Chasing Victory (The Winters Sisters) by Joanne Jaytanie Read Free Book Online Page A

this man.
    “No, and I can honestly say that I would certainly remember meeting you.” Tristan smiled down at her.
    Dax poked at Tristan’s arm. Tristan reached down under his chin and scratched.
    “Dax likes you,” she said with surprise in her voice.
    “I have that effect on dogs. Guess it’s true that dogs can sense who likes them.” Tristan continued rubbing Dax.
    The two dogs that were lying in the sun both lifted their heads in unison and looked up at Tristan.
    “The big black guy sunning himself is Parker and the red girl is Kes.”
    “Wow, you have a lot of Dobermans.”
    “We have one more, Asia; she’s out taking a walk with my sister.”
    “Would you like me to get that bike out?” Tristan asked.
    “Yes, thanks. See where the clips hold the pens shut?” Victory said pointing up near the front of the Prevost. “Go ahead and come on in, the dogs won’t bother you.”
    Tristan walked down to where Victory told him to enter. As he opened the pens both Parker and Kes got up to greet him.
    “Parker, Kes, sit,” Victory commanded.
    “They don’t bother me, I love dogs.” Tristan walked to the back of the motorhome and looked into the storage, “Wow, looks like you packed for a month.”
    “Yeah, Payton likes to be prepared.”
    “Payton, oh your sister?” Tristan responded.
    A few minutes later Tristan had rearranged the storage and carefully slid the bike out.
    “Thank you so much,” Victory said. “That could have taken me hours, and I don’t even want to think how many times I would have ended up on the ground.” She looked up at Tristan grinning.
    “I wouldn’t want that. Glad to be of service.” He walked the bike up to the side of the motorhome.
    “I could use a cold drink. Would you like to join me, that is, if I’m not keeping you from anything?” Victory said.
    “Nothing that can’t wait, I would love a drink.”
    Victory disappeared into the motorhome and returned with two tall glasses of iced tea. She was surprised to see that Tristan managed to dig out two of the folding chairs and a small table while she was gone. He was relaxing in a chair with his feet stretched out in front of him. Parker lay at his feet while both Kes and Dax rested their heads in his lap, clearly enjoying their ear rubs. Victory reached out to the three Dobermans with her mind and found calm and contentment.
    “Boy, my guys like most people, but they don’t usually warm up to them this fast,” she said as she handed Tristan a glass.
    “What can I say? I guess I’m simply a likeable kind of guy as far as animals are concerned.” He sipped his tea then put the glass on the small table. “So, what brings you here, vacation?”
    “Sort of. My sister shows dogs, and I am helping her out on the circuit. We have a couple days break and thought this would be a nice place to unwind.” Victory picked up her drink and took another sip. “How about you?”
    “Working vacation. I’m studying the local foliage and it’s a great time for me to get my camping fix,” Tristan said.
    “Oh, you’re a botanist,” Victory said with excitement. This was someone she would enjoy talking to.
    “Yes, I am.” Tristan wasn’t lying; one of his five degrees was in botany and it served him effectively on many assignments when he needed plants for healing or poisons.
    “Botany is one of my favorite hobbies, I use it often,” Victory was as excited as a child at Christmas. “I would love to pick your brain while I’m here.” Victory smiled at Tristan.
    Wow, her smile is mesmerizing, Tristan thought. “Sounds like fun. I have no set schedule, so any time.” Having researched her background he knew this would be a great way to stay close to the girls.
    Tristan and Victory chattered for hours about the local foliage and Tristan’s research. Victory invited him to stay for dinner, as a thank you for helping her. Suddenly all three Dobermans alerted, posed like sentinels, not moving a muscle. In unison three