Gratefully, she offered one of the bags she’d been juggling. He took that one and another, lightening her load considerably. “Did a little shopping, huh?”
Though she thought it was obvious, she nodded. “A little.”
“Did you have a nice visit with your aunt?”
“I did, thank you. How did the roofing job go?”
Following her into the cabin, he set the bags on the kitchen table. “Good. Kyle showed me how to fix shingles. I managed to hit my thumb with the hammer only once.”
She winced when he showed her the bruised nail. “Ouch. That must have hurt.”
“Let’s just say Buddy might have learned a few new words.”
She smiled and looked down at the dog, who was already settling on his hearth rug. “How did he do today?”
“Great. He just hung around the yard while we worked. Chased a couple of squirrels. Ate some kibble. Made friends with Kyle.”
“You know, I think he’s already gaining weight.”
Casey nodded. “I think you’re right. He’s certainly been eating well the last few days.”
“I placed a ‘found dog’ ad in the local paper. I gave some general information about him, but I think anyone who calls should give us more specific details. You know, just to make sure they’re the real owners.”
“Makes sense.”
She shot him a look to see if he was making fun of her, but she couldn’t read his expression.
Bustling around the kitchen, she put away the groceries she’d purchased. And then she opened another bag, looking at Casey from beneath her lashes as she pulled out a few things she’d picked up at the pet store.
“You’ve been shopping for Buddy,” Casey commented, watching her.
“Just a few things,” she said offhandedly. “The stainless steel bowls will be easier to clean than the plastic margarine tubs. The treats are good for his teeth. They control tartar.”
“And this?” He picked up a brightly colored, hard rubber ball covered with knobs.
“Exercise,” she replied. “The clerk at the pet store said lots of dogs Buddy’s size enjoy playing with these.”
Setting the ball back on the table, Casey said, “I brought a dog brush with me today. Brushed him out during a break this afternoon. Did you notice?”
She was a bit chagrined that she had not. It meant she’d been all too focused on Casey himself. “He looks great,” she said, choosing not to directly answer the question. “Did he like being brushed?”
“He seemed to enjoy it. Except when I snagged a tangle. Even then he only flinched. Never gave me any trouble.”
“Good.”
She filled the new bowls with food and water and set them in the laundry room in place of the plastic tubs.
“So tomorrow you’re putting in the hot tub?” she asked, feeling a sudden urge to fill the quiet with chatter, and busied herself by making tea.
“Yeah, that’s the plan. It’s supposed to be delivered and wired at ten o’clock. Kyle and I will be doing some carpentry work around it. He’s already reinforced that end of the deck in preparation for the tub, but he wants to build a bench there to sit on and to keep towels and robes handy.”
“Will the tub be open all winter?”
“It will be heated and ready, yes. Kyle said it comes with a cover that’s pretty easy to take off and put back on. They have to schedule regular cleanings and chemical treatments. Apparently, it’s a bit of trouble, but if it helps them keep the place rented, I guess it’s worth it. The competition’s pretty brisk. There are a lot of vacation cabins around here, some of them pretty luxurious.”
“I’m sure there are other people like me who prefer a more simple retreat.”
“That’s what keeps your uncle and Kyle in business,” he agreed. “Anyway, you should be able to try the spa yourself by Saturday. Sunday at the latest. You’ll be here through the weekend, won’t you?”