“I think so.” With an agonized groan, Hope said, “This is all so uncomfortable, but still, I’m glad it’s out in the open. I mean, just among us. I wouldn’t want all of Sunset to know.”
“Of course not. I’m sure it won’t be repeated.”
“Lang gave me his number.”
Ivey could hear the tempered wonder in her friend’s voice and it made her smile. “Do you think you’ll call him?”
“No. At least, not anytime soon. But it’s nice having it. I, um, gave him my number, too.”
Wow, talk about progress. “Good for you.”
“I still can’t imagine me doing anything with a guy.”
“You don’t have to imagine it,” Ivey said quickly. “Just let things progress naturally. Conversation first, okay? That’s a big first step.” The phone began to fade in and out, and she knew she was losing Hope. “I have to go, okay? Sketchy connection. If you need anything, please let me know. Love ya a bunch.”
“Love you, too. Drive carefully.”
A near-continuous flash of lightning gave a strobe effect against the darkened sky as Ivey parked close to the back door of the clinic. A slight overhang helped shield her from the downpour, but she was still drenched in the time it took her to unlock the door. Icy trickles snaked down the side of her face and into the neck of her rain slicker. Her rubber boots slipped on the linoleum floor when she stepped inside.
Concerned for Daisy, she hurried through the dim interior until she reached the right kennel. All was silent, but then Daisy probably didn’t hear her with the fury of the storm all around them.
When she opened the door, Daisy launched into startled, maniacal barking until she realized it was Ivey. Then she hunkered down in a low rush, her puppies following. Obviously Daisy was relieved to have company.
“I know, baby, I’m so sorry.” Plopping down to sit on the floor, Ivey cuddled them all. For fifteen minutes, she soothed the frazzled animals. Once they were calmer, she loaded them into a carrier with soft blankets. The second there was a slight break in the storm, she dashed out to her car and secured them in the back seat.
Her phone, which she’d left on the console, showed she’d missed a call from Corbin.
Assuming he’d have to cancel, disappointment swamped her. Yes, she understood. After all, being out in the mess wasn’t pleasant. But she’d been looking forward to the visit all morning.
She returned the call right before she pulled out onto the road. Thanks to the faulty connection, they could barely hear each other, but she caught enough to hear Corbin’s surprise that she was out in the storm.
She had an equal surprise in knowing he and Justin were on their way. Something about them being out and about when the storm started, so if she didn’t mind, they were going to be early.
It didn’t require a glance in the rearview mirror to know she was a complete and utter mess. The rain always amplified her hair to impossible heights, and her frizzy curls had already sprung free from the hood of the slicker. Pretty sure the chill in the air had pinkened her nose, too.
But hey, Corbin wanted to visit, she wanted to see him, so they’d both just have to suffer her appearance. “Come by whenever,” she said loudly so he could hear her over the storm. “I’ll be home in ten more minutes.”
Because traffic was nonexistent with the storm, she made it in eight—and Corbin’s SUV was already in her driveway. When he saw her, he got out to manually open her garage door for her, since the power was out, and she slowly drove in past him. Before she even left the car, he was inside, with Justin dashing in behind him.
The boy wore a brand-new bright green raincoat, rubber boots and a smile of anticipation. Corbin had on a windbreaker, which hadn’t done a thing to protect his head. With both hands, he pushed back his sodden hair.
Ivey stepped out to greet them. “I know why I was out on the road, and I’m guessing Justin will be pleased. But why were you guys out?”
“It was only drizzling when we left,” Corbin explained. “I thought we’d get something to eat before coming over, but the weather changed our plans.”
“We bought me a raincoat instead,” Justin said, admiring his neon boots with icky black spiders on them.
“You look very sharp.” Without thinking about it, Ivey lifted her own boot, bright yellow with chickens...and realized she’d worn shorts. And her knees were soaked. And she had gooseflesh. “My, uh, boots are cute, too, don’t you think?”
“I like mine better,” Justin admitted.
She choked on a laugh.
Corbin cocked a brow at her knees. “I think they’re very cute.”
Time for a subject change! “Guess what?” She tipped her head toward the car. “I have a surprise in the back seat.”
“What is it?” Justin tried to peer in the window around her.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Daisy and her babies alone at the clinic in this weather, so I brought her home.”
Instead of appearing happy, Justin’s face fell. He quickly looked down, hiding his gaze from her.
“Justin?” Gently, Ivey moved closer to him. “You don’t want to see Daisy?”
“Are you keepin’ her now?”
“What? Oh, honey, no. She’s your dog, I promise.” At that, he perked up. Ivey couldn’t resist brushing back his damp hair. “I just didn’t want her to be alone, that’s all.”
“But you said your cat wouldn’t like her.”
“True. I suspect Maurice will get all grumpy, give me dirty looks and then hide under the couch. Or maybe the bed.” She cupped his cheek. “But you’re here now, so you can help me introduce them. What do you say?”
Suspicion narrowed his eyes. “She’s still my dog?”
Ivey crossed her heart. “I promise.”
The concern disappeared from his face, replaced with glowing happiness. “I’ll help for sure. Daisy likes me, right?”
“Daisy adores you.” Ivey opened the back door, and there was the little dog, her nose pressed to the side of the carrier, her tail going crazy.
Poking a finger between the wire bars of the carrier’s door to touch Daisy’s nose, Justin bent to speak to her. “Hey, Daisy. Are you scared, girl? I’m here now.”
Corbin caught Ivey’s hand. “Thank you.”
“For?”
He nodded at Justin. “I’ll take the carrier in.”
“All right.” She gathered her phone and purse from the front seat, then hurried ahead to the door. It opened into her mudroom, which housed Maurice’s litter box.