Page 58 of The Leaving Road

“Good morning.”

He tilted his head at Sloan. “You like him.”

“Pfft. I hardly know him anymore.”

“You know that’s not true.”

“It’s been years,” I muttered

“You forget, I watched you two grow up together.”

“A long time ago.” I tried to make my point again.

“It could be decades, Magnolia, but your soul would still recognize his.”

Not bothering to elaborate onwhat the hellhe meant by that, he just took a sip of his coffee and left me to decipher that ticket of wisdom on my own.

Thanks, Doc.

“Why don’t you both take off?” Doc hollered behind him. “Sloan, get ready for Peaches and her puppies; they can go home tonight.”

Sloan’s face lit up like a kid in a candy store. “Yeah, Doc, you got it.” Then he turned to me. “Feel like shopping real quick?”

He knew damn well I would never say no to shopping for Peaches and her puppies, but I shoot him a wary glance. “Lead the way, Sloan.”

I couldn’t help but feel like I was putting my heart on the line after accepting his invite.

Chapter 36

Magnolia

Shopping with Sloan went off without a hitch, and I’m pretty positive he spent way too much money. Anything I told him that couldpossiblybe useful, or theymightneed, or theymightlike, went into the cart. Sloan bought no less than four different beds in case Peaches didn’t like one, and he got one for every room he thought she might like to nap in.

And don’t even get me started on the number of toys or puppyenrichmentgames he got for the puppies, who were only days old. I found it better to stop trying to argue with him and just let the man spend the money. The rest of the ride was spent in an easy silence, and I spent it thinking about what a shockingly good time I had out with Sloan. He made me laugh and the conversation was always easy, and I never felt uncomfortable.Even after all this time, even after all he had done, I feltsafe.On the drive back to the clinic to get my truck before I headed home, I couldn’t help but ask Sloan, “You act like you’re going to keep all the puppies.”

He shrugged. “I’m hoping to find homes for them, but if that takes months, oryears, well…it is what it is.”

Why did I have a feeling those three little puppies were goingabsolutely nowhere.

“I’m going to drop this stuff off at my place and grab a quick shower, then I’ll meet you back at yours.”

“Sloan…really, that’s not necessary.”

“Itabsolutelyis. The only reason I'm not demanding you come over to my place is because Jace and Lex are at your place.”

“How do you know Jace is there already?”

“I texted him.”

“You texted him?”

“Yeah, he’s also going to be keeping an eye out on you and Lex.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re taking this protection detail very seriously.”

“No. I take what happens toyouvery seriously.Don’t forget that.” His eyes met mine and I felt the air around us sizzle. Suddenly, my mouth was bone dry.

“I’d ask you to text me when you make it home, but you still haven’t put my number to use.”

---