It took her a moment, but he was glad when she finally looked up. He turned so she could see the events unfolding better.

Slater was squatting down now, petting the dog, as the retriever licked his hand.

“A doggy!” Mina cried excitedly, bouncing in Jackson’s arms.

He placed her feet carefully on the floor and said, “Go see the doggy, honey. I bet he’d love more attention.”

His eyes didn’t leave her as she hurried to the animal and bent down, her ass high in the air, barely covered by her pink bikini-cut panties that were now sagging a little.

Mmm. She looked delicious.

“Where did he come from?” she asked, rubbing the dog’s belly as he rolled over. “I mean, he was in my closet. But how did he get there?”

“That’s what I am to find out,” Jackson said. He started walking to the stairs and then stopped, casting a glance over his shoulder. “Slater, don’t go getting any ideas while I’m gone. You didn’t want me to take her all for myself. So don’t do it, either!”

Slater just guffawed. “We’ll see, brother. But I don’t make any promises.”

Jackson snorted and then headed upstairs. It didn’t take him long to put things together. He was back about five minutes later.

“I’m glad you’re still petting that dog,” he told Mina.

“What else would I be doing?”

“Well, being as how you’re pretty much naked, I was worried Slater there would have you bent over the desk, if you catch my drift. Honey, a man can only take so much.”

She gasped and stood quickly, as if just now realizing she only wore panties.

“Oh my gosh!” she said, frantically trying to cover her chest.

“We’ve done seen it now,” Slater said.

She sighed and hung her head in defeat. “Sorry. I’ve been so caught up in all this.” She looked at Jackson. “Where did he come from?”

“Best I can tell, he’s using the back staircase. That door isn’t secured well. I fixed it, got it latched and locked. But he’s made himself a little nest in the closet, seeking shelter. You probably didn’t even notice him when you put your clothes up after getting into town. Or he was out scavenging for food and came back later.” His eyes fell on the dog. “Poor thing looks scrawny. We need to wrestle him up some grub.”

“And we best have him looked over,” Slater suggested. “Make sure he’s okay. Gets the shots he needs and all that.”

“We’re keeping him?” Mina asked, the hopeful excitement evident in her voice.

Jackson sure liked what he heard. It seemed as if the question—the way she’d saidwe’re—meant that they were… well, something.

That could be explored later.

Right now, he just nodded and said, “We sure can’t turn him loose to fend for himself. Besides, I’ve been wanting a dog.”

“Me, too,” Slater said.

“Me, three!” Mina said.

Again, Jackson sure liked the sound of that.

Three.

As in the three of them.

“We could take him to Doc Belter,” he suggested, naming a vet he knew in the area.

“That’s what I was thinking,” Slater said, standing.