Page 58 of Sit, Stay, Love
‘If you’re sure. It would be great to have a hand. I’m heading out for a quick walk. I’ll be back in about an hour.’
‘Then I’ll see you in about an hour.’
She’d just got Buffy and the other dogs all leashed-up and ready to roll when her phone rang again. She tugged it out of her pocket, juggling it in one hand while yanking back the dogs with the other, putting it to her ear without looking at the caller ID. ‘Have you already changed your mind about picking up shit?’
‘I wasn’t planning on picking up any shit today,’ Toby said. ‘But in my line of work, you never know.’
‘Oh, sorry. I thought you were Ethan. Tia rang in sick, so he’s coming to help me with the chores.’
‘The movie star’s going to help clean the kennels? What time? I want to watch.’
‘Herriot.’
‘Sorry.’
‘He’s coming in about an hour. I’m just going to walk the dogs before I open the place up. At least, that’s what I’m trying to do. What do you need?’
‘I was going to ask if you wanted me to bring your pancakes over, but I think I’ll see you in about an hour instead.’
‘What? Don’t you have appointments?’
‘You know Monday is my appointment-free day, and I only have one surgery and it’s scheduled after lunch.’
‘You really don’t—’
‘See you soon.’ He laughed as he hung up.
‘Argh!’ She waved the dogs forward. ‘Come on you lot. Get moving.’
Sera practically jogged through her walk, rushing back to Rose’s and shoving all the shelter dogs into the exercise area so they could play, except a Maltese Terrier named Francine, who’d been surrendered to the shelter a couple of days earlier. She was a nervous little thing, so Sera gathered the dog up and took it into the house along with Buffy.
She glanced in the mirror. ‘Oh god, Francine. Will you look at me?’ The Maltese gazed up at her and Sera swore there was judgement in the tiny dog’s eyes. ‘You’re right. I need to tame these curls at least.’
She ran a brush over her hair, frowned at how unbrushed it still looked, and tied it back instead. Then, on impulse, she put concealer over the ever-growing dark circles under her eyes, swept a hint of colour across her cheeks and patted tint onto her lips.
‘Better.’ She nodded to herself.
Buffy suddenly barked, the dog’s feet scurrying on the wooden floorboards as she raced towards the door.
Toby looked up from patting the dog’s stomach as Sera walked down the hall.
‘Hey,’ he said, as he straightened up. ‘Are you wearing makeup to clean out the kennels?’
‘What? No.’
He raised his eyebrows.
She put her hands on her hips. ‘I looked exhausted, and I’m manning the desk today. I don’t want to scare off any prospective adopters.’
‘And your movie star’s coming over.’
‘He’s notmymovie star.’
‘I’m not? Damn.’
Sera and Toby spun around to see Ethan casually leaning in the doorway, grinning, his arms across his chest.
Her face warmed and she inwardly cursed her propensity for blushing. ‘Hi,’ she said, unable to contain her smile.
