She stood, wiping her face, still laughing. The dog continued to nuzzle and paw her legs. His tongue was out and he was panting.

She placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a grave look. “Sorry, Alex. There is now another man in my life.” Bending, she rubbed him behind the ears.

“Crushed,” I said, placing a hand over my heart. “And you might reconsider—he doesn't have gonads.”

“Them's the breaks,” she said, smiling. “Look at that face!”

“Also, he snores.”

“So do you, once in a while.”

“You never told me.”

She shrugged. “I kick you and usually you stop—well, just look at you, you little hunk. Apathy's not your problem, is it?”

She knelt back down and got her face rebathed. “What a doll!”

“Think of the ramifications on your social life,” I said. “Meatloaf and kibble by candlelight.”

She laughed again and roughed the dog's fur.

As the two of them played, I picked up the suitcase and carried it into the bedroom, checking rooms as I passed, trying not to be obvious. Everything looked fine. I took Robin's clothes out and arranged them on the bed.

When I got back, she was on the leather couch, the dog's head in her lap. “I know this is heartless, Alex, but I hope his owner never calls. How long, legally, do you have to run the ad?”

“I'm not sure.”

“There's got to be a limit, right? Some sort of statute of limitations?”

“Probably.”

Her smile disappeared. “With my luck someone'll show up tomorrow and cart him off.”

She covered another yawn. The dog looked at her, fascinated.

“Tired?” I said.

“A little. Everything okay around here? I'm sure you looked.”

“Perfect.”

“I'll get unpacked.”

“Did it,” I said. “Why don't you run a bath? I'll put your stuff away, then join you.”

“That's sweet of you, thanks.” She looked at the dog. “See, he really is a nice guy, our Dr. D. How 'bout you—you like baths, too?”

“As a matter of fact, he hates the water. Won't even get near it. So it's just you and me, kid.”

“How Machiavellian of you—where does he sleep?”

“Last night he slept in the bed. Tonight he moves back into the kitchen.”

She pouted.

I shook my head. “Uh-uh, no way.”

“Oh, c'mon, Alex. It's just temporary.”

“Do you want those eyes watching us?”

“Watching us do what?”

“The crossword puzzle.”

“He'll be lonely out there, Alex.”

“All of a sudden we're into voyeurism?”

“I'm sure he's a gentleman. And as you so unkindly pointed out, he has no . . .”

“Balls or no balls, he's a nudist, Robin. And he's got the hots for you. The kitchen.”

She tried a bigger pout.

I said, “Put it out of your mind.”

“Cruel,” she said. “Heartless and cruel.”

“Sounds like a law firm. Heartless, Cruel, and Horny—think I'll put 'em on retainer.”