Shelter Me by Catherine Mann Read Free Book Online Page B

up, her lopsided ponytail shifting. “I don’t know how to thank you enough, Mike. How did you find him? Or know to search? Did Sierra call you?”
    Mike walked past the front of the truck, stopping beside her. “He showed up at my place.”
    Standing, Lacey hugged Mike hard. “Well, thank you for bringing him home.”
    He patted her shoulder awkwardly before backing away. “I was going to call, but my cell phone wasn’t charged and I tried once from the motel but your home phone went straight to voice mail, so I decided to just drive over.”
    “I must have been talking to Animal Control when you phoned.” Lacey exhaled hard. “I’m just glad Trooper’s okay. I need to let all my shelter and rescue contacts know so they can cancel the alert . . .” She continued rambling her list of to-dos all the way into the house.
    Leaving Sierra alone with Mike.
    Awkward.
    She rested her head against the porch post, eyeing Trooper on one side of Mike. Clementine ambled back up to the porch and flopped down in front of the door. Sure, the Lab only had three legs, but she was the alpha boss of the house and the other dogs knew it. “Mom’s rescue network is large. She’ll be on the phone for a long while.”
    “Monster large, or so I hear.”
    She winced. “That’s an understatement.”
    “You’re not cool with her officially opening her own rescue?”
    “That’s not what I meant.” Well, okay, it sorta was, but she felt guilty for not supporting her mom’s dream when her mother had always been there for her kids, often alone. But helping the local shelter was one thing. Making their home the point of contact for a full-fledged rescue took things to another level. “I’m not expressing myself well. I was just so worried. Trooper was gone. It’s not like he knows the neighborhood. What if he’d been hit by a car? Does he even understand regular traffic? My dad trusted us.”
    Mike walked up the steps, long, loping strides bringing him closer to her. “Sierra, it’s okay now.” He rested a broad hand on her shoulder, squeezing once. “Trooper’s home. He’s safe. Your dad knew what he was doing when he sent him here.”
    “Can we not talk about my father after all?” She was too close to losing it. Totally. Even the comforting touch threatened to send her flying into his arms. She held herself rigidly in control.
    He seemed to get the message and backed up a step, slumping back against the opposite post. Trooper stayed plastered by his side, ears back. “The dog’s not a comfort, is he?”
    “It’s not that.” She studied the wide brown puppy eyes staring back up at her, and she could swear she saw her father’s reflection in them. “He’s just a reminder.”
    “Like I am.”
    She looked up sharply. “I didn’t say that.”
    “You didn’t have to.”
    Guilt and a little shame churned around inside her. “Thank you for bringing him here. We’ve been freaking out since we noticed he was missing early this morning.”
    “He traveled a lot of ground to find me.” He crossed his feet at the ankles, wearing boat shoes with no socks. He pulled off casual so very well. “He must have been on the move the whole time.”
    “Were you at a party?” The words fell out of her mouth before she could call them back. At least she didn’t ask if he was with a date.
    “At my motel room”—he half smiled as if he could read her mind—“alone.”
    She almost managed to hold in her sigh of relief. Almost. Her face heated with a blush. “How did Trooper track you?”
    Mike’s eyes swept her face for a flash that said loud and clear he hadn’t missed her embarrassment or interest. “You would have to ask him,” he said, playing along with not openly acknowledging the attraction crackling between them, “except Trooper can’t talk.”
    “If only he could, the things he might tell us.”
    What a time to realize that as they stood face-to-face, leaning against the posts, their feet were almost