Kyle parked his SUV in front of the ranch house. Camo greeted him at the front door. The dog divided his time between going to work with Kyle and staying home with Arden and ‘assisting’ her as a therapy dog for some of her clients. Camo had the run of both Watchdog and the ranch and came and went as he pleased.
“Hey, boy. How’s Mama?” Kyle knelt and ran his hands through Camo’s black and gold mottled fur which gave him his name.
Arden came down the hall from the great room. “Mama is running around like a chicken with her head cut off trying to get everything ready for our guests.” God, she was beautiful with her cheeks flushed and her hair pulled back in a messy bun.
“What can I do to help?” Kyle stood up and took Arden in his arms. Her gray eyes locked onto his ice-blues moments before he kissed her. She tasted like the ripe peaches she’d bought at a roadside stand to make cobbler.
“Mmmm. Somebody stole a peach.” He traced her lips with his tongue. “Delicious. I could do this all day.”
Arden chuckled. “That’s not helping, California Boy. Dog fur is the bane of my existence. I’m totally frazzled.”
“No, you’re not. You’re in your element. You love nothing more than hosting a houseful of guests and you’re getting your wish this week.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine, guilty as charged. But I do want to have the place looking nice. We’ve never met Wolf and Caroline in person, and—”
“And you’ve carried your laptop around the house giving Caroline a tour of the place how many times when you and she and Melody are having a virtual cocktail hour?”
“Hey now. Margarita Mondays are sacred, virtual or not.”
Kyle laughed. “Right.” He tapped her nose. “Caroline is not the type to be all judgmental. And of course, you know Rachael and Jake. The house looks great, I promise.”
Arden nodded. “Thank you. And thank you for talking me off the ledge.”
“All in a day’s work. And I’m just paying you back for all the times you’ve talkedmeoff the ledge.” He noticed a tinge of sadness creeping into her eyes and knew exactly where it was coming from.Damn, I should have checked in with her earlier. He tilted her chin up and stroked her cheek. “Hey, you gonna be all right? I know the anniversary is coming up and this is the first one since your brother died.”
She nodded silently. “Yes. Thank God I have you to help me get through it.” Her eyes misted over.
Kyle kissed each eyelid. “And you’ll have Caroline and Rachael. And don’t forget Camo.”
Arden smiled even as she blinked back tears. She went to her knees and rubbed her hands over the dog’s fur. Camo leaned into her and she hugged him. “Yes, I have Camo too.” She looked up at Kyle. “Do you think Camo remembers?”
That pierced his heart. Camo had been in Sean’s life for a short time, but he’d had a major impact. “Of course he does, baby.” Kyle pulled Arden back to her feet. “Camo never forgets.”
They kissed again. God, she felt so good in his arms. Every day they were together just got better and better.
Kyle’s phone buzzed and he reluctantly pulled away. Checking his phone, he said, “Wolf and Caroline just got their rental car and they’re headed our way.”
“Okay, that’s my one-hour warning,” Arden said, wiping her eyes. “Rachael and Jake aren’t far behind.” She gave him one more quick kiss on the lips. “Mind peeling some peaches?”
“Only if you steal another one and let me kiss you after.”
She raised her eyebrows and smiled seductively. Then she turned without a word and he and Camo happily followed her to the kitchen.
* * *
“Arden, your home is even more beautiful in person,” Caroline said. They were standing in the great room and Caroline was admiring the giant stone fireplace. “I can’t wait to see the barn and the alpacas.”
Arden smiled. “Let’s head out there now.” She glanced back at Kyle and Wolf who had just put the luggage away in one of the guest rooms. “I imagine the guys need to talk business for a while.”
Caroline smiled at her husband and Kyle watched her plain face light up until she was downright beautiful. Wolf smiled back, love practically radiating off him. “Go ahead, Ice,” Wolf said. “We’ll catch up.”
The women headed out the back door with Camo leading the way as if to sayyeah, let me show you around the place.
Kyle turned to Wolf. “Glad to finally meet in person.”
“Thanks for the invite. Caroline’s been beside herself, happy to finally meet Arden and excited about Rachael Collins, and I’m always up for some good music.”
“It’s extra-important for Arden to have friends right now. The anniversary of her brother’s death is coming up.”
