Page 69 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell (Rock Canyon, Idaho 7)

Until Gracie.

“What time are they expecting us?”

“My parents? Sometime this afternoon, why?”

“’Cause I have plans for you.”

He didn’t even let her react but reached out and dumped her over his shoulder, carrying her back to the bedroom.

“But I didn’t get to finish my breakfast.”

He slapped her butt lightly. “Don’t worry, it will still be there when we’re done.”

That was the last protest she made as he shut the bedroom door.

* * *

Gracie was surprised when, after some incredibly satisfying sex and some reheated waffles, Eric drove them into Twin Falls, toward the industrial area. The day was clear and sunny, if blisteringly cold. She was glad she’d thought to pack a bag of clothes when she’d gone by her place earlier, including warm gloves and a sweater.

“What are we doing?” she asked.

“I just wanted to check something out.”

He turned onto Victory Lane, and when he slowed down in front of People for Pets Humane Society, she reached out to take his hand.

He parked the car and sat for a minute, staring out the windshield. He held on to the steering wheel with the other hand and seemed to have a hard time letting go.

“You sure you want to do this?” she asked.

He gave her a sad smile that broke her heart coming from such a big man. “It doesn’t hurt to walk in and see who they have, right?”

Gracie knew that Eric had put his dog down and that it had been rough on him, but he’d never talked about it. Of course, they hadn’t really been on the best of terms anyway, but still, everyone knew it had hit him hard.

Gracie was starting to realize that beneath all his macho crap, there was a big old squishy heart. And it s

cared her a bit. Pervert Eric was one thing, but sweet, sensitive Eric? She had no idea what to think of him.

They got out of the car, and when Eric reached out to take her hand once more, she let him. Her body warmed against the cold as she sensed he needed her, and they walked inside hand in hand. The place was hopping with people and animals in the lobby, and as they waited for the receptionist to acknowledge them, Gracie looked around. A fat gray cat lay on the counter, tolerating the occasional stroke from whoever was standing there. There was a room with the door open and several people sitting in the lobby chairs, holding on to leashes or pet carriers.

“Can I help you?”

They stepped forward, and Eric said, “We just wanted to look at your available dogs.”

The dark-haired receptionist smiled widely and pointed. “Sure, straight down that hallway, make a right and then a left through the door. How did you hear about our Whiskers in Wonderland event?”

“The Rock Canyon Shelter,” he said.

“Great, just let someone know if you need any help.”

Eric and Gracie wound through the people, toward a wall of windows with adult cats. Some of them were sleeping, others were sitting there, watching them pass.

“What’s Whiskers in Wonderland?” Gracie asked as they walked through the door.

“I guess someone paid all the animal’s adoption fees so they could get homes by Christmas.”

Gracie’s heart melted at the generosity. “That’s amazing!”

“Yeah.” They reached the end of the hall, where the walls were lined with chain link kennels. Several people were milling down the aisles, looking into the cages, and Gracie pulled Eric forward.

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