Reggie was right; no matter what happened, Keelin wouldn't feel right if she had said no to Kahlan, if she had pushed her out to find her own place to stay. She was doing the right thing, but that didn't mean that it was the easiest thing. Now she was going to have to get to know Kahlan all over again. But how were you supposed to talk to a sister who was practically a stranger to you? One day at a time, she thought to herself. A wag from Pugsley's tail told her that was a pretty good idea and she should stick with it. She moved her fingers slightly to pet him, but she suddenly realized that it wasn't puppy warmth beneath the tips; no, that was denim. Her gaze lowered and she realized that Pugsley had rolled to indulge in belly scratchings -- which Reggie was accommodating rather well -- and her hand was resting on Reggie's knee. Rather than pull her hand back though, she let it linger.
'Tell him not to eat a mouse that just lays there to take it.' Pugsley liked Woodhouse from what he had seen, but over the past three days he had learned that the mouse had a certain talent for being pessimistic, apathetic, and all around death-wishy. So, the pug had taken it upon himself to serve as the little mouse's protector from everything. Including, giant ginger cats who he just so happened to miss. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to run over to Reggie's and take a running jump into his thick fur. If only to see how Tiger took it, even though Pugsley knew exactly how it would be taken. Plus, Reggie had said that Sarah and Bess had missed him. So really, he would just be getting to see three more of his favorite things in the world. If he could leave Keelin with anyone and trust them to take care of her, it was Reggie.
'Sarah and Bess are home, yes? And Tiger too? Not that he could get anywhere without us hearing him.' Pugsley twisted and his tail was suddenly wagging so quickly that it was a wonder he was lifted up like a miniature pug-helicopter. 'I'ma go say hi!' And without warning, he launched himself off of Reggie's lap and headed straight for the crack under Keelin's door, where he struggled for a minute to get his rear through, but with a soft sort of pop sound, he had shot clear. Keelin giggled at his antics and shook her head. "One day, he'll be too big to do that. And he'll be inconsolable." When she realized that Pugsley had left her alone with Reggie, she felt her cheeks turn pink.
"I'm sorry, again. I should have called or something," she really did feel terrible about that. "I didn't ask how you were, so how have you been?"