Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87015 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87015 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Chapter Forty
Cash, six months later
“Danny? Hope you’re hungry. I’m—” I started to announce my arrival, but I was cut off by the appearance of Danny in the kitchen with a suspiciously large grin.
“Hi!” He was trailed by Linus as always, but a second, strange dog flanked his other side. The scraggly little dachshund mix had a high-pitched bark, but unlike Linus, it actually seemed happy to see me.
“What the…?” I frowned even as I bent to pet the newcomer. “Linus has a new friend?”
“Ah. Yes. About that.” Danny made an expansive gesture with one hand. “You were on set, and I didn’t want to bug you.”
“Bug me. I’ve told you. There’s plenty of downtime.” I was helping coordinate stunts for a new streaming service movie with a military theme, and there was a ton of hurry-up-and-wait involved in the filming. I enjoyed helping the producers get the military details at least somewhat authentic, but I also never minded a message from Danny either.
“I know, but I hate the idea of interrupting some important stunt discussion for something minor.” His overly-dramatic emphasis on minor told me he was actually more nervous about my reaction than he was letting on.
“This doesn’t look minor,” I said mildly, continuing to pet the dog, who ate up all my attention, a canine Danny right down to the silky brown hair.
“This is Lucy. Jase named her.”
“Uh-huh.” I sensed a setup here, but all I could do was chuckle and let Danny continue.
“I was over there today, taking pictures of his newest fosters, and Lucy came right up to Linus. Jase says she’s usually so timid with other dogs, but not Linus.”
“Uh-huh. Good job navigating the drive to the suburbs.” I was possibly prouder of Danny’s new driver’s license than he was. He’d practiced all summer, a cautious, dedicated student, and he’d celebrated by getting a small SUV with an enormous list of safety features and a perch for Linus to see out the rear window. Not surprisingly, most of his trips had thus far been to the pet store or the rescue, where he spent more and more time helping out. “And more like Jase saw an opening to get you on board with the foster program.”
“Oh, this isn’t a foster placement.” Danny twisted his mouth as he made another vague gesture. “This is more like…an audition. I couldn’t do what Jase does, falling in love and then letting them go to new homes.”
“I see.” I wasn’t surprised in the slightest that Danny already wanted to keep the sweet-tempered Lucy. “At least you picked one that will let me pet her. And what does Linus think about this? I thought he was an only dog?”
“See how happy he seems?” Danny scooped up Linus, peering into his canine eyes. “Doesn’t he seem more content?”
“He’s not growling. Suppose that’s an improvement.” Knowing Linus, tolerance was probably the best that could be hoped for, but he did allow me to pat his head, a rare treat from the ruler of the household. I stood back up to give Danny a stern stare. “How long does this audition last?”
“Until you tell me no?” Tilting his head, Danny gave me his best toothy grin, all the classic Danny Love charm headed my way.
I groaned because I had enough months into this thing to know resistance was futile. “I’m not going to tell you no.”
“Even though it was impulsive, and I probably should have asked your thoughts?” Setting Linus back down, he stepped close enough to drop his head to my shoulder.
“Probably,” I agreed with a sigh before kissing his forehead. As far as impulsive acquisitions went, a dog was pretty major, but it was also a step toward Danny being more decisive, second-guessing himself less, and that I was all for. And I liked dogs. “Luckily, I’m okay sharing you with some dogs. Just, maybe let’s cap it at two? And as long as you don’t think Lucy here will distract you from your studies.”
“Cash.” He rolled his eyes at me. He had on glasses, something he did more often these days, giving his eyes a break from the contacts. They made him look even more like a bookish grad student, and something about that turned me on big time. “It’s two classes. I’m not even in a formal degree program.”
Danny was taking two photography classes at a local art school, and in the weeks since the term had begun, he’d proven to be exceptionally driven and focused, soaking up all sorts of new ideas and techniques.
“I’m still proud of you.” Putting an arm around his shoulders, I drew him closer against me.
“Thanks. That means the most to me.” He pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. “I’m proud of you too. You’re getting a good reputation.”
“Yeah. I like to think so.” I didn’t bother trying to sound humble. If Danny could be proud, I could too. And I liked what I was doing, consulting on military details and action stunts. The days could be long, but it was also sporadic enough to allow plenty of time with Danny between gigs, including a recent trip to the mountains with Linus before Danny’s fall classes and my latest job had started.