Page 162 of Come Back to Me

Once I reach my office, I sink into my desk chair and watch as Brogan settles at my side.

“Need to get you a dog bed for in here, bud.” I scratch his ears and try not to think about how pleasant his presence is as I pile through the paperwork on my desk.

Hours pass without much distraction, aside from Brogan scenting the office. I keep an eye on him, making sure he doesn’t mark his turf, but he’s a good boy.

Plowing semi-complete, I take a note of the time and register it’s almost lunch.

Me: Bast, is today a good day?

His reply comes in quickly.

Bast: Yeah. You’re in luck. She’s been less lucid lately.

Don’t I know it. This is the first time he’s answered in the positive about me stopping by.

Me: Okay, I’ll be around after lunch.

Shooting off an email to Mrs. Abelman, I proceed to tap out a message to Tee:

Me: You good to come out to the Frobishers’ place?

Tee: Sure.

For someone so verbose, she can be surprisingly succinct via text.

Me: Great. Have a few chores in town to complete, but I’ll be home soon.

Tee:

With a click of my tongue, Brogan traipses after me as I leave my office.

Marguerite’s the only one in the room, but she’s busy on the phone.

With Brogan’s leash in hand, I go to The General Store first and ask Mary to send over the dog bed I purchase to the detachment before grabbing two of those nets that’ll keep Brogan on the right side of my truck if we’re in a crash.

Then, taking another look at the time, I find my ride, install said net, then head out of town and onto the road to the ranch.

October’s incoming, but the weather’s still plenty warm. Some of the leaves are changing, but the whisper of summer remains.

I keep an eye on Brogan as I play some tunes, but he isn’t affected by the volume so I relax into my seat and enjoy the ride.

The first thing I see once I amble down the driveway is Tee waiting on the veranda.

God, I could get used to her waiting for me.

It’s a thought I try to shove aside, but what’d be the point?

Both Callan and Zee sandwich her on the bench.

They appear, as usual, to be bickering.

From the car, I can see the word ‘dog’ being mentioned a lot.

“You two are the ones who should clean up their accidents?—”

“How is that fair?” Callan grouses. “We didn’t pee on the floor.”

“I thought you wanted one, Tee. One. Not onepack.”

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