Page 60 of Rescued Love

I smile at her enthusiasm but shake my head. She makes a motion like she’s going to be watching me and all I can do is laugh. She’s a wonderful person and I’m so glad that she crossed paths with Maverick. They’re perfect for each other and they needed each other.

Sometimes life gives you exactly what you need. Nathan’s face flashes in my mind and I know I’ve found what I need in him.

When my mind wanders to the animals who were traumatized and abused by the dog fighting ring, the smile on my face drops. Because sometimes life is just shitty as well.

I turn back to Maverick and Clint and force a smile. “I get why you’re here tonight. Had to come and oversee girl’s night while not looking like you’re overseeing girl’s night?”

“Honestly, I’m not even trying to pretend like I’m not,” Maverick admits, his eyes straying toward his wife.

I giggle, not even a little bit surprised at his response. I tease them, “Don’t you have kids you should be at home with?”

“When the grandparents offer, who are we to turn them down?” Clint winks at me as he puts the bar’s signature drink down in front of me.

I shoot him a grateful smile before picking it up and clutching it in my hands. “Thank you.”

“Where’s Hailey? And that guy everyone is talking about you spending time with?” Maverick arches an eyebrow at me, his stance making me think of an overbearing big brother.

See? That’s why I was never going to find anyone in Sweetwater Valley. Either I wasn’t interested, or I was like a little sister. I wasn’t ever into Maverick, but you get the point.

“I’m the first one here. They should be here soon,” I inform them and shrug one shoulder. “Wesley is on shift tonight. I’m not sure about Ansel, though,” I muse which reminds me I need to touch base with my friend.

Ansel has been picking up extra shifts. I’ve suspected he’s interested in someone who works at the hospital, but he hasn’t said, and I haven’t pushed. He’s entitled to have his secrets, and I know he’ll tell me when he’s ready.

Maverick leans forward and lowers his voice when Clint walks off to serve another customer after knocking the bar twice as his way of saying he’ll see me later, “Heard about the mess over near Dogwood Ridge. That must have been tough. Is there anything I can do to help?”

I smile warmly at the man in front of me. He’s a good guy; he always was, but I don’t think he saw himself like that for a long time. Not until Lark.

“Honestly?” He nods in response to my question. “It really sucked,” I admit, my shoulders deflating. “It was,” I swallow hard and shake my head before trying again, “we won’t be able to rehabilitate all the animals. We’ve already lost some.”

His eyes are filled with sorrow when I look at him and my heart aches. I’ll never understand the cruelty some people can exhibit and inflict on another living thing.

“What would really help is if you can bring your adorable kids by to give some of the animals cuddles,” I suggest, knowing that the entire family will love doing it.

Maybe, if I’m lucky, they’ll adopt another animal while they’re there. Not long after Lark moved to Sweetwater Valley and they got together, they adopted a lab puppy we had who had come from a puppy mill. We always set-up at all the town’s events andthat year’s fall festival saw a lot of animals finding their forever homes.

Bear is an incredibly lucky and loved pet in their home.

Maverick narrows his eyes at me while I give him my most innocent look. “Fine,” he sighs before pointing a finger at me, “but we’re not adopting another animal.”

I’m barely able to keep the maniacal chuckle inside. Because I won’t be at all surprised if they do adopt another pet.

I think I’ll keep that to myself for now.

Even if they don’t, the animals in my care will love the attention the kids will give them. And both animal and kid will be able to get some of their energy out in our outside dog runs.

With a big grin at Maverick, who is shaking his head at me, I pick up my drink for another sip. Just before I get the straw to my lips, I feel a presence take up the stool next to me. When I glance at the guy, I’m stunned for a moment.

He clearly doesn’t belong here, and I’ve never seen him before in my life.

Now, don’t get me wrong, we have tourists who come through Sweetwater Valley, but they’re generally on vacation and have a casual vibe about them. This guy is wearing a suit and has a slimy vibe that has me leaning away from him slightly.

“You’re gorgeous,” his voice is oily and makes me instantly uncomfortable.

The other thing about this sleaze is that even though he paid me a compliment, he hasn’t looked at me once. His eyes are trailing over my body and making my skin crawl.

“Not interested,” I deadpan.

The guy looks up at me, surprise widening his eyes as his jaw goes slack. It seems I’ve stunned him. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long enough, and he gets himself together.

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