Page 31 of Rhett

“Scooter is a wonderful dog. He’s happy all the time.” She straightened up and headed along the cages. “Let me get started and then we can go back inside.”

“What can I do?”

“I’ll water if you fill their dishes with food.”

“Sure.” He followed her to a room and entered it to see it filled with dog food, leashes, toys, and anything else a dog could want. “Do you have to provide the food?”

“Sometimes. Once in a while, a dog will have a special diet they need to follow, so the owners bring the food, but none of them here now need anything.”

“How do you keep up with it?”

Cin turned to look at him with a smile and his heart slammed into his ribs.

“I love it.”

“I know you do, but you do this, plus grooming.”

“It’s a lot of work but I love dogs. I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was little, but life happened, and I didn’t get to go to college.”

“Does that upset you?”

“It used to, but I’m around dogs all day and I love doing this.”

Rhett nodded but said nothing and helped her get the dogs fed and watered. One dog, a Doberman, stood stock still when he started to open the gate but stopped when the dog growled.

“This dog doesn’t like me,” he said as he stared at the dog.

Cin laughed as she walked to where he stood.

“That’s Chico. He’s harmless.”

“He doesn’t sound harmless.” Rhett winced when the dog growled again. “Now he’s showing his teeth.”

“He’s smiling.”

Rhett glanced at Cin then back at the dog.

“Yeah, sure he is.” He shook his head. “I’ll pass on this one.”

“Chicken.”

“Damn right. I don’t want to get bitten.”

“He won’t bite. Never mind, I’ll get him. Move on to the next one, Morrison.”

Rhett chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”

After they finished with the dogs, they walked out the door and both stopped when they saw the snow so heavy, they couldn’t see the house and it was only twenty-five yards away from the kennels.

“Looks like you’re staying again,” Cin said as she dipped her head and walked to the porch.

“I’m sorry.”

She turned to look at him. “Why? Did you make it snow?”

“Maybe I did so I could stay with you.” He grinned when she glared at him.

“Sure. Come on, it’s too cold and that wind is whipping right through me.”