Page 54 of The Rowdy Ones

I rise to my feet and position my cane. “Come on, Scout. We’re going to clean you up and get some food.”

He barks again and walks beside me, his side brushing against my leg. I’m worried he might get whacked in the face with my cane, but he appears to know just how far back he needs to stay.

“How do you know which way to go?” Rowdy asks, voice so close behind me it makes me jump.

“I’ve memorized the distance from the cabin to the RV. Plus, you won’t let me walk off into the woods.”

He grunts in agreement. I’m pleased when the end of my cane taps against wood. Since the sound is hollow and familiar, I know I’ve made it to the porch steps. Scout, rather than bounding up the steps, takes one at a time with me. My heart hammers happily. Gwen spoke of service animals. Maybe Scout could be mine. I can’t wait to tell her about finding him.

The cabin door opens and Wild starts laughing. “Did you find Cujo? That dog looks rabid. Dad will flip his shit if you bring a stray dog inside.”

Ronan read me the Stephen King novel,Cujo, when I was too young and it gave me nightmares for weeks. My dog is a good boy, though, and nothing like that monster. “His name is Scout. We’re going to take him straight to the bath.”

“Your funeral,” Wild says, still chuckling. “Well, come in. You’re letting all the heat out.”

I use my cane to help me through the door and then navigate through the living room. It smells like something garlicky cooking. My stomach grumbles, reminding me I left my candy in the RV. A new dog trumps leftover candy.

“Come on, Scout,” I tell him. “We’re going to get you nice and clean.”

He barks in agreement.

“Doggie,” one of the twins cries out. “Momma, look.”

There’s chaos among their family, but I let them sort it out on their own. I take my dog to the bathroom and start the bath for it. It takes a second to find the plug to stop the water, but soon it’s filling with warm water.

“That stick really helps you, huh?” Rowdy asks, so close his breath tickles my hair. “You can move around quickly with it.”

For someone who was so upset earlier about it, he’s changed his tune. It warms my heart. I flash a wide grin his way over my shoulder and nod. “I feel like I keep unlocking parts of my life. It’s exciting.”

Scout bumps into me and Rowdy’s hand grips my waist, steadying me. Heat tickles down my spine. The dog showing up was a distraction from earlier, but I’m suddenly reminded.

I think I wanted him to kiss me.

The skin on my face burns hot with shame. I’m not sure what’s going on with Rowdy, but it feels like he isn’t just possessive, but like he wants to possessme. When he’d had my hair in his grip and his breath panting near my lips, I was sure he was going to make a move. Intentionally this time. The sleepover touching the other night was an accident.

I’d secretly ached for him to do something on purpose.

Shameful, shameful girl.

“Go eat,” Aunt Eve barks from the doorway to the bathroom. “Go, Rowdy.”

He squeezes my hip and then releases me. “This bathroom is too small anyway. You got this, Aunt Eve?”

“Do the dishes after,” she clips out. “Go.”

As soon as Rowdy leaves, Aunt Eve pushes past me. I hear a cap open and then a soapy scent permeates the air. Then I hear splashing sounds.

“Get in, dog,” she instructs. “Come on.”

Scout barks at her and then a bigger splash resounds. Is she in the tub with him?

“In the cabinet below the sink are towels,” she says to me. “Grab a few and be ready for when I finish up with him.”

I do as I’m told and listen to Aunt Eve splash around with the dog. Scout whines at one point and she tells him to “man up.”

“What does he look like?” I ask, eager to know more about Scout.

“A dog.”