“Cats are great,” I agree. “Though, I think Chloe will agree that we need to raise him to be a horse person.”
“Horses are too expensive,” Dean says, and Rory gives him a look.
“But he would look so cute in little cowboy boots,” she counters.
“Then get him little cowboy boots. They don’t come with a horse.”
“You know what I mean,” Rory presses. “He’d look cute in cowboy boots. On a pony.”
“Danielle has a pony,” Archer reminds her, talking about yet another one of Rory’s sisters-in-law…I think. There are too many Dawson family members to keep track of. “And don’t you have a million animals?” He looks at me.
“I don’t have any horses of my own. At the moment,” I add with a shrug.
“Honestly, I’d be concerned if you didn’t have a million animals,” Quinn says. “You’re a vet. It just makes sense.”
“In a way.” I move to another window in the kitchen so Adam can keep watching the cat. “Though, I spend more time with other people’s pets than my own.”
“What do you do with your dogs when you’re at work?” Dean asks.
“Luckily, it’s easy to run home and check on them. When I’m out on farm calls, they hang out at the clinic.”
Hearing Mom’s office door open, I turn, a little curious who could need an emergency dress alteration. Is prom this week? I vaguely remember Henry, the high school student who works at the clinic, saying something about it.
But a teenage girl doesn’t come out of the office, excitedly clutching an over-the-top prom dress. Instead, Josie steps into the hall.
“Jacob,” she exclaims, stopping short. She’s wearing a tight-fitting tank top and leggings, and her hair is messy as if she’s been taking her clothes on and off. I feel an immediate rush go through me at the thought of Josie undressing, making my cock stir at the thought of her naked body. “What…what are you…” She trails off, looking at Adam, who’s still in my arms. Then she notices everyone else in the kitchen and a flush covers her cheeks.
“This is my parents’ house,” I explain, and Adam starts fussing, wanting down. “You had a dress emergency?”
Josie purses her lips, glaring at me for a second before she laughs, knowing how ridiculous it sounds. “The worst kind of emergency. Thankfully, your mother handled it.”
I set Adam down and he goes back to Rory at the table. “Are you all done?”
“Yeah.” She runs her hand through her hair, trying to smooth it out. “I, um, I was leaving.”
“You have…” I reach forward, picking a piece of blue thread off her shoulder. My fingers sweep across her warm skin, and I slowly lower my hand, letting my fingers trail down her arm. Goosebumps break out along Josie’s flesh and her lips part ever so slightly.
“Thanks,” she says when I hold up the thread. “Must have gotten stuck in my hair or something.”
“Yeah.”
I look into her pretty eyes, mind racing for something else to say because, for some fucking reason, I don’t want Josie to leave. Not yet.
“I took Pongo for a walk. He really enjoys getting out.”
She smiles, and her whole face lights up. “Ev keeps asking to go see him again, but we don’t want to bother you guys at the animal hospital. I know how busy you are.”
“It’s not a bother, not at all.”
“Oh, good. I’m sure it can get to that point.”
“Pretty easily,” I admit and Josie laughs. Adam comes running back into the hall with Rory right behind him.
“Sorry,” she says when Adam crashes right into Josie.
“It’s all right.” Josie bends over and picks Adam back up, putting him back on his feet. “Gosh, it’s been so long since my daughter was this small.”
“How old is your daughter?” Rory asks, scooping up Adam, who immediately fusses. He reaches for me and stops fussing as soon as he’s back in my arms.
“She’s fourteen,” Josie answers.
“Oh, yeah, it has been a while since she was little then.” Rory looks at me and then back at Josie. “I’m Rory, Jacob’s sister.”
“I thought you might be. You guys all have the same eyes. Your other brother does too.”
I can feel Rory’s gaze on me, and I know exactly what she’s thinking. “Do you want to stay for dinner?” Rory rushes out and I wince. God, my sister is so fucking nosey. Josie looks as uncomfortable as I feel.
“I, uh, I…I need to get going,” Josie stammers, looking at Rory like she has no idea why this crazy lady would randomly invite her to stay for dinner.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” I offer.
“Thanks.” Josie gives Rory a tight smile. “It was nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
Turning, I walk with Josie toward the front door. “He’s your nephew, right?”
“He is. Adam…that’s his name.”
“He’s cute.”
“It runs in the family,” I joke, and Josie smiles again.