero here. I don’t think she has a home.”

“Are you suggesting I keep her?”

“Maybe. But that’s up to you.”

The moment the dog moved toward Jagger, licking his face, he softened. The guy had a soft spot for animals. That was a real win in my mind. The only decent foster mother I’d had over the years had told me that I could never care for a man a dog didn’t like. A dead giveaway. Maybe that had been my problem with Joel. I hadn’t dog-proofed him.

Jagger sat rubbing the dog’s head as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “You’re really good with animals.”

“They’re very special creatures,” he said with such reverence in his tone. Using a single finger, he rubbed the soft fur above the pup’s nose.

“Where did that come from? A pet when you were a kid?”

His laugh was followed by a smile from a nice memory. “I mostly grew up on a ranch in Montana. I had lots of pets including horses and cows, chickens and roosters. My brothers and I had a dog when we were all under ten. Buck was a mutt, but sweet as could be. I’ll never forget the little buddy sleeping in my bed.”

“Nice memories.”

“Yeah, they are.”

“Thank you, for everything, Jagger. I honestly don’t know what to say,” I told him with a very quiet voice. Maybe I didn’t want to disturb his train of thought or bring a barrage of chastisingcomments. Those I likely deserved for taking a risk. But he didn’t understand how much pain I was in.

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