Rescue me, p.19

Rescue Me, page 19

 

Rescue Me
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“She’s okay, so are you and I, and all the dogs are fine. The world is back on its axis and is still turning the way it should.”

  Beau snorted. “Sometimes you say the strangest things.”

  “Yeah, I know. But I have what’s most important.” Mitchell held Beau’s gaze. “I have you two. That’s all that matters. That is, if you want me.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot. “I know we just met a few weeks ago and things have started off with a trial by fire… but I was hoping that now that things can be quieter, maybe you and I can go on a few dates and in a few months show Jessica her first snow.” Mitchell faltered and turned away. “And maybe I just want too much.” He fiddled with the latch on the door of one of the dog enclosures. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I? Jumping in with both feet too soon.”

  Beau put his hand on Mitchell’s shoulder. “I want that too. I want to see where this goes. You and I have been through a lot in the past few weeks, and maybe we can sort of work through our issues together.” He steadied his voice. “I guess I’ve come to accept that I don’t have things as together as I thought I did.”

  Jessica cooed softly, and Mitchell turned toward her. He grinned, and Jessica smiled right back at him before putting her hand in her mouth. “Look at you… all smiley.”

  “Yeah,” Mitchell agreed. “I always wanted someone to smile at me like that.” Beau knew exactly how he felt and leaned closer. Jessica seemed to giggle as Mitchell kissed Beau. It was too soon for anything else, but for right now Beau would take the quiet of just the two of them… and a shelter full of dogs. Okay, maybe not so quiet. Beau knew darned well that from now on his life was going to be full of family, both Jessica and the four-legged kind, and it sounded absolutely perfect to him.

  Epilogue

  THE HARVEST Festival of the Arts was going great guns, with people packing the main street of Carlisle to sample the wares of a hundred artists, scarf down amazing junk food, and just be seen. Mitchell stood in the middle of his double booth with the dogs on leashes or in pens, happy as anything.

  The last few months had gone very well. Their lives had quieted and Beau had sold the house and studio in Philadelphia for more than he expected. Sometimes Mitchell wondered if things were going too well, but he wasn’t going to question being happy. He didn’t have time for daydreaming and pulled his attention back where it belonged.

  “She’s so cute, Daddy,” a little girl said as she cradled Chester, a terrier mix, who snuggled right in like he was made for her. “Can we get him, please?”

  Mitchell had seen those eyes so many times today. Every kid wanted a dog, and so many of them had stopped by to hold or pet one of his.

  “He’s really good with kids,” Beau said from the corner of the booth where he held Jessica. She was right at the point where she was starting to pull herself up.

  The father looked indecisive as the little girl petted Chester and started talking to him. “Okay, Pumpkin. I promised you a puppy for your birthday.” He smiled and turned to Mitchell. “At least I won’t have to go through the puppy phase.”

  “Chester is about two, and he’s all up to date on his shots. All the dogs are.” Mitchell handed the father a sheet to fill out.

  “Is there a cost for the dog?” He took the form and started completing it.

  “We only charge what it cost for housing, medical care, and feeding the dogs. I have a veterinary practice west of town, and the shelter is an offshoot of that. A lot of our dogs are rescued from bad situations or were injured and their owners didn’t want them any longer. We care for the dogs, nurse them back to health, and then find them good homes.” Mitchell smiled as the little girl held Chester, grinning from ear to ear. “We found Chester three months ago in the woods. He had been running wild for some time. Fortunately he’s just as loveable and gentle as they come.” The poor thing had been miserable when Mitchell had found him. Mitchell didn’t need to go into that much detail.

  “Thank you, Daddy,” the little girl said, and Mitchell took a few minutes to go over how to care for Chester with both of his new owners. He got them a new-dog packet, and the father bought Chester food and supplies from the display that Beau had insisted Mitchell set up and have ready for the new owners. On his leash, Chester was led away, prancing next to the little girl like he was king of the world.

  Mitchell turned away and tried not to make a big deal of wiping his eyes.

  “I know those are happy tears,” Beau said gently. Finding them homes was wonderful, but saying goodbye was hard for Mitchell. “And you’re a great big softie.”

  “That hasn’t changed.” Another group of people came into the booth, and Mitchell went to help them. They were older and looking for a companion that would fit into their lives. After five minutes, they settled on Daisy, a middle-aged boxer mix who was perfect for them. They took her away after completing the forms, paying the adoption fee, and nearly buying out the stock of supplies he had left.

  “What are we going to do with this sweet girl?” Beau asked, referring to the last dog left, a miniature beagle who was just full of energy. Rosie only had one eye and was partially deaf, but beautiful and loving. Mitchell had been trying to find her a home for months now with no luck.

  “Pierre,” Beau said as the sheriff’s deputy stepped into the booth.

  “Hi, Beau. This is my husband, Jordan.” They all shook hands. “I’ve been telling him about your shelter.”

  “Who’s this little one?” Jordan asked as he leaned down.

  “Rosie.”

  He put his fingers near the wire, and she licked them. Mitchell got her out, and Rosie went right into Jordan’s arms. He knew instantly that his last rescue of the day had likely found a home. Sure enough, Pierre filled out the forms and left a donation in addition to the adoption fee, and the two of them carried their little girl away.

  “That’s it, then,” Beau said as Jessica squirmed to get down. He put her on her feet, and held her hands to get her used to being upright. The day had been a success in every way Mitchell could have expected. He lifted Jessica into his arms, and she lay against his shoulder. “Should we start to tear down?”

  “No. I have brochures, and I’m hoping people will come see our other dogs.” The pups they had brought to the booth had all been adopted. Mitchell sat in one of the chairs, with Beau next to him. “We can sit and relax for a little while.” He took Beau’s hand, and they sat quietly. “Then we can pack up and go home. I have something I want to talk about.”

  Mitchell smiled as he thought about the small box on top of the dresser that held something he’d gotten for Beau, along with the question he wanted to ask, but that was something he wanted to do when they were alone, just the three of them, their happy family.

  More from Andrew Grey

  Ever since his discharge from the military, injured veteran Ashton Covert has been running his family ranch—and running himself into the ground to prove he still can.

  Ben Malton knows about running too. When he takes refuge in Ashton’s barn after an accident in a Wyoming blizzard, he’s thinking only of survival and escaping his abusive criminal ex, Dallas.

  Ashton has never met a responsibility he wouldn’t try to shoulder. When he finds Ben half-frozen, he takes it upon himself to help. But deadly trouble follows Ben wherever he goes. He needs to continue on, except it may already be too late.

  Working together brings Ben and Ashton close, kindling fires not even the Wyoming winter can douse. Something about Ben makes Ashton feel whole again. But before they can ride into the sunset together, they need to put an end to Dallas’s threats. Ben can make a stand, with Ashton’s help—only it turns out the real danger could be much closer to home.

  Bad to Be Good: Book One

  Longboat Key, Florida, is about as far from the streets of Detroit as a group of gay former mobsters can get, but threats from within their own organization forced them into witness protection—and a new life.

  Richard Marsden is making the best of his second chance, tending bar and learning who he is outside of organized crime… and flirting with the cute single dad, Daniel, who comes in every Wednesday. But much like Richard, Daniel hides dark secrets that could get him killed. When Daniel’s past as a hacker catches up to him, Richard has the skills to help Daniel out, but not without raising some serious questions and risking his own new identity and the friends who went into hiding with him.

  Solving problems like Daniel’s is what Richard does best—and what he’s trying to escape. But finding a way to keep Daniel and his son safe without sacrificing the person he’s becoming will take some imagination, and the stakes have never been higher. This time it’s not just lives on the line—it’s his heart….

  Can the Northern Lights and a second-chance romance return inspiration to a struggling artist?

  When New York painter Devon Starr gives up his vices, his muses depart along with them. Devon needs a change, but when his father’s stroke brings him home to Alaska, the small town where he grew up isn’t what he remembers.

  Enrique Salazar remembers Devon well, and he makes it his personal mission to open Devon’s eyes to the rugged beauty and possibilities all around them. The two men grow closer, and just as Devon begins to see what’s always been there for him, they’re called to stand against a mining company that threatens the very pristine nature that’s helping them fall in love. The fight only strengthens their bond, but as the desire to pick up a paintbrush returns, Devon also feels the pull of the city.

  A man trapped between two worlds, Devon can only follow where his heart leads him.

  Rancher Martin Jamuson has a deep understanding of horses. He just wishes his instincts extended to his best friend, Scarborough Croughton, and the changes in their feelings toward each other. Martin may be the only friend Scarborough has in their small town, but Scarborough is a man of secrets, an outsider who’s made his own way and believes he can only rely on himself when the chips are down. Still, when he needs help with a horse, he naturally comes to Martin.

  As they work together, Martin becomes more determined than ever to show Scarborough he’s someone he can trust… maybe someone he can love. Even if it risks their friendship, both men know the possibility for more between them deserves to be explored. But when Scarborough’s past reemerges, it threatens his home, horses, career, and even their lives. If they hope to survive the road before them, they’ll have to walk it together… and maybe make the leap from cautious friends to lovers along the way.

  Some moments happen once in a lifetime, and you have to catch them and hold on tight.

  Arty Reynolds chased his dream to Broadway, but after his father is injured, he must return to the small fishing community where he grew up, at least until his dad is back on his feet.

  Jamie Wilson fled his family farm but failed to achieve real independence. Arty is hiring for a trip on the gulf, and it’ll get Jamie one step closer to his goal.

  Neither man plans to stay in Florida long-term, neither is looking for love, and they’re both blown away by the passion that sparks between them. But on a fishing boat, there’s little privacy to see where their feelings might lead. Passion builds like a storm until they reach land, where they also learn they share a common dream. The lives they both long for could line up perfectly, as long as they can weather the strain on their new romance when only one of them may get a chance at their dream.

  Readers love Andrew Grey

  Half a Cowboy

  “…every book captures my interest and gets my emotions going. I am in awe of the fact that he can write so many books and have each one better than the one before…”

  —Paranormal Romance Guild

  Bad to Be Good

  “Grey has a plethora of passages that convey the essence of his characters and the storyline.”

  —Love Bytes

  Paint by Number

  “This story, like most of Andrew’s books is sweet and full of feelings… If you’ve never read a book from Andrew Grey and even if you have, I highly recommend this one.”

  —Open Skye Book Reviews

  ANDREW GREY is the author of more than one hundred works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After twenty-seven years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband, Dominic, and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

  Email: andrewgrey@comcast.net

  Website: www.andrewgreybooks.com

  By Andrew Grey

  Accompanied by a Waltz

  All for You

  Between Loathing and Love

  Borrowed Heart

  Buried Passions

  Catch of a Lifetime

  Chasing the Dream

  Crossing Divides

  Dominant Chord

  Dutch Treat

  Eastern Cowboy

  Hard Road Back

  Half a Cowboy

  Heartward

  In Search of a Story

  New Tricks

  Noble Intentions

  North to the Future

  One Good Deed

  On Shaky Ground

  Paint By Number

  The Playmaker

  Pulling Strings

  Rebound

  Rescue Me

  Reunited

  Running to You

  Saving Faithless Creek

  Shared Revelations

  Survive and Conquer

  Three Fates

  To Have, Hold, and Let Go

  Turning the Page

  Twice Baked

  Unfamiliar Waters

  Whipped Cream

  ART

  Legal Artistry • Artistic Appeal

  Artistic Pursuits • Legal Tender

  BAD TO BE GOOD

  Bad to Be Good

  Bad to Be Worthy

  BOTTLED UP

  The Best Revenge • Bottled Up

  Uncorked • An Unexpected Vintage

  BRONCO’S BOYS

  Inside Out • Upside Down

  Backward • Round and Round

  Over and Back • Above and Beyond

  THE BULLRIDERS

  A Wild Ride • A Daring Ride • A Courageous Ride

  BY FIRE

  Redemption by Fire • Strengthened by Fire

  Burnished by Fire • Heat Under Fire

  CARLISLE COPS

  Fire and Water • Fire and Ice • Fire and Rain

  Fire and Snow • Fire and Hail • Fire and Fog

  CARLISLE DEPUTIES

  Fire and Flint • Fire and Granite

  Fire and Agate • Fire and Obsidian

  Fire and Onyx • Fire and Diamond

  CHEMISTRY

  Organic Chemistry • Biochemistry • Electrochemistry

  Chemistry Anthology

  DREAMSPUN DESIRES

  The Lone Rancher

  Poppy’s Secret

  The Best Worst Honeymoon Ever

  EYES OF LOVE

  Eyes Only for Me • Eyes Only for You

  FOREVER YOURS

  Can’t Live Without You • Never Let You Go

  GOOD FIGHT

  The Good Fight • The Fight Within

  The Fight for Identity • Takoda and Horse

  HEARTS ENTWINED

  Heart Unseen • Heart Unheard

  Heart Untouched • Heart Unbroken

  HOLIDAY STORIES

  Copping a Sweetest Day Feel • Cruise for Christmas

  A Lion in Tails • Mariah the Christmas Moose

  A Present in Swaddling Clothes

  Simple Gifts • Snowbound in Nowhere

  Stardust • Sweet Anticipation

  LAS VEGAS ESCORTS

  The Price • The Gift

  LOVE MEANS…

  Love Means… No Shame • Love Means… Courage

  Love Means… No Boundaries • Love Means… Freedom

  Love Means … No Fear • Love Means… Healing

  Love Means… Family • Love Means… Renewal

  Love Means… No Limits • Love Means… Patience

  Love Means… Endurance

  LOVE’S CHARTER

  Setting the Hook • Ebb and Flow

  PLANTING DREAMS

  Planting His Dream • Growing His Dream

  REKINDLED FLAME

  Rekindled Flame • Cleansing Flame

  Smoldering Flame

  SENSES

  Love Comes Silently • Love Comes in Darkness

  Love Comes Home • Love Comes Around

  Love Comes Unheard • Love Comes to Light

  SEVEN DAYS

  Seven Days • Unconditional Love

  STORIES FROM THE RANGE

  A Shared Range • A Troubled Range • An Unsettled Range

  A Foreign Range • An Isolated Range

  A Volatile Range • A Chaotic Range

  STRANDED

  Stranded • Taken

  TALES FROM KANSAS

  Dumped in Oz • Stuck in Oz • Trapped in Oz

  TALES FROM ST. GILES

 

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