Lucky Baby (Crescent Cove 11)

I glanced over my shoulder to find Kimmie and the herd of moms hovering just behind the pink line in the grass. Abby was practically vibrating with the need to get closer.

I wiggled out from the mud onto my knees. “It’s okay. Someone tied a poor dog to one of the bushes.”

“Are you kidding?”

“Who could do that?”

“I’m going to make flyers to find its owner!”

The women were ready to be suburban warriors for the dog, but I was pretty sure no one would be looking to collect the shaking bit of muddy fluff.

I caught Abby’s eye. “Could you go get me a towel?”

The little girl’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she nodded excitedly and took off.

I turned to help up Tish, but she was already on her feet, brushing debris off her leather motorcycle pants. She paid special attention to her hips and ass, which made my tongue about two sizes too big for my mouth. For once in my life, I opted for silence.

I str

uggled to my feet, cradling the dog in the crook of my arm. Tish gripped my upper arm to balance me, her short black nails digging into my skin. Our gazes collided before hers slid away, and she took two big steps back.

Abby came running back with a huge beach towel in her hand imprinted with a grinning Harry Styles.

“Your sister is going to kill you,” Kimmie said with a sigh.

Abby shrugged and held up her phone, video obviously engaged. “Harry will save the puppy. Melly can put it on TikTok later.”

I should have thought of that, but the animal was way more important than a viral video. Even though I was pretty sure this would definitely provide a million clicks minimum.

I took the towel and wrapped it around the shaking dog. He was matted with mud and leaves and I didn’t even want to think about the fleas or insects. The tiny dog burrowed into the crook of my arm and rested its tiny snoot on my forearm.

“Sweet baby,” Tish cooed.

My eyebrow rose.

“What?” She wrinkled her nose.

“Nothing.”

She crossed her arms over her spectacular chest. “Animals are better than people nine times out of ten.”

“Can’t fault you there.” I tucked the blanket more securely around the little bundle of near bones. “I want to get this rope off his mouth.”

She chewed on the corner of her lower lip. “Maybe we should take him to the vet. It looks pretty dug in there.”

I frowned. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

“The clinic isn’t too far away.”

I gave her another arched eyebrow.

“What? I have a cat. They were nice to me. The vet there is super capable. Hot too.”

My jaw clenched.

Her lips twitched. “Anyway, I guess we should bring in the dog.”

“You’re coming with me?”