Page 40 of Colorado K-9 Rescue
Mckenna didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but she did love giving him a hard time. “I am. Sorry, can’t help myself.”
“No, it’s okay. I like it. Shall we head out?”
Mckenna nodded. She woke up Mocha and convinced him to give up the driver’s seat and go back to his travel crate. While she’d been in a hurry and let him ride shotgun, it was safer for the Lab to be in a crate. He hesitated, liking his newfound spot in the car, but eventually cooperated.
Starting the car, Mckenna noted that her hands weren’t shaking as much. Being with Evan calmed her down.
I wonder what kind of effect I have on him.
The drive was smooth, and about twenty minutes later, Mckenna pulled up to Evan’s house on the outskirts of Morrison. The view was spectacular, and she could see the sharp edges of the large boulders that surrounded Red Rocks in the horizon. She let Mocha out of his crate as Evan pulled in the driveway and parked.
Mckenna waited for him to get out and then said, “You don’t need tickets for a concert, you could sit on your front patio and listen to each one.”
“I’ve done that a couple of nights. I can hear the music pretty well, but I still think it could be a fun experience.”
“I agree,” Mckenna said.
They went inside and she gazed around. The place was neat and clean, but it seemed like no one lived there. It had the basics, but nothing more.
“I love what you’ve done with the place,” she said.
“Sarcasm again, right?” Evan laughed. “Well, when you’re not home much, you don’t do much decorating.”
“I don’t have clothes or Mocha’s food or anything,” Mckenna said, suddenly feeling anxiety. Whatwasshe thinking?
“I realized that too. What does Mocha eat? I can run to the store and pick something up. Get dinner too.”
Mckenna told Evan the type of food but left out the part that she was worried about being on her own in someone else’s house.
“As for clothes, I have some things you can wear.”
“I’m going to look like a little kid in your clothes,” Mckenna said.
“You can roll up the sleeves. As soon as the evidence team is done, I’ll go with you to get some clothes.”
“When they’re done, I’d like to go home.”
“When I find Rex and Toby Hanson, you can go home.”
Mckenna grimaced at the thought of the kidnapper waiting for her. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“I do. Let me give you the tour, show you your room and then I’ll go to the store and be back before you know it.”
Mckenna followed Evan around with Mocha stuck to her side. The tour didn’t take long.
“Do you want to let Mocha out before I go?” Evan asked. “If he needs to go, I have a fenced backyard.”
“I can let him out,” Mckenna answered.
“I think it’s better if I’m with you,” Evan said. “Just in case.”
Mckenna hated that she was being treated like someone who was fragile, but on the other hand, the note that was left in her journal was disturbing. She’d taken self-defense classes and done things to take care of herself, but the fact was, she wasn’t a big person. She could easily be overpowered. She gave in to the fact part of her reasoning. “Okay. That’s probably a good idea.”
Mckenna thought Evan seemed relieved. He’d probably figured she was going to argue with him. They went to the back sliding door and the yard surprised her. A deck with two Adirondack chairs, grill and pergola spread out to a perfectly mowed and manicured yard. There were flower beds and xeriscaping around the edges.
“It’s beautiful out here,” Mckenna said. “I’m a little worried about what Mocha might do to ruin your landscaping.”
“I don’t care,” Evan said. “I’m more worried about him stealing a sandwich or other food.”
