Page 41 of SEAL's Resolve
“He’s wonderful.”
“Would you be interested in giving him a home?”
Kristi’s eyes widened. “Me? I’ve never owned a dog. I don’t know the first thing about caring for one.”
“I’ll be glad to give you dog whispering lessons.” He smiled. “Really, all you need to do is give him food, water, exercise, and a ton of love. He’s house broken. Oliver will do the rest of the work in your relationship.”
She sat on the arena floor and hugged Oliver. The dog leaned against her and gazed up at her with adoration in his brown eyes, occasionally licking and nuzzling her face while he rested. “I love him,” she said, running her hand over his head and down his back. “But if I take him now, he might be hurt. The kidnappers weren’t gentle with me. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to Oliver.”
“I’ll keep him here and do more training with him until Wolf Pack resolves your problem. After you’re safe, you and Rafe can return to Otter Creek and pick up Oliver. When you do, I’ll teach you how to care for this sweet boy.”
She looked at Rafe, hope in her eyes. “What do you think?”
“I think you and Oliver are already a matched pair. If you want him, go for it. I’ll give you a hand with him when I’m in town. I’d enjoy playing with Oliver when I’m not on a mission.” And spending time with this beautiful woman.
A gorgeous smile curved her lips, tugging at his heart. “I’d like that.”
“Great.” Deke rubbed his hands together. “Oliver will need a good veterinarian to keep his shots up to date. You won’t have to deal with that for nine months or so. I’ll give you the names of vets we trust in and around the Nashville area. I’ll see if I can find one in Bakerhill before you come for him.”
“What do I owe you?”
“Nothing, Kristi. I’m just happy Oliver will be with someone who loves him.”
“What would have happened to him if I didn’t agree to take him?”
“I would have returned him to the animal shelter.”
Horror filled her eyes. “Dog jail?” She hugged Oliver close as though protecting him from that fate. “No way. I’m not sending him back to jail.”
Deke laughed. “It’s not quite that bad, but Oliver wasn’t a fan of the shelter.”
She rested her cheek on top of Oliver’s head. “Where will he stay until Rafe and I return?”
“With me and my family.” He winked. “No dog jail.”
“I can’t thank you enough for introducing me to Oliver. I promise that I’ll take good care of him.”
“I wouldn’t have offered you the opportunity to adopt Oliver if I believed otherwise.”
“We need to find the rest of Wolf Pack,” Rafe said. The operative bringing Kristi’s tracker jewelry should be arriving soon.
Kristi sighed and hugged Oliver close for a moment before getting to her feet. “Would it be okay if I stopped to see him before I leave town, Deke?”
“If you have time, sure. Don’t worry, Kristi. He’ll be waiting for you when you return to Otter Creek.”
“What if he forgets me?”
“Won’t take him long to fall for you all over again. Go take care of business, then come get your furry boy. I’ll keep him safe and happy for you. He might even know a trick or two when you return.”
Rafe walked with Kristi from the training arena to the main building. He stopped by the office.
Gloria, one of the office workers, brightened when she saw Rafe. “Back for a refresher course, Rafe?”
He shuddered. “I have a few months before I have to return for Josh and Trent’s brand of torture.”
The lady laughed. “I hear the same thing from all the trainees. They’re convinced the trainers stay awake all night coming up with ways to make them suffer untold agonies in the training rooms and on the fields.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised to learn the rumors were true. Brent promised to send me a package.”