Practically Wicked by Alissa Johnson

Author:Alissa Johnson [Johnson, Alissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9780425258033
Google: JLYv1Bq2JKoC
Amazon: 0425258033
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2012-10-01T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Anna wasn’t so much nervous about her newly acquired pet as she was thrilled, fascinated, and terrified.

The best part about having a dream was that it could be as far removed from reality as one liked. Anna hadn’t thought of pungent manure and aggressive dogs in her daydreams of a country stroll because she hadn’t needed to. It was just a dream, after all.

And when she’d dreamed of owning her own dog, she’d imagined wiggling tails and happy frolics in the fields. She’d not really dwelled on the fact that owning a dog meant that she would be responsible for a dog. But now she had to, and she found the notion fairly intimidating.

She’d never been responsible for another living thing in her life. Dear God, what if she failed?

Anna pushed the thought aside. It was less than useless to fear what she might do wrong instead of focusing on what she could do right. And what she could do right now was enjoy taking her new dog on a walk with Max.

With excitement edging out her anxiety, she found a bit of soft rope to use as a leash, but rather than risk frightening the puppy, Max scooped up Hermia and carried her outside instead.

Anna suppressed a sigh when they stepped out of the stable. Surely a sweeter picture had never been seen than that of Maximilian Dane standing in the sunshine with a squirming little puppy in his arms. Her puppy, she amended. Max Dane was cuddling the puppy he’d gifted her as an extension of an apology.

This, she decided, was worlds better than groveling.

She was almost disappointed when Max set Hermia down in the field, halfway between the stable and the woods. And some of her confidence was lost when it became clear that the puppy, though ungainly, was both plenty fast and not the least bit interested in accompanying them across the field to the trees.

Hermia sniffed the air, the ground, then turned tail and galloped back toward the stables. Well, Anna mused, at least she didn’t have to worry about it disappearing into the countryside.

“Barn sour.” Max laughed, then he looked at her, grinned and said, “Run toward the trees.”

Anna dragged her eyes from the retreating puppy. “What? Why?”

“Trust me. Make it into a game. Show her it can be fun.” And with that, he called out to the puppy, then turned about and headed toward the woods at an easy pace.

Without giving herself the chance to think better of the idea, Anna picked up her skirts and followed. She felt silly and awkward and absolutely giddy, running across an open field with Max Dane as if they were children at play.

Max looked over his shoulder as she gained on him. “You see?” he called out. “It’s working.”

Anna didn’t need to look back. Hermia galloped right past her on her way to Max. He grinned at the puppy, then dodged left without slowing down to avoid trampling her as she ran directly underfoot.

And then,

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