“She’s three,” Maren glanced at her K-9, who sat staring at all the children running around.
“May I?” Dottie asked.
Maren nodded.
Dottie put out her hand for Haven to sniff before running her hand over Haven’s sleek coat. “So soft.” She met Maren’s gaze. “Make yourself at home, dear. I need to check on my pies.” Dottie strode away and disappeared back into the house.
Several people approached, hugging Colt and giving her a once-over.
Snagging his arm, a woman who looked like a younger version of Colt with long copper hair smiled. She had on a Broncos football T-shirt and shorts. She wasn’t as tall as her brother but close. “Who’s yourfriend?”
The way she emphasized the wordfriendmade Maren blush. The implication was that she and Colt were something other than platonic. They all thought he’d brought a date. What was she going to do? How should she handle this?
She had no idea.
If only she and Colt had met at another time, under different circumstances, who knew what might have developed between them.
TWELVE
Before Maren could formulate words, Colt said, “This is Officer Maren Anderson of the Colorado Springs PD. Maren, my baby sister, Samantha.”
Samantha grinned. “Mom said you were bringing a colleague. But wow, big brother.” She bumped him with her hip, then stuck out her hand for Maren to grasp. “You can call me Sammy.”
Shaking the woman’s hand, Maren said, “Nice to meet you, Sammy.”
Two little identical girls, with big hazel eyes, strawberry blond hair and matching pink dresses, ran up, each grabbing a hold of one of Colt’s legs.
The twins looked up at him and said in unison, “Uncle Colt.”
“Maren, this is Ivy.” Colt put his free hand on the girl to his left’s head. “This other rascal is Fiona.”
Though the twins were identical, Ivy had a purple ribbon in her hair while Fiona had a yellow ribbon. Maren’s mother used to do the same by putting different hair ties or barrettes in Maren’s and Opal’s hair so that people could identify them without always having to ask which was which.
Of course, Maren and Opal, usually at Opal’s urging, would switch their identifying markers or ditch them altogether. Drove their mother to fits. Now, as an adult, Maren regretted the childhood pranks she and Opal would play on their parents, teachers and strangers alike.
The girls blinked up at her, curiosity evident on their sweet faces. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell the girls she was also a twin, but with her emotions so close to the edge, she wasn’t sure she could without shedding a tear.
“I like your dresses,” Maren told the girls.
“Thank you,” the two said in unison.
Maren remembered a time when she and Opal had been perfectly in sync. A pang hit her chest. She missed her sister.
Another woman with dark mahogany hair held back by a clip and wearing a blue skirt, sandals and white tank top approached, snagging Colt’s free hand. She gave Maren a curious glance and smiled. “I’m Abigail. The twins’ mom.”
“My other sister,” Colt said. “Abby, this is Maren.” Colt gave Maren a sheepish smile. “My brothers are around here somewhere. I’m sure you’ll meet them soon.”
Samantha looked to Haven. “Is your K-9 friendly?”
“She is when she’s not working,” Maren replied.
The twins turned their gaze on her. “Can we pet her?”
Since Haven had little experience with kids, Maren crouched down next to Haven and put a hand on her back, letting her know to stay calm. To the little girls, she said, “Let her sniff your palm before you touch her.”
The twins held out their palms. Haven eyed them, then nudged each girl’s palm with her nose before giving each a lick. The two little girls giggled. Then they turned their attention to Rusk and practically tackled the dog. The German shorthaired pointer pretty much flopped down and let the two girls crawl all over him.
Haven stood as if ready to defend her new friend.
