Free The Sweetheart Bargain (A Sweetheart Sisters Novel) by Shirley Jump Page A

skin.
    “Then stop doing it and just tell me where the dog is.”
    “In the corner, under the end table. The one closest to the hall.”
    He moved forward, with short, tentative steps. He skirted the coffee table, almost nicking it with his shin, before coming to a stop in front of the end table. He bent down. “Hey, you. If you don’t get out of there, someone’s going to put a coaster on you.”
    The dog’s tail thumped again. But he didn’t move.
    “Come on,” Luke said, his voice softer this time, a low, bass song. “You don’t want to stay there.”
    The tail thumped some more. The dog inched forward, long nails scratching against the wood floor. But still he didn’t emerge.
    “If you stay there, you’ll have to live with me. And I’m not nearly as much fun, or as nice, as that one.” Luke thumbed behind him. “She’s got dog food and treats and a friend for you. Everyone needs a friend, right?”
    The dog’s tail rat-a-tatted.
    “So do me a favor, and come on out. The dark is no place to live. Trust me.”
    Olivia watched from the sidelines, her breath caught in her throat. Sometimes, people who don’t want to talk will talk to a dog instead of a person. Her heart broke for the injured man, trying so hard to connect with the injured dog. And for the dog, so scared to trust.
    After a moment, the golden crawled forward, then rose on all fours, and pressed his nose to Luke’s leg. His tail wagged, slapping against the end table. Luke put a hand on the golden’s thick neck, and the dog jerked his nose to Luke’s wrist.
    “Can you keep him there?” Olivia whispered. “I want to check out the injury.”
    Luke nodded and began to scratch behind the dog’s ear. The golden leaned into his palm and let out a contented groan. “Just a few minutes more,” he said in a quiet, almost singsong voice, “while the mean lady from next door checks you out.”
    “Hey!” she whispered. “I’m not mean.”
    Luke shot her a grin, then went back to scratching the dog. “Just do what you gotta do.”
    “By the way, it’s definitely a he,” she said.
    “Well, whoever this dog is, he took a chance coming to my door for help. Good thing you’re next door.”
    “Yeah, good thing.” He was far too thin for an average male golden. Olivia leaned in closer and looked at the dog’s belly. The cut ran along his side, a long, nasty gash that looked a few days old, maybe longer. The blood had crusted and dried. The wound didn’t seem infected, but she wasn’t sure. Even without touching the dog she could tell the poor thing was malnourished. The dog’s thick coat hung limp from his skin, and his ribs rippled under the golden fur. Who had done this to this beautiful animal? And why? Olivia resisted the urge to hug the dog to her chest and protect him from ever being hurt again.
    She sighed and rocked back on her heels. “He looks better than the first day I saw him, but he’s not out of the woods. I can do basic care, but he needs a vet. I don’t know one in town yet. Finding a good local doc is on my to-do list.”
    The dog lay down and rested his head on his paws. Luke gave him a final pat, then rose. “I know a vet.”
    “Good.” Olivia got to her feet too, as the dog closed its eyes and seemed to go to sleep. For whatever reason, the golden was comfortable here with Luke. Then why wasn’t Olivia? Why was every cell in her body hyperaware of his every move?
    “Thank you, Luke,” she said.
    He shrugged. “I didn’t do anything.”
    “You did a lot. You calmed him down. Made him feel at home.” Olivia looked down at the dog, who had moved his snout in the direction of Luke’s feet. “Made a friend, too. Not bad for an ogre.”
    He laughed. “I’m back to that, am I?”
    He had a nice laugh, the kind that came from somewhere deep inside him. Luke Winslow surprised her. A man who could shut the door on himself so fast it could knock a person over, then switch gears with a smile, a laugh.
    “You