Devil's Advocate by T.B. Markinson & Miranda MacLeod

Author:T.B. Markinson & Miranda MacLeod [Markinson, T.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: T.B. Markinson
Published: 2022-09-29T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ash glanced in the rearview mirror, checking for cars, but the highway traffic was sparse. Outside the windows, the scenery was a blur of rust and brown, the past-peak remnants of a fall foliage season on its way to a close. Rain droplets splattered the windshield at intervals, offering another reason most people had stayed inside on this dreary Saturday morning instead of hitting the roads.

Sadie popped her head between the front seats. “We’re getting a puppy!”

Excitement rolled off the girl in waves. Clearly she had not gotten the memo that this was a day meant for staying in bed. Not that Ash minded. If she hadn’t been in the car with Caitlyn and Sadie she would be at her desk by now. She knew which one she preferred.

“Is your seatbelt buckled?” Ash demanded, earning an immediate withdrawal from Sadie, followed by the reassuring click of the belt.

“We’re going to look at a puppy,” Caitlyn corrected. Her eyes skipped across to Ash, imploring her to corroborate. “We don’t know what will happen.”

But Ash shook her head as she pictured the Portuguese Water Dog and Labrador Retriever mix they were on their way to meet. “Sorry, but have you seen the photo of that little doll? I’m not convinced it’s humanly possible not to take her home.”

Caitlyn’s shoulders slumped dramatically, making Ash chuckle to herself. The action didn’t go unnoticed. Caitlyn shot daggers from the corners of her eyes, making Ash laugh even more.

“If you weren’t the one driving, I’d murder you,” Caitlyn declared with a huff. After a moment of sulking, she gave Ash a sheepish look. “Thanks for driving, by the way. I can’t believe that hunk of junk called it quits yet again.”

“Jags are built to be pretty, not practical. Lucky for you, I’d already decided to rent a car for the weekend so I could meet up with my family for trick-or-treating tomorrow.” Even if that hadn’t been the case, Ash had a sneaking suspicion she would have done whatever she could to make sure the kid in the backseat—who was sitting on her hands right now, presumably to stop from hurling herself between the seats in excitement once again—got a shot at the puppy she so desperately wanted.

“It’s a long drive, though.” There was a hint of contrition in Caitlyn’s tone. “I’m sure you had better things to do with your Saturday than take a day trip to Maine.”

“It beats working.” This was only part of the story. The full truth was Ash had never felt a stronger sense of completion and belonging than in the short amount of time she’d spent with Caitlyn and Sadie. Not even with her own family, perhaps because her sense of duty and obligation sometimes got in the way of simple enjoyment where they were concerned. But with the Brewster sisters, Ash felt a peace she’d never dreamed was possible.

“I don’t think I ever expected to hear you say that.” Caitlyn shot her a sideways glance with a hint of understanding that made Ash wonder how much the woman suspected about Ash’s true motivations.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.