Page 2 of Forbidden Secrets
“What are the rules, Adelyn?”
“Don’t get too close, let the dog come to you.Let it smell your hand.If there’s an owner, ask permission.”She glanced up.“Mom, I think it’s a stray and needs a home.It found us because it wants to be part of our family.”
Addy showed no subtlety in her campaign to get a dog.Maybe now that they were in their new house, who knew?
“Do you think a stray walks around with a ball in its mouth?”
“Maybe?”
They retraced their steps across the garden, the pumpkin forgotten.Addy approached the dog, talking to it in a soft voice.She stopped with her hand outstretched.The dog was having nothing to do with rules.Tail wagging its entire body, it gave Addy a quick sniff then shoved its head under her hand.
Addy went down on her knees and stroked the dog’s head.“It’s friendly, Mom.Do you think it’s a girl or a boy?I wonder what its name is.I think it’s a stray and needs a home.”Still holding the ball, the dog dropped to the ground and rolled onto its back.Melanie could have sworn the dog sighed when Addy rubbed her belly.
“She’s a girl and she’s got a collar,” Melanie pointed out.“I bet her people live on our road.”
Melanie glanced at the house closest to them.Their place had uninspired architecture from the eighties with a basic stucco exterior while their nearest neighbor’s home was gorgeous and made of wood with stone cladding and lots of windows.A creek ran between their properties.
The dog rolled to her feet and dropped the ball in front of Addy.Her gaze went from Addy to the ball, then back again.
“She wants me to throw it.”Addy picked up the ball and tossed it high in the air.
The dog pounced on it and dropped it on her sneaker.This time when Addy threw the ball, it sailed over the wire fence.Dog and girl ran for the gate.
A sharp whistle pierced the air and the dog skidded to a stop.Her head whipped between where the ball had landed and the direction of the whistle.Seemingly unable to decide what to do, she collapsed on the ground.
Addy dropped next to the dog, who rolled so her big head lay in Addy’s lap.Another whistle and the dog closed her eyes.Addy buried her hands in the dog’s golden fur.They both looked in the direction of approaching footsteps.
A man stepped from the pine trees lining the creek.
Melanie blinked to clear her vision, convinced her imagination was playing tricks on her.The man looked exactly how she’d written Alaric, the brooding warrior hero of her romantasy series.If Hollywood ever came calling, this guy would land the role without an audition.
Long dark hair swept back from a high forehead.High cheekbones and a jaw that might have been carved from stone.Dark brows slashed over eyes that seemed to assess her like she was a threat, or an inconvenience.He looked to be in his mid-thirties, tall and lean with the kind of presence that made the air around him feel ten degrees cooler.
And he was scowling.
Great.
“C’mon, Pancake.”His voice held a rough edge.
“Her name’s Pancake?Why’s her name Pancake?”Addy turned her face up to the man.Pancake opened one eye, then closed it, and gave a blissful groan when Addy stroked her neck.
His long pause had Melanie worried he was going to ignore Addy’s question.When he finally spoke, it was like he had to force the words past his lips.
“Yeah, her name’s Pancake.I’ll let you guess why.”
“I bet she likes to eat pancakes.”Addy grinned.“She’s not a very good listener.”
“Right on both counts.”
Telling herself firmly there was no way Alaric had come to life and lived next door, and deciding one of them had to demonstrate good manners, Melanie cleared her throat.“I’m Melanie, this is my daughter Adelyn.”She gestured to the house across the gully.“We, ah, I guess we’re neighbors.”
There was a long searching look that made Melanie think he could read every thought in her head before his expression returned to neutral.“Gage.”
He switched his attention to his now snoring dog.
“Aw, she’s sleeping on my lap.”Addy gently rubbedPancake’s nose with her finger.
“She’s faking it.Pancake, get up.”He nudged the dog with a booted toe.
