Page 24 of Stunner (Whiskey Dolls 3)

“Of course it did. We’re sensitive at that age. I remember finding a baby bird that had fallen out of his nest outside my bedroom window. My mom wouldn’t let me touch it, said its momma wouldn’t come back if I did. I remember crying my eyes out because I was worrying myself sick.”

“Exactly,” he said on a raspy chuckle. “So, I spent a ridiculous amount of time worried about the helpless dog behind my family’s restaurant, hounding my dad about it every single day until he finally couldn’t take it anymore. The thing was wild, skittish as hell, but my father would put pizza crust and ham out back for it every night until it finally warmed up to him. Once the dog let him close enough, he got a leash on it and took it to the vet’s office.”

With my heart in my throat, I asked, “What happened to it after that?”

“Oscar came home and lived with us for about ten years until he died of old age when I was in high school.”

“Oscar?” I asked on a giggle. “Like Oscar the grouch? Because he lived in the trash can?”

Owen shrugged a single shoulder. “What can I say? I was five, for Christ’s sake.”

“No, no.” I let out a full belly laugh that time. “I think it’s adorable. So you gave Oscar a happy home, and that made you want to be a vet?”

“That was the start of it, yeah.”

“And your parents don’t mind that you won’t be taking over Junior’s when they decide to retire?”

“Lucky for them, they had more than one kid.” He turned and shot me a wink, those green eyes glinting in the faint light. “I’m just the oldest and best looking. Hardin’s been working there since she was in high school. She’s the manager now, so when the time comes for her to take over, the transition will be easy.”

“I met her, you know. Your sister?”

His head came back around to me, his brows furrowing. “You did?”

“Yeah. She came into my mom’s shop a few days ago. She’s really nice.”

Owen let out a derisive snort that I knew was all for show. “Like hell. She’s only nice if you aren’t her brother she’s actively trying to manipulate.”

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. “I take it you’re as wrapped around her finger as you are her daughter’s.”

“Let’s just say the Shields women know how to play dirty, and they don’t hesitate,” he grumbled sullenly before letting out a yawn.

Even though it was the last thing I wanted to do, I forced myself to my feet. “It’s getting late, I should head home.”

He stood as well, the motion bringing him less than a foot away from me. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Oh, wait.” I stopped, reaching for the buttons at my chest. “I need to give you this back.”

His hand closed over mine, the touch, as innocent as it was, sending a bolt of electricity through my body. “Keep it,” he insisted, his fingers clenching over mine.

“I have on a sports bra and shorts if that’s what you’re worried about.”

His pupils appeared to dilate as a low, rumbly sound like a growl rattled up from his chest. His gaze trailed down the front of me, his hand uncovering mine to reach up and trace a line down the column of my throat. The move caused goosebumps to spread across my flesh as my knees began to tremble. My lips parted slightly on an inhale.

“Christ, Asher. Are you trying to kill me?” My nipples pebbled at the gruffness in his tone and the heat in his eyes. “Looks better on you anyway, baby.”

Okay, Ireallyneeded to go before I closed the last of the distance between us and did what I was dying to do, namely kiss the ever-loving hell out of Owen Shields.

He walked me down the set of stairs that bypassed the clinic and into the parking lot. “You should be able to come by and see him tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ll take good care of him for you.”

I didn’t have a single doubt about that. “Thanks, Owen,” I said quietly as I pulled my keys from my bag and beeped the locks on my car. I stood in the open driver’s side door, propping my forearms on the frame. “I meant what I said earlier. You were incredible tonight. You’ve got a gift.”

The lighting in the parking lot was much brighter, and I was able to see that he did, in fact, flush at my praise.

“Thanks. You decide what you want to name him?”

I cast my gaze to the side as I chewed on my bottom lip in thought. “I think I’ll call him Triumph, given all he’s overcome. What do you think?”

Owen smiled in a way that lit a fire beneath my skin. “I think it fits him perfectly. Triumph and I will see you tomorrow.”

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