Page 61 of Lorcan
The tan-colored dog didn’t appear impressed.
The guy eased himself down. “Mei, this is a friend.” He met my gaze and grinned. “Any friend of Cody’s is a friend of ours.”
My grin grew. Obviously he’d seen Cody holding my hand. That thought didn’t bother me. Like, at all. “I’m Lorcan. Cody’s…friend.”
“I’m Carter. This is my husband, Byron.”
That caught me off-guard because there was a significant age gap. At least as big as the one between Jai the pup and Demetrius the handler.
Although not as big as the one between Cody and me.
“Do you want to try to sayhi?” Carter smiled. “She’s a little shy.”
Cody, who was still petting and receiving kisses, gazed over at the dog. “You got another dog?” His voice was a bit disbelieving. “Although, now you’re out of the condo and into a house, you can have as many as you like.”
Byron moaned. “Donotencourage him.”
Carter chuckled. “Sweetheart, you were the one who said we had to foster Mei.”
“Well…” He winced.
Another chuckle. “My husband has a soft spot for rescue pooches. Mei’s great, but I’m afraid she’s not getting as much attention as she needs.”
“Oh?” I crouched and held out my hand.
The tan-colored dog sniffed for several long moments before advancing. She placed her head directly under my hand. Slowly, I petted her.
“That’s great.” Carter met my gaze with amazing dark-brown eyes. “She’s shy.”
“And Rosebud’s been more demanding than usual.” Byron eyed his dogs.
“Not appreciating having a third?” Cody gave extra scritches to the mutt. Sheffield appeared to be a Jack Russell, while I couldn’t peg the cream dog as anything.
Well, as best I could guess. I wasn’t a dog expert by any means. I returned my attention to Mei. “Was she born in the month of May?” I gently stroked her fur as she gazed at me with the most intense dark-brown eyes.
“Huh? Oh.” Carter laughed. “It’s M-E-I. It just sounds like the month. A lovely woman owned her. The woman got an amazing job overseas, and no matter what she tried to do, she couldn’t get the paperwork to bring the dog. She almost didn’t take the opportunity. A mutual friend of ours asked us if we could take Mei until a permanent home could be found.” He scratched her ear. “She’s had a tough time adjusting as well. She was a rescue, and the shelter didn’t have much information on her before the first owner adopted her.” He cocked his head. “We’ve been letting her guide us, but she’s been pretty shut down. You’re the first person she’s warmed up to.”
I didn’t think I was anyone special, but I held the dog’s gaze. “I’d bring you home with me if I could. Unfortunately, my building only allows cats.”
“Drat.” Carter gently ruffled the fur on her back. “She lived with a cat as well. Trifle’s in another foster home. Sheffield is not thrilled with felines, and so we decided we couldn’t take on both fosters. Ideally, if they could be reunited in one home, then everything would be perfect.”
“That’s a tall order.” Cody rubbed Sheffield’s snout. “I miss you guys.”
Byron snorted. Then appeared surprised at himself.
I was under the impression he was a bit more buttoned-up than his younger husband.
“They miss you too. I think they enjoyed living in the condo, but to see them in the backyard? Pure bliss.”
Rosebud’s tail wagged back and forth so hard that her butt moved.
“She also loves when my sister, Tansy, visits.” Carter gave her what I thought of as a knowing glance.
The dog barked raucously, desperately looking around.
All three men laughed.
She stopped, glared at all of them, and plopped down onto her butt.
