He narrowed his gaze at her. “No. Why?”
She frowned. “I thought I heard someone. It was probably nothing.”
But there was a separate entrance to the kennel. Would Kenny try to find a different way inside?
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
Max stepped closer to the pen, his gaze dropping to the puppies. “There was a vehicle at the end of the drive. Whoever it was left before I got close enough to see who it was.”
Hadley straightened. “Maybe it was someone who took a wrong turn.”
“Maybe.” But he didn’t sound convinced. He was wise to be on edge after everything that had happened.
Hadley looked back at Juno and her puppies, and she tried to hold onto the warmth of the moment. But tension from the thought of danger lurking nearby had already dug its claws into her peace.
Unhinged people didn’t just drive away and move on.
They circled back. They waited.
And that meant everyone here could be in trouble.
CHAPTER 4
Max straightenedwhen he heard the door to the kennel open.
He turned and saw Caleb step inside.
“What’s going on with Lyndee?” Max got right to the point.
Caleb’s expression sobered. “Naomi talked to her. She’s decided to stay. We reminded her of all the reasons why she shouldn’t return to Kenny.”
Relief swept through Max and loosened his shoulders. “Good. As soon as I saw that guy grab her, I knew he was trouble . . .”
Caleb held his gaze. “I know.”
Max had figured Caleb would be on his side. But people had turned on him before, people he thought he could trust.
Those life lessons had reminded him to be cautious.
Caleb paced closer. “How’s Juno doing?”
“Good.” Hadley glanced up. “She handled the birthing process really well, and her puppies all look strong.”
Caleb’s gaze softened as he looked down at the cluster of puppies cuddled against their mother. “That’s a relief. They’ll need names—placeholders, at least.”
Hadley’s mouth curved faintly. “I was thinking the same thing.”
“You have any ideas?” Caleb asked.
“I was thinking we should name them all after board games. You know—Trouble, Bingo, Scrabble, Clue, Uno, and . . .”
“How about Quirkle?” Max suggested.
She raised an eyebrow. “You played that one?”
“It’s one of my favorites.”
“I can’t even picture you playing board games.”
