Page 13 of Once Upon a Boyband
Adam nods. “Of course.” He opens the door for me, and I make my way to Taylor, who shifts, sitting up a little taller as I approach.
“Hey, mama,” I say as I scratch under her chin. I ease her back onto her side, slowly moving my hands to her belly. Taylor relaxes under my touch, but I’m still careful as I gently palpate her abdomen. She isfullof puppies. “How many did we find on the ultrasound?” I ask over my shoulder.
“Four,” Adam says. “Hey, she’s actually had a little bit of a cough the last few days. Should I be worried about that?”
I give Taylor’s belly a final pat. “That’s not all that uncommon this close to the end. It’s probably just a little bit of acid reflux. If it really seems like it’s bothering her, we can start her on an antacid until she delivers.” I look up at him over my shoulder. “I’ve got some samples at the office I can give you if you end up needing them.”
Adam moves in behind me, crouching down close enough for me to catch his delicious scent one more time, and scratches Taylor’s head. “I appreciate that. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Do you have any idea about the breed of the sire?”
“Not a clue,” he says. “I picked her up at the county shelter,and she’d been dumped on their doorstep. Probably because of the pregnancy.”
“You’re going to have your hands full,” I say. “Two litters of puppies at once?”
Adam only shrugs. “It’s easier out here than it is at the shelter. We have the space. And plenty of volunteers to help socialize them before adoption.”
I sink back onto my heels. “Puppy socializing sounds like the perfect way to volunteer.”
Adam stands, then holds out a hand, a clear offer to help me to my feet.
I slip my fingers into his, immediately noticing and appreciating his warm, strong grip. No clammy fingers here, ladies. Just add it to the freaking list.
“You’re welcome to come socialize puppies anytime you want,” Adam says.
I don’t know if hemeansit to sound like a very sexy invitation or if I’m readingway too muchinto things, but my heart rate immediately spikes, pumping so hard, I wonder if Adam can see it pounding through my shirt.
Now that I’m fully upright, I’m standingveryclose to him, and I suddenly wish I were wearing something besides scrubs. That I’d given myself more than a cursory glance in the mirror before I hurried out to the parking lot to see if he needed help. That I could muster up even a sliver of confidence now that his bright blue eyes are looking down at me and the heat from his body is washing over me in delicious waves.
I clear my throat. “Did, um…dinner?”
His eyes narrow. “Dinner?”
At first, I can’t figure out why he looks so confused. Then it occurs to me that my inability to clearly form a sentenceprobably just gave him the impression that I’m trying to ask him out. “Dogs!” I shout, loud enough to make Adam wince and trigger another chorus of barks from the kennels surrounding us.
Get a grip, Laney. And quickly.
“Sorry,” I manage to say, taking a deep breath before trying again. “I only meant, didn’t you say it was dinner time for the dogs?”
“It’s close to it,” Adam says. “But they can wait if you need to go. I’d love a ride back to my car, and I don’t want to make you wait.”
“No, no, I don’t need to go,” I say. “I can help, even. And…” I look around the expansive barn. “Is there more to see? I’d love to see all of Hope Acres.”
Adam smiles. “Help would be great.”
It’s probably too soon to tell him I’d likely help him withanything,but I can absolutely confirm: I am suddenly and completely smitten with Adam.
CHAPTER FOUR
Laney
I amin awe of the process Adam has in place to feed the dogs. Not because the wheeled cart he rolls down the center aisle of the barn is anything fancy. Most of the dogs eat the same thing, and he measures it out, paying attention to whiteboards hooked on the front of each kennel that specify how much each dog gets. The amazing part is how responsive the dogs are. They sit when he needs them to sit, they wait until food is actually in their bowls and Adam has invited them to eat before they approach their kibble. They even seem to wag their tails in happy gratitude. This man is definitely some kind of magic dog whisperer.
“So…you train, too,” I say when we finally reach the end of the row.
He shrugs. “Only the basics. But honestly, it’s pretty easy with most rescues. They’re usually so happy to be safe and fed, once they decide to trust me, they’re pretty eager toplease.” He rubs his hands together. “Ready for the best part?”
It’s hard to imagine anything better than just hanging out with him. Being here like this. But I nod anyway. “Absolutely.”
