Page 49 of Killian

Killian chuckled. “I’m used to sleeping on rough surfaces.”

“How? Do you go camping?”

“No. I’ve done it when I’ve stayed at a place to try to catch rustlers.”

“I see. Well, I’m glad I don’t have your job.”

“Let me get you home, baby. I’m so tired I’ll be lucky if I don’t fall asleep on the way back.”

“Don’t say that.”

“I’m kidding.”

“Let me take the truck home.”

“What?”

“Killian, you are dead on your feet. I promise I’ll be good to your truck.” She grinned.

“I’m not worried about that. Maybe it is a good idea.”

“Of course, it is. I’m not quite as tired as you, so I’ll drive it home and you can go to bed. I’ll be back in the morning by nine.”

“Alright. Let me walk you out.” He took her hand, led her outside, and to his truck. He opened the door for her, and she climbed inside, then he leaned in and kissed her lips. “Be careful.”

“I will. I promise. I’ll see you in the morning. Get some sleep.”

“I’m going to.” He kissed her again, then closed the door.

Celine started the truck, waved, and drove away. She looked in the rearview mirror to see him watching her, then he headed toward the house.

She pulled onto the road and drove home. She really wished she could have stayed with him tonight, but she knew, without a doubt, shewould tomorrow night.

****

Killian groaned as Tank lay across him and whined. He tried to push the dog off, but he kept trying to lick him.

“Tank, damn, boy. Stop. Let me up.” Tank sat and barked. The dogs knew when he said, ‘let me up’ they had to move.

Killian unzipped the sleeping bag, sat up, and rubbed his eyes. He reached for his sweatpants, stood and pulled them on.

“Come on, let’s go out.”

All three dogs ran toward the front door, but Killian didn’t want them to go that way.

“No, this way. Come on.” He chuckled when they looked at him and back to the door. But they followed him when he went to the kitchen, opened the back door, and stepped onto the back deck. The dogs ran out behind him, then down the steps. He kept an eye on them and had to call them back a few times, but they listened well, and he knew they’d stay close as long as he was watching them.

He planned to go online later, look for a fence installer, and make an appointment. The fence was a priority, so he hoped to get it done quickly.

All utilities were on, including his internet, and all he needed was his furniture to get here and unpack. That made him groan; the thought of unpacking those damn boxes.

After he got the dogs back inside, he walked out toward the truck, removed a box labeled towels, another with kitchen written on it, andcarried them inside. He wanted to grab a shower before anyone got here, but he also needed coffee.

After a quick shower, he headed back to the kitchen and set up his K-cup machine and brewed a cup of coffee. He looked at his watch to see it was eight-thirty. He had told Beau, Luke, and Creed to be here around nine-thirty, so he knew he had to get dressed soon. Celine would be here in half an hour.

At nine, he heard a vehicle out front, so he headed for the door. Opening it, he saw Celine jump down from his truck. When she spotted him, she waved and smiled, making his heart skip a beat. He was so damn attracted to her, and he knew he was on the verge of falling for her. He just hoped she felt the same.

“Hi,” she said when she reached the steps of the porch.

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