Atlas shoved past Zach to get to his sister, with Cuddles only a beat behind.
“I think the feeling is mutual,” Heather said, laughing as Lori encouraged both dogs to jump up on her lap at the same time.
His hopes that the dogs would save him from his sister’s prying were dashed when she simultaneously patted them and asked, “So, how do you two know each other?”
“I’m working with your brother to train Cuddles.”
“Boy, that must be a pain in the butt, huh?”
Heather frowned. “No. Of course not. Cuddles is incredibly smart and receptive to positive reinforcement.”
Lori laughed. “I’m not talking about Summer’s puppy. I’m talking about Zach.”
Heather’s eyes widened for a moment before she threw her head back and laughed. “You have no idea. No idea at all.”
Chapter Twelve
Heather couldn’t help spending more time watching Zach interact with his sisters than she did the game. And she loved seeing him on the wrong foot for once, even if was just from his momentary surprise at seeing them there.
At the same time, however, he was as enamored of them as he was annoyed by the way they poked and prodded at him as all good little sisters must. Through it all, she could feel his protectiveness toward them simmering just beneath the surface.
Just as he’d said, he would take a bullet for them without blinking an eye. He kept asking Sophie, who was pregnant with twins, how she was feeling. Finally, his sister had snapped, “Next time I see the doctor, I’m going to send you her report so you’ll believe I’m fine.”
Zach had actually looked serious as he’d said, “That’d be great, Soph.”
Sophie’s husband muttered, “That’s never going to happen.”
No wonder Zach was so confident. It wasn’t just his looks, it was all that unconditional love from his family.
A family who actually understood what love was.
Envy stole through her as she imagined what it must have been like to grow up in a family like his. She hoped he knew how lucky he was.
After the fourth inning, Lori called out for popcorn for everyone. Zach grumbled and reached for his wallet when Lori said, “This one’s on me.”
He raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Feeling generous today, Naughty?”
Heather had to grin at the nickname. It definitely seemed to fit the sister sitting beside him.
“I just figured I should get some celebrating done early,” Lori said.
“What are we celebrating, Ryan’s impending shut-out?” Sophie asked as she took a bag of hot popcorn.
Lori pinned Zach with a knowing glance and a wicked grin. “Zach knows what we’re celebrating, don’t you, big brother? See, when you guys got married, we made this bet about who would be the first to fall—”
Zach abruptly stood up and grabbed the dogs’ leashes. “The dogs need to take care of business. You coming?” he asked Heather.
“I think you’ve got this one,” she told him. “Oh, and don’t forget these.” She handed him a couple of blue plastic bags.
He looked at them with disgust before taking them with a scowl, scooping up Cuddles and dragging Atlas up the stairs. After Jake got up to join Zach and the dogs, Lori scooted over onto Zach’s seat beside her.
“How long have you and Zach been dating?”
Heather choked on the piece of popcorn she’d just swallowed and had to quickly take a sip of lukewarm lemonade to wash it down. “We’re not dating. I’m just helping him train Cuddles.”
Lori looked terribly disappointed. So, Heather noticed, did her twin.
“Seriously? You’re not together?”
Why hadn’t she gone with Zach to take the dogs outside?
And what was with these Sullivans who always said the first thing that popped into their heads?
“No, we’re not,” she told Zach’s sister, but she flushed as she thought about all of his double entendres, the way he’d kissed her cheek, her hand. And how much fun she had with him, the way he made her laugh even when she should have been scowling.
“Darn it. You’re beyond perfect for him, isn’t she, Soph?”
“Lori, stop embarrassing her.” Sophie shot her a sympathetic look. “Sorry about my sister. I wish I could say this is an aberration, but the truth is, she’s always like this.”
Heather hoped they could move onto another subject, like Sophie’s pregnancy, but those hopes were quickly dashed as Sophie added, “Although it would be really fantastic if you two did start dating.”
Heather felt like she was back in high school, getting grilled on her secret crush as Lori said, “I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.”
Heather barely restrained herself from asking, How does he look at me?
“He’s just happy I agreed to work with him and Cuddles.” She shook her head, remembering the way she’d found the two of them that first day at his garage. “I’m afraid the puppy was way too much for him to handle at first. But he’s done really well with her.”
Sophie smiled. “He’s always been great with animals and kids. Even when he tries to act like he can’t be bothered with them, they all adore him the instant they meet him.”
“Funny you should say that,” Heather found herself telling Zach’s sisters, “Atlas doesn’t trust men very often, especially big ones, but he was never afraid of Zach. Not for one instant.”