Page 6 of Broken
“Don’t get Naomi started,” Keith replied, after pulling out the suitcase.
“What?” Jacqueline asked as they went inside.
“She changed up her looks,” Naomi explained.
“A lot,” Keith added.
Jacqueline set her handbag on the sofa as their German Shepherd, Cleopatra, barked once from down the hallway. “Why is Cleo stuck in your office?”
With a smile, Naomi clasped Jacqueline’s hand. “We’ll show you.”
Keith opened the door, and Jacqueline stared at the mayhem. Adorable, fluffy, black puppies romped in what had been Naomi’s office, now a doggie nursery.
Cleo hurried over, her tail wagging back and forth. Once inside, Keith shut the door behind them.
Jacqueline knelt to greet the dog. “Hi, Mama Cleo.”
“Turns out, wethoughtwe were busy, but now, it’s kinda outta control.” Keith rolled his eyes playfully.
Six frenetic bundles of energy crashed into Jacqueline. She ran her fingers through their silky, soft fur. “These are the cutest puppies I haveeverseen. If this isn’t love at first sight—”
“Speaking of that…” Naomi sat on the floor and the babes rushed over to climb on her. “How’s your special guy?”
“Not that special. I broke up with him.”
“What happened?” Naomi lifted one of the pups to give it a once-over.
“It wasn’t love at first sight… or love at all.” Jacqueline stroked one of the puppies and he started licking her hand. “He wanted to be exclusive, but I didn’t even know we were a ‘we’. Anyway, it’s over.” She set the pup in her lap. “Who’s this?”
“That’s Loki,” Keith said, sitting next to Naomi. “His forever family is coming by next week. We’re keeping his brother.”
“We tell them apart by the different-colored Velcro collars,” Naomi explained. “We’re keeping the purple pup.”
“They just turned eight weeks old, so their new families are eager to pick them up,” Keith said. “We’re gonna miss them, but not the craziness.”
Jacqueline held Loki up and stared at his face. “He’s adorable.” She cuddled the small creature and he licked her chin, then barked. Laughing, she set him on the floor, and he scampered off to wrestle his siblings.
“They stay in here when we’re gone, but otherwise we let them run around the first floor,” Keith continued.
“Are you hungry?” Naomi asked. “It’s not even seven, your time.”
“Starving, but I’m good with cheese and crackers.” Jacqueline petted the puppies before standing.
“We baked a lasagna,” Keith replied. “Let’s let these little ones out and we’ll get you something to eat.”
Back in the kitchen, Jacqueline sent her mom and dad a text in their group thread. “I’m home! Still on for golf tomorrow?”
Dots appeared, then a text from her dad. “Absolutely! We can’t wait to see you.”
Before setting down her phone, Jaqueline homed in on the Asylum app again. Feeling bold, she tapped it, then clicked her way over to Members. Mac’s profile was still active, so she sent him a PM.
“Hey Mac, I’m thinking about swinging by the club Friday night. Any chance I’ll see you?”
She hit send, set her phone down on the kitchen island. When her gaze met Naomi’s, her sister-in-law was smiling. “You’ve got that look in your eyes.”
Jacqueline pointed at herself. “Who? Me?”
Both women laughed as Naomi pulled a small salad from the refrigerator and Keith set the just-heated piece of lasagna on the island.
