Page 8 of Chasing Lyric
I roll my eyes as I hear thethump. I spin and see Doughnut’s passed out on the carpet. Again. “Oh, dammit!”
“Ha… ha… ha…” Polly cackles.
“Don’t you start, you menace.” I point at Polly as he turns around, throwing his tail up in the air at me.
I bend down, petting the goat on the head. “C’mon, Doughnut, wake up, girl.” She doesn’t wake. “Shit, I have to head to work.”
I peer around, wondering what the hell to do. I shrug and do the only thing I can think of. I lean over, picking Doughnut up in my arms. She’s rigid, and as I hold her body to me, her stiff legs poke straight out from me. It’s like she’s a taxidermy goat.
“Jesus, Doughnut!” I keep my grip tight on her as I carry her to the door, then pause.
Great!How the fuck do I open the door with a goat in my arms whose legs are sticking out in front of me?
I turn sideways, bending slightly, trying to nudge the door handle with my hip. It latches onto my belt and somehow, I dip awkwardly, trying not to drop the comatose goat as I click the door handle. Of course, I slip, which makes me almost drop Doughnut. Fumbling with the goat and righting myself, I hoist her back up in my arms.
Taking a deep breath, I lean back in and try again. Bending, I manage to pull the door handle down with my hip, enough for the door to crack open. I let out a relieved breath as I kick open the door, then walk through. I turn back, hook my foot around the door, and yank, forcing the door to shut. Then I storm over to my truck.
Luckily, I left the tailgate down last night, which is so unlike me.I have no idea how the hell I would manage that right now.Slowly, I slide Doughnut in on her side, then close the tailgate. I grimace, looking down on her rigid form as I stand back, foldingmy arms over my chest. “You really do have a fainting issue, don’t you, girl?”
Abruptly, she bolts upright, and I let out a groan. “Oh, so now you’re okay, once the heavy lifting’s done,right?”
Baa.
“Uh-huh, defend yourself all you want, pretty girl. I know you were faking it, so I’d have to carry you.” I let out a small giggle before I make my way back to my home to lock the front door, casually glancing over my shoulder to make sure she’s staying put in the truck.
She is.
Thank God.
I’ve just done my weight training session for the day. I definitely don’t need to add running after a goat to my exercise regimen as well.
As I pass the truck again, I pet her head, tie her down to the tray, then make the small drive to Love and Lavender.Pulling up, I can’t help but feel a little lost. I know Doughnut will be going home today. No matter what, I’ve had her for far too long, and I need to find her owners because they will be concerned for her.
The thought of sending her home has me feeling like maybe I’m missing companionship in my life. Sure, I have Polly Parton, but he’s an asshole at the best of times. Yeah, Rory’s my best friend, I can always rely on her for support, but that’s different. With Doughnut, I feel like I have a connection, and that’s rare for me.
I guess that’s what my life lacks.
Ever since Zane, the cheating, lying scumbag, I haven’t let anyone in. I suppose for fear of being hurt again, of being lied to. He told me he was away on a press tour with his band. Really, the bastard was on an Ibizan holiday with his‘other’girlfriend.
Shaking my head from the thought, I jump out of my truck and move around to grab Doughnut. I’m still not sure where to even start with my search, but I owe it to her to try to find her owners.
I can’t help but smile as I open the tailgate. The cutie licks my arm, so I scratch behind her ear. “I’m gonna get you home today, Doughnut. I promise.”
Baa.
A cool shudder runs down my spine, the hairs on the back of my neck prickling as an unshakable feeling washes over me. The steady thump of footsteps sounds behind me, and I whirl around, only to find myself staring at a man with a broad chest, a sharply cut jaw, and eyes so dreamy they steal the breath from my lungs.
He’s absolutely gorgeous, and he’s walking my way wearing a dark blue suit sans tie, and he screams sex appeal. My mouth goes dry just from staring at him as he saunters towardLove and Lavenderwith purpose in his stride.
That is, until his eyes meet mine.
I’ve read in romance novels how they say your heart skips a beat with just one look. Well, my heart is a freaking drumline. One rampant heavy beat after the other in rapid succession.
Ba-dum.
Ba-dum.
I don’t know who this guy is, or what the hell he’s doing walking toward my shop, but I’m completely under his spell.
