Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls Book 1)

My truck hit another pothole, and I cursed—the potholes for still being there, even though Shep had put in numerous calls to our guy who typically handled grading our drives; my truck for not handling them better despite only being a year old; and most of all, myself.

Because here I was, driving back to Rho’s house despite working on another site all day. Despite the fact that it was the last place I should go. Because I was weak when it came to her. Maybe Rho’s reckless spirit was catching.

As I approached the guest cottage, it was to find Rho outside, damned shorts in full display and wearing fucking cowboy boots with colorful flowers all over them. She was bent over, perfect ass in the air, trying to pick up Biscuit.

I pulled up next to her SUV and climbed out.

“Thank God!” Rho huffed. “Can you please help me?”

“What exactly is going on?” I asked, my lips twitching.

“Don’t laugh at me!” Rho grunted as she tried to haul Biscuit up. “I’ve been trying to get him into the car for thirty minutes. We’re going to be late for his vet appointment.”

I watched as Biscuit simply went limp as she tried to lift him. “I’ve seen you get him into your SUV at least a dozen times. He just jumps in.”

Rho sent a scathing look my way. “It’s like he knows. I didn’t even say the V-word, but the moment we got outside, he wouldn’t get closer than ten feet to the SUV.”

The laugh tore free from my throat, the sound rusty like the action. But, God, it felt good.

Rho straightened, her expression softening. “Laughter looks good on you, Hunt.”

The sound faded, but the heat it sparked stayed as I stared at Rho.

She motioned me forward. “If you get his back end, and I take his front, we should be able to get him into the back seat. He’s heavier than he looks.”

I crossed to the dog, who still lay on the ground, sending me an over-your-dead-body stare. “How are you going to get him out of the SUV once you’re at the vet?”

Rho clasped her hands beneath her chin and sent me a pleading look. “If you help me take him to his appointment, I’ll make you dinner.”

I groaned but knew I wouldn’t be able to say no. “Come on.”

I bent, hauling Biscuit into my arms. “What the hell have you been eating?” I grumbled.

The dog let out a grunt as he tried to spring out of my hold.

“Told you,” Rho said.

“No more treats for you, pal,” I said as I held on to the squirming dog. I managed to awkwardly get him into the SUV and shut the door. I leaned against it, breathing heavily.

Rho scowled. “It’s annoying how easy that was for you. I carry heavy things all day.”

I chuckled. “Pretty sure it’s a muscle mass issue, plus the fact that I’ve got almost a foot on you.”

“I’m still annoyed,” she grumbled as she moved toward the driver’s door.

We both climbed into the SUV, and she backed out of the makeshift parking spot. Biscuit let out a mournful howl.

I glanced over my shoulder. “Dude, have some pride.”

“Let him express his feelings,” Rho chided.

Of course, she would want her dog to embrace the same freedom she had, letting everything fly. Biscuit howled again in answer, and I just shook my head.

Rho slowed as she reached the end of her gravel drive, putting on her blinker. Biscuit didn’t miss the opportunity. He launched himself over the divider and landed hard in my lap.

Pain flared, hot and bright. I let out a strangled sound that didn’t resemble anything human.

“Biscuit!” Rho scolded. She winced as she took in my face. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll never have children, but other than that, dandy,” I rasped.

She sent me a strained smile. “I can try to get him in the back again.”

“Just leave him here. If he does that again, you’ll be taking me to the hospital instead.”

Rho rolled her lips over her teeth to keep from laughing. “I sincerely apologize to your balls.”

“Don’t say that word. They’ve had enough abuse from you today.”

A pink blush stained her cheeks. “About that⁠—”

“Nope,” I said, cutting her off. “If we talk about that, I’m gonna get hard. I get hard right now, and I’ll rupture something. Talk about something else. Anything else.”

Rho bit her lip. “How about them Yankees?”

I sent her a sidelong look. “Are you a closet baseball fan or something?”

“I thought you all talked about sports when you were fighting off chubbies.”

“Good God,” I muttered.

“I’m trying,” she snapped.

“You’re good at a lot of things, Reckless, but not turning me on isn’t one of them. Try being a little less fucking cute and not talking about my dick.”

This time, Rho let the laugh free. It swam around us, creating a sea of sound that was better than any song I’d ever heard. Biscuit must’ve thought the same because he tipped his head back and howled.

He kept it up for the next ten minutes until Rho pulled to a stop in front of the vet.

“Stay there,” she instructed. “I’ll come around.”

Rho rounded the SUV and opened my door. Biscuit made no sign of movement.

“Come on, buddy. It’s just an exam and one little shot,” she encouraged.

As if he knew what the word shot meant, Biscuit climbed me like a damn tree.

Cursing, I unfastened my seat belt and wrapped my arms around the dog. “This is embarrassing for both of us.”

I maneuvered my way out of the vehicle, half-blind as Biscuit held on to me for dear life.

“I’ll get the door,” Rho called, running ahead.

I did my best not to trip over anything as I carried the way-heavier-than-he-looked dog into the vet’s office. The moment the receptionist caught sight of us, her eyes widened comically. “Oh, dear. Why don’t you just come straight back? We’ve got a room ready.”

“Thanks, Ruby,” Rho said. “We appreciate it.”

“Dr. Lutz. We’ve got a nervous patient for you,” Ruby said as a red-haired woman stepped into the hallway.

“I can see that,” the middle-aged woman said, humor lacing her tone. “Why don’t I see him next? Right this way.”

I followed the vet into an exam room, Rho on our heels.

“Just set him right here,” Dr. Lutz instructed.

I tried putting Biscuit down, but he just jumped right back into my arms.

“Looks like he’s bonded to you,” she remarked.

“I think he’d bond to anyone who might get him the hell out of here,” I muttered but stroked the dog’s fur. “It’s okay.”

“Rho, why don’t you take this sweet boy’s front half? Your friend here can stand behind him so he doesn’t fall off the table.”

Rho moved in, taking Biscuit’s front legs. Together, we maneuvered him onto the table. Rhodes cooed and reassured, stroking his ears. He shoved his face into her neck as I held his back hips to keep him steady.

Dr. Lutz moved as quickly as possible during the exam. “He’s actually in pretty good shape, all things considered. I wouldn’t mind him putting on a little more weight.”

“More?” I barked.

She smiled as she felt his abdomen. “His short legs are deceiving. I think he’s got some mastiff in him. Needs a few more pounds.”

I shook my head. “Gonna need a full crew to get him back here.”

Dr. Lutz stepped back to retrieve a syringe from the counter. “Keep a hold of him. He might feel a little pinch, but that’s it.”

As she moved in to grab the scruff of Biscuit’s neck, her eyes widened. “Oh, no. He’s pooping.”

And then, I felt it.