Page 43 of Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale

Chapter Twelve

“IDON’T EVEN KNOW WHATto do with myself now. I can’t take care of you, too.”

Tex stared at a scrawny stray dog of uncertain color—almost white with some brown spots, but those could be from mud—that settled under his car of all places. Good thing he’d noticed a paw and hadn’t driven off. The poor thing was so skinny one could count the ribs, and it didn’t have a collar. Probably didn’t have a chip, either. “You have to leave. So do I.”

He glanced at Rachel’s window, his soul aching. Was he too harsh? He’d wanted someone to like him for him, not because of his status. And definitely not because he was a job assignment. Okay, not justsomeone. Rachel. He wanted that person to be amazing, courageous, and spunky with an infectious laugh and a sparkle in her eyes.

She was the one.

But he wasn’t the one for her, and pain sliced him all over again.

The dog whined a little as if to say, “I wish I had your problems.”

“It would help if I had a biscuit or something, right?” Tex frowned. He was heartbroken, but he was well-fed and had shelter.

The canine barked, probably agreeing it would help indeed.

His frown deepened while compassion tightened his rib cage. He could never run over a dog, and letting the poor thing starve to death would be just as bad. There should be a compromise. “Okay, let’s get you something to eat. I know an animal shelter where my brother volunteers. He’ll give you a bath, food, and water and check you for parasites and diseases. Who knows, you might even get a nice human to take you home soon. It means a two-hour drive, but it’ll be worth it.”

As if understanding the words, the dog crawled from under the car. Tex glanced at his crisp white shirt, then lifted the dog, and placed him on the sports car’s mini back seat. One of his sisters-in-law had picked up a stray and ended up with puppies, as well. But this was a male, so there’d be no puppies.

Tex stopped at a pet store to get kibble and fed the dog who practically inhaled the food. Then Tex took off for Port Sunshine, where he’d spent many happy moments with his brothers.

He’d spent many happy moments with Rachel until he knew the truth. In fact, the time spent with her—sans when she’d been shot, of course—was the happiest he’d ever been. His heart shifted, and he called his assistant, partly to distract himself, partly because he needed to.

After resolving the most urgent issues Jennifer brought up, he disconnected and glanced back at the dog, who got up and barked. “It’s going to get better for you. I promise. It’s going to be all right.”

Then he winced.

It’s going to be all right.

Rachel had said those words when she’d been shot, comforting him when he’d been scared out of his mind that she’d bleed to death in his arms.

Such an incredible woman.

Now, when the anger wore off, worry for her took its place. He pressed on the accelerator as he passed a truck on the freeway. She was recovering from being shot, and she needed his help. Kennedy or Irene or both would step in, but a large part of him still wanted to be there for Rachel, despite what he’d learned today.

But didshewant him to be there for her?

He rolled down the car window, letting fresh air in. Now that his head was clearer, he could see her reasons. He was a businessman. He knew all about contracts. She couldn’t have told him about her assignment without breaking the contract and jeopardizing the company of a woman she admired and owed.

“If only she told me that I wasn’t just the subject of her investigation any longer. That she had feelings for me,” he told the dog because who else could he tell? He drove to the shoulder to let someone in a hurry pass, then returned to his lane.

But wait. He flexed his grip on the steering wheel. She did say he’d become more than a subject of her investigation, hadn’t she? But how much more? The pain of being betrayed by a woman he’d loved once had affected his judgment. He didn’t want to be seen as weak again. He didn’t want to feel like a fool.

But while Madison had used him and his love for her purpose, Rachel was simply doing her job. The one that kept her and her mice fed. His heart shifted, and he slowed around a curve. He’d never expected himself to, but he even missed the mice.

“And then there’s this teeny, tiny, little detail”—yes, that was sarcasm—“of her saving my life. Twice. Or three times. I’d be a pig if I didn’t repay her with kindness.” Instead, he’d lashed out at her. His neck burned.

The dog barked, clearly perking up at the wordpig.

“Pig in the sense of a not-nice person, not in the sense of bacon, sorry.” For some reason, Tex clarified. “Rachel took a risk by telling me the truth. She might’ve even left her job to be able to tell me the truth.” Oh, man! Wasthattrue? “Or am I just trying to come up with reasons to see her again?” Because everything in him wanted to see her again.

The dog whined, probably thinking, “How am I supposed to know?”

“I don’t know your name. Sorry, buddy. Is it okay if I call you Tiny Tim for now?”

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