Page 68 of Unexpectedly Falling
MASON: Aw man you still get nervous like that?
ARCHER: Bea says it’s endearing
MASON: Also there’s no way no one else saw that coming
MONTANA: I’m sure they’re both coming plenty
JENSEN: I’m silencing this chat now
Chuckling,I throw the phone onto the passenger seat and start heading toward Clementine Creek. I’m sure I’ll have a couple dozen messages by the time I arrive, but that’s a problem for later.
Right now I just need to get there before Bodhi starts waging war on our friends and any unsuspecting townsfolk who want to proposition, flirt, or otherwise engage with him in any manner. My lips twitch because he reminds me of a couple of other broody guys I know who’d been completely knocked on their asses by their now wives.
It’d been fun to watch and I was happy for them—really happy—but I never wanted that for myself.
Not before Remi.
And not until Nessa.
Pulling into the parking lot, I’m not surprised it’s still packed. Sorren and Tanner had been gearing up to make this the biggest adoption day in Tennessee. They’d coordinated with other agencies and shelters to make sure everything went off without a hitch, and if all the smiling people walking out is any indication, I’d say they’ve done just that.
Grabbing Remi from her car seat, I settle her into the carrier and wrap my jacket around her as I hustle across the lot. The sign for Vetted Paws is lit up with white lights, the wooden American flag with the cut steel words the perfect embodiment of this place and the men who made it a reality. Pulling open the door, I’m hit with a blast of hot air and a mix of excited chattering and barking dogs.
“Sheriff!” Mason yells from the corner of the room, and I make my way through the crowd, shaking hands and making polite conversation before finally reaching the group. Bodhi has his back to the corner, his arms crossed over his chest while his eyes dart around the room. His body is tense, but there’s something strange about the way he’s scanning the crowd,like he’s looking for someone.
“Remi needs a dog,” Montana says, bringing me back to the present, a spotted Catahoula Leopard Dog sitting at his feet.
“Good lookin’ dog,” I reply, letting the dog sniff my hand before scratching under its chin.
“She’s four, and Ellison fell in love with her immediately—wants to name her Queenie.”
“Where is she now?” I ask and he sighs as Mason snickers.
“She’s in the back looking at a Mountain Cur. A litter of puppies was left in the box in Arkansas and one of the rescues contacted Sorren to see if they could bring them here.”
I nod, my chest squeezing at the thought. “Where’s Bea?” Archer’s gaze slides to Bodhi whose lips twitch.
“She took our bonded pair of Goldendoodles home.”
“Do they have names?” The question comes out impressively even considering the way I’m trying to stifle my laughter.
“Carl and Lady.”
Slapping him on the back as he shakes his head, I turn my attention back to Mason. “What about you two?”
“We’re bringing home a Rottweiler named Moose and a Golden Lab named Birdie.”
“Max! Look at him!” Ellison squeals as she holds up a brown-and-black brindled puppy, “He looks like a Roo, doesn’t he?”
“He sure does, Eddie,” Montana says with a grin that matches Ellison’s.
“Let’s get them over to see Santa and then we can get our babies home!” Turning to me, she smiles. “How are you tonight, Sheriff?”
“Good, Ellison, thank you.”
“Where’s Nessa?”
“She was asked to coach the women’s club team for their final game, and they had practice. She’s been really excited about it.” Looking at my watch, I add, “She should be here in a little while.”
