Page 137 of Come Back to Me

“People need to get a life if that’s their idea of entertainment.” When he snorts, I demand, “Well? Why did you call?”

“God, you’re annoying. I wish Tee would stop wallowing just to make it less like living withtwoOscar the Grouches.” He huffs. “What do you know about this dog haven? And please tell me this was your idea to get back in her good books?”

I wish.

“It flooded and Callan’s trying to fix it.”

“Has he been asking you weird questions?”

Mid-stride, I freeze. “When doesn’t he ask weird questions?”

That has Colt blowing out a breath. “You’re right. Maybe I’m just reading into it wrong.”

“Intowhatwrong?”

“Today, he asked me how I felt about dirt on counters.”

“Has he become a germaphobe?”

“I don’t think so. Maybe he thinks I have?”

“Can you hate germs and run a ranch?”

He laughs. “Not without great difficulty. Maybe I should be on the watch for any other symptoms.”

“I will too. I know he wants to save the animals, but I’ve not seen anything that suggests he’s becoming a germaphobe.” I shove my hand in a pocket. “Didn’t he talk to you about wanting to build a dog haven on the ranch?”

“Of course he didn’t. But I met with the architect earlier this afternoon.”

My lips twitch. “Little fucker works fast.”

“At least I nixed his previous location choice. I set it twenty kilometers away, over by the McAllisters.”

My smile morphs into a grin. “Here was me thinking that the Korhonen-McAllister grudge was over.”

“Oh, it is, but Juliette’s still a pain in the ass, and she can wake up to four-hundred dogs yowling, not us.

“Callan’s thrown his inheritance behind this. Set up a foundation and everything.”

“He’s a good kid.”

Colt chuckles. “He is. Sometimes.”

“You did that.”

“No, I?—”

“Take the compliment, Colt. You earned it.”

Sheepishly, Colt mutters, “Thanks, Cody. You’ll tell me if you think germs are becoming a problem for him, right?”

“‘Course I will. But we went riding earlier and he didn’t freak out when Levi shit on his boot. At least, not in front of me.”

“Huh. Okay, I’ll still check in with him about this. You coming home for dinner?”

“No. Busy day.”

“Liar. Have you apologized to her yet?”

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