Page 29 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

“Poor baby,” Katie said. “I’m assuming this is good?” She nodded to Liam. “Looks cozy.”

“He is.”

“Snag this one,” she whispered. “You need good in your life.”

“Thanks, Katie.” He should wake Liam. He needed to get to the shelter and Liam probably had things to do. He had a life. Stone left Missy and Champ with Katie, then hurried up to his bedroom suite to change and run a comb through his hair. When he came back down, Elmore hopped off the sofa. He licked Liam’s face.

Liam sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Shit. You’re good, honey, but you’re not the face I wanted to see this morning.” He petted the dog. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Stone knelt next to the box. “You slept.”

“I did,” Liam said. “How’s our baby?”

Our?“Champ’s hanging in there. He ate and Missy adopted him.”What does Liam mean by our?

“Good.”

“I’ll have Katie peek in on them this afternoon while I’m at the shelter.” He scratched Missy behind the ears. “He’ll be fine.”

“Wonderful.” Liam’s grin spread across his face. “I need to work today, but I’d like to help at the shelter. Do you need hands tonight?”

“Probably. I haven’t checked the schedule.” Stone stood and stretched. “Want coffee?”

“Did you brew some?”

“No, but the Coffee Bean, where you got the coffee from last night, makes a great breakfast blend. We can go there,” Stone said. “Drive through and boom, we’re caffeinated.”

“Sounds good. I didn’t realize they had a drive-through.” Liam ran his fingers through his hair. “I guess I should’ve paid more attention. I went inside when I was there last night.”

“It’s okay. Why don’t we go?” Stone gathered up his keys, wallet and phone. “Katie, I’m heading up to the shelter to check in and get my truck. I’ll be back in an hour.”

“I’ve got Champ.” She waved. “Take your time.”

“Thanks.” Stone followed Liam out to the SUV. “Need me to get you into town?”

“I’d appreciate it,” Liam said. “I’m terrible at directions back home, too. My agent used to chew me out because I’d get lost.”

“GPS can be a good thing.”

“Chauffeurs, too.”

“We’ve got ride sharing around here, but no chauffeurs.” Stone pointed left. “That way.”

“I don’t mind driving. I rather like it.” Liam pulled out of the driveway and onto the road. “It’s freeing.”

He had to find something to talk about besides driving. “What’s your character like?” He wanted to know about Liam’s project.Why not learn more about him?

“His name is Ned. He’s a farmer and he’s single. He saves the heroine when her car is stranded in front of his farm. It’s an opposites-attract kind of thing,” Liam said.

“Like us?”

“Yeah.” Liam flexed his hands on the wheel. “You’re cuter.”

“Am I?” The heat returned. Or was it just him?

“Oh yeah. Kassidie McFadden is sweet, but she’s high-maintenance—more than me.”

“Is that possible?” he joked.

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