Page 11 of Faking I Do
I groaned as I followed her into the building. One thing was certain. I was going to have my hands full with Lacey, even if I didn’t get to experience the pleasure of actually touching her.
CHAPTER 6
LACEY
I hikedmy jeans up as I held tight to the pup’s leash. I couldn’t help but be acutely aware of Bodie’s presence behind me. Why was he irritating me so much lately? Maybe it was the way he seemed to want to manhandle me, to poke his nose into places it didn’t belong. Or maybe it was because since I’d been back in town I couldn’t help but look at him in a new light. As I waited for Zina to come to the front desk, I let myself consider that possibility.
For as long as I could remember, Bodie had been a part of my life. Like a second big brother. He and Luke spent all their time together. Especially after my mom passed away and the structure and routine seeped out of our days. If someone wanted to find Luke, all they had to do was locate Bodie. And vice versa. Most of the time I trailed behind them, a little lost while my dad worked all day and stayed out all night drowning his sorrows at the local watering hole.
While Dad was away, it was up to Luke to keep an eye on me. I’d never been much for causing trouble, but I didn’t like to be home alone in our house out in the country, which was why I so often found myself trailing behind the two boys. But when Bodie left for college and Luke reported for basic training I wason my own. By the time Bodie came back to work for the sheriff’s department, I’d been on my way to San Antonio to earn my degree. It had been over eight years since I’d spent any amount of time around him.
That’s probably all it was. We just needed to get used to each other again. Bodie had always been a bit of a bully, but Luke had been there like a buffer between us. Without my brother in the middle, I would have to manage Bodie on my own.
Before I could give it much more thought, Zina came through the door leading to the back of the building. “Hey, what are you doing here, Mayor Cherish? Don’t you have a town to save?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not you, too?” Zina and I had been friends since middle school. Right about the time Luke and Bodie had left town, Zina moved in, finally giving me the friend I’d so desperately wanted.
“Saw you on the noon news yesterday. You looked really good. Now, where did this gorgeous girl come from?”
“We found her in the parking lot of Bodie’s office.” I shot a side glance to Bodie. “Our deputy sheriff almost hit her.”
“Hey”—Bodie’s hands went out, palms facing outward—“that was just as much your fault as mine.”
Arms crossed over my chest, I glared at him. “How do you figure that exactly?”
“While you two sort out your story, I’m going to take her back for a quick exam. Do you want to wait here or should I call you when I’m done?”
“I’ve got to get home. Can I follow up with you later?” I asked.
“Sure thing.” Zina ran a hand over the dog’s back. “We’ll get her all checked out. I think with a little love she’s going to be just fine.”
“Do you have a leash you can use? Bodie thought my belt would make a good substitute but I need it back if I want to keep my pants on.”
“You sure are a hot mess today.” Zina slipped a nylon leash over the dog’s head before handing me my belt.
“That’s an understatement.” I slid my belt through my belt loops while Bodie said goodbye to the dog.
“What will you do with her?” Bodie asked.
I glanced over at him, wondering if he really was capable of having a soft spot for another living creature. In my experience, he’d always been a love-’em-and-leave-’em kind of guy. I mentally chastised myself. That wasn’t fair. I had no idea what kind of guy he was now. Too much time had gone by for me to pass judgment.
“We’ll get her checked over and make sure she doesn’t have anything going on besides the superficial injuries. Then we’ll test her for temperament.” Zina leaned over, earning a sloppy kiss from the dog. “Based on initial observation, I think she’ll be eligible for adoption. She’s a cutie.”
“Keep us posted, will you?” Bodie scratched the dog behind the ears.
“Sure will. By the way, if she doesn’t have a chip, what do you think we should call her?”
Bodie cocked his head and looked to me. “She sure enjoyed riding in the front seat. I say you call her Shotgun.”
“All right. Shotgun it is. I’ll give you a call later.” Zina disappeared through the door, taking Shotgun with her. The poor pup looked back, reluctant to follow.
“She likes you.” I nodded toward the dog. “Not sure why.”
“I’m a likable guy.” Bodie gestured for me to go ahead of him. “It wasn’t that long ago you might have said the same thing.”
“Why, because you and Luke tolerated me?” I pushed the door open then held it for him as he followed.
He gave his head a slight shake as he passed. “Can you answer one question for me, Lacey?”
