Page 57

Even though her words were laced with a nauseating blend of frustration and ire, her eyes were rimmed with moisture and her frown quivered. He’d hurt her.

He’d just have to fix that later.

“Fine. Again, I’m sorry, but I’ve got a lot going on right now. Stuff that changes everything.”

“So do I. I lost my dog. I’ve taken over my friend’s company—”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I actually found Lily.”

Jill’s whole face changed. Her eyes brightened and her scowl kicked up in the corners to what might be considered a smile in some parts. It warmed him, but the nervous energy buzzing through his veins didn’t dissipate. He needed to finish this up so he could head out and track down Ren. He had a few ideas of where the kid might have gone.

“She’s okay?”

No apology for taking him to task, but that was fine.

He took advantage of the change in her demeanor to sit across from her. Even from here, he caught a hint of the floral perfume she wore, and heat built in his chest. Best to keep whatever distance he could.

“She’s more than okay.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I wouldn’t care if she weren’t about to have a litter of puppies. Normally, she takes off for an hour or two, but it’s been two weeks and I’ve barely seen her. Her food is always gone, so I know she comes by the house at least. Where is she?”

“That’s the best part. Turns out she’s been shacking up with our ranch pup, Gander, in the bushes between the two properties. Damn mutt even dragged the bed we keep for him on the porch to make ’em more comfortable. You should see them cuddling like high schoolers before curfew.”

And just like that, the frown was back.

“Excuse me? That’s not adorable. That’s ridiculous. She’s an indoor dog who’s having someone else’s puppies.”

He figured as much. Indoor woman owns indoor dog didn’t make for breaking news.

“So? She found an outdoor dog she wants to be with and who seems to like her no matter what she brings to the relationship, someone else’s puppy included. It’s not like she changed her mind to hurt your feelings.”

“Seriously? Great. Just great. Of course, you’d feel that way.”

He really didn’t have time for her hurt feelings. So they’d kissed and he hadn’t called. It wasn’t like he’d done any of it on purpose. And now? He couldn’t pursue her if he wanted to.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jill’s cheeks flushed, and damn if it didn’t hit Jax right in the solar plexus. She was stunning when she was angry. Kind of a bad thing if he wasn’t supposed to keep pissing her off.

“It already ruined her, traipsing around after a dog that wasn’t at all interested in sticking around in one place. What happens when she falls for another one like that? She’ll still be saddled with the puppies and won’t have any help when we move back.”

“You mean puppy support? Because it isn’t a guy, Jill. It’s a dog. And I think it’s neat she found a dog who’ll take her like this.”

But the conversation landed a little close to home for his comfort. He shifted back in the chair.

“Like this? You know, it’s never the guy”—Jax’s eyebrows shot up—“fine, or his owners—who end up alone or with a brood of kids to take care of. Not that you’d understand.”

If she knew how much he, in that moment, did understand, she’d be shocked. Maybe it would help her to know why, but he couldn’t tell her before Bennett and his mother. There were extenuating circumstances he had to fix before they aired their dirty laundry.

“Why not? Because I’m an outdoor guy who appreciates that the finer things in life aren’t things, I can’t appreciate there might be more than just my way of living? If you’re asking if I understand what it means to be responsible to someone other than myself, I do.”

Jill shifted on the plastic fold-out chair. “Oh yeah? You saying that you wouldn’t take off and rejoin the rodeo if they’d have you back?”

Now it was Jax’s turn to squirm. He’d finally said as much to Bennett about his future job, even though, in hindsight, easy money or not, it wasn’t the right move with a kid to take care of.

“I’m just sayin’, they’re dogs. Let them be what they are instead of trying to make ’em what they aren’t to fit whatever mold you’re using for your own life.”

Damn if her jaw didn’t unhinge right there in front of him. Her wide, wet eyes held shock. He’d struck a nerve, but then, so had she. Christ, was there one person or living creature he wouldn’t do wrong by today? Living here, trying to fit his lifestyle into a box made by someone with more rigidity than him, wasn’t doing anyone any favors, that was for sure.