To Love Someone (Baytown Boys #14) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,66

we pull back from life. When we’re in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance.” The others jerked their gazes to Rose, who blushed. “Sorry,” she gushed. “I always loved that quote by John Lennon. It reminds me how afraid I was to move here when I did.”

“You and John Lennon are right,” he chuckled. As his mirth ended, he sighed again and leaned forward. “There’s something that Zac and Jason know that no one else does. They’ve kept my personal business to themselves but… well, the truth of the matter is that my grandfather left me a rather large sum of money. It’s just been sitting in the bank and in investments, getting bigger until I figured out what I wanted to do.”

“And have you?” Jason’s eyes were bright as he stared back at Joseph.

He grinned before plunging ahead. “Did you know the animal shelter is about to close?” Knowing he had their full attention, he gave voice to the tumultuous thoughts and plans running through his mind.

Later, he headed back to his apartment, excited to see the kittens again. And plan his next move. Not to leave… but to stay.

Samantha stirred the small pot of tomato soup on her stovetop, then stepped one foot over to where the bread, cheese, and butter sat on the counter. She liked to cook, and in the past year had managed to become quite proficient at whipping up meals that were delicious but didn’t require a lot of prep space. Sometimes, like tonight, a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup were all she could manage.

She rubbed her hand over her forehead, trying to dislodge her tension. She had called the shelter earlier to ask Betty about more rumors of wolf-hybrids in the area, but the shelter’s answering machine announced that a change in management was taking place and the shelter was closed for the week. When she asked her employees, Annette said she’d heard that Betty and Sid needed to take a trip to see relatives, but she’d been assured that the animals were cared for.

Stirring the soup absentmindedly, she felt bone-weary loneliness settle in. It had been a week since she’d seen Joseph. Well, six days, eight hours, and about forty-two minutes. But who’s counting? How many times had she picked up her phone to send a text or see if he had sent one? She wondered if he kept the kittens or had given them to the shelter before it closed. The ridiculous notion had run through her mind that if her truck was not running so reliably now, she would have an excuse to see him when he came to tow her.

They’d spent a night together… a beautiful night. She’d tried to protect her heart by not falling for someone who wouldn’t stick around, but now she wondered if their night together was a mistake. If she hadn’t, then she wouldn’t have the memory of his body pressed to hers, his kisses taking her breath away, and the luscious feel of him moving deep inside of her. But then her heart wouldn’t have hurt so much for the past six days, eight hours, and now forty-three minutes.

Frodo lifted his head from his cushioned bed over the cab, eyes alert as he twisted his head toward the front of her property. “What’s up, boy?”

After a moment, she heard the crunch of tires over the drive. She leaned to the side, following Frodo’s line of sight, and looked out the front window, having not closed the curtains yet. A large SUV was approaching, one she didn’t recognize. Glancing down, she flipped off the stovetop, wiped her hands on a dishtowel, and patted her thigh, calling Frodo to her.

She opened the door, allowing her large dog to bound out ahead of her. She followed, her gaze pinned on the approaching vehicle. Huge, black, and shiny, it looked new. And as it came closer, she recognized Joseph behind the wheel as he parked next to her truck. A smile was on his face, and she matched it with one of her own as she walked closer. Frodo sniffed each tire as he moved about the vehicle, ending up at the driver’s side door as Joseph threw it open and stepped out. Before she had a chance to greet him, he opened the back door and reached inside, pulling out a small pet carrier.

“Oh, Joseph, you kept them!” Clapping her hands, she rushed forward, nearly tripping