Page 74 of Crash (Crash & Burn Duet 1)

This was rude.

Riiing.

They’re probably asleep.

Riiing.

I bet I woke the dogs.

Riiing.

“Hello?” A breathless sounding Pepper finally answered.

Relief rushed through me. I’d just seen her a few hours ago, but it was so good to hear her voice.

“Hey. Did I wake you?”

“No.” A rustling came from the other end. “I just got back from walking Muffy and Sadie.”

I sat up. “This late?”

“It takes a lot of time.”

That didn’t mean I had to like it. “It’s dangerous.”

“They need more exercise than I give them as it is,” she snapped. “I can’t help that I can’t get it done within safe hours.”

I should be there for her. It would cut the load in half, maybe more because Miss Adeline did a lot. But it wasn’t good for her to be out in the cold late at night.

“You’re doing a great job.”

If I were there, she’d probably give me a dirty look for that comment, even if it was true.

“So great that I’m not one hundred percent sure everyone was fed. I was washing bowls and filling them at the same time.” She sighed and I pictured her sinking into the chair behind the reception desk. “It was a disaster.” Then she giggled. “But they all bark like they haven’t eaten in a week.”

On a night when I thought it impossible, my face cracked into a smile. “They’ll take seconds and thirds, right?”

“Without a doubt.”

“How’s Ash?” I hoped she was one of the ones thrilled with more food.

“She’s asleep with your scarf.” There was a fondness in her voice.

A spark of jealousy flared that she could be there to see that and I couldn’t. “I’m glad she’s resting.” And I was. That little bit of knowledge relaxed me a fraction.

“I thought about asking if you’d like to foster her since she has such an attachment to you.” Foster? I—I hadn’t had a dog since I was a kid. “But it’s not a good idea.”

Why?Did she think I wouldn’t be good to Ash? Had the time I’d spent with them proven I wasn’t fit to care for a dog?

That stung.

Regardless of what she thought, I wasn’t in a position to have a pet. I spent more time at the fire station than at home. It simply wasn’t feasible.

But knowing she thought so little of me . . . was disappointing.

“It wouldn’t be fair to her,” Pepper said quietly. “She’s already so attached. If she spent more time with you only to be taken away later . . . she’s been through enough already.”

I slumped against the back of the toilet.

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