Man's Best Friend (The Dogmothers #5) - Roxanne St. Claire Page 0,100

you think they’ll do?” she asked Joan, her mind whirring through the school’s options. “Interview from outside?”

“Nope.”

Evie switched the phone to her other ear as she watched Declan disappear into the bathroom. “Oh?”

“Come on, Evie. You know what I’m going to say.”

A tight tendril of something like twisted hopes and fears wound around her chest. “I’m not sure…”

“You’re the first choice. Would you consider taking the dean position? You’d need to come back a few times before January to pound out the details, but you don’t have to end your sabbatical.”

“Me.” It wasn’t a question. It was the way her career had gone from day one. Every promotion, every time.

Then why didn’t her heart soar with success like it had with all the other steps up the career ladder? Because she was about to jump off that ladder and land in Bitter Bark. But…dean of the vet school?

It’s different for women.

She could hear Declan’s comment and remembered her gut-level reaction to that. But was it different for women? For this woman?

“Oh, they’ll go through the usual hoops and contracts and lawyers,” Joan continued. “But you’ve been a good friend, Evie, and I wanted to let you know your name is at the top of the list. And it couldn’t happen to a more deserving person. You have earned the rich rewards and lovely perks of being a dean. And quite a young one, at that.”

A very young one. Young enough to still be…trying to have a baby. Young enough to still be practicing medicine. Young enough to start a whole new life with the man she loved.

“Listen, don’t commit to me,” Joan said on a laugh, as if she sensed Evie’s hesitation. “Make them throw scads of money at you and get the big house off-campus. I know they want you, Evie. You’ve been nothing but a boon to the whole school since the day you arrived.”

“Joan…” She couldn’t think of how to respond. “That’s really kind of you to say.”

“Um, I’m not sensing a but, am I?” The other woman gave a dry laugh. “Because you’d be out of your blasted mind not to take this job, Dr. Hewitt. You were born for it.”

Was she? Or was she born for Bitter Bark and Gloriana House and a family line she loved and being hands-on with the animals? She stroked Judah’s head. Not to mention Chief Declan Mahoney and the job he’d worked for throughout his whole career.

“I’m a little speechless,” she said. “But thrilled for you and…the opportunity. Thank you for letting me know.”

“Let’s talk after you’ve had a chance to let it sink in. But be warned, you should be getting that call any day now.”

“Okay, I’ll be ready. Thank you.” After another moment, she hung up and sat perfectly still except for the hand she moved over Judah’s head, holding his gaze. “What am I going to do, J?” she whispered. “What the hell am I going to do?”

If she took the job, would Declan be willing to give up his dream? Of course he would. He’d do anything for her. But would that make him happy? Would it make her happy? And what would be best for a baby? Would they want to leave the family and Bitter Bark and—

Declan opened the bathroom door, wearing nothing but boxers. “Done?” he asked around the toothbrush in his mouth.

She stared at him. “Yeah.”

He frowned and slipped the toothbrush out. “You okay?”

“I’m…fine. Yeah. Are you coming back to bed?”

He held up one finger, then turned, and she heard the water running in the sink. He returned and put both arms around Judah. “Down you go, bud. This bed belongs to me. And this woman is…” He set the dog in his own bed, then turned to her. “Upset.”

She blinked at him, a little surprised that he could figure that out so easily.

“No, I’m not,” she said quickly. She wasn’t ready to have this discussion. Because she imagined there wouldn’t be a discussion, that Declan would immediately offer to give up his job for her. Was that what she wanted?

She didn’t know. She didn’t know what she wanted at all. Until he knelt on the bed and kissed her, tasting like peppermint toothpaste and possibilities.

At least she knew she wanted…that.

And for right this minute, that was all she wanted.

Chapter Twenty-five

“Would you beautiful ladies like an escort?” Declan held out both arms, one for each of the well-dressed grandmothers who’d arrived just as the Living Museum party was starting to come