Page 111 of Make Me Trust Again
“I didn’t say it’s a she.”
Maisie’s mouth spreads into a winning smile. “You didn’t deny it either.”
Pressing my lips into a tight line, I glare at the woman next to me, which amuses her even more. I whistle, drawing the dog’s attention, and by extension Kyle’s, too.
He smiles when he spots me and waves at the dogs as they run to meet us.
“Chase, you’re back! Guess what happened? Mae showed me how to train Duke. It was the coolest. Look.” He turns to Duke: “Sit.”
The dog plops his butt down immediately, and Kyle slips his hand into his pocket to pull out a treat.
“See? He listened. Can we take him home with us?”
Fucking hell.
I run my hand over the back of my neck. “Not today, buddy.”
“Fine, I’ll ask Mom when we get back home.” He purses his lips, those big, puppy-like eyes boring into me. “Duke’s so good, he should have a home, don’t you think so? And Shadow should have a friend, so she doesn’t feel alone.”
I was screwed. Completely and utterly screwed.
“Shadow is never alone.”
“But I’m sure she’d love a puppy friend.”
I shake my head at him. “C’mon, you rascal, time to go home.”
Saying goodbye to Mae, I tap the side of my leg for Shadow to follow, my hand going to the small of Kyle’s back. He keeps talking my ear off on the drive back home, back to the boy he used to be before everything played out today.
My father doesn’t like it either.
I glance into the rearview mirror, taking him in. He might be back to that cheerful boy I’m familiar with, but I didn’t forget what he said earlier. Who the hell makes his child self-conscious about something they can’t control? John-freaking-O’Neil, that’s who. It’s not like Kyle decided to be born deaf. Then, there was also the fact that he didn’t show up today after he insisted that he wanted to have equal custody.
My fingers tighten around the steering wheel.
Did Rose know that? Was that the reason why she decided to leave?
I park my truck in the barn and follow Kyle to the cottage, where Rose’s truck is parked, and the woman in question is sitting on the porch, a book in her hand.
“Mom!”
She looks up at the sound of Kyle’s voice, and he runs to her excitedly.“Guess what?”
He switches to sign language, his hands moving quickly, his whole body buzzing with excitement as he most likely tells her about the shelter.
I pat the side of my leg. “Let’s go home, Shadow.”
I barely get to turn around when I hear my name called, and when I look over my shoulder, I find Rose walking toward me.
Those blue eyes lock on mine, and I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to. She stops in front of me, her arms wrapping around my neck. But it’s not that that surprises me, it’s the gentle kiss she presses against the scarred side of my face.
“Thank you for everything, Chase.”
And then, just as quickly as she came, she walks away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
ROSE
