Page 91 of Echoes of You

Her face paled. “That’s awful.”

“Grief can twist people in weird ways.”

“I guess you’re right. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

I brushed my lips across Maddie’s. The temptation to deepen the kiss was so strong.

A playful growl sounded, forcing us apart.

“You’re a bit of a cockblock.” I glared at the dog, who looked a lot better this morning.

Maddie smacked my chest and then dropped to a crouch. “He is not. He’s a total love.” The dog crossed right to her and nuzzled into her side.

It was then that I saw he had something in his mouth. “Hey! Those are my damn gym shorts.”

I made to reach for them, and the dog darted away, letting loose another playful growl. I dashed forward, but he dodged me, almost sending me sprawling.

Maddie laughed. “You know if you chase them, they just think it’s a game.”

I turned my glare in her direction. “Fine, oh wise dog trainer. How are you going to get my freaking shorts before he puts a hole in the crotch?”

Maddie grinned and grabbed a stuffed beaver from the counter. She squeaked it twice and the dog’s head cocked to the side. He dropped my shorts and went loping toward Maddie.

She crouched, giving him the toy and lots of praise.

“I’ll be damned,” I muttered.

Maddie scratched under his chin. “He needs a name.”

“How about woman stealer?”

She shook her head but grinned as she did. “I think he kind of looks like a Clyde.”

“It fits. He’s stealing my woman and my shorts. Pretty sure I’m missing a shoe, too.”

Maddie’s brows pulled together in confusion.

“Bonnie and Clyde? The epic robbing duo? He can be the Clyde half of that pair.”

Maddie laughed, the sound warming parts of me I hadn’t even realized were cold. She turned back to the dog, rubbing his sides. “Clyde, it is.” She leaned closer and dropped her voice to a stage whisper. “Just go for Nash’s shoes, not mine.”

“Rude,” I huffed.

Maddie pushed to her feet. “I need to get going or I’ll be late. You sure your mom’s okay with watching him today? I just don’t want to leave him alone yet.”

“She can’t wait to meet her new granddog—her words, not mine.”

Maddie grinned. “You’ll win her over in no time, Clyde.”

The dog let out a happy bark.

I closed the distance between me and Maddie and brushed the hair back from her face. “You’ll call me if you see Adam at all?”

Maddie’s hand fisted in my tee. “I will, but I’m hoping he gets the message and takes off. He won’t be able to stay long because he always has work commitments.”

I hoped she was right, but I’d seen a determination in her ex-fiancé’s face that I hadn’t liked.

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