enough to drive away any shadow, except the one haunting her. Fearing what Mr. Paco might have said remained like a whisper within her she could not quiet. Proof you can’t escape your past, not entirely. It’s always with you. She pulled out a dog treat and handed it over, avoiding Liam’s smile.
But the impact of his gaze? That was something she could feel like a touch against the side of her face. Kind, reassuring, real. He’s a good man. But what was hidden beneath the surface? That was an entirely different question.
Chapter Five
“W hat exactly does this have to do with training the dog?” Liam squinted into the low rays of the sun, gave the Frisbee a flick with his wrist and let it fly.
Across the stretch of green grass, Oscar leaped in anticipation, his gaze trained on the flying red disc hurling his way.
“I’m just observing. Gathering information.” Behind him, Brooke looked up from her phone. Her thumbs brushed across the tiny keys, her forehead furrowed in concentration as she bent over the screen. Wisps of dark hair framed her face.
Gorgeous.
Not that he was taking personal interest or anything. Her beauty was simply a plain fact. Thankfully Oscar barked, drawing his attention away from Brooke. But as the dog leaped to catch the Frisbee, Liam’s gaze boomeranged right back to her. Amazing. With the wind in her hair, framed by the vivid green grass and leafy trees, she was entirely different from the quiet woman he’d first met sitting alone on her front steps. Different from the serious woman in the courthouse. He liked all sides of Brooke that he’d seen so far, this one the best by far. Just analyzing, he told himself, nothing more.
He cleared his throat. “What info are you in the middle of gathering right now?”
“Doggy day care centers.” She folded a strand of hair behind one ear, a graceful gesture, emphasizing the fine curve of her cheek, the line of her jaw and the slender elegance of her fingers. She squinted at her screen. “There’s one a mile away from your house. According to their website, they are taking new clients. Wow, they even have a dog gym with an entire day of fun planned activities.”
“So you basically think I shouldn’t leave Oscar at home alone?”
“Not tomorrow, no. I’m not a miracle worker.” Lavender-blue eyes sparkled with amusement. “Oscar is going to take a lot of patience because he is so worried about losing you.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Good boy, good dog.” He stroked the Lab’s head and accepted the Frisbee. It got to him how fast the dog had bonded to him. “You have to wonder about his life before the pound. Whether he had a good home and what it was like for him to be left by the people he loved.”
“Yes, but at least they brought him to the pound. That was a great kindness. Some people leave animals alone and defenseless to fend for themselves, which of course they can’t. Did the shelter have any information on him?”
“None.” The dog danced in place, grinning widely, panting with anticipation. Big doggy eyes stayed glued to the Frisbee waiting for that exciting moment when it went flying. Liam didn’t want to disappoint so he gave it a good fling. The Lab transformed into a golden blur, rocketing after it.
“There.” She pocketed her cell. “I just texted them. I think Bree and Brandi went to school with the people who run this place. I recognize their names from church.”
“Part of me was hoping you were kidding about the doggy day care thing. I feel that’s taking the easy way out.”
“Oscar’s anxiety isn’t going to disappear overnight. This will give him a lot of new friends and activities to channel his energy into while you’re away for the day.”
“Good idea. I wouldn’t have thought of it.”
“That’s why I’m here.” Sitting cross-legged in the grass, she made a pretty image. Comfortable, friendly, easy to talk to. She rose from the ground, pure gracefulness.
But the impact of his gaze? That was something she could feel like a touch against the side of her face. Kind, reassuring, real. He’s a good man. But what was hidden beneath the surface? That was an entirely different question.
Chapter Five
“W hat exactly does this have to do with training the dog?” Liam squinted into the low rays of the sun, gave the Frisbee a flick with his wrist and let it fly.
Across the stretch of green grass, Oscar leaped in anticipation, his gaze trained on the flying red disc hurling his way.
“I’m just observing. Gathering information.” Behind him, Brooke looked up from her phone. Her thumbs brushed across the tiny keys, her forehead furrowed in concentration as she bent over the screen. Wisps of dark hair framed her face.
Gorgeous.
Not that he was taking personal interest or anything. Her beauty was simply a plain fact. Thankfully Oscar barked, drawing his attention away from Brooke. But as the dog leaped to catch the Frisbee, Liam’s gaze boomeranged right back to her. Amazing. With the wind in her hair, framed by the vivid green grass and leafy trees, she was entirely different from the quiet woman he’d first met sitting alone on her front steps. Different from the serious woman in the courthouse. He liked all sides of Brooke that he’d seen so far, this one the best by far. Just analyzing, he told himself, nothing more.
He cleared his throat. “What info are you in the middle of gathering right now?”
“Doggy day care centers.” She folded a strand of hair behind one ear, a graceful gesture, emphasizing the fine curve of her cheek, the line of her jaw and the slender elegance of her fingers. She squinted at her screen. “There’s one a mile away from your house. According to their website, they are taking new clients. Wow, they even have a dog gym with an entire day of fun planned activities.”
“So you basically think I shouldn’t leave Oscar at home alone?”
“Not tomorrow, no. I’m not a miracle worker.” Lavender-blue eyes sparkled with amusement. “Oscar is going to take a lot of patience because he is so worried about losing you.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Good boy, good dog.” He stroked the Lab’s head and accepted the Frisbee. It got to him how fast the dog had bonded to him. “You have to wonder about his life before the pound. Whether he had a good home and what it was like for him to be left by the people he loved.”
“Yes, but at least they brought him to the pound. That was a great kindness. Some people leave animals alone and defenseless to fend for themselves, which of course they can’t. Did the shelter have any information on him?”
“None.” The dog danced in place, grinning widely, panting with anticipation. Big doggy eyes stayed glued to the Frisbee waiting for that exciting moment when it went flying. Liam didn’t want to disappoint so he gave it a good fling. The Lab transformed into a golden blur, rocketing after it.
“There.” She pocketed her cell. “I just texted them. I think Bree and Brandi went to school with the people who run this place. I recognize their names from church.”
“Part of me was hoping you were kidding about the doggy day care thing. I feel that’s taking the easy way out.”
“Oscar’s anxiety isn’t going to disappear overnight. This will give him a lot of new friends and activities to channel his energy into while you’re away for the day.”
“Good idea. I wouldn’t have thought of it.”
“That’s why I’m here.” Sitting cross-legged in the grass, she made a pretty image. Comfortable, friendly, easy to talk to. She rose from the ground, pure gracefulness.
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