Page 16 of Tracking Safety

Tragically, she hadn’t lived long enough to see her dreams come true.

In Sarah’s memory—and to combat domestic violence, the very thing that had killed her—Luke’s family had turned her former home into a women’s shelter.

Their cover story involved the kennel that sat on the right side of the property, where they boarded dogs. But they also advertised Refuge Cove as a private, invite-only retreat center that operated as a nonprofit. Only the people who truly needed to know were aware that this place was also a domestic violence shelter. And it was quickly growing, which was why they were building these cottages.

Luke climbed out of the truck, and three dogs instantly ran to meet him. Hamilton was Caleb’s husky, Good Boy was a golden retriever belonging to his sister Naomi, and Thunder was Wyatt’s search and rescue dog.

At any given time, there were multiple dogs on the property. His entire family was full of dog lovers, plus they ran the kennel. He himself didn’t have time to take care of a dog.

He gave all the canines a good head pat before glancing around.

A fourth dog watched from the edge of the lawn.

She hung back near the corner of the porch, a chocolate Lab with a deep brown coat and soft, folded ears. By every rule of her breed should have been the friendliest dog on the property. Instead, she remained standoffish.

Her name was Freya, and she’d come to Refuge Cove a few weeks ago with one of the women who’d passed through. When that woman finally moved on to somewhere safer, she hadn’t been able to take the dog with her.

So Freya had stayed—fed and sheltered and bonded to no one, watching the family from a careful distance with a measured gaze.

Luke had tried more than once to win her over, but he’d gotten exactly nowhere. Freya trusted no one and had decided for herself that distance was safer.

He couldn’t say he blamed her.

It was spring break, which meant his kids were with his mother today while he worked. She’d brought them here. Refuge Cove was their new favorite place—especially since it had dogs and chickens.

Luke heard his kids before he saw them. Cora’s voice carried across the lawn, and Jonah’s higher pitch answered her. He smiled at the sound.

His kids were his whole world. And he’d protect them at all costs.

However, did protecting them mean keeping their mom away or did it mean letting her back into their lives?

He wasn’t sure.

He came around the corner of the house and saw his mother on the back porch steps with a coffee mug in her hand, watching Jonah crouch in the grass over something he’d found. Meanwhile, Cora circled him with boundless energy, hands flying through the air as she talked. Liam walked a small dog on a leash in the distance.

His mom gave him a slight nod and turned back to the kids. Even though he was late, she didn’t ask any questions. It was one of the things he’d always loved most about his mother. She had an instinct for when to push and when to simply stand alongside, and she’d never once gotten it wrong.

Right now, Luke needed to find his brothers.

He spotted Caleb and Wyatt talking at the back of the property. They both looked up when he approached.

It was just the two of them, Luke noted. Millie was still out at the partner ranch in Arizona, where she’d spent the better part of the month helping the women they’d relocated settle in while the construction wrapped up.

She’d volunteered for the job before anyone could ask. That was just who she was. The place felt quieter without her, and Luke knew Caleb felt the quiet more than anyone.

Their wedding was only a month away.

“Hey.” Caleb turned toward him. “I thought you’d be here an hour ago.”

“I got held up.” Luke glanced back toward the lawn. The kids were still in the yard, well out of earshot. “I need to tell you both something.”

“Sounds ominous,” Caleb said.

Luke sucked in a deep breath as he tried to figure out where to start.

He decided not to soften the announcement. “Jenna’s back.”

Caleb blinked. “What?”