Page 77 of Tamed to Be Messy

He sighs. “The owner of the house Shannon rents decided he wants to sell. So she has to find a new place, but she needs a better job to afford it. She and Eliana may have to move in with me for a while.”

“Would that be a big problem?”

He shakes his head. “Not really. I took care of Eliana for several months on my own when things got rough for them. I just hate to see her struggling again. She’s been through enough, you know?”

Knowing the story, I nod in agreement. The accident that took Devon’s life, scarred Kade and left Eliana fatherless, happened right after I became a lifeguard. I didn’t know Kade very well then, but I was around Graham enough to hear the details.

When we reach the pavilion, Zane walks out of headquarters. “Any turtles yet?”

Eliana frowns. “No.”

Kade swings her up into his arms. “Time to get you to school, sport.”

Once he and Eliana leave, Zane turns to face me. “How’d the date with Hannah go?”

“It wasn’t a date.” Well, maybe it didn’t start out that way, but I admit, it sure felt like it once I picked her up and saw her in that dress. I won’t mention taking her with me for Turtle Patrol. That would be like opening a can of worms, but instead of worms, masses of squawking seagulls would pour out in a deafening ruckus.

“Okay, then how did the non-date go?”

Do I tell him we almost kissed? “Not as well as I’d hoped.”

Zane frowns at me. “Then not so great?”

Best to focus on the funding issue. “Things didn’t go so well when I tried to talk my father about the trust fund.”

He pats me on the back. “Sorry, man. We’ll figure something out, I’m sure.”

I wish I could be as sure as he is. “You seem awfully confident.”

He shrugs. “Let’s just say I have a feeling this will all work out. But more importantly, I wanted to let you know I have your recert date set up. It’s in three weeks—I pushed it out as far as I could.”

I nod. “I’ll be ready.”

His smile returns. “Good. Can’t wait to have you back, man.”

I gotta say,whoever invented these wheelchairs for animals is a total genius, and seeing Bandit effortlessly navigate the contraption is kind of mind-blowing. He’s the happiest dog I’ve ever met, too. Even I can tell he’s improving. His tail wags more smoothly, and I think he’s gaining more control over his back legs. That’s what I’m excited to share with Hannah as I lead him up the path to her office.

When I open the door, Hannah’s face breaks into a smile that makes me feel like I’m floating about six inches above the floor, but then I realize we’re not alone.

Pete’s leaning against the counter near the massage table. He sends a quick glance my way, then to Bandit, before refocusing on Hannah. And let me tell you, I know that look. Like he’s starved, and Hannah is his next meal.

“Hi, Nick.” She crouches in front of Bandit and fondles his ears. “Look at you, big guy. Looks like Nick’s turning out to be a good dog daddy after all.” She casts a glance at me, and I know she’s thinking about the discussion we had on the beach about kids because I’m thinking about it, too.

Pete snorts in reaction to her words. “That’s funny.”

She shoots an annoyed look over her shoulder at him, which makes me happier than it should. “Pete stopped by to check on Bandit.”

Pete stares at her, fixated, as she kisses Bandit’s head. “He’s doing better than expected.”

Feeling like a dog with his hackles up, I clench my jaw to keep my mouth shut. I’d love nothing more than to tell him to take a hike because Hannah’s mine. But technically she isn’t. Plus, that would make me sound like a caveman.

I squat near Hannah and run my hand down Bandit’s back. “He did something new last night.”

Her face lights up with delight and expectation when she looks at me, making me want to make a habit of evoking that reaction out of her. She’s like the most glorious sunset I can imagine—brilliant and full of astounding colors.

“Oh, yeah?”

I grin. “He got up and actually stood on his back legs for a few seconds.”

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