All those months in Europe and she’d had a hundred opportunities for a one-night stand that she’d never pursued. Maybe her heart wouldn’t be beating as hard right now if she had.
She shook her head at his question, not able to reveal her business dreams to him or the driving passion of her desire to make a difference in animals’ lives. Not now. If there was one less barrier between them, she was pretty certain they’d both be leaning in until their lips met in the middle over the wide console.
So, instead, she said the first thing that popped into her head. “So, uh, you probably feel as gross from those Dumpsters as I do. You can come in and wash up, if you’d like. But if you do, you should know my grandma will force food on you. Lots of it. You won’t be able to say no. No one ever can. She’s a good cook though, so it’s not so bad.”
He looked from her to the house and back to her. He seemed about to say yes when his expression darkened. “I would if I could. Another day.”
He mentioned the future with easy, assured conviction, and Tess felt with a rare certainty that there would be another day in store for them, and maybe not just one. “Will you tell me what all you lost at least,” he added, “in addition to your cell?”
She took a breath in hopes it would turn important objects into mere words. “A laptop. Pictures. Testimonials. That sort of thing.”
He nodded and leaned over the console, flipping open the glove box. There was a baseball glove inside, a truck manual, napkins, and a few pens.
He grabbed a pen, flipped the glove box closed, and lifted her empty cup into the air. He transferred it to his left hand and held it as he wrote a phone number that started with an area code she didn’t know. But no name. The familiarity of the gesture made Tess’s heart thump harder. Then he pressed the paper cup into her hand. Their fingers brushed. His touch was even more inviting than it was when she’d first felt it in the park. A strong buzzing began behind her ears.
“Since I can’t call you” was all he said.
Tess locked her fingers around the empty cup. The sugar from the hot chocolate still coated her lips. “I hope…I hope one day he lets you catch him.” She hopped out without saying anything else. She knew if she did, she’d end up leaning in and letting their lips brush in a kiss she’d swear he was asking for with his eyes with the same urgency she was feeling inside.
After climbing the slanted-from-settling steps two at time to reach the cover of the porch, she turned and looked his way. It didn’t surprise her to find he was still watching her as intently as when she’d been inside the cab.
A part of her was full of silent admonitions for getting out of the truck, for leaving that cozy space filled by their warm bodies. Another part, the part that needed to be alone to process an impossibly momentous afternoon, thanked her.
Then Nonna pulled open the sticky wooden door, determining Tess’s next move for her. With a small wave in his direction, Tess turned away and headed inside.
My Forever Home
On sale December 2018
Acknowledgments
Story publication is a process beyond any single person’s effort. I’d like to thank the entire, talented team at Sourcebooks Casablanca for bringing Sit, Stay, Love into the world. I’m especially thankful for the remarkable insight of my editor, Deb Werksman. Also in my gratitude are Susie Benton for her support and accessibility, Stefani Sloma for being the most enthusiastic and fun publicist possible, and Dawn Adams and the design team for creating covers I want to frame. Thanks to my insightful friend and beta reader Sandy Thal. And then there’s Jess Watterson, agent extraordinaire. Jess, all I can say is that I’m grateful to be a member of #TeamWatterson.
I’d also like to thank the many readers who’ve reached out to me with their real-life shelter pet journeys. The decision to bring some of the more emotionally and physically scarred shelter animals into one’s life can require limitless dedication, as well as bring profound joy. I hope this story helps remind readers of the remarkable differences real-life rescuers are making in animals’ lives every day.
Lastly, I’d like to acknowledge my family for their patience and support as Sit, Stay, Love developed from an idea into a finished manuscript. Like many writers, I squeeze writing time in between a full-time job, my own attention-demanding canines, and the packed schedules of my busy teens. Without the support of my parents and extended family to help catch balls that always seem to be in the air, finishing this manuscript might well have been an impossible task. You have my love and gratitude. Always.
About the Author
Debbie Burns lives in St. Louis with her family, two phenomenal rescue dogs, and a somewhat tetchy Maine coon who everyone loves anyway. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening, and daydreaming, which, of course, always leads to new story ideas.
Debbie’s writing commendations include a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews for A New Leash on Love, as well as first-place awards for short stories, flash fiction, and longer selections.
You can find her on Twitter @_debbieburns, on Facebook at facebook.com/authordebbieburns, and at authordebbieburns.com.
One Summer Night
First in the At the Shore series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Caridad Pineiro
Everyone knows about the bad blood between the Pierces and Sinclairs, but Owen has been watching Maggie from afar for years. Whenever he can get down to the shore, he strolls
