Page 125 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
I can’t argue with him. It does appear that Mrs. Perez is feeding Hercules from her very own plate of ground meat and pasta.
“This woman is a menace. She’s not fit to dog sit, and she will never babysit for us. Never.”
I’m not the kind of woman who has ever imagined herself a mother, but in this moment, I so clearly see a tiny Thane in my arms that I swear my uterus bounces around in anticipation.
“I’m sure that Hercules is perfectly safe.”
He ignores me and presses a button on his computer. “Mrs. Perez. What the hell are you feeding Hercules?”
Poor Mrs. Perez startles and stumbles back. “Thane?” She glances around at the ceiling and walls while Hercules dances in a circle, searching for her master.
“I left instructions on Hercules’s diet. Have you lost them?” His temper is getting the best of him.
“Where are you?” She crouches down, toward the pen, and spots the camera almost instantly. “Well, I’ll never. You really do love this dog, don’t ya, son?”
“She’s in my care until the shelter can take her in.”
“And you love her.”
“Why are you feeding her that?”
Mrs. Perez tuts. “She’s missing you, so I gave her a little treat. I called the vet and he said it’s fine. It won’t hurt her a bit. It’s just a little ground beef I had left over from my dinner. No need for you to get your knickers in a twist.”
“I don’t wear knickers, Mrs. Perez.”
The older woman fans herself while Kara and I choke on a laugh.
The flight attendant moves to our row. “We’ll be taking off soon. Please put away larger electronics and store your seatback trays.”
“Stick to my notes, Mrs. Perez.”
She waves him off, and I know she has no intention of doing that. “Have fun, dear.”
Thane slams the top of his laptop down. She’s going to do whatever the hell she wants to, and he’s not happy about it.
“From now on, we take my plane, and Hercules will come with us.”
My cheeks hurt from smiling. “Until she goes to the shelter, of course.”
“Of course.” He slides his laptop into his bag, then stands to put it in the overhead compartment.
“He’s never giving that dog up,” Kara whispers at my side, tucking her face into my shoulder to stifle a laugh.
“Never,” I agree.
Thane sits with a huff for me and a glare at Mr. Nosy.
“Now it’s time to put our plan into motion.” His head rolls against the headrest of his seat, his gaze locking on mine. “Are you ready to make your debut, sweetheart?”
Am I ready to face my father? No.
Am I ready to face an unknown industry? Also no.
Am I ready to let Thane lead me into the future? One thousand and ten percent.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
He reaches across the aisle with his palm up and places it on my armrest. I lower my hand to his. Skin to skin, his long fingers wrap around mine. This man is going to drag me, push me, toss me over his shoulder, and carry me into this next phase of my career, and the only thing he wants in return is a better life for everyone who has ever had to struggle as he has.
