Page 127 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

“I think you might be a bit biased since this is your mom’s recipe.”

His brow raised. “Just because I get to see you naked, doesn’t mean I’d be the least bit biased. I’m a professional, Jane, and your bodily delights would never sway my opinion.”

“I think the sugar is getting to your head,” she laughed.

He grabbed hold of it, pretending to be hurt. “You’re right. I need to go to bed… STAT. And you need to join me.”

Only a whine from Loki stopped them in their tracks. He looked up at them, agitated.

“He needs a bathroom break.”

Logan made a move to get up, but she stopped him. “No. Wait for me in bed. I’ll be back with him when he’s done.”

Taking the remains of the cake with her, she opened the back door as Loki darted out into the night. While he did his business, she covered the cake and put it away. Then she set the kettle to boil, thinking some of Kitty’s special peppermint tea brew would be nice.

She moved in a happy daze, still trying to reconcile their declarations of love in her mind.

When the kettle finished boiling, she poured the teas and set the cups onto a tray. Seeing a vase of pretty roses that one of the gardeners must have brought in earlier, she picked the biggest one and set it on the tray too. She almost started out the kitchen before she realized that Loki hadn’t returned.

Moving to the door, she called out to him. “Loki? Here boy. Come inside.”

His barks of excitement sounded far away. The dog never strayed too far, so this was a surprise. A slight knot appeared in her stomach. She wondered if she should have accompanied him and not let him dash off alone.

She stepped onto the stone patio. “Loki? Come back, Boy.”

His barks came at her again, closer.

“Come on, Loki. It’s bedtime,” she encouraged. When his little face appeared, the anxiety she had felt faded away.

He ran up to her, a quivering bundle of love, wildly excited as if it had been weeks since he’d last seen her. She cuddled him, holding him close.

“Don’t run off like that, you hear? You had me worried for a moment.”

He cocked his head at her, trying so hard to understand her words.

She went back to Logan. Neither of them complained when Loki jumped up between them, burrowing into a ball like it was the greatest thing on Earth to be in bed with them.

They drank tea then fell asleep, the three of them entwined, with Logan thinking this was the best birthday he could remember having.

Painedcries woke them a few hours later.

Logan snapped awake, blinking fast to clear the sleep from his eyes.

Loki sprawled on his side beside him, panting heavily and whining. His eyes were unnaturally bright, as if he were trying not to cry. Jane sucked in a shocked breath as Logan felt Loki’s neck.

“What’s wrong with him?”

The pulse beneath his fingers seemed to be racing, but he had no idea if that was the case since he had nothing to base it on.

Jane’s gaze landed on several piles of vomit on the carpet. She pointed. “Look. He’s been sick.”

Logan’s face turned serious. “We need to get him to a vet.”

Wrapping him in a towel to keep him still and warm, they hurried out to the garage, not even bothering to change clothes. Jane simply pulled on a sweater over her nightdress, while Logan wore those lounge pants and a hoodie.

Loki was young, and that meant he was more fragile. Whatever had happened, both knew that time was of the essence.

While Logan drove, Jane called ahead. Thankfully, the veterinary hospital was open 24/7. At this time of the night, traffic was scarce, and they made it there soon after.

---