Max glanced at Juno as she lay curled around her puppies. “She looks like she’s doing fine.”
“She’s doing more than fine. She’s doing great.”
Max didn’t miss the stiffness in Hadley’s actions or the way she rolled her shoulders. “You’ve got to be sore.”
She huffed a quiet laugh and rolled her neck. “Definesore.”
Max almost smiled. “There are better options than the kennel floor.”
“You couldn’t have convinced me of that last night. Juno needed someone here with her.” She looked back at him, and her eyes flickered as if she had a new thought. “Is everything okay?”
Memories of the confrontation with Lyndee last night filled his mind.
“As far as I know.” He shifted his weight, glancing toward the door. “I was heading out to check the perimeter, but I decided to swing by when I saw your car was still here.”
“I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Scare is a strong word.” He absently rubbed his neck, wondering if he’d said too much and desperate for a subject change. “Can I bring you some coffee or breakfast?”
“Thank you, but I’ll grab something on my way to town. I’ve got an appointment in—” She glanced at her watch. “Forty minutes.”
“Then we’ll talk more later. I’ll take good care of Juno until you can come back.”
“I appreciate that. I know she’s in good hands.”
He offered a nod before heading back outside.
But as he stepped into the cold, the image of Hadley sleeping on the floor with the blanket around her stayed with him longer than it should have.
Hadley waited until the door closed before letting out a breath.
For a moment, she stayed where she was, sitting on the thin blanket with her legs tucked beneath her. Her body was clearly upset with her for sleeping on the concrete floor.
She’d expect nothing less. She liked to think she was still young—and in theory she was. But thirty-two wasn’t the same as twenty-two, and her body reminded her of that whenever it could.
She pushed herself to her feet, her muscles still stiff and uncooperative. She stretched, trying to work the tension out before it settled deeper.
Her gaze drifted to Juno and her puppies. “I told you we’d get through this first night.”
The mama dog shifted, her breathing steady.
The door opened again, and Hadley turned to see Caleb step inside.
One look at his expression, and she knew he wasn’t here to check on Juno.
Something was wrong.
“Have you seen Lyndee?” he rushed. “She didn’t come in here, did she?”
Hadley blinked, caught off guard by the intensity in his voice. “No, I thought she was inside.”
“She was.” Caleb ran a hand through his hair, his expression tight. “But now she’s not.”
Her lungs froze. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, her room is empty.” Caleb met her gaze. “She’s gone.”
CHAPTER 6
