Crash: Crash & Burn Duet Book 1 (Shaken) by Grahame Claire

Author:Grahame Claire [Claire, Grahame]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781951878108
Publisher: Grahame Claire
Published: 2021-03-22T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

Pepper

This is stupid.

I hesitated and ducked behind a building out of the wind. Five days had passed since the guys had put together the kennels. The dogs were happy with their new safe spaces . . . and the daily barrage of treats and toys that had followed.

I hadn’t seen or heard from Teague. Not that I’d expected to.

But he was present in every squeak of a toy, every crunch of one of Garrison’s dog biscuits, and every lap of water out of one of the new bowls that had magically appeared.

I peered around the corner. The firehouse door was up. A couple of guys I didn’t recognize milled around out front. I should’ve brought Miss Adeline. She’d recognize them from the calendar.

Why I’d woken bound and determined to thank Teague in person was beyond me. I was grateful for all he’d done. It felt wrong to be showered with his gifts and not find a way to express my gratitude.

All it took was a little reconnaissance work from Miss Adeline’s new fans to find him. He was back at work. And this was the station.

Nerves spiked as I stared at the firehouse.

I looked down at my overalls.

Why hadn’t I changed clothes before I set off on this crazy endeavor?

Because as soon as Miss Adeline found out what I was up to, she’d shoved me out the door. The woman knew me too well. I’d overthink and lose my courage.

Like I was now.

“Just go over there.” Now I’d resorted to talking to myself. Great.

Yet my feet didn’t move.

What if he didn’t want to see me?

He’s been sending deliveries every day. For the dogs. Not me.

But I was an extension of them. And if they couldn’t say their thanks, I would.

I took a step forward. Then another.

How did he afford all this stuff? Nothing he’d sent was cheap. I’d overheard the guys mention they hadn’t had a pay raise in three years.

Obviously his family looked as if they had money, but that didn’t mean Teague did.

“Yo. Pepper.”

Too late to back out now.

“Hey, Logan.” I waved awkwardly.

He pulled me in for a giant bear hug. “Scavino. Walsh. Look who’s here.”

I was passed between them like a ping-pong ball in the tournament of hugs. When it was over, I stood there with flamed cheeks, insecure despite the warm welcome.

“How do the dogs like the kennels?” Walsh asked.

“They love them. Thank you,” I said quietly.

“Them things haven’t fallen down, right?” Brooklyn barreled into the group and I got another hug.

“Still standing.” I crossed my fingers and they all laughed.

“She ain’t here to see us.” Logan nudged my arm.

I blushed.

“Pepper?” Teague stood by the front of the fire engine. His expression was one of disbelief and I wasn’t sure what else.

It wasn’t the warm welcome I’d hoped for.

Logan gently pushed me toward him.

“Hi.” I shook my head. “I should’ve called or something before I came by.”

Teague ushered me into a corner as if he were hiding me. Or didn’t want to be seen with me.

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