Chapter 7

chapter

seven

Annabelle

"Now when we get there, just know that she doesn't usually like men, so don't be offended. I'm sure she'll learn to tolerate you."

Okay, I'm not sure at all. My dog, Papaya, hates men. I literally had to scour all of Houston to find an all-female-staffed veterinarian.

"Dogs like me," Greyson says.

"Yeah, well, Papaya is a bit of a brat."

"So, like you then, yeah?"

I poke my tongue out at him as I step into the vet's office. He's hot on my heels, one big hand resting at the small of my back. Hot. Possessive. Big. Can't forget the big part. I mean it's hard to ignore seeing as I barely reach his pecs. But then that other big part was definitely hard to ignore.

Must change direction of thoughts before I start to blush. Because this man can read me so well. Better than anyone, even my sister.

"Oh my goodness, she'll be so glad you're here," the front desk girl says. "She's been in a mood."

I roll my eyes. "She's always in a mood," I say with a laugh. The girl is clearly eyeing the bearded giant behind me. "This is my husband, Greyson."

Her eyebrows nearly disappear into her hairline. "I'll just go get Papaya for you."

I glance up at Greyson. My husband. My temporary husband, I remind myself. I need to get my brain on track before I lose my heart to this man. Again. He's too easy to love.

"Maybe you should wait in the car."

"Darlin', relax. I can promise you that your dog isn't going to hate me. If she doesn't like me initially, we'll work it out. This is not a big deal." Then he gets down on the floor, sitting cross-legged, which seems like it would be impossible for a man his size. He manages just fine though. "But I will do this so I'm not too big for her when she first sees me."

Then they're walking Papaya out on her leash. She sees me and immediately starts whimpering and yipping.

"I know, baby. Mommy was gone for so long." I get down on the floor next to Greyson and Papaya runs right over to me. She licks all over my face, still whimpering and basically giving me a list of her grievances from while I was gone.

Then she seems to notice there is a man next to me. She immediately stops making noises and goes very still.

Greyson slowly puts one of his hands on my knee. Putting it near her so she can smell him. She stares at his hand for a few breaths before extending her neck and smelling him.

He turns it palm up and she smells that side too. Then gives it a small lick.

"Are you serious right now?" I ask.

He chuckles, low and deep. "I told you dogs like me."

"Holy crap!" the vet tech says.

"But she doesn't like any men," I say. "She even struggles with Bennett and he's only two!"

"What can I say? I'm a likable guy." And just like that he reaches over and scratches Papaya between her ears.

Fifteen minutes later, we're back in his truck, Papaya snuggled on the seat between us, her head laying on Grey's thick thigh.

"Traitor," I murmur.

Greyson just laughs.

"Is that how all the women in Saddle Creek have been since I've been gone? Just rubbing up against you and rolling over so you can rub their bellies?" I'm annoyed that I asked the question, but also, I kinda want to know how he's gonna answer it.

"What women?"

"Greyson, there are women in Saddle Creek. I mean it's been a hot minute since I've been back there, but I still have some friends who live there. Besides you."

"I assumed you were asking about past relationships. That's the question I was answering," he says.

"You haven't dated anyone?"

He looks over at me, those dark, dark eyes of his feel like they can see into my soul. "No, darlin', I haven't dated anyone."

"How is that even possible? Look at you!"

"Why don't you tell me about this groom of yours who stood you up? Where is he?"

I blow out a breath. "Devon is in Houston."

"Devon? His name is Devon?"

"Yes. And he's very sweet."

"You in love with him?" he asks.

"No, Grey, I'm not in love with him. I needed to be married; I thought he was a good option." I shrug and look out the window at the scenery passing by. The further away we get from Houston, the more green the landscape becomes. Hilly, too. God, I've missed non-city life.

"I'd forgotten how beautiful it is over in this part of Texas," I say.

"Feel like home?" he asks.

"Always."

"Well, your grandmother made sure you and Lizzie had a home and an education."

"Not so much on the gentleness or love though." I chuckle. "But we had each other. We both hated leaving here though."

"Think Lizzie and her kids will move this way since you're here now?"

Is he thinking that even when our temporary marriage is over, that I'm here to stay? I mean I would love that. With the one exception of running into him. Seeing him regularly would only break my heart.

"I'm not sure. She's a nurse, you know. Right now she works as a school nurse, and she hates it. Wants to be back in a doctor's office. But the practices in Houston are so big and non-personal, and she doesn't like that either."

"Lizzie's always known exactly what she likes and doesn't like. I guess some things never change."