Page 55 of Keeping Amanda
“I need to get him back upstairs and grab my purse,” she said, oblivious to the carnal thoughts running through Buck’s head.
“You think he’ll be okay while you’re gone?”
“Yeah. I’ve been in and out all day today, and every time I came home he was sitting by the front door, waiting patiently. Nothing was chewed up in my apartment and he hadn’t peed or pooped on the floor. It’s amazing, actually. And I have no idea how he knows when I’m about to walk through the door. I know he wasn’t sitting there the entire time I was gone, because there was an indentation on the couch where he’d slept.”
Buck shrugged as he walked next to Mandy and they made their way into the building with Rain. “The same way he knew not to take that one path, I’d guess. Instinct.”
“Yeah. He’s smart,” Mandy agreed, reaching down to pet the dog’s head.
It didn’t take long for her to grab what she needed from her apartment. They said goodbye to Rain, told him to be a good boy, then headed back down to the parking lot.
“You want me to drive?” she asked, gesturing to her older-model Volvo XC60 in the lot.
“You went and got your car today? I could’ve helped you with that. Or one of the guys.”
“I know, but it wasn’t a big deal. I called a ride share and went out to the storage place. I’d paid in advance, so they gave me a refund on the time I didn’t use. I needed my car and didn’t want to inconvenience anyone.”
“You would never be an inconvenience,” Buck said sternly. “Not to me or any of my friends.”
“Thank you. But honestly, it was easier for me to just go out and get it without having to wait for anyone.”
Buck stopped in the middle of the parking lot and turned to Mandy. He noticed that she’d taken care with her appearance today, and it was almost like looking at a different woman, considering he’d gotten used to her without makeup, her hair sticking up in all directions, and dirt covering every inch of her body. He’d thought she was beautiful in the middle of the jungle, and she was just as beautiful all cleaned up. She was pretty because of who she was as a person, not because of her outer appearance. But he appreciated the effort all the same, because he’d gone to the same lengths she had. He’d wanted to look good for her.
Remembering what it was he’d wanted to say before getting sidetracked by her looks, Buck said, “You aren’t alone anymore. I get that you felt that way before. No parents, no siblings, no close friends. But you havemenow. And by default, you have my friends. I have no doubt they’ll be your friends soon too. It would please me to help you out when you need it, just as I hope it’ll makeyouhappy if I ask for your assistance with something.
“I’m not taking you out tonight because I want a fling, Mandy. There’s something about you that’s different from any other woman I’ve dated. I’m excited to see where this takes us. And people who are serious about each other don’t hesitate to ask for help. To reach out when they need something. And it goes both ways. I want someone I can rely on as well.”
“I’d like that.”
“Good. And no, to answer your question, I can drive us tonight. I promise not to keep you out too long, since we have to get back to see how Rain’s doing. Even though he did good today, we probably shouldn’t push our luck.”
Buck was well aware he was using the “we” pronoun, as he often did with Mandy…but he didn’t feel freaked out about it. It simply felt right.
“Yeah. I felt bad leaving him, but I got most of my errands done. The immediate ones, that is. At least I have food in the house now. Including dog food. I got a couple different brands just in case he didn’t like one of them.”
“Mandy, the dog was probably eating dirt and rotting animals when he couldn’t catch a fresh one. I don’t think he’s gonna be picky about what kind of dog food you bought him.”
“Whatever,” she mumbled.
Buck chuckled. “But I’m glad you’ve got food again. I didn’t have a chance to do any of that. Been in meetings and trying to answer everyone’s questions about what went down.”
“Oh, when we come back, I can send some stuff home with you so you at least have something to eat for breakfast,” Mandy told him, sounding and looking alarmed that he hadn’t had time to go to the store yet. Her tender heart was showing itself again.
“I wouldn’t mind that,” he told her, as he opened the passenger-side door of his Subaru Outback for her. She smiled at him as she sat, and he waited until she’d buckled her seat belt before closing the door and jogging around to the driver’s side.
As he drove toward Anchor Point, he said, “I also wanted to let you know I called a guy I know to have him start looking into Blair.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. I know you’re interested in adopting Bibi and Michael, and with Blair acting weird, and with our suspicionsabout the raid on the school, I wanted to have him start looking into things sooner rather than later.”
“Who is this guy?”
“His name is Tex. Once upon a time he was a Navy SEAL himself, and he has some crazy computer skills. Anyway, if there’s something going on, he’ll probably dig it up.”
“Okay. But even if he does find something, it’s not going to change anything now,” she said reasonably.
“You’re right. But if she did have anything to do with that kidnapping, you can bet I’m going to do everything in my power to get her kicked out of the country. It’s not safe for the kids who are still there, or anyone working for her.”
