Page 23 of Shattered Sanctuary

A tear slid down Erin’s cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. Kaely knew about Erin’s background. Her parents died in a car accident when she was young, and she had a sister who was a drug addict and disappeared after her parents’ deaths. She was raised by an aunt who only took Erin because she thought it was her duty. The only man Erin had ever loved had betrayed her, and she’d watched him die in front of her. Yet here she was. Still fighting. A woman who would defend the underdog at the drop of a hat. Kaely hadtaken a chance, bringing up God. But she felt that Erin was touched by the idea that God saw her as unique. Someone with special gifts.

Erin opened her mouth to say something, but before she could get the words out, someone knocked on the door, causing both of them to jump.

EIGHTEEN

Erin looked through the peephole. Chief Nightengale. She swung the door open, and Kaely stood behind her as backup. Or so it felt.

“Thank you for coming, Chief,” she said, still a little embarrassed for calling him.

“I looked around outside,” he said. “Everything seems to be okay. If there was anyone out there, they’re gone now.”

Erin noticed that he’d said, “Ifthere was anyone out there...” but she decided not to mention it. “Thank you, Chief.” The sound of a dog barking startled her. She glanced toward the chief’s Jeep. A large golden retriever peered through the passenger side window and barked at them.

“Is that your dog?” she asked.What a stupid question. Do you think the dog unlocked the car door and jumped inside when the chief wasn’t looking?

“Yes, that’s Jake. And he’s fine in the car. He’s just trying to get you to feel sorry for him.”

“His name is Jake?” Erin asked.

The chief nodded. “Yeah, just like the guy in your book. I don’t think they look much alike though.”

Erin could barely believe it. The chief looked like Jake and his dog’s name was Jake? Strange.

“I love dogs,” Erin said. “Can he come in? I’d love to meet him.” She turned around and looked at Kaely. “Is that okay with you?”

“Of course. Noah and I don’t have a dog,” she said to the chief, “but we have a cat with a lot of personality. Mr. Hoover seems to think he owns our house.” She smiled. “If you don’t let him out, we’ll probably keep bothering you until you do.”

Chief Nightingale shrugged and went back down the steps. When he opened the car door, the dog jumped out and bounded up to the front door, his big fluffy tail wagging so fast it was hard to see.

“Jake!” the chief yelled. “Calm down.”

The dog completely ignored him and, to Erin’s delight, jumped up on her. She laughed as he licked her face.

“Jake!” the chief said again, his voice stern. “Get down.”

This time Jake obeyed, but it looked to Erin as if compliance was almost painful.

“I don’t mind, Chief,” she said. “He’s so beautiful.”

“He’s a pill. He’s not quite a year old, and he has his own mind. He only listens to me when he wants to.”

Erin smiled. “I think he’s trying.” She waved them both inside. Jake followed her into the living room. When Erin and Kaely sat down on the couch, Jake jumped up and wiggled in between them, causing both women to laugh. It was amazing how much better she felt now, after only spending a few minutes with the chief’s beautiful dog. Erin had thought about getting a dog after she left the department, but the responsibility felt like too much for her at the time. Maybeafter she went home, she’d go to a shelter and find a dog that needed a home as much as she needed a furry best friend.

“Jake, get down from the couch,” the chief said, his face pink from either embarrassment or the cold.

“Oh, please let him stay,” Kaely said. “Unless it will cause you a problem with his training.”

Chief Nightengale plopped down into the chair as if he’d given up his last ounce of willpower. “It’s up to you. I probably shouldn’t have brought him, but he loves riding in the car.”

“Well, he’s welcome here any time,” Erin said. She smiled at the chief and then realized that her comment could have been misconstrued. “And you are as well, Chief.” It was her turn to feel embarrassed. She felt her cheeks grow hot.

Suddenly, Kaely burst out laughing, and Chief Nightingale joined in. Although she was still somewhat self-conscious, she was relieved that the chief had found her comment humorous. The tension in the room had lessened considerably. Leave it to a dog to lighten up the atmosphere.

“Can I get you something to drink, Chief Nightengale?” Kaely asked the chief. “There’s a one cup-coffeemaker in the kitchen. We’ve got coffee, hot chocolate, cappuccino...”

“Normally, I would say no,” the chief said. “But a cup of hot chocolate sounds perfect. I’m chilled to the bone. And please, call me Adrian. I think we’ve been through enough together that you can drop the title. And to be honest, only the tourists call me Chief Nightengale.”

“Chief... I mean, Adrian,” Erin said, “why didn’t you ask one of your other officers to come out? You didn’t need to drive out here yourself. I’m sure you have other things to think about right now.”

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