Once she was emptied out, she glanced at the sealed envelope resting under Sean’s letter. Kyle’s handwriting was spidery, scribbled in a hurry. Why did he write a letter? Why not just fire off a text instead?
Well, it had been a mistake to let Sean’s letter sit so long. If she didn’t like what Kyle had to say, she could always toss it on the fire. She didn’t have to keepeverysingle stray, did she? Even the one she wanted to keep the most.
Deep breaths. In, hold, and out.
Arden picked up the envelope and sliced it open. The letter looked short and to the point:
Dear Arden,
Camo isyourdog. He belongs with you no matter what. I failed you tonight and so I understand if you never want to see me again. Just know that I will always love you. I wanted to stay and tell you that but things turned out different than I planned.
All my love,
Kyle
She read it over twice. Then a third time. She shook her head at the words.
“Damn you, Kyle McGuire.” God, she wished he were here so she could tell him that to his face.
Someone pounded on her door so hard and so suddenly, if she’d had a mug of hot chocolate she would have spilled it all over her robe.
“Coming, coming!” Shoulder just starting to ache again, she got off the couch and went to the door. Undoubtedly, some neighbor checking on her. She should probably expect that for the next week or so.
“Hang on, I’m right here,” she said as she undid the deadbolts but left the swing lock in place. Then she added, “I’m armed, so you’re going to want to step back to the edge of the porch if I don’t know you.”
A dog barked.
Arden took a deep breath before she opened the door wide. A certain black and gold, one-of-a-kind double-dog stood on the porch wagging his tail.
She covered her mouth. “Camo?”
“How do you know my dog’s name?” Kyle asked from the edge of the porch.
Arden tried to cover her smile. “Because he’smy dog.”
Kyle stepped forward, sexy smile melting her and making her forget the pain in her shoulder. “Um, no. I don’t know what game you’re playing but he isn’t your dog.” He stopped inches in front of her. “Technically, he's not my dogoryours. The guy at Lackland said so.”
“Oh, crap, we both gave up our rights?”
Kyle shrugged. “That’s just on paper.” He craned his head in the door and looked over at Nancy. “I wouldn’t hesitate to pull that trigger to protectmydog.” He wrapped his arms around her. Finally. “Or my woman.” Kyle bent his head and kissed her. And oh, God if his kisses had been hot and sweet before, this one blew them all away.
Camo had had enough of just sitting there. He defied Kyle’s order and joined them, circling and barking.
Arden pulled away. “Well, sir, I would happily take a bullet formydog. Or my man. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
He pressed his forehead against hers. “Baby, I am so, so sorry.”
“Hush,” she whispered. “Come on in, it’s cold out here.”
Arden led Kyle and Camo back to the great room. She watched him glance at the letters on the couch. “I guess you did read it. I was afraid you wouldn’t.”
“I almost didn’t read your letter.”
“I’m talking about Sean’s letter. Mine, I don’t care because I would have told you everything in it anyway. I’m glad you read his though.”
Arden blinked back tears. “Me too.”
“You and him square?”
