Stepping into her space, enunciating clearly, Stack asked, “Why the hell not?” Phil wasn’t qualified for anything else.
“I’ll watch the dogs,” Vanity said, drawing their attention.
Stack and Tabitha both pivoted to see that his mother was back out of the car, a frown of pain on her face, one hand at her temple. Vanity supported her, all worried and caring and so damned appealing that Stack almost couldn’t stand it.
“I’ll watch them,” she insisted again. “Problem solved. So how about you get your mother home?”
Shit. Guilt slammed into the wall of tiredness. “Mom.” In a few long strides, Stack reached his mother and helped her get seated again. “Vanity’s right. You need to get home.” He hadn’t meant for the debate with his sister to get out of hand, but that’s how it usually went with Tabby. “I’m sorry.”
“Me, too,” Tabby said, now wringing her hands with exaggerated worry.
“You kids are stealing my line.” Moving slowly, their mother pulled her coat around herself more securely. “I’m the one who’s sorry. And really, I’m more than capable of seeing to the dogs. They’re content when I’m there. Other than feeding them and taking them out a few times—”
“Not happening.”
She treated Stack to a weak smile. “We can’t ask your new girlfriend to do it. Maggie and Norwood are like overgrown puppies. Very frisky.”
Which was another good reason why his mother shouldn’t—couldn’t—handle them right now. But with Tabby looking so pathetic and needy, he didn’t say that aloud. “She’s not my girlfriend, and I’ll be the one watching the dogs, not her.”
As she’d done from the time he was a toddler, his mother smoothed his hair. “I like her, Stack. I want her to be your girlfriend.”
Beside him, Vanity said, “Thank you, Lynn! You’re so sweet.”
That had his mom frowning. “Sweet?”
“She thinks everyone is sweet.” Stack sighed. “I’ll watch the dogs, okay? It’ll be fine. I don’t want you to worry about it.”
She struggled with her seat belt. “But you’re in an apartment, too.”
Stack hooked the belt for her. “I’ll work it out.”
“I have a house,” Vanity interjected, gaining everyone’s attention. “And I love pets. They’ll be fine with me, I promise. My backyard is even fenced.”
Before Stack could again reject that idea, Tabby nearly jumped Vanity with her enthusiastic acceptance.
“You’ll really watch them?” Bubbling with gratitude, Tabby said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you! They’re my babies and I love them, but good Lord, they’ve gotten big and they’re rowdy and playful. They only bark when they’re alone, I promise. They hate being cooped up inside. You’ll have to pick up some food. I was going to do that on my way home from work today, then Mom fell and—”
“No.” Stack’s head almost exploded off his shoulders. His quiet voice drew more attention than his growls had. “Vanity is not watching your dogs.”
“Not Mom, not Vanity... What do you expect me to do?”
“Make Phil get off his lazy ass. Or hire someone. Or I’ll take them, but—”
At his side in a heartbeat, Vanity stroked his back. “Stack, really, your mother needs to be in bed, and clearly your sister can’t deal with two dogs right now.” She turned to Tabby. “Your mother will go home with you?”
“Of course. I work in the morning, but I’m only a five minute walk away, so I can still check on her as often as necessary. And Phil will be in and out.”
“God help us,” Stack muttered.
Protesting, Lynn said, “I don’t need anyone checking on me.”
“Now, Lynn, you know your kids will feel better knowing you’re okay.” After directing his mother, Vanity did more stroking along his spine. “I’m glad you’re nearby, Tabby. It sounds like the perfect solution.”
Stack couldn’t believe how Vanity took over. Then again, he supposed someone should.
Her hand slipped down to the small of his back, and she asked his sister, “When would you like for me to pick up the dogs?”
Tabby fretted. “They’re at my mother’s still.” She took one pace away and muttered, “Probably destroyed her house by now, too.” Then she slapped on another smile. “I’ll give you her key and you can get them from there. But again, the food—”