Read Online Pieces of it All by Tracy Krimmer - Free Book Online

black labs, poodles, beagles, and pugs, like Bullet. They were so adorable, their noses stuck to the ground, tails wagging.
    "Tell me," she broke the long silence between them. "How did you and your dad get Bullet?"
    He kept his back to her as he handed pamphlets to people walking by. "We got him six years ago. I left home right after. He was a rescue dog. Two years old when we got him."
    She quickly did the math in her head. Six years ago? He would have been sixteen. "You moved out young. Did you go live with your mom?"
    The muscles in his back tensed up. "No." He said. He didn't offer up any more information.
    "When I move in with Heather at the end of August, it'll be my first experience living on my own." She didn't want to pry. If she gave information about herself, possibly he'd share more about his life. He was twenty-two, left home young, had a dog named Bullet, attended alternative school, and volunteered for the vet. Those were the only facts she had.
    Her eyes met with the dirt ground when she noticed he was staring at her. Did he often steal glances at her? Did he want to kiss her as much as she wanted to kiss him? Ever since The Blue Rooster, the thought of kissing him never left her thoughts. Did guys think about that stuff, too?
    "So you two will be living it up in college, hey? What's your friend Lucy doing?"
    "I wouldn't say living it up. Like I said last night, I'm not too much of a party girl." Even with his back now turned to her, she liked the view. The athletic shorts didn't shape his butt, but it still was cute enough. "Heather is. So that'll be interesting. Lucy told me the other day she's going to Boston for school. I'll miss her, but that's great for her."
    "Oh?"
    "Her dad passed away about two years ago. Her mom's been a little clingy ever since. She needs the distance." Harvey nodded.
    "I plan on finding a place of my own soon. I want to get out of this town. Possibly move to the city. I can't wait to be out on my own again."
    "Why? What's so bad about it?" Their town was small, but that was part of the appeal.
    He turned to face her. Looking her straight in the eye he said, "Some things you're better off not knowing."
     
    Six hours later, Harvey and Beth loaded the table and chair into the trunk of his car.
    "That went pretty fast," Beth said. "Nice turnout, I thought." She must've written over a dozen names down. People loved discounts, even to fix their animals, and Dr. Leavitt was a respected vet in the area. Many considered the reduced rate a steal.
    He shoved the folding chair into the car. "I guess. I wish more people signed up. I hope Vic is happy with the results."
    "I scheduled at least twelve or thirteen. That's not bad."
    He slammed the trunk. "We could've done better. Overpopulation is a huge problem because people don't get their animals neutered. These morons breed their pets and aren't educated enough to take care of them properly half the time. They're just out to make a buck."
    "You're pretty passionate about this, huh?" Beth admired Harvey's feelings on the topic. She couldn't think of anything she held so much passion for, unless reading counted. Once in college, she hoped to find something to support, a cause worth her time and energy.
    He shrugged. "Like people with kids." He turned the key and it stalled. He tried two more times before it caught. "Some people shouldn't have them."
    She didn't understand his remark. Did he mean himself? He was anything but an open book, and his mystery intrigued her. His need to protect himself from whatever hid beneath the tough exterior attracted her to him even more. Never before had she met someone so dark and edgy. Interesting people didn't exist in her community.
    She cleared her throat. "When do you work again?"
    "Tonight - five until nine." He paused. "Anxious to see me again, are we?" His smile gleamed.
    Was it that obvious? She had to practice her poker face. It was hard to hold back how much she wanted to spend time with him. She