Page 36 of Colton On Guard
With that, the worker moved off.
Slowly, Genna opened the door to the kennel. Though June Bug stayed in her spot, she kept her stare fixed on Genna.
About a foot away, Genna stopped and dropped down to her haunches. “Hey there, pretty girl. How’d you like to get busted out of here today?”
Gaze locked on Genna, June Bug wagged her tail.
“But you’re going to have to get up first,” Genna continued, keeping her voice soft. “Will you please come over here and let me pet you.”
To her disbelief, the little dog got to her feet and hesitantly came over. She sniffed Genna, her tail still wagging.
Deciding to take a chance, Genna gently picked June Bug up, holding her close while crooning to her. “It’s going to be all right, I promise.”
June Bug tilted her head and then, as if she understood Genna’s words, she licked her on the cheek.
That sealed the deal. “You’re my dog now,” Genna said. Still holding the little dog, Genna got to her feet and stepped out of the kennel.
“What do you have there?” Parker asked, still hanging out with the dog at the end of the row. “Is that a puppy?”
He sounded so horrified she had to laugh. “No, she’s around five years old. Her owner died and the family didn’t want her. Isn’t she precious?”
“She is,” he admitted, moving closer so he could get a better look. “But I thought you were wanting a dog for protection.”
“I was.” Trying not to be defensive, she gazed down at June Bug. “But this one needs me. And I need her.”
Studying her face, Parker nodded. “You fell in love.”
Surprised, she held his gaze. Instead of condemnation or mockery, she saw only understanding. “I fell in love,” she repeated.
“Then she’s coming home with us,” he said. “Let’s go fill out the paperwork. What’s her name?”
He chuckled when she told him. “That suits her.”
At the front desk, the shelter worker beamed when she realized Genna intended to adopt little June Bug. Once Genna signed the forms and paid the fee, she received some papers showing June Bug’s vaccination history.
“Do you have dog food and treats? A collar and leash?” the worker asked. “We sell all of that here to make things easier.”
Since Genna had never owned a dog before, she asked for recommendations. Once all the necessities had been purchased, she put June Bug’s new collar on her before carrying her out to her car. Parker trailed behind, carrying the shopping bags.
“Are you going to let her walk?” he asked once they reached the parking lot. “Maybe she needs to go before she gets in the car.”
“Good point.” Walking to a grassy area at the edge of the pavement, she clipped the brand-new leash to June Bug’s collar and gently set her down. “Go potty,” she said.
Tail wagging, the little dog pranced over and took care of her business. When she was done, Genna praised her and picked her up again. “Would you mind driving?” she asked Parker. “That way I can hold her.”
“Sure.” He smiled and held out his hand for the keys. “Let’s take her home.”
CHAPTER 8
Glad he had to keep his gaze mostly on the road, Parker couldn’t resist occasionally glancing over at Genna, crooning sweet nothings to her new pet. The little dog appeared to be eating it up, tail constantly wagging, eyes bright and alert. If he didn’t know better, Parker would have sworn June Bug was smiling.
At first glance, the dog wasn’t much to look at. Scruffy and in need of a bath, she looked more like a gremlin-type creature than a pet. But despite her lack of conventional cuteness, the tiny animal had a sweet vulnerability to her. Parker felt certain she’d blossom with a little love and TLC. And he knew Genna would be just the person to give that to her.
As he drove, with the beautiful woman radiating happiness sitting in the seat next to him, he realized he’d never been happier. Sure, he loved his job and the house he’d renovated until it completely suited him. But he’d never realized that something had been missing, the difference between simply living a good life and living one that actually felt complete.
Damn. Hell of a revelation to have about a woman who’d made it clear she wasn’t looking for anything serious.
When they finally turned onto his street, he realized he’d been so lost in his thoughts that he had very little memory of most of the drive home. Once or twice, Genna had caught him looking over at her and her tremulous smile had made it difficult to breathe.