“Hello, Harper,” she crooned and petted the dog.Harper sat back on her haunches and barked.
Ellie dropped her hand.“What did I do?”
“One bark is ayes, usually a happy bark,” Becket chuckled.“She likes you and she’s telling Jack here,” he petted one Golden Retriever, “and Sadie,” his hand caressed the other one behind the ears, “they can accept you.”
Ellie waited.The two Golden Retrievers moved closer, also sniffing her hand.Laughing, she stroked their heads.“Am I accepted?”she asked them.
All three barked joyously.
Taking her hand, Becket helped her up.“They smelled you on me last night, so they know you already.”
She turned away quickly, but not before he’d seen the question in her eyes.
“This is the first time I’ve brought anyone home,” he said.
Sighing, she bent down to pet the dogs again.“You don’t have to lie, Becket, your love life is no secret.”
“Ask the dogs if you don’t believe me.”
She gave him a look.“Oh, really.”
“Really.”
“How do I do that?”
“Talk to them.”
Rolling her eyes, she groaned.“Becket, really…”
“One bark is ayes, two barks ano.”
With another skeptical look, she finally faced the three dogs who had been watching them like spectators watched a tennis match.“Okay, you three.Has Becket here ever brought a woman home?”
All three barked twice.
She still wasn’t happy, though.“How do I know that two barks mean no?”
“Ask them a question with a yes answer.”
“I don’t know what to ask!”
“Ask them if they want to go for a walk.”
“Do you want to go for a walk?”
All three gave a joyous bark and stormed toward the front door.
Impressed, Ellie looked at Becket.“Do all the animals on this ranch talk to people?”
Chuckling, he opened the front door and let the dogs out.“They’ll be happy outside for a while.Can I get you something to drink?”With his eyes on her, he closed the door.
Her heart missed a beat.She shook her head.
“I really want to kiss you now.”
While she could still function, she turned.“Where’s your room?”
His groan gave her goose bumps.He reached her before she could take her next breath.Picking her up in his arms, he cuddled her close.“I’ve dreamed about doing this ever since I caught you in my arms.”
