Page 16 of Bridge to Safety

“Let me go find someone to let her out. There’s an area where prospective adoptees can spend some time with the animals.” He returned to the front of the kennels.

“Oh, I’m so glad she’s interested in that poor dog. She belonged to an old woman who passed away recently. She’s a mix of mastiff, German shepherd, and Labrador, we think. Anyway,” the girl said, “She’s a real sweetheart. One of my favorites.” She unlocked the dog’s cage and slipped a leash around its neck.

Shiloh sat on the bench in the outdoor pen. Gracie, soon to be Peanut, laid her massive head on her knee. When Shiloh scratched the dog’s ears, the dog closed her eyes and leaned into her.

Rowan smiled. The dog would be a good fit after all.

“My turn.” Rachel wrapped her arms around the dog’s neck.

Rowan prepared to leap forward when the dog’s eyes snapped open in surprise. When no attack came, he relaxed. His daughter would be safe around Peanut. “So, do you have a new dog?”

“I sure do.” She glanced up at the girl who stood near the gate. “What do I need to do?”

“Pay the fee. We supply you with the leash, but you’ll need to purchase the other things.”

“We can stop by the store on the way.” Rowan held the gate open while Shiloh led out her new best friend.

Next stop…the nearest place to purchase what she needed. The mercantile. Leaving the dog in the car, Rowan followed Shiloh and his daughter into the store.

Fred seemed surprised to see the three of them together. “Deputy.”

“Shiloh just adopted a dog. She’s in need of supplies.” He pierced the man with a sharp look. “I’m sure you can help her out.”

“Sure, sure. Do you have a list?”

“That’s a question for Shiloh, sir. You should direct it to her.”

“Right.” He turned reluctantly to her. “Ma’am?”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Oh…um. The largest dog bed you have, food and water dishes, a very big bag of dogfood—”

“Don’t forget toys.” Rachel tugged on her sleeve. “Peanut needs toys. And snacks!”

Shiloh nodded. “Add those to the list, please. I had no idea how expensive a dog could be.”

“Well, you did adopt the biggest one on the planet.” Rowan chuckled. “You’d better buy a shovel. You’ll need one to clean up after her.”

“Add a pooper scooper.” She sighed and pulled a debit card from her purse.

~

Duke scowled at the sight of the big dog climbing out of the backseat of Shiloh’s car. What did she need a dog for? Loud and messy, not to mention he wouldn’t be able to sneak into her house and sniff her shampoo, lie on her bed…all the things he’d planned on doing on his next day off.

He cursed and gripped the steering wheel tight enough to make his knuckles ache. He needed to make her understand she belonged to him. Why else would fate bring her back to Misty Hollow? Why else had he never found anyone to take her place? This was all that new deputy’s fault. If he hadn’t been the one to help Shiloh on her first day into town, maybe Duke would have found her. Then things would’ve been different. She’d have owed him.

He refused to be cast aside like yesterday’s bread. Somehow, he’d convince her to see where her future lay. With him. Duke glanced at the white box on the passenger seat. It had sat there waiting for her to get home from school. Who knew that would be two hours later? Now, he might as well wait until she was in bed, or the dog would sound the alarm.

Cursing again, he drove away, prepared to come back later.

Chapter Seven

Shiloh opened thefront door the next morning to find a long white box lying on the porch. Her blood chilled. Instead of picking it up, she returned to the house, locked the door, then called Rowan.

“I’ll be there as fast as I can. Stay in the house.” He hung up.

“Some watchdog you were last night, Peanut.” Shiloh put a hand on the big dog’s head. “But, you were snoring pretty loud.” And Duke could be very sneaky. All the times he’d snuck to her house late at night to coerce her to come out. She’d hidden behind faded curtains each time, afraid of a repeat of prom night. None of her father’s hunting dogs had ever put up a fuss when Duke arrived. He must have a way with dogs.

She groaned and called the school to let them know she’d be in late. Perfect. Late on her third day. What a way to make a good impression.

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