Free Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter Page B

wasn’t like that at all.
    She was always breezing past the reception desk, her flowery scent trailing like an alluring shadow. Leaning over his desk, her hair teasing the back of his neck. Calling him in to see what one of the animals was doing, her laughter ringing out like a beautiful melody. In fact, she was rarely in her office at all.
    Just when he’d think he couldn’t take it anymore, she’d stop at his desk and tell him how relieved she was for his help. With gratitude shining in those baby blues, what was he supposed to do?
    Movement caught his eye, and he looked up as she came outside, leading a boxer on a leash. She stopped in her tracks, taking in the sight.
    Then she burst out laughing. “What are you doing?”
    “Entertaining our guests.”
    He blew out a fresh round of bubbles. The mixed mutt jumped up, going for a large, wobbling bubble. She snapped at it, and the bubble splattered in her face, making her sneeze. Both dogs turned to Riley, tongues lolling, waiting for the next batch.
    Paige laughed again. “Where on earth did you get that?”
    “At the bottom of the lost-and-found box.”
    “That is ingenious.”
    She let the boxer loose, and he moped over to the other side of the lawn, sniffing at the grass.
    “I was thinking . . . ,” Riley said. “What if you did a volunteer drive? A few volunteers would cover this position, and then you wouldn’t have to pay anyone.”
    The picnic table wobbled as Paige sat on the other side. “Not a bad idea. Lauren actually started as a volunteer. I also thought about trying to find a student who might be willing to intern.”
    “That’s smart.”
    “A little late though. Summer’s already under way.”
    “Wouldn’t hurt to check the local colleges anyway.”
    The bell rang, signifying a customer, and Paige stood. “I’ll get it. And I’ll take these two back inside. Would you mind bringing Bishop back in when he’s finished?”
    “Sure.” It was cute the way she named some of the animals.
    The dogs trotted next to her as she strode toward the building. Riley watched her go, admiring her purposeful gait and, yes, the gentle sway of her hips. Hey, he wasn’t dead.
    The boxer, finished with his business, wandered over and plopped at Riley’s foot. A moment later he looked toward the building Paige had disappeared into, then looked up at Riley with soulful eyes.
    “You got it bad too, eh, buddy? Yeah, I get it.”
    The boxer blinked, looking away. Now here was a creature that knew how things stood. They weren’t good, and he got it. No faking it here, or frolicking around like life didn’t suck some serious egg.
    Paige had mentioned earlier that the dog needed a bath. It was almost quitting time, but he could take that item off her to-do list easily enough, make sure she got out of here at a decent hour. The family was meeting up at the Roadhouse for supper.
    He grabbed his crutches and stood, collecting the leash off the table. It was a challenge to use a leash when it took all his remaining limbs just to hobble around.
    He gave the dog a look. “Am I going to have to put this on you, or are you gonna stick close by?”
    The dog stared back with those solemn brown eyes. I got nowhere better to be , they seemed to say.
    “Good enough.”
    The boxer followed as he entered the shelter. Riley led him to the back corner of the building where the walk-in tub was. He grabbed a towel and looked for the shampoo bottle, but didn’t see it. Must be in the supply closet. He turned on the water to warm it up, plugged the drain, and hobbled out of the room and down the long hall.
    The boxer’s claws clicked on the tile behind him. Unlike the other animals, this one gave Riley the room he needed to maneuver. He gave the mutt another point for intelligence.
    He entered the supply closet and located the industrial-size bottle of shampoo. He was just reaching for it when he heard Paige’s laughter ring out. Then a male voice.
    He shuffled to the doorway