The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1)(28)

“How ample?” Graham murmured.

“Oh. Ample. Teenage daydream ample.”

“My favorite kind of revenge, gorgeous.” Dying to reach out and brush an errant strand of hair away from her brow, Graham had to content himself with stuffing his nose farther inside the door, earning a soft snicker for his efforts.

“You’re like a puppy desperate to come in and play. Okay, out, so I don’t squish you.” He did as she asked, and Zoey closed the door enough to unchain it before opening it all the way. Rumpled and sleepy looked far too good on her.

“Hey there, Zoey Bear,” Graham murmured, softening his voice.

“Wait out here until I get ready. Lana’s still in bed.”

“I wouldn’t dream of intruding.”

“You’re incorrigible, aren’t you?”

This time when the door closed between them, it stayed that way. Graham settled in to wait for a woman, leaning back on the wall across the hallway. He’d been called worse, and he’d rarely had the chance to wait for better. Zoey appeared only a couple of minutes later, her black-and-white Alaska bag over her shoulder.

“A part of me was hoping this was all a bizarre dream.”

“Really? Because I feel like you and I are becoming fast friends.” Graham tossed her the keys. “You drive. This is way too early for me.”

Maybe he deserved the rolled eyes, but he’d earned the tiny curving of her lips fair and square.

Hannah was just coming off her shift as Zoey headed for the exit, Graham at her heels. When Hannah tilted her head, silently mouthing “What are you doing?” Graham shrugged, giving his ex a helpless look.

“She’s kidnapping me,” he stage-whispered back. “Call Jonah.”

Hearing him, Zoey turned, confused. “What was that?”

Hands in his pockets, Graham lengthened his stride to fall in next to her. “Nothing. Oh, I’m parked with the rest of the staff. Hang a right.”

Someone was waiting for them in the bed of the truck, floppy ears perked to listen for Graham’s voice, furry tail wagging.

“Who is this?” Her voice shifted to one of delight. “He’s wearing pajamas.”

“That’s Jake. He’s the love of my life.” Confessing his everlasting devotion to the wriggling ball of fur and joy didn’t bother Graham one bit. “Jake prefers the snug comfort of long johns, but he’s been known to rock a sleep set if the cartoons are right. We’re all about the choo choos and Ninja Turtles, aren’t we, buddy?”

Aware his dog was adorable on the level few living beings achieved, Graham was used to strangers reaching for Jake without asking. Already shifting to intercept if her hands went for him, Graham’s instincts weren’t necessary. Zoey’s fingers stayed clasped behind her.

“Can I pet him?”

“Of course. He’s blind, so hold on. Jake. Introduction time.”

The border collie sat up at attention.

“Jake, buddy. This is Zoey. She’s trouble, but so far, she’s made this week more interesting than normal. Don’t bite her, okay?”

With a yip, he dropped to his belly, tail wagging furiously.

“He promises he won’t bite,” Graham assured Zoey. By the look of utter delight on her face, he knew Jake had won her over already. Still, something about this girl made him want to show off, just a little.

“Give the woman some space, Jake. You just met.”

The border collie literally hopped backward, then he rolled over, sticking out one paw and curling the other across his chest.

“Yeah, I know. She’s a heart stopper, isn’t she? But try to play it cool, man. Just say hello.”

Trotting up to the edge of the truck bed at Graham’s verbal cue of “hello,” Jake held out his paw in introduction.

Taking his paw in her hand, Zoey melted into a standing pile of goo.

The border collie wiggled and wagged until his body couldn’t handle it anymore. Flopping over, he shoved his furry belly into Zoey’s slender fingers. Graham watched her coo over Jake like he was the best dog in the world—which he was. Nose-to-nose, Zoey dissolved into giggles as Jake licked her from chin to cheekbone.

“Way to make me look bad, buddy,” Graham murmured. “He’s such a ladies’ man.”

“On the contrary. He more than makes up for you waking me up so early this morning. Your daddy owes you, doesn’t he?”

Jake wriggled in agreement.

“Actually, we’re more like human/canine bros. His mom was a real piece of work, and dad left when his eyes were still closed.”

“Hush. I like you more when you’re just standing there, all sexy guy with a cute puppy.”

Graham hushed. As compliments went, he’d take it.

“Is it safe for him to be in the bed?”

“Nope, but I wasn’t going to leave him in the cab while I was inside the big house.” Picking Jake up under one arm, Graham carried him to the back seat of his truck, belting him in securely.

In the end, Zoey did drive, although she had to scoot his seat up as far as it could go to reach the pedals. Settling back in the passenger seat, Graham kicked a foot up and enjoyed not driving for a change. A few eyebrows raised in curiosity as Graham’s truck drove past with a Zoey-shaped driver, but Graham waved cheerfully, letting them look.