While Gabe worked, she called out encouragement from below. Not to him, of course. To the dog.

it’s not a goat, then what is it?” “It’s a punishment for all my earthly sins, is what it is.” “Describe it,” Chase said. “I’ve done my research. What does it look like?” “Picture a soap bubble,” Ashbury said slowly. “Then picture a soap bubble blown in Hell, by a demon with a phlegmy cold.” Chase doubled over. “I think I just vomited in my mouth.”

Chase rose to his feet and went to the hind end of the goat. “I’ll look. I’m not afraid. I intend to be there for every moment of the miracle of my own child’s birth.” He crouched and squinted. “And . . . I’ve changed my mind.”

As a person who wanted to like everyone, it hurt to know that not everyone liked her in return.

“Fine,” Ashbury said. “I’ll do it. If I could stomach my own injuries from that rocket blast, I can stomach this.” He went to look, then reeled a step backward. “Oh, God. Something’s coming out.”

Penny pressed a hand to her mouth. “Oh, no.” “Yes! Yes! Ooh! Yes!” Mr. Duke sat to pull on his boots. “Please tell me I don’t need to translate that for you.”

“She’d settle more if I covered her cage,” his beautiful intruder said. “I don’t suppose you have a towel?” He glanced at the linen slung about his hips. “How badly do you want it?”

Do you follow me?” “If you’re asking whether I comprehend basic mathematics, then yes. I follow you.” “Good.”

“Have you given him a name?” “Considering what an insufferable pain he is, I’m leaning toward Ashbury.”