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“It’s not a problem. I can take the dogs home,” Katrina said.
“Hey.” He caught hold of her hands, swinging her around to face him. “The rules about not letting you out of my sight haven’t changed. That’s if you’re okay with dinner for four instead of for two?”
“I guess so. As long as your siblings won’t mind?” He had mentioned her meeting his brother and sister at some point, but she’d thought it was just a throwaway remark. Suddenly, it had become a reality.
“Mind?” He started to laugh. “They’ll be delighted to be able to gossip about me. There’s just one problem.” He pointed to the dogs.
“I could call Suzie and see if we can leave them with her for a few hours,” Katrina suggested. “She lives close to the restaurant.”
“Sounds perfect.”
By the time they’d dropped off the dogs at Suzie’s place, they arrived a little later than planned. Spencer’s brother and sister were already seated at a table for three, and there was an initial fuss as the captain changed the arrangements to make room for Katrina. She was aware of Jarvis and Bella exchanging a couple of meaningful glances while this was going on.
“Are you going to introduce us?” Bella asked, when they were finally seated. She was petite and pretty with reddish-blond hair and green eyes. Katrina got the impression that appearances were deceptive and that she was nobody’s fool.
“This is Katrina Perry,” Spencer said.
“Oh, I know who you are.” Bella flapped a hand. “You own the dog-training place. The one with the cute name.”
“Look Who’s Walking.” Katrina smiled at her enthusiasm.
“Yes. I’m a lifestyle blogger but I did an exposé on dog thefts. One of the people I interviewed mentioned your classes.”
“In a good way, I hope?”
“Oh, yes. She raved about how you taught her dog to sit and stay and not chase the mailman,” Bella said. “She even showed me t
he graduation pictures.”
“Graduation pictures?” Jarvis sounded bemused as he joined in the conversation. “Are we still talking about dogs?”
Katrina nodded. “We have a graduation ceremony at the end of our puppy classes. It started out as a joke, but the owners love it, so now we give out certificates and we take pictures of the dogs wearing a ceremonial cap.”
They continued talking about dogs and training as they decided on their food, and Katrina was surprised at how quickly she’d relaxed around the other two Colton triplets. Spencer had talked about the way they made jokes that no one else understood, but Jarvis and Bella appeared to be on their best behavior around her.
“I know the focus is all on the AAG and the work they’re doing to support the earthquake victims, but I’ve been hearing about how much the police and first responders have been involved in the rebuilding efforts,” Jarvis said as they were eating.
“Chief Barco was keen for his officers to get involved in the community and be hands-on in helping people who’d been affected,” Spencer explained. “Rather than simply fund-raising.”
“All we hear about these days is the AAG. You’d think no one else ever did any good work in Mustang Valley. I know they have worked hard and what they’ve done has benefited the community but...” Bella pulled a face. “All the publicity feels a bit icky.”
“Icky.” Spencer looked across the table at Jarvis with a straight face. “It’s one of those intellectual words. Taught in only the best schools.”
“Oh, you.” Bella gave him a shove that nearly knocked him off his chair. “Does he tease you like this, Katrina?”
It was a blatant attempt to find out more about their relationship and Katrina snagged Spencer’s gaze. His eyes were brimming with laughter and she hid a smile. “Sometimes.”
Bella pouted. “Okay. I get it. You’re going to be as secretive as he is.”
Jarvis, who was a ranch hand at Payne Colton’s Rattlesnake Ridge Ranch, talked about the shock waves that had hit after the shooting of his boss. “Hope you catch the guy who did it soon,” he told his brother.
“That’s the plan.” Spencer nodded wearily.
The time passed quickly, and when they’d finished eating, Katrina felt like she’d known Jarvis and Bella forever. For someone who didn’t make friends easily, it was a good feeling. Like coming home after a long, hard day.
“We must do this again soon.” Bella hugged her as they parted at the restaurant door.
“We must,” Jarvis said. “It’s nice to see my brother with a smile on his face again.”
