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They were quiet. Peaceful.
So I kept her in my embrace. Reveled at the feel of her in my arms.
She was warm. As much a comfort to me as I hoped I was to her. It was easy to see why she loved this place. Loved these animals.
She was doing good but not for the glory of it. Because it was right. It was her reason and purpose. She didn’t have to utter those words to me. Isawit every single time I was with her.
I didn’t have many heroes. Respect was something I didn’t give easily.
But Pepper? Miss Adeline? What they did with fearlessness, no matter how tired they got?
I admired their tenacity and drive.
And if the best thing I could do was hold Pepper so she could get some rest, so be it.
Because this right here . . . I wanted to hang on to this moment for as long as I could.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Pepper
Sniff.Sniff. Sniff.
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes as the familiar sound greeted me. Luminous gray eyes looked at me, a big dark nose working in overtime.What is Ash doing out?
What wasn’t familiar was our bed.
My head was on one side and hers on the other of a broad chest. My arm was over a taut stomach, and her paw rested on an opposite ab.
I risked a glance up.
Teague.
The last thing I remembered was being burrowed into his comforting embrace. Now, we were sprawled on the floor, surrounded by dogs.
And my heart clenched.
Because he fit right into the place where I was most comfortable.
His chest rose and fell in a steady and sure rhythm. The worry lines on his face were smoothed away by sleep. Yet his arms were braced around me and Ash, protective even when he was asleep.
I didn’t want to need him.
Dependency was a dangerous thing.
But I liked he was here.
Liked that instead of the weight of responsibility I normally woke up to, I felt inspired and ready to tackle the day.
Because I was rested.
Renewed.
And supported.
The pile of dogs lifted their heads in sync.
Miss Adeline stood in the doorway. I started to sit up, but she put a finger to her lips. My cheeks got hot at being caught in this position. Boy was I going to hear about this later.
