Page 17 of Taming Georgia

“It’s okay. You’re in love.” I shoot her a wink.

She has a long-distance relationship going with one of Loïc’s friends.

“Yeah,” she says with a giggle. “I’ll see ya tonight.”

“Have a good day at work,” I tell her.

“You, too.”

She leaves my room, and I roll out of bed and force myself into the shower.

I can’t believe I’m putting myself through the wrath of Wyatt for an unpaid position. I guess one could say that pride is also a currency more important to me than money.

“Well, good morning, darling,” Ethel says when I enter the kennel.

“Hi.” I give her a sheepish smile. “Just couldn’t stay away.”

“Well, I, for one, am glad you’re back. I’m sure the pups are, too.”

“I am excited to walk the dogs again. You’re right; they just love it.”

She nods. “They do.”

“I know someone who’s not going to be thrilled to see me. Any chance he’s rescuing a dog in Texas today and is driving there and back?” I quirk an eyebrow up, causing Ethel to laugh.

“No, no Texas rescues, but you just let me worry about him. I won’t let him bother you.”

I follow her over to the new pregnant dog from yesterday.

“She looks better. Doesn’t she?”

“She really does,” I agree.

Ethel bends down to give the dog a treat. “She’s still skinny, of course. But a warm place to stay with food, water, and a nice bath can do wonders for the spirit. Isn’t that so, pretty girl?” The last part she says to the dog, who’s shyly wagging her tail.

“Have you named her yet?”

Ethel stands and wipes her hands across her pants. “No, I thought you could do that.”

“Me?”

“Yes. She was brought in on your first day. Thought it might be fitting for you to name her.”

I shrug. “Okay, I’ll think of a name today.”

Ethel smiles, and it lights up her whole face. “Sounds good. And, Georgia, I don’t know why you came here to volunteer or why you came back. But you have your reasons, and don’t let anyone stand in your way of doing something that you need to do. We all have our paths to walk, and if you feel that Cooper’s Place is meant to be on your journey, then it is. Regardless of what one person might think. Are we clear?”

I nod. “You want to hear something funny?”

“What’s that?”

“I thought I was given a sign, one that said I needed to be here,” I say, amused. “Maybe it wasn’t a sign after all.”

“Or maybe it was.” She purses her lips together.

The hairs on the back of my neck rise. I feel him. It’s the same as it was years ago, this draw that my body has toward him. It’s nothing I can explain, but it’s there, and I don’t know why.

“Ethel,” he says gruffly, and she and I both turn toward him.

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