Page 67 of Sensual Nights

"Soon. I have my hair almost done, and my makeup is on. Heidi has been mischievous this morning and chewed my panties and slobbered them up, so I had to wash them. As soon as they dry, I'll be over."

"Okay. I'll have breakfast ready in thirty minutes."

"You're cooking?"

Margo laughed. "No, when I say, ‘I'll have breakfast ready...’ I mean, Jace will have it ready. I'm busy trying to get my baby sisters' butts in gear."

Carley laughed. "That's why I stayed here last night. I knew they'd be up talking all night, and I have a big day."

"I know you do, honey. Put your panties on and get over here."

She laughed. "I'll see you soon."

She ended the call and pulled out the shorts and t-shirt she'd wear to Margo's. They'd dress in the Governor's Mansion after breakfast, then a limousine Mason hired would carry she and her sisters to the Sandbar, where she would marry her lover. She couldn't wait.

Dressing quickly, she put her gun in the gun safe, locked it up, and stepped from the bedroom into the hall when Heidi ran up to her as if they were meeting for the first time.

"Heidi!"

Carley looked down the hallway and didn't see anyone again. She took a few steps toward the kitchen, and Heidi bounded down the hall before her. Carley swallowed the lump in her throat and took a deep breath. She watched her pup's behavior and didn't see anything different. Heidi always alerted her to a stranger.

She moved to Heidi's kennel once more and smiled at her pup. "Go to bed."

Heidi trotted to her kennel and lay down inside. Carley locked it up, then moved to the kitchen to wait. And watch.

Heidi, who was incredibly smart, lay like a perfect little lady and watched her in the kitchen. Carley grinned, opened the treat cabinet, and pulled a treat from the jar. Heidi grew restless and began crying. Carley lay the treat on the floor where Heidi could see it. Heidi stared for a while, then Carley stepped back and watched. Heidi reached her paw through the slats in the kennel and pushed the latch up. Then she wiggled it over, using her paw and her nose until the door popped open. She ran to the treat, and Carley shook her head. "You are too smart for me, girl."

EPILOGUE - MASON

Mason woke in Quinn's spare bedroom excited for today. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and looked at it. Carley’s text awaited him, and he smiled reading her morning message. He replied,

"Good morning. I'm excited to see you, and for the record, I don't like sleeping alone."

He sent it off, got up and used the toilet, then jumped in the shower.

He missed his woman and his pup. Heidi had wormed her way into both of their hearts within minutes of being in their home. It was uncanny how much he loved her. But, as with any pup, she required constant attention. If she wasn't looking for a place to pee, she was chewing on something she shouldn’t or getting into things. Any basket, bag, or bundle on the floor was fair game. As she grew, it was harder to keep things from her. Plus, she was smart!

He stepped from his room at the Kurtz's home and smelled coffee. As he entered the kitchen, Quinn sat at the table reading the paper, with a steaming cup of coffee in front of him.

"Morning," he said.

Mason grinned. "Morning."

Quinn started to rise but Mason held his hand out, "Don't get up. I can manage."

He saw the cup sitting next to the pot and poured himself a cup of coffee. Cream and sugar were there if he needed it. He didn’t.

He sat across from Quinn at the table and took a deep breath. Quinn set his paper down and grinned. "Are you excited?"

"I am."

"You're a good pair."

Mason laughed. "I think so too."

Quinn grinned. "Hanna's already at the bakery. I have to leave in about an hour, to help her load the van, and deliver to the Sandbar."

"Thank you both so much for all you have done for us. I'll make the bed before I leave."

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