“We’ve got to call Sheriff Dawes,” Parker said.
“Already done. He’s on his way. Your mother doesn’t find out about this,” Elijah said.
“Nor Poppy. I don’t want them worrying.”
“Also, we want you to get a couple of the dogs,” Bruce said.
“Dogs?” Shawn asked.
“Keep them close to the house. They’re guard dogs, and I’m sure Poppy will love them.”
Shawn shook his head. “I doubt that. When we were little a dog chased us up a tree. It nearly took a chunk right out of Poppy’s leg.”
“Then make sure she gets over her fear, because I don’t like this. This is an attack on our ranch, and I want to make sure our women are protected,” Elijah said.
****
“Down, boy,” Poppy said.
Parker shook his head, laughing as she popped her head out of the kitchen window. She wouldn’t leave the house, and even though it pissed him off, he found her cute as anything.
“He’s not going to bite. Here, boy,” he said.
The German shepherd ran toward him, taking a seat, his tongue hanging out of his mouth.
“Is he your dog?”
“I helped train him growing up.” On the ranch they had to have several dogs. He didn’t know why he’d not thought of bringing him back home with him.
Their dads had made sure they each had a dog to train. His mother loved dogs, and they had four different kinds: German shepherd, Labrador, St. Bernard, and cocker spaniel.
“What’s his name?” she asked.
“Stitch.”
“What a strange name.”
He laughed. “I called him that because every time I went running with him, he always gave me a stitch in my side. He’s a good boy. Come out and stop being a wuss. Come and say hi to him.”
Parker commanded Stitch to sit as the door opened. He watched as Poppy took small steps to leave the house.
Her fear was justified. Dogs, when trained to be, could be totally vicious and dangerous. Stitch was both of those things but only to the people who were threatening. Poppy stood a couple of feet away.
“Come here,” he said, holding his hand out. “I’m not going to bite.”
She stepped toward him, taking his hand, and walking past the well-trained dog with Stitch staying perfectly still. Parker moved her so that she was standing between his thighs. He pulled her close, placing a hand on her stomach, and pretending to put her into position. The truth was, it just felt good to have her in his arms.
He’d gladly have her close every single second of every day.
Still, like Casey, he hated the time it was taking to bring her into their lives. He wanted the freedom to kiss and make love to her. Instead, he was having to be incredibly patient, which he was finding wasn’t his strength.
Taking hold of her hand, when really he just wanted to hold her, he gave Stitch a signal to come closer.
Poppy tensed up in his arms. Keeping his hand over hers, he reached out and slowly placed her hand on Stitch.
His dog lapped up the attention.
As each second passed, the tension began to ease out of Poppy.
“See, he just wants a bit of attention. He’s friendly.”
Only when he was sure she was happy did he let her hand go.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Try stroking him without me.” He placed his hands on her hips, and leaned in close, smelling her vanilla scent. She smelled like home, and his mouth watered for a taste.
Seconds turned into minutes, and then Poppy sat down on the ground, and Stitch stayed where he told him to.
When he was sure she felt safe and was okay, he got Stitch to move a little closer. Poppy giggled as the dog lay down and showed his belly.
“Oh, wow, he is so cute,” she said.
“He likes you,” Parker said.
“You know, I think I could like him.”
She stroked his stomach, and Parker smiled. He liked seeing her happy like this.
“Now I never thought I’d see that,” Shawn said.
Poppy laughed. “I know, right? I’ve spent most of the afternoon at the window refusing to come out. I bet I’ve driven you mad.”
She turned back to look at him.
He took a curl between his fingers, playing with the silken strands. “Nope, not mad at all. It has been a pleasure to show you that dogs are nothing to be afraid of. At least my dog isn’t.”
“No, he’s not.” She continued to stroke Stitch, and Parker played with her hair as Shawn took a seat in one of the deck chairs.
The peace that came over him felt right.
Casey returned home.
“Are you ready to take me back?” Poppy asked.
Each of them hated when she asked that question.
“Let me get cleaned up first, and then I’ll take you back.”
None of them were happy with finding the mutilated cow. Sheriff Dawes was looking into it, but right now, no one knew who’d go to that length on an animal.