“Haydn, los.” Forte put some force behind the command. He wanted to be sure Haydn understood the importance of this one.
The big dog relaxed his muzzle and lip, no longer revealing his teeth. His body language was still on guard, but he wasn’t wound up and ready to lunge at the cat. Instead, he watched it.
For the cat’s part, it moved past Haydn on stiff legs, then jumped onto the couch. Once it was safely on Sophie’s shoulder, it curled up and resumed its normal size. Sophie immediately gave it loving scratches.
Haydn let loose a very faint whine.
Mrs. Seong cackled. “Yes, you should have these boys over more often. It’ll liven up your days. You spend too much time up here, tucked away with your books.”
Sophie sighed, petting her new cat. “I like my books and this apartment. It’s very relaxing to have time to myself.”
“Sometimes. Not too much time.” Mrs. Seong waved a finger at Sophie. “Have you named your new friend?”
Sophie nuzzled the cat. “Not yet. The right name will come to me and she’ll let me know if she likes it.”
Of course it was a female.
*
A savory, spicy smell was starting to come from the kitchen, and Sophie’s stomach growled. Mrs. Seong’s sundubu jjigae was simmering. Before Sophie could mention it, Brandon dropped Haydn’s leash and headed for the kitchen. The black dog remained where he was on the command to stay.
Mrs. Seong watched Brandon go, then turned toward Sophie. The senior raised her eyebrows, and her lips formed an O of delight.
Great. Just great. The minute Sophie’s family returned from their visit to South Korea, they’d hear from Mrs. Seong about Brandon in Sophie’s apartment.
Oh, her parents already knew Brandon from Sophie’s high school days. Her father hadn’t liked him then, but her father hadn’t liked anyone. Aside from mentioning Brandon’s return and establishment of Hope’s Crossing Kennels, her family hadn’t discussed him at all. If her parents were aware of how much time she spent at the kennels, they didn’t mention it, and she wasn’t particularly inclined to discuss it. Most of her discussion with family centered on her career and nice Korean boys her mother wanted to introduce her to from their local community center.
“This one is good, Sophie.” Mrs. Seong’s idea of a whisper was distinctly audible. Brandon could definitely hear her from the kitchen. “Those other boys your parents try to show you, no. Not good. All of them lazy. They make their mothers work hard to feed them and do their laundry, even now when they are finished college. This one, he has the dog farm for the military, yes?”
In the kitchen, Brandon froze. He lowered his head and the muscles in his back started to twitch.
Someone save her.
“He doesn’t grow the dogs like vegetables, Mrs. Seong.” Sophie glanced at Haydn and his prosthetic. “Brandon trains the dogs to be working dogs for military or law enforcement.”
“Yes, yes. That.” Mrs. Seong waved away silly semantics. “He does good things for the military, then. This one, this one is very polite even though he is a tripod.”
There was a clatter from the kitchen.
Mrs. Seong turned. “Careful when it is hot. If you burn yourself, you will have to go home to take care of it. Sophie should concentrate on healing herself. Oh, good! You know to serve the sundubu in bowls. Perfect.”
Brandon returned and set a bowl in front of Mrs. Seong, accompanied by one of the long handled, Korean-style spoons Sophie had in her utensil drawer. Good guess. She was pretty sure Brandon didn’t eat Korean much—there wasn’t a Korean place that delivered near the kennels—but he’d matched the utensil to the dish well. His expression was decidedly blank.
Either he was angry or he was trying really hard not to laugh.
“I’ll be right back with yours, Sophie.” His voice rolled over her, darker than his normal conversational tone and full of secrets.
Mrs. Seong’s eyebrows rose another quarter of an inch at least.
As he returned to the kitchen, Mrs. Seong leaned closer. “He does good things. He makes enough money if he owns his business, yes? He is probably skilled in bed, too. Soldiers are trained in many things. He will treat you well, Sophie. Make sure he comes back!”
Sophie didn’t dare look in Brandon’s direction. Heat burned her face, and if it weren’t for the cat purring against her ear, she might try to get up off the couch and make a break for it. She wouldn’t get very far with her ankle, though. And Haydn was between her and her bedroom anyway. Knowing her luck, Haydn would stay right where he was supposed to be until she tripped over him.