Page 62 of Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars (Rock Canyon, Idaho 2)

Shaking the cobwebs from his brain, Travis sat up. “Sure, let me just wake up for a minute. What do you want to do?”

Charlie bounced onto the bed next to him. “I don’t know. Mom left a note, saying she’d be home around one.”

Travis looked over at the clock. It was nine in the morning. No wonder he was tired. He had tossed and turned until around three, thinking about Gemma and how, despite everything she’d done and lied about, he still wanted her. Last night he couldn’t stop thinking about that afternoon in her hotel room, her warm mouth sliding over him, and . . . well, it had been a hard memory to shake.

How could she have slept with him without trusting him?

“Hello? Dad? Can we go?” Charlie said, breaking into his thoughts. He was still getting used to the fact that Charlie called him Dad with such ease.

“Go where?” Travis asked.

“To the shelter! I like to ride my bike over there sometimes to look at the dogs. Mom ke

eps saying we’ll get one, but it has to be a perfect match, otherwise Penny will get upset.” Charlie scrunched up his nose.

“Penny?” Travis asked, suspecting it was a cat. Gemma had always adored the fuzzy little snobs, so much so he was surprised she’d never had more than one.

“Yeah, Mom’s cat. She’s okay, but she’s not a fan of dogs. When Callie comes over, she brings her dog Killer, and Penny always hisses and growls at him,” Charlie said.

“I’m pretty sure that’s just a cat being a cat,” Travis said, getting out of the bed and grabbing his bag. “I’ll go take a shower, we’ll grab some breakfast, and check out the shelter, if that’s what you want.”

“Yes!” Charlie said, running out of the room.

Travis smiled and shook his head. He couldn’t believe how quickly the kid had wormed his way into his heart. He was quite the character, and his mom was right; his high energy and cheerful demeanor reminded him of the girl he’d met in high school.

That girl was still under there, but could he trust her again? Travis still wanted her; that much hadn’t changed. Forgiving her was essential to his plan, especially if it meant giving his son something he had always craved: a stable, loving family.

Besides, she did promise me three dates . . .

No matter what happened between Gemma and him, though, he would make sure Charlie knew he was here to stay.

THEY WALKED INTO the Rock Canyon Veterinary Hospital and Shelter an hour later, and Charlie said, “Hey, Dolly.”

The dark-haired receptionist looked up with a smile. “Charlie, back so soon?”

“Yeah, I brought my dad to come look with me.” Charlie slipped his little hand into Travis’s and said, “This is my dad.”

Dolly held out her hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Bowers. I love your music.”

“Thanks,” Travis said, giving her a firm shake.

“Just head on back. Cats to the left, dogs to the right,” Dolly said, pointing to a pair of gray doors with clear labels.

Charlie started pulling him toward the dog door, but as he passed the cat window, Travis saw a fluffy little Siamese looking out at him. He stopped Charlie’s dragging, unable to take his eyes off the tiny thing, which would fit in the palm of his hand. Normally he wasn’t a big fan of cats, but the ugly creature sure tugged at his heartstrings.

“Hey, Dolly?”

Dolly came over. “Yes?”

He pointed to the runt through the glass. “Who’s this squirt?”

“That’s Stormy. She’s the last of her litter and keeps getting passed over because she’s eight weeks but half the size of her littermates. She’s got a tiny stubby tail, and well . . . she’s kind of homely.”

Travis looked at the small triangle face and pale blue eyes watching him curiously. Turning to Dolly with a smile, he said, “I’ll be back for her.”

Dolly’s eyes widened, and then her expression melted into that dreamy one most of his female fans wore. “Why, bless your heart. I’ll make sure she’s all ready to go.”

Charlie wrinkled his nose. “What do you want a cat for? Cats are jerks.”

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