Page 19 of Finding Noah
“I don’t think so.” He dipped a piece of chicken delicately into his dressing. “He was damn attractive. Dark, flawless skin. Big brown eyes.” He glanced down at Stormy. “Not like hers, but puppy-dog eyes nonetheless.” He sighed. “And brawny. Totally didn’t wonder if he could haul bags of dog food around.”
“Oh. Well, attractive is good.”Here we go again.Noah had atype. Somehow, the good looks always covered up a major flaw—usually that the guy was a jerk. “Are you sure—” I speared another piece of lettuce. Perhaps harder than was strictly necessary. “—that you’re ready for another relationship? You’re barely out of the last one. And you kind of got your heart broken. Maybe take a break before diving back in?”
For all I knew, this guy might bethe one. I might be talking Noal out of the perfect relationship for him. Yet I couldn’t stop myself. “I mean, maybe if you wait a month or two? Until you’re settled? He lives over in Hartsville, so that’s a long way to go.”
“Actually, he lives close to Foggy Basin and commutes. He just loves animals that much.”
Oh dear God.“Well, maybe you are ready—”
“Nope. You’re right. I can see that now.” He pointed his fork at me. “How about you?”
“Me?” I blinked.Is he asking if we might go out? That he might finally—
“Did you meet any nice women today? You must’ve been introduced to plenty of the store’s customers. Any attractive women? Did you make them laugh? Might they be attracted to you? Mission Find Christian a Girlfriend has not been abandoned.”
Oh dear. I’d sort of hoped he’d forgotten about that. “How was Stormy today? Did you do training? Do you think she’ll be able to help with the puppy class? Just over a week, eh? Has everyone paid?”
He eyed me. “I see what you’re doing.”
“Yeah, asking how your day went. I’m not going to date any woman who works at the store or anyone who might shop there.”
Noah pointed his fork at me. “Probably almost every woman in town shops at the store. It’s a little unrealistic to say you won’t date any of them.”
“It isn’t if I want to keep my job.” I took a sip of the lemonade—enjoying the bite. “Have you fed Stormy?”
“While you were in the shower and don’t change the subject.”
I blinked, attempting to feign innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I bet you don’t.” He pursed his lips. “Operation Find Christian a Girlfriend is swinging into full gear next week.”
“Oh yay.”
So not.
Chapter Six
Noah
Ifound three clients who wanted personal lessons at their homes. Needless to say, I was happy to oblige. I discovered three dogs desperately in need of a firm hand and, by the end of the first lesson, I’d convinced each of the owners I could whip everyone into shape.
Three happy people signed up for more lessons.
Stormy settled into our home nicely. Although she was my shadow during the day, as soon as Christian came home, she followed him around. During his two days off, she didn’t leave him for a moment.
He’d never seen such devotion before and, at first, found it overwhelming. Eventually, though, he settled into the role of being Stormy’sperson.
I was fine with that. In fact, I was already casting a wide net for another dog to add. I didn’t want Stormy to be lonely, of course. Not because I desperately wanted a dog of my own.
The next week flew by and, soon enough, I found myself facing ten identical black lab puppies.
Bear, I recognized, of course.
Glynnis had a tight grip on him.
I’d struggle to identify Tibby, Pepsi, Smudge, Frankie, Roxy, Haggis, Bruiser, Penny, and Sleepy. Well, maybe not Sleepy. Initially they’d called her Bette—but with her penchant of dropping to sleep all the time, I understood why they’d changed the dog’s name. She certainly wasn’t a firecracker.
“The vet says she’s perfectly healthy.” Flora, Sleepy’s lovely owner, assured me. “She’s just…not very energetic. We’ve had to lower her caloric intake a bit since we don’t want her to put on too much weight. I mean, she’s happy to go out and play and everything…she just tends to, when not actually walking, curl up and fall asleep. Weirdest thing.”
