Page 37 of Pinch of Love
Cash let his dog down. “That’s Chewie, by the way.”
“Chewie?” I blurted out for no reason.
He nodded. “She came with the name. Her owner passed away, but she was apparently a hugeStarWarsfan. So, her official name is Chewbacca.”
“You know the saying, right?” I smirked.
Cash shook his head. “No. What?”
“A Wookie in the sheets and a Jedi in the streets makes for the best partner.” I covered my mouth as he watched me carefully before a smile slipped over his beautiful lips.
I giggled. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t talk that way about your dog.”
Cash’s eyes stayed on me. “I’ve only had her a few days. I don’t really know what her habits are like out there in the streets. She does seem a little freaky, though.”
I tore my eyes away from his and opened a beer for myself. I took a sip and squinted. I’d always shied away from most things that had a habit of altering one’s mood since my parents overindulged in anything and everything they could.
But today, this beer hit the spot.
Almost.
“Do you think Chippy will be okay?” I asked, still feeling awful about her tail and the hose.
“I think Chippy already had that injury. I don’t think it was the hose,” he assured me, taking a step closer.
A bright moment appeared on my otherwise wonky day. “Really?”
“But she’s doing just fine and scurried across the yard.”
“Probably to bitch to her husband about the crazy lady who moved in. What was I thinking?” I shook my head, feeling my chest tighten. “Why would I bring in a wild animal?”
The sensation of a baby panic attack had become familiar since being stood up by Rob. But I knew deep in my heart that the feeling wasn’t from being stood up. It was from my inability to stand up for myself. I should have been the one who didn’t show up a long time ago.
I tried not to focus on the irony of doling out advice to others for a living when I was still on the sidelines of my own life.
“Nice ale,” Cash said, taking another drink.
My shoulders relaxed slightly, and I took in a steady breath, trying not to look like I was about to fall down the crazy chute of inept decisions.
“Glad you like it,” I said, taking another sip. “It’s a bit tangy.”
Cash nodded with his eyes still on me. “Hey, if you’re too worn out from everything today—”
“No. I'd love company. Unless you have plans.”
Chewie went to the slider, and Cash whipped out a leash from his back pocket. “That’s my cue.”
“You’re such a good Daddy,” I teased.
He grinned and opened the glass slider to let the dog outside. I followed them both and felt the warm air cascade over my arms and legs.
“I’ve missed Buttercup Lake,” I said softly. The sunshine teased a glistening ripple of sapphire through the water as a canoer paddled by.
“I hear that a lot,” he said as Chewie did her business. “It’s a special place.”
“It certainly wooed my sister.” I thought back to Grace and how confused and empty she’d told me she felt before heading here earlier this year.
Kind of like my current state.