Several hours and another dry ham sandwich later, I stood by my bowl. It was in line of sight of the couch, and I was thirsty. But thirsty enough to drink from the bowl where Gabby would see? I wasn't sure.
Outside, I heard a car pull into the driveway. A door opened. Steps thumped on the deck. Then the door swung open, and Rachel swept in. She threw her keys on the counter, and her eyes zeroed in on me. This couldn't be good.
In her left hand, she held a collar and a leash.
Hell, no.
Rachel knelt in front of me with a smile. I narrowed my eyes at her, and when she tried to wrap her arms around my neck, I dodged.
"Come on," she said softly, trying to wrangle me.
I kept moving.
"Just hold still."
Not likely, woman.
She heaved a sigh and sat back on her heels to stare at me.
I'd been kicked out, ignored, poorly fed-two sandwiches were a snack in my mind-told I stunk, and now Rachel wanted to collar me. Not happening.
"This is a joke," she said.
Gabby laughed from the doorway, surprising me. I glanced at her and saw her amusement. When Rachel tried again, I ducked under her arms. Gabby grinned wider and met my gaze.
"Here." She held out her hand to Rachel. "I'll try."
"Good luck," Rachel said with a chuckle as she got off her knees and handed over the collar.
I watched Gabby closely as she approached.
"It was the biggest collar they had," Rachel said. "I don't even know if it fits. He wouldn't let me get close enough."
Gabby knelt in front of me, still clearly amused.
"Clay, if you want to be able to go anywhere with us, you need a collar we can clip a leash on. Not just the twine you have holding your tag around your neck."
Did that mean she wouldn't try to leave me behind again? I was still debating if I could put up with a collar when she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around my neck. I held still and closed my eyes. She could do whatever she wanted as long as she kept touching me. Her light movement brushed over my fur, and I barely held back a shiver.
"At least it's not pink," she said with a pat, and I realized she'd already removed my tags and collared me.
She stood quickly and turned away.
"Hey, I wouldn't do that to him," Rachel said with a laugh. "No pink for our man. I don't know why he sat still for you and not me."
Rachel came toward me and bent to kiss the top of my head. I sighed.
"He's moody," Gabby said, meeting my gaze.
Me? Moody? I gazed after her as she left the kitchen. Would I ever understand her?