Page 80 of Second Quarter Comeback
“They like you,” I reply.
She tilts her head up to look at me, her eyes warm. “Do you?”
“More than you know,” I say, kissing the top of her head.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Camille
The Great Stable Escape
The warm glow of the fireplace and the chatter from the dining room make me feel almost—dare I say it?—at home. Killion’s family is loud, overwhelming, and the complete opposite of mine, but somehow, I’m not drowning. I’msurviving. Thriving, even.
That is, until Lucian’s dog, Sarah, comes trotting into the kitchen like she owns the place. She’s a beautiful Vizsla with sleek reddish-brown fur, floppy ears, and bright amber eyes that glint with an intelligence far too mischievous for her own good. Her tail wags furiously, a blur of energy and trouble waiting to happen.
“She’s cute,” I say, watching as Sarah sniffs around the counter like she’s conducting a search and rescue mission.
Lucian, sitting at the island with what has to be his fifth helping of pie, grins. “Yeah, she’s adorable. And smart. Too smart. She knows how to open doors if they have handles or latches.”
I blink, staring at Sarah as she stands on her hind legs to sniff a dish towel. “Like . . . with her paws?”
“Sometimes,” Lucian says, shrugging like this is perfectly normal. “Mostly she just jumps at the handles until they give in or uses her nose to move the latches. It’s hilarious.”
“Hilarious,” I repeat flatly, a sinking feeling blooming in my stomach as Sarah’s tail wags harder. She sniffs the air, zeroing in on the back door like a heat-seeking missile.
And then, just like that, she bolts.
“Wait—”
But it’s too late. With an impressive leap, Sarah hits the door handle, and, sure enough, the door swings open like she’s been doing this her entire life.
“Lucian,” I shout, pointing as the dog takes off like a rocket.
Lucian doesn’t even look up from his pie. “She’ll come back. She always does.”
“Lucian, your dog just escaped,” I snap, grabbing my coat in a panic.
“She’s a very independent woman,” Lucian says, waving a fork dismissively.
“She’s trouble,” I mutter, throwing on my jacket and heading for the door.
Killion steps into the kitchen just in time to hear me. “What’s going on?”
“Your brother’s dog just escaped,” I say, glaring at Lucian, who still hasn’t moved.
“Again?” Killion groans, rubbing the back of his neck.
“She opened the door,” I exclaim, my tone accusing.
“She’s a very talented girl,” Lucian says with a shrug, finally taking a sip of his drink.
“She’s gone,” I shout.
Killion grabs his coat, muttering something about how this always happens, and follows me outside. The crisp November air bites at my cheeks as we jog toward the stables, Killion’s long strides making it hard to keep up.
“Why the stables?” I ask, nearly tripping over a rock.
“Because that’s where shealways goes,” he says, sounding more amused than worried. “She loves the horses.”
