Mistletoe Magic (Paradise Place #6) - Natalie Ann Page 0,47
side of his mouth. It was dry. “Very cute.”
“What is cute is this,” she said, turning her phone around and showing him the picture she snapped of him sprawled on the couch with Leia on his chest and Luke on his feet while the three of them slept.
“We’ve had an exciting morning,” he said.
“Really?”
The dogs weren’t on him now and he hadn’t even felt them get down let alone Robin come in and it did make him wonder if he was snoring.
“We wrestled. We played tug of war and then we went for a walk. I figured it would tire them out before they were locked up again.”
“I see it tired you out just as much.”
“It did. Are you all set for the party now?” he asked.
“We are. We can go whenever you want.”
“I’ll go change,” he said standing up.
“You look fine. I’m not changing.”
She had on dark jeans and a sweater. A red one that she had on when she left earlier.
“Are you sure?”
“It’s casual. The good part was I was able to see how everyone else was dressed and it was the same as me.”
“Do you have to work while you are there?” he asked.
“Nope. I volunteered to set up and to speak, but said I was coming with my boyfriend and I would mingle but I wasn’t going to do much more than talk to people. I don’t want to leave you standing there by yourself.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself.”
And fifteen minutes later, he found he was by himself. Robin had come in and been pulled aside by someone close to her age who said there was a problem with the dogs in the back.
“So you’re Robin’s boyfriend.”
He turned to the man that just made that statement. “I am,” he said, extending his hand. “Brian Dawson.”
“Cooper Winslow. I’m one of the vets that volunteers here.”
“I’ve heard the name,” he said. The guy was about his height at a little over six foot. Maybe a few years older and not as lean, but in good shape.
And the vet had been hitting on his woman too.
“I’m sure. You’ve got yourself a good lady there.”
“I do,” he said back.
He wasn’t sure where this was going. He wasn’t about to get into a claiming war. Though it did look as if Cooper was more uncomfortable than anything.
“I have a feeling she told you I’d asked her for a drink a time or two?” Cooper finally said.
“She did.”
“I had no idea she was seeing anyone. Guess I just wanted to let you know. I don’t want her to feel anything awkward here. Or you either. She does a great job at the shelter and that’s my life. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.”
He wanted to make a comment that it was sad to have that be the guy’s life, but he was one to talk. It seemed his job had that place in his life until recently.
“She hasn’t said a word to me about it being awkward. No worries there. She enjoys her time here.”
“Good, glad.”
Cooper moved away and left Brian there by himself. He heard his name called and turned to see Robin walking back toward him. “You remember Philip Aire, right? I bought the house from him and he lives in the back now.”
“Nice to see you again,” Brian said, shaking the man’s hand.
“This is my wife, Blair, and my daughter, Livi. We are here to get a puppy. Maybe,” Philip said.
“A small dog,” Livi said. “Robin said there are small dogs here and that is all Daddy said I can get.”
“I think a small dog is a good idea,” Brian said. “And I’m sure whatever you get will enjoy playing with Luke and Leia too.”
“I hope so,” Livi said. “Daddy, can we go look at the dogs and get one?”
“Heaven help me for agreeing to this,” Philip said, and Brian watched the three of them walk away.
“That was nice they came to adopt a dog.”
“Livi has wanted a pet for a long time. She plays with my dogs anytime she sees them out. Blair and I had coffee the other day and I gave her an invitation.”
“How many dogs are up for adoption today?” There were about twenty people here so far, but the doors had just opened a few minutes ago. He and Robin showed up early again.
“About thirty. Hopefully all of them go. Right now people can look and put their name down for a dog they