Page 48 of Shelter for Tanna

“Yeah. Before they showed up at the office, Ben called and said they’d been there the night before, asking questions.”

“Sure it was the same guys?”

“Oh, yeah. He described them and I knew who they were the minute they walked into the office on Friday.”

He glanced past her again. “Yeah. They just rounded the corner. Think I’m going that direction to see what they’re up to. Look, you be careful out here. Some people are crazy, and I don’t want to find out you’ve gotten hurt.”

“Thanks. And thanks for stopping. I appreciate it. Guess I’d better get this thing to the scrap yard. Bye, Kip.”

“Bye, Tanna. Stay safe.” With that, the cruiser pulled out into the street and headed in the direction the men had taken.

Tanna took the car to the scrap yard and unloaded it, then drove back to the office. She hoped she never saw those two again. They creeped her out. She also knew she couldn’t say anything to Braden about them. He’d go all alpha male and pop a blood vessel.

By the time she got home, Braden was already there, and Max and Daniel were working on their homework. To her surprise, Braden had brought an electric pressure cooker with him, and he had a roast, potatoes, and carrots cooking in the kitchen while a pot of green beans simmered on the stove. “It’ll be about another thirty minutes. Go take your shower. Crash will be here by the time you get done,” he said as soon as she stepped in the house. God, it smelled good, and Tanna hurried down the hallway to the bathroom, eager to see if it tasted as good as the aroma wafting through the house.

She came back to a tall, drop dead gorgeous guy standing in the kitchen with Braden and beside him was the largest, blackest German Shepherd Dog that Tanna had ever seen. The thing was a monster. “Babe! This is Crash, um, Dean. He’s Sparky’s cousin. Dean, this is the love of my life, Tanna.” Braden was beaming and grinning from ear to ear.

“It’s great to meet you!” Tanna said, hand extended, but the minute Dean took her hand, she knew that was wasted. He was a hugger, and the hug he gave her was warm and kind.

“It’s great to meet you too! He told me how beautiful you are, but I swear, he didn’t do you justice,” Dean said as he released her and smiled down into her face.

“Oh, that’s sweet of you! I guess you met the boys?” she asked.

Dean laughed. “Yeah. I’ve already been put on PEZ duty.”

She shook her head, laughing. “He didn’t waste any time!”

“And I’d like for all of you to meet somebody special. This is Sascha. He’s the department’s new search and rescue dog, and I got picked to pick him up and bring him back.” At the mention of his name, the dog’s already-alert ears perked up. “Hope it’s okay that he’s here.”

“It’s wonderful! Will the boys be able to pet him?”

“I don’t know why not, although they’ll have to have my okay and be invited into his space. His training doesn’t allow him to be friendly with everybody, but if they’re introduced properly, it’ll be fine.”

Tanna turned to Braden. “We’ll have to watch Max.”

Her handsome hunk nodded. “Yeah. Special rules, and they’re followed ornoPEZ.”

“I agree,” Tanna said with a nod.

“Well, dinner’s ready,” Braden announced. “Let’s eat!”

She ate until she was stuffed. They all did. There was plenty left over for them to have another meal from it. Braden smiled as they stored it in plastic containers. “For Wednesday night while I’m at work.”

“That’ll be nice. Dean seems like a very nice guy. And that dog?he’s really something.”

“Yeah. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a GSD that large or that black. He’s almost like a giant shadow. And so graceful too.”

“Yeah, and he seemed totally taken with Max. Do you think Sascha senses there’s something different about him?”

“It’s entirely possible.”

Tanna leaned into him and gazed up into his face. “Are you staying tonight?” She hoped he was. She’d missed those arms the night before.

“Yeah, so tomorrow morning will be hectic. I brought some of those microwaveable breakfast burritos so we’ll have something quick.” He kissed her forehead and wrapped both arms around her. “You know, I love being able to do things like this.”

“Like what?”

“Cooking a dinner. Eating like a family. Being here with all three of you.”

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