Page 102 of A Convenient Secret
Zach groans dramatically from the ground. “I jumped in to save you,” he grumbles, rubbing his elbow as he sits up.
Saar is already helping him, checking for any signs of an actual injury, but he looks more disgruntled than hurt.
Marshmallow’s owner issues a command, and the dog rolls off Zoya who sits up. Her hands still wrapped in fluffy fur, she blinks at her brother. “Fwom what?”
“From that.” Zach gestures to the Newfoundland, which is now rolling onto its back, paws in the air, letting Zoya scratch its belly.
“Mawshmallow is a good boy,” Zoya insists, looking deeply offended on behalf of her new best friend.
Saar smirks, ruffling Zach’s hair. “Your heroism is noted, kid. Maybe next time, check if the damsel actually needs rescuing first.”
Zach looks from his sister to the dog, his face twisting in disgust. “Youwantedto be on the ground?”
“I love the gwound.” Zoya beams, hugging Marshmallow again as he lets out a happy huff. “It’s the best place to snuggle.”
Zach scowls. “You’re impossible.”
Zoya scrunches her nose at him. “I’m having fun.”
Saar snorts, covering her mouth, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing as Zach mutters, “God help me.”
Just then, Marshmallow stands up, shaking his giant body—and sends a wave of slobber straight into Zach’s face.
Zach freezes. Slowly, painstakingly, he wipes his hand across his cheek, looking like he might re-evaluate every life decision he’s made in his short life.
Zoya claps her hands. “That means he loves you, too!”
Zach glares at me. “We’re never coming here again.” He marches to the gate. “Thank you for inviting us, Auntie.” He remembers his manners before he reaches the entrance to the enclosure and starts wiping the dust from his clothes.
I look at Saar, and we both turn so he doesn’t see us laughing.
“What happened to you?” Declan stops his descent from upstairs.
I didn’t expect him to be home already, and the sight of him in his suit makes my stomach flutter. It’s been only a few days, and I almost forgot how good the man looks. Or how drawn I am to him.
“Daddy, we walked the dogs.” Zoya runs to him.
Even Zach moves with some enthusiasm to welcome his father. “I missed you, Dad.”
He squats to hug his kids, kissing their cheeks. His eyes find me while the two snuggle against him.
The need to run and join them catches me unprepared. His set jaw and hardened gaze even more. I avert my eyes and pick up the backpacks to take them to the kitchen.
“What dogs? And why do you look like the dogs walked you?”
I grin at that while I enter the kitchen area.
“Don’t even ask,” Zach grumbles.
“I was cuddling Mawshmallow on the gwound, and Zach wanted to save me.”
“And I regretted it,” the little man points out.
“Okay, you can tell me the whole story later. Go to the bathroom, so you can have a proper bath. I’ll be right there.”
I busy myself emptying the children’s bottles and still feel strangely uneasy about Declan’s expression. Is he mad about the dogs? Has he changed his mind about us?
But we spoke this morning, so what has changed?
