Page 53 of Fragile Sanctuary

I didn’t speak, just let him get out whatever he needed to.

“About the fucking framing. It smelled like smoke,” Owen grumbled.

I didn’t get the urge to chuckle often these days, but I wanted to right now.

Finally, Owen’s focus lifted. “Sorry I was a dick. I hate this meticulous stuff. It’s why I’m crap at finish work, too.”

“I get it,” I said, letting him off the hook. “It’s a hell of a lot more fun to see big strides every day.”

“Yeah.” He glanced back at the house. “I just get twitchy staying in the same spot for too long.”

My brow furrowed as I thought about some other signs I’d seen from Owen. He might have ADHD. It would make working on a single task for long periods more than challenging. “I’ll switch you up every couple of hours tomorrow. They may not be jobs you’re excited about, but at least you won’t be stuck in one for too long.”

Owen looked back at me. “That’d be chill. Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“Me and Carlos are heading to the bar. You wanna join?”

I shook my head. “I’m good. But thanks.”

Owen grinned, all teeth. “Why am I not surprised? You’re real committed to that loner vibe, boss.”

I scowled at him, which only made Owen laugh.

“See ya tomorrow,” he called with a wave as he headed for his truck.

I didn’t bother answering. I wasn’t sure what was worse: the childish Owen or the friendly one.

The sound of laughter pulled me around the side of the house until the guest cottage came into view. But the moment it did, I stopped dead.

Rho had set up a sprinkler on the patchy, sort-of grass, likely to help the seed take root to even things out, but Biscuit clearly had other plans. The disproportioned dog barked in happy glee as he attacked the jets of water.

“Biscuit!” Rhodes yelled, no animosity in her voice. “Come!”

The dog ran toward her but then darted away. She dove at him, trying to catch his collar, but she missed and landed directly in the sprinkler’s path.

She shrieked as the surely cold water blasted her, then dissolved into more laughter. “This was exactly what you wanted, wasn’t it?”

Biscuit barked in answer.

Rho leapt over the sprinkler to chase him. The two slipped into some sort of game of tag where only they knew the rules. Rho’s wild brown hair was slicked down, and her tank and shorts were plastered to her body. But she looked…happy.

A foreign feeling shifted through my chest, one I didn’t particularly welcome. But I couldn’t help but be drawn closer—toward that light and chaos.

Biscuit barked as he caught sight of me, then ran in my direction. He stopped just shy of me and shook. I wouldn’t have thought it possible for a dog that wasn’t all that large to have that much water in his fur, but I was soaked in a matter of seconds.

Rho’s hand flew to her mouth, her gasp quickly turning into giggles as she took me in.

“Are you laughing at me?” I gritted out.

She smiled wide. “I’d never.”

I scowled at her, my eyes narrowing. “If you trained your dog to obey your commands, this would’ve never happened.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes,” I clipped.

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