Page 31 of SEAL by Fate

“She’s sweet, isn’t she?”

Gray lifted his gaze to her, smiling. “She’s okay.” He winked. “I see she has a collar but no tag. Although she’s a little on the skinny side, I don’t see her as a stray living off the land.”

“That’s what I was thinking. She’s not unhealthy.”

Gray stood and hooked his thumbs into his front pockets. “Problem is, we’re not close to any neighbors and I don’t see why, or how, she would have come this far in this weather.”

“Maybe someone dropped her off, but she’s so sweet. I can’t imagine who would do that to her.”

Lola laid down in front of the fire and stretched out.

Stormy watched Gray lean on the counter. She wanted to step over and walk into his arms, knowing that his touch could melt away any of her doubt about her future, but she couldn’t rely on him. She had to stand on her own two feet. How could she though when they were stuck on a mountain.

Yet, hadn’t she always been independent? Always responsible? Even when she could have enjoyed life a little more, she instead stayed focus.

“You okay?” he asked.

Could she tell him that she was pondering her future again? He’d get tired of hearing her sad story. “I guess I’m just considering what I’m going to say to Duncan when I see him.”

“So, you plan on seeing him?”

“I don’t have a choice, do I? It’s the right thing to do.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

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