Page 26 of Finding Noah
I knew what that meant. “Shit.” I blew out a breath. “I was never going to say anything—especially when you left him. I mean, he was cheating on you. And I worried about whether he was being safe. Whether he was risking your health. And you’d given up Fluffy to be with him, and he so didn’t deserve you. Wasn’t worthy of you, and then he cheated. I tried to tell you. That I’d seen them together, and they were way too…friendly…to be just…friends.”When I say that out loud, it sounds extra stupid.
Yeah. Except my instincts were right, and he was cheating.
Noah tossed the bag of dog shit at me.
I caught it easily.
“I’m going for a very long drive. I don’t know when I’ll be back. Take care of Stormy.” Then he stalked away.
That he felt he had to ask me to take care of our dog hurt more than the bag of dog shit being tossed at me.
I watched as he got in his car and drove to the road. Props to him, he got out of the car and closed the gate before getting back into his car and driving away.
Stormy whined.
“Sorry.” I leaned over to unclip her leash. “Do you want to go for a walk? We could walk the property line.”
Storm clouds had moved in overhead, but the meteorologist had said the rain and wind would come later in the afternoon.
After tossing the bag in the garbage, I clicked my tongue and headed toward the outer fence.
Stormy followed.
In the end, the weather forecasters proved wrong, and we were at the far end of the property when the rain started. This wasn’t a gentle downpour either. In one moment, we had a light breeze and then next we were in a torrential downpour.
My dog, who apparently still didn’t like storms—for very good reasons—bolted ahead for the safety of the porch.
I considered sprinting but, in the end, decided I deserved to get soaked and cold.
When I reached the house, Stormy nudged against me. Which was the perfect end to this clusterfuck—I was going to end up smelling like wet dog. I led her into the house and dried her off as best I could. Then, once she was settled on the bathroom mat, I took a shower.
When we were both drier, we headed downstairs. Since it neared dinnertime, I fed her.
The rain continued to pour down in buckets, but no thunder or lightning accompanied it, so Stormy appeared okay with the noise.
I checked the crock-pot to find the ribs nearly cooked. I’d planned ahead so we’d have something hearty to share after the first class.
All that effort had proved to be for nothing if Noah didn’t return home. Well, I’d leave a plate for him in the fridge, but that wasn’t the same as fresh-out-of-the-crock-pot ribs.
By seven, I was clearly not going to have company for dinner. I ate the ribs, fresh corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes—all Noah’s favorite foods.
The entire silent meal, I cursed my stupidity. For bringing up every sore spot in Noah’s life—including a few he might not’ve even known he had.Although Aunt June admonished me many times when I put myself down, I couldn’t help myself then, and I still can’t help myself now.
If Noah tried to put himself down, of course, I argued vociferously. He was a damn smart man. And yeah, full-time college had been out of reach, but he’d still spent all that time learning to train dogs. Between his talent and what I’d learned at business school, we had enough to make a success of his business.
Yeah, but will he ever want your help? I should put everything I do in writing so he’ll know what needs to be taken care of.
I thought about the pens we planned to buy. The doggie daycare we considered opening. All the training classes Noah planned on teaching. If I left, he wouldn’t be able to afford this place on his own. He needed me.
Just like I needed him—and not just because of the money. I’d heard of some rooms. Over the local watering hole? Somewhere I could go and probably survive on my salary.
Noah couldn’t survive without me right now.
Unless he went to Soren and they’re going at it right now. Or the guy from the pet store. Or he installed an app, and—
I needed to stop. I could spiral downward fast when I started thinking of Noah with his hookups. With his boyfriends. All those nights he assumed I was out with Laura—but was actually home alone. I’d assumed Laura was home alone as well.
She’d always been tactful. She’d also let me know she wasn’t ready for formal courting yet.
