Page 25 of Stunner (Whiskey Dolls 3)

As I climbed into my car and started it, the only thing I could think was that I couldn’t wait.

12

OWEN

Apathetic whine pulled my attention from the paperwork I’d been working on. With a huff, I pulled off my glasses and rubbed the bridge of my nose before giving the dog my best steely glare. He cocked his head to the side, his ears perking just slightly.

“Don’t you give me that look,” I warned.

In the four days since Asher showed up at my door with Triumph, the little guy was doing better than I had expected. He still had bandages covering his hind leg and the wounds on his neck from where I’d had to remove the collar that had practically fused itself to his skin, but how far he’d come already was nothing short of miraculous.

With a well-balanced diet, he was already starting to put on weight, his ribs no longer as visible as they’d once been. The antibiotics had worked, and the infection was nearly gone. He’d had a bath to wash the grime and filth, revealing fur that was downy-soft to the touch. It was a pleasant surprise to both Asher and me that Triumph was actually a beautiful dog. He had a fluffy white coat with three large spots in a beautiful burnished tan: one on the very middle of his left side, one on his right flank, and the third around his right ear and eye.

He pushed up to sit, shifting his weight to his good hip as he let out a small yip that had Gus lifting his head.

“No,” I said firmly. “I already told you, you’re still not well enough to play.”

He collapsed back onto the spare dog bed I’d set up in my office so he and Gus could both hang with me when I wasn’t with a patient. It was just easier to keep Triumph with me or one of my staff so we could make sure he didn’t hurt himself.

It didn’t help matters that he was being spoiled to within an inch of his life. If Asher didn’t come in every day, like clockwork, with a new toy or treats, the women in the office cooed and snuggled all over him. Just like Gus, Triumph had become a fan favorite in the office and was lapping up the attention, making him a downright pain in the ass when I tried to get work done.

He let out a series of moans, woofs, and whimpers as he stretched on his side dramatically.

My chair creaked as I swiveled to face him. “Backtalk isn’t going to get you anywhere, buddy. Just ask that one,” I said, pointing my finger at a lazy, snoozing Gus.

“I always knew you’d crack one day and start talking to animals like they were people. Please tell me you don’t hear them talking back.”

I kicked my foot out, sending my chair on another half-turn to cut my eyes at my sister standing in the doorway of my office. “You’re hilarious,” I deadpanned.

She gave me a sassy grin as she bounced into my office and plopped into the only chair in my office aside from mine. “I like to think so.” Her gaze moved to Triumph. “When did you get another dog, and why is he effed the hell up?”

“He’s not mine,” I answered as I rocked back in my chair and propped my feet on my desk. “And he’s effed up, as you so maturely put it, because he got hit by a truckafterbeing abused by whoever he belonged to before making his great escape.”

“Aw, poor little guy.” Hardin looked at the puppy, sympathy swimming in her eyes as she bent to give him a scratch behind his ear. He liked it so much, he tried to roll onto his back for more loving before remembering he couldn’t get his body to move that way just yet. Not to be overshadowed, Gus moseyed out of his bed and over to my sister for some attention as well. “So who’s he belong to then?”

“Asher was there when he was hit. She’s the one who brought him to me, and once he’s well enough, she’s taking him home with her.”

She placed a hand against her chest. “That’s so sweet.”

I laced my fingers together and rested my hands on my gut as I kicked back in my chair once more, studying my sister closely. “So, what brings you by, Hard?”

“Can’t a girl just come by to see her big brother once in a while?” She shrugged nonchalantly, but I knew my sister almost better than I knew myself. I could read her like a book, so despite her attempt at an easygoing demeanor, I saw the tightness in her muscles, the ridged line of her shoulders, like she was carrying around an obscenely heavy weight. I noticed the way her mouth was drawn tight and how the two divots between her brows were deeper than usual, as though she’d been frowning constantly. I could see the half-moons beneath her eyes she’d tried to cover with makeup, the bruise-colored skin standing out beneath her concealer.

“Sure she can. But that’s not why you’re here.”

She let the façade drop and shot me a bitter look. “You know, your gift for being able to read me is pretty freaking annoying sometimes,” she grumbled while absentmindedly stroking the fur between Gus’s eyes, putting my boy straight into doggy heaven.

“Can’t say I’m sorry about that. Now start talking,” I demanded, then the worst thing that could possibly happenhappened. Hardin’s eyes grew glassy with tears as her chin began to tremble. “Ah, fuck me.” I sat up straight, wheeling my chair closer to hers. “Come on, honey. Don’t cry. You know I can’t stand it when you cry.”

She sniffled, rubbing at her cheeks with the back of her hand to mop up the fallen tears. “Sorry,” she said with a watery laugh. “I forgot how useless you were when it came to crying women.”

I reached over and took her hands in mine. “Even Superman has a weakness to kryptonite.” I let out a breath of relief at her laughter. Reaching for the box of tissues on my desk, I pulled a few out and passed them to her. “Now talk to me. What’s going on?”

She flopped back against her chair with a miserable, “Ugh,” as she dabbed at the damage she’d done to her makeup. “It’s so stupid. I feel like I’m back in high school.”

“It’s not stupid if it’s upsetting you like this,” I insisted. “This about Keith? What did that fucker do this time?” My blood started to burn hot. “I swear to God, I’ll kill that bastard. And I’m a vet. I know how to do it.”

Hardin giggled, her tears completely dried up. “You’re the best big brother, but let’s put homicide on the back burner, at least for the time being.”

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