A Dashwood Of Sense And Sensibility by Anyta Sunday

Author:Anyta Sunday [Sunday, Anyta]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

Putting effort into his relationships meant sneaking around with Jack. Like, not sneaking sneaking. But Zach didn’t want to dangle what he’d found in Brandy’s face, so that afternoon they adventured—on the back of Jack’s motorbike, on the beach, playing guitar, staring into the fading sun debating the meaning of life—on the sly. All made a heck of a lot easier since Brandy had been called in to work.

Instead of come-ons, there were chocolates. Instead of fallen clothes, teasing kisses. Instead of shoving him into a taxi, Jack escorted him home.

Sunday—Brandy sadly called in to work again—Jack showed up at his door with a puppy tucked into his leather jacket.

Zach cuddled her against his chest, burying his face into soft fur and floppy ears.

Jack grinned, a leather-clad god against a backdrop of soft greens and windswept flowers. “Mum’s lab had three last month.”

“She’s found homes for them?”

“All but this one. You can have her if you’d like. No charge.”

“I would love that—”

The full effect of Jack’s smile was lost as Zach and the pup were hauled bodily into the house.

Noah swivelled him around, pale as the kitchen tiles around them.

“Zach. You can’t.”

Zach mimicked those puppy-dog eyes. “It’s a gift.”

Noah stepped back from the Power of Puppy. “It’s not an appropriate gift.”

“But we love animals.”

“That doesn’t change facts. We can’t afford to take care of a dog—and I don’t just mean food. There are vet expenses. Toys, beds, leashes, grooming, pet-sitting. This is not a decision to make on a whim. And it’s certainly not something you gift someone you’ve known for a week. It’s a responsibility we can’t afford to take on.”

But . . .

Only, his brother was right. If he’d stopped to think for even a minute, he’d have come to the same conclusion. He sighed. “One day, I’m gonna have a dog.”

With a heavy heart, he turned and placed the wriggling bundle back in Jack’s arms.

Jack cradled the pup and winked. “Name her. I’ll keep her myself. Maybe someday she can be yours.”

Zach’s heart rocketed back to his chest, and he gazed at Jack until he disappeared from view.

The world floated around him. Red feature walls, bookshelves, a gilded mirror reflecting his dreamy smile. He starfished onto the soft rug.

Romance.

This was it.

Noah skirted around him and curled up on the armchair with his book. Minutes passed and the page didn’t turn. The middle distance had swallowed his brother whole.

Zach crawled over. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.”

He hugged his brother’s knees.

Noah cleared his throat. “This cottage is wonderful. We couldn’t have found a better place. Thank you.”

“I mean, it’s not quite home.” Their childhood leaped before his eyes, the beautiful Victorian always in the backdrop.

A hand patted his head. “Give it time, Zachary.”

“Maybe . . . maybe if we got that painting in here . . .”

Noah’s hand froze and Zach let the wish go on a long sigh.

The clock above the mantelpiece ticked loudly.

“Why hasn’t Wade come out here? It’s been two weeks. Surely he’s back by now.”

“Um, no. He and Luc were here last week, but they didn’t get everything.

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