Directly across the street was a big house with lots of scaffolding on the outside and a half-dozen sawhorses visible through the windows. He guessed it was empty and being rehabbed. That meant their only actual neighbor was immediately to the east and blocked by a long row of hedges. The second story was partially visible through the expansive trees, and Kurt had caught a glimpse of an older woman in one of the windows watching Kelsey and Patrick as they walked the Rottweiler.
Thankfully, the mansion’s backyard was big and very private. After he was caught up inside, Kurt would head out there to inspect the privacy fence for weak spots. He’d need to run to the store to get hefty locks for the gates as soon as he had time. He also needed to start building a few separated exercise runs as soon as possible. Hopefully, he’d have time to make a mental supply list and get those items tonight.
What he could really use was Rob’s help for a few more days, but Rob had a warehouse of other dogs that needed his attention. There was Kelsey’s coworker, Patrick. Kurt wasn’t quite sure what to make of him. Patrick’s conversation and demeanor were a bit unusual, and Kurt wasn’t convinced all the dogs would take to him, but he seemed handy enough. If he kept hanging around, Kurt hoped to put him to good use.
It was the first day, and he could feel his ADHD kicking into overdrive. Everywhere he turned, something needing his attention called to him. The stairs. The fence. The far-east corner of the roof that seemed to be leaking. The electricity. Thirty-seven attention-deserving dogs.
Kelsey was a hard worker and would match him effort for effort. He knew this before the afternoon was halfway over. It was nearly three o’clock, and she hadn’t slowed down for as much as a bite of food all day. And while she wasn’t the frail type that looked like a strong wind could blow her over, he could see the fatigue setting into her features.
“Pizza,” he said after passing her in the kitchen and deciding to act on a whim. She was at the sink, washing the new stainless-steel water bowls. Rob and Patrick had left twenty minutes prior, and it was Kurt’s first attempt to break the silence that had been hanging in the air ever since. “And not the crappy chain kind. I’m talking traceable-to-a-genuine-Italian recipe.”
Kelsey’s lips pressed together as if she was working to keep back a smile. Switching to a new bowl, she turned to face him, resting one hip against the sink as she worked her thumb under the edge of the sticker. The sun was streaming in the window, causing her long, golden highlights to shine. “Was that supposed to be a statement or a question?”
“Unless you’re superhuman, you have to be hungry. I’m hoping that since this is your stomping ground, you’ll know someplace worth trying. I haven’t had a really good slice of pizza in years.”
“Hmm, that seems pretty close to torture. What kind of crust do you like? Are St. Louis–style cracker crusts popular in Fort Leonard Wood?”
Kurt made a face that made her giggle. “Popular enough, but for now I’d like to skip any pizza that’s associated with the word ‘cracker.’ The best pizza I ever had was in this little mom-and-pop shop down in Branson. The owners were first-generation Italian. They said the secret’s in the crust. It should be hand-tossed and made fresh in-house. And not too thick or too thin. Know any place like that? My treat.”
“With you having been deprived of good pizza for so long, it’s a lot of pressure, but I think I can come up with something. What are your favorite toppings?”
“I’m not picky as long as they’re processed in a factory and not grown in a garden.”
She laughed again. “I would’ve figured that.”
“Let me guess. You’re a vegetarian?”
“No, I’m not. I’ve given it consideration, but I haven’t been able to go more than a few weeks without Philly cheesesteak sandwiches calling my name. Black-and-blue cheeseburgers are pretty high up on my list too.”
“Both worthy candidates, if you ask me.”
He could practically see the tension falling off her and knew it wasn’t a good time to mention that he wasn’t ready to leave her here alone in case she’d want to play Snow White with one of the dogs while he was away. Instead, he chose a safer route.
“Come with me. I could use a tour of the area,” he said, locking the dead bolt on the back kitchen door in case one of the passengers in the cars that had been casing the place decided to try something stupid. This reminded him that the Rott was kenneled alone on the back porch. It was screened-in but could be broken into easily. He unbolted the door. “On second thought, let’s put the Rott’s kennel in the kitchen before we leave. I’ll move it if you’ll walk her out back for a bathroom break.”
Kelsey bit her lip. He’d done his best not to leave her an out. Maybe that was a mistake. She seemed pretty willful.
“That wasn’t a question, and you didn’t say please,” she said, her voice light, “but I’ll go with it, considering you’re still acclimating back into a world where people actually do say please and thank you on a regular basis.”
Kurt splayed his hands. “You’ve got me there. Kelsey, would you please accompany me on a