Page 32 of Finding Noah
Spoiler alert—the answer was alwayshell, yes.
“Lie?” I might’ve squeaked that.
He eyed me. “That word vomit thing you did. Which is really not like you. Getting you to discuss anything personal is like pulling teeth, and all of a sudden, you’re giving a stranger your life story.”
“Well, not myentirelife.”
He offered me a raised eyebrow.
“Just the Laura stuff. Which was all true. Everyone in town pities me for being stood up. I mean, we weren’t anywhere near the altar, but everyone assumed we were. Everyone assumed I was heartbroken—even though I totally wasn’t.”Then you started dating creepoid…thatbroke my heart.
“Still. You didn’t have to make it sound like Ihadto follow you.”
“Do you think they need raincoats?”
“With the drought? Not likely. They’d grow out of them in thirty seconds anyway. We can figure that out in the fall—months from now.” He pursed his lips. “But they will look super cute if, when they’re full grown, we buy them matching coats.”
I leaned in and petted each of their heads in turn. “Hear that guys? You’re going to be so cute.” I made the cutesy voice I knew drove Noah nuts.
He groaned.
We finished shopping, he paid, and then we loaded everything in the car for the drive back to Foggy Basin. We arrived at Fluff & Tuff just in time, and we were escorted to the exam room immediately.
The nice tech weighed our two new ones.
“Oh, we should get Stormy weighed as well.” I gestured to my girl.
Paxton had paid for a vet visit for her when she first arrived, and she was in perfect health, so she had a few more months before her first birthday check-up.
“Great, let’s step into the lobby.” The technician eyed Stormy. “She’s not going to fit on the little scale in here.”
We all laughed as I guided her to the much-larger scale.
She sat pretty, and the tech noted her weight, then compared it to a month ago. “That’s another seven pounds. She’s growing like a weed.”
I flashed to the two puppies. “She’ll stop eventually, right?”
“Yes, I promise. But she’s going to be well over one hundred before she stops.” Another gentle smile. “Why don’t you head back into the exam room? Dr. Jones did Stormy’s check-up a month ago, so he’ll be better able to give you an idea of what you’re facing. I’m so glad she got rescued—she’s such a sweet dog.”
I petted her head. “She’s just perfect.”
“We thought so. Hard to believe someone abandoned her.”
“Horrible thing to do. Except if they hadn’t, I wouldn’t have her, and she’s just the best girl.” I snuck her a piece of kibble.
She licked my hand.
The technician laughed and guided us back to the exam room.
Where I expected to find Noah alone, I discovered a super-handsome guy in a lab coat who was laughing uproariously with my best friend.
The two were a matched set—dark skin, laughing dark-brown eyes, and mirrored grins.
Noah spotted me first. “Oh, Christian, perfect timing. Malcolm was just telling me about the time, as a kid, that he…” He trailed off. “Are you okay? Is something wrong with Stormy?”
I had no idea what my expression actually was…but apparently whatever it was prompted Noah to be concerned. “Uh, Stormy’s fine. Malcolm?” I might’ve squeaked that.
The taller man, who was about my height, extended his hand. “Dr. Malcolm Jones. I’m not as formal as some vets are.” His gaze lowered to Stormy. “And how are you, precious girl? I hear you’ve found your forever home.”
