Delivering His Gifts (Mountain Men of Liberty #10)- K.C. Crowne Page 0,16
and see what he can do?”
“Of course,” Mason said. “Whenever you’re ready.”
I motioned for him to follow me. We didn’t go into the house - no need for that since they were in the fenced back yard. I opened the gate and Oscar bounded toward us. Griz was right behind him, and Zeus tried to keep up with the big boys but didn’t stand a chance with his short little legs.
Oscar heeled in front of me without a command.
“I taught him not to jump on people, and to not lean on them unless he’s given permission since Danes tend to lean.”
Mason asked, “May I pet him?”
“Sure, go right ahead,” I said, patting Oscar on the head just behind his ears.
Mason knelt so he was closer in height to the dog. He appeared to be in awe.
“I’ve always loved dogs,” he commented. “And growing up, I wanted a big one like this, but our mom wouldn’t have it. We had a border collie, but that was as big as she’d go.”
“Giant dogs are really special,” I said, feeling the tears well up in my eyes. “They hold a special place in my heart.”
I choked back a sob, and even as I tried to hide the crying, Mason picked up on it. He wasn’t the only one. Oscar nestled his head into my palm, giving it a lick. His big eyes stared up at me as if to ask, “What’s wrong, Mama?”
Mason was standing beside me now, a hand on my shoulder. “I mean it. We can find him another dog.”
“No, Oscar’s perfect. I meant it when I said it might take months, if not longer, to find a dog that’s as natural as him. I’ll be okay, as long as I can continue to visit him?” I glanced at him, my question in my eyes.
“I’m sure that could be arranged,” Mason said. “Calvin isn’t likely to say no to a visit from a beautiful woman.”
My cheeks flushed at the compliment. I hid my face and pretended to wipe at my eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Mason said. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No, no it's fine. I’m just not used to good guys who give nice compliments.” I really wasn’t. Greg had initially laid it on thick with the compliments, but once he had knocked me up, that all came to an abrupt end. “Anyway, back to the dog. I think Oscar and - what did you say your friend’s name was again?”
“Calvin.”
“Right. I think Oscar and Calvin will be a perfect match,” I told him. “In the rescue world, it can be hard to let an animal go, especially when you’ve cared for them for a long time. I raised Oscar from a tiny runt – hand feeding him for weeks - until he grew into this gigantic monster you see today. But it’s all part of the job, you know? You rescue, find them a good home, and then open your home to another animal in need.”
Mason’s face softened, and it was a beautiful sight.
“You’re amazing, do you know that?”
“Nah,” I chuckled, looking away and waving a hand. “I heard what you did during the flood, how you worked long hours at the clinic, literally saving people.”
“I’m no doctor, just a vet with Navy medic training,” he said, trying to downplay his role.
“You still saved people’s lives, Mason.”
Something shifted in his eyes, a darkness unlike any I’d seen. He looked away, as if uncomfortable.
“Sometimes,” he said softly.
I stared at him for a long second, not sure what to say. It was clear from the way his mood had shifted that there was something he wasn’t talking about, but it really wasn’t my place to ask him about his past.
He cleared his throat and ran his hand over his beard, smoothing the already smooth hair down as if distracting himself.
“So it’s clear you’ve had a shitty day,” he said, then cringed. “Pardon my language.”
I held up a hand to stop him. “No, you’re right. Today has been absolutely shitty, and the weekend without my daughter is only going to be shittier.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he sympathized. “I’d be happy to take you out for a drink, if you’re interested.”
I started to answer, but he held up the hand, stopping me.
He continued, “Not as a date. Nothing like that. Just because you’ve had a rough day, and I think you could use the distraction. I could tell you more about Calvin too, and our conversation can be strictly to business.”