Free How to Howl at the Moon by Eli Easton Page B

ties on you, is that it, Chance?”
    Chance had no comment.
    “Uh-huh. You’ve probably got an owner in every port, am I right? A hambone here, a grooming appointment there, a cushy bed somewhere else. I’ve got your number.” Tim chatted aimlessly, hardly even aware of what he was saying. Every so often, Chance barked in agreement.
    Now that Chance was back, and larger than life sitting in Tim’s kitchen, he was able to reassess the dog. Last night seemed like a dream in a way, but there Chance was in the bright kitchen light. He really was a handsome and healthy-looking dog. His fur was super thick and still silky from the bath. It was so black it had blue undertones. There was a small patch of snow white on his chest and a dot of it on one ear, like a snowflake had landed there. His eyes were that brilliant sky blue, and he watched Tim intently. Even though Chance appeared to be relaxed, sitting on his haunches on the kitchen linoleum, there was an alertness to him that said he was ready to pounce at a moment’s notice.
    “Do you know what’s wild? You remind me a little of Sheriff Beaufort.” Tim drained the cooked noodles. “He stares at me just like that, and his eyes are the same gorgeous blue. He’s gotta be the hottest guy I’ve ever seen in real life, but I think he’s a few calls short of Bingo. If you know what I mean. Besides, he’s pure alpha male, and I have this love-hate thing about men like that. Nice to look at, but they make me all nervous.”
    Chance’s bark sounded annoyed.
    “I know. I shouldn’t talk bad about the guy. He brought me a fruit basket after all. Honestly, give me a nice big banana and I’ll follow you anywhere.” Tim snorted laughter at the stupidity of his own joke. “Too bad there were no doggie biscuits in that basket, huh?”
    The mac and cheese was ready, and Tim grabbed a can of Costco tuna and opened it, putting the contents in a bowl. “Mayo? Yes? No? Guess I shouldn’t risk it. I’m not sure what dogs can eat.”
    Tim put his bowl of mac and cheese on the table and placed Chance’s bowl of tuna on the floor next to his chair. Chance walked over and looked at the bowl. Tim couldn’t resist stroking his silky ears. “Thank you for coming back, Chance,” Tim’s voice sounded a little deep. He cleared his throat. He was not going to cry over the dog’s reappearance. He might be lonely, but he wasn’t entirely pathetic. “Bon appetit.”
    Chance gave what sounded like a resigned sigh and delicately ate the tuna.
    After Tim cleaned up the dishes, he changed into his flannel pj bottoms and brought what he thought of now as ‘Chance’s comforter’ into the living room. Chance was sitting on the couch.
    “You going to hang out with me on the couch this time, buddy?” Tim turned on the TV and arranged the comforter over both of them. After a minute, Chance relaxed and leaned against Tim. Tim put his arm around the dog and that felt perfect. He was warm and soft, and he didn’t think Tim was an idiot. Or if he did, he hid it really well, and that was good enough for Tim.
    “What shall we watch?” He flipped channels. When he paused on ABC news, Chance put his chin on Tim’s shoulder and gave him a pathetic look. On Extreme Ice Fishing, he growled.
    “No? What do you like, Chance? I don’t get Animal Planet.”
    Tim flipped to an old Vincent Price horror movie in black and white. Chance hesitated, then gave it an approving yip.
    “Yeah? Okay. As long as you don’t mind if I make stupid comments. My best friend in high school and I loved to do that.”
    Tim tossed the remote on the coffee table and snuggled down, pulling Chance closer. The dog put his front paws on Tim’s lap, and Tim tucked the comforter around him. Yeah, this was nice. His own little house and Chance to share it with him. If only it could last.
     
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    Tim wasn ’t kidding