He took a sip of his Coke and nodded. “He flunked out for being too friendly.”
“My kind of dropout.”
“Mine, too. The program was going to put him up for adoption, but I’d already grown attached, so I took him home.”
“It looks like you guys were meant for each other.”
Hayes took a bite of pizza and then swallowed. “I think so. And my family loves him. They spoil him rotten. Which is why it nearly killed me to carry him the five miles back to my SUV today.”
I dropped the piece of crust I was toying with back to my plate. “You carried him five miles? He weighs over eighty pounds.”
“Believe me, I know. I told him he’d be going on a diet as soon as he’s better. My sisters and parents give him too many treats.”
“They love him.”
“That they do. I swear he’d abandon me for Shiloh if he could.”
I cracked open my soda and took a sip. “It seems like she has a way with animals, too.”
“She does. Horses, espe
cially. I think she likes the idea of your sanctuary.”
“She seems to. She’s been helping out a lot. Says she’d like to help me get it up and running.”
Hayes slowly set his slice of pizza down. “I didn’t know she’d come by before we had to help with the barn.”
I’d realized that about Shiloh as I’d gotten to know her a little better—she kept things close to the vest. Especially around her family. “She showed up the day after your mom did and said she wanted to help. It must run in the family.”
Hayes’ jaw worked back and forth, and I could almost hear his back teeth grinding together. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. Helping out once or twice is one thing, but being there all the time…? It’s not healthy.”
I was quiet for a moment, trying to choose my words carefully. “Shouldn’t she be the one to decide that?”
“You think you know my sister better than I do?”
“Not at all. But I think she knows herself best.”
Hayes flexed his fingers against the lip of the table. “She can get triggered easily. I just don’t want that to happen more than it already does.”
“I get that.” Oh boy, did I ever. More than Hayes would ever know. “But, sometimes, we have to confront the ghosts. I think that’s what she’s doing in a way. Proving to herself there’s no reason to be scared anymore.”
“I need you to keep a close eye on her. And tell me if she seems to be having a hard time.”
I didn’t think Shiloh would let me in on that sort of thing. “Hayes, if she talks to me about anything…I’m not going to betray that confidence and come running to you.” He started to speak, but I held up a hand. “It’s not like we’ve become bosom buddies or anything.”
“Bosom buddies?”
“Haven’t you ever read Anne of Green Gables?”
“I can’t say that I have. But if there were boob friends, maybe I was missing out.”
I choked on the sip of Coke I’d just taken and nearly sprayed it across the table. “Don’t say something like that while I’m drinking.”
“Good to know you think I’m funny.”
“You’re denigrating my favorite Anne. You probably deserve a little backwash spray.”
Hayes pushed back from the table a bit. “I’ll keep my distance, then.”