Fear leapt into her throat and she quickly crouched, putting her arms around Horse who was vibrating.
“No! He’s a dog. My dog. I’m sorry he was making so much noise. I will make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
The deputy flicked his gaze from her to the dog.
“It was nice to meet you, Deputy . . .” she let her voice trail off.
“Deputy Dunn,” he said. “Zane Dunn.”
“Thanks for coming out. Sorry to waste your time.”
He nodded. “Keep your dog quiet from now on. And under control.”
Well, he was under control. Couldn’t he see that?
But she didn’t protest, just nodded. “Sorry.”
God, she hated that her first urge was always to apologize even when she wasn’t in the wrong.
That’s how her father had trained her.
She watched the deputy leave with a sense of trepidation. She didn’t know why but something about him just seemed . . . off.
“So, you guys and Arabella, huh?”Shaw asked with a sly grin as they entered Duncan and Laken’s house after breakfast at the diner.
“What’s all this?” Laken padded into the kitchen from the living room.
She looked tired and Kellan immediately pulled out a kitchen chair. He glanced from it to her pointedly.
With a huff, she sat. “How can you be so bossy without saying a word?”
“It’s a talent us Jones brothers have,” Eli told her as he got her a bottle of water.
Laken sat with a groan. “So, what’s going on? What’s between you and Arabella?”
“You know about Arabella?” Eli asked as he grabbed the rest of them a soda.
She brushed her hair off her face. “Of course I do. My husband is a deputy sheriff, remember? Not that I’ve really toldanyone. I figure she deserves her privacy and she’ll soon have lots of guys vying for her attention.”
“They better fucking not,” Eli growled.
Kellan wanted to agree with his brother, but held back. He didn’t want to read too much into his interest in Arabella. He didn’t have the capacity to care about her the way that Eli did.
Of course if she was open to being shared . . .
But who was to say she wanted that? Wanted him? Perhaps she’d only want Eli.
Which would break all of them. Because Eli was too loyal. Would he resent Kellan if he was the reason he couldn’t have her?
“Well, that reaction is interesting.” Laken studied Eli, then glanced over at Kellan who just stared back at her without giving anything away.
He hoped.
“Isn’t it?” Shaw said, sounding more lively than he’d been in ages.
That alone was worth a bit of ribbing about Arabella. He’d take much, much more if it meant that Shaw would smile. Would find something about life to live for.
Yeah, he’d happily be the butt of every joke.
