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Mack gently rubbed the top of the dog’s head. “I bet he is. I’ll get Doc Grover to come by and look him over. Just in case.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Daphne said, flushing. “He’ll be okay.”
“It’s no trouble.” Mack did his best to herd everyone toward the house. The porch was covered with boxes and suitcases. The quiet, empty house wouldn’t be so quiet or empty anymore, and Mack loved it.
“Tris, you can set up a litter box in the mud room for Mmrr. It’s just down the hall and to the right. Daphne, why don’t you and Fergie rest on the sofa? We’ll get him a dog bed set up after I take Benji upstairs. A friend brought over a toddler bed, and I got it set up in the corner of your dad’s room.”
Roe stirred from where he sat in the front room. Despite the battered face, Roe’s smile was sweet and warm. “That’s perfect. Thank you, Ian.”
Mack froze, startled at the sound of his name. Only Darren had ever called him by his first name since his parents passed. To everyone else, he was Mack or Sheriff. The way Roe said it made it seem like more than a name. It was an intimacy.
“Yes, thank you,Ian.” Cain arched a brow and eyed him. “I’m starting to regret not staying to see how this plays out.”
“How what plays out?” Roe asked, yawning as Daphne and Fergie sat beside him.
Cain smirked. “Don’t worry about it. Wally, will you keep me updated?”
The large man grinned. “With pleasure.”
Mack scowled, confused at the knowing tone in Cain’s voice. “Cain, you used to be my favorite Benson.”
Later that afternoon,all their belongings were sorted into their respective rooms. Daphne had fallen in love with the attic bedroom, so it was hers, while the others took the guestrooms. The only boxes left were art supplies for Roe.
Mack considered the sunroom, eyeing the empty pots occupying the old plant shelves. Darren had enjoyed gardening and had turned the sunroom into a conservatory. Mack didn’t have the time or desire to keep it up, so most of the plants had gone with Lacey when she moved out.
“Would it be too much sun for a studio?” he asked Tris.
“Does it get too warm?” Tris asked, looking around. “It’s July, but it’s a lot colder here then back home. I think it feels comfortable right now.”
Mack nodded. “We can pull the shades if it gets too warm. It gets a little chilly in the winter, but there’s a small gas fireplace in that corner. It’s enough to keep it comfortable when it’s cold out.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind Dad using it?” Tris asked, giving him a worried look. “We’re asking a lot of you already.”
Mack snorted. “Does it look like I use this room?”
Tris winced and patted a wilting fern. “Can I take this little guy up to Daphne’s room? She loves plants and can probably help it.”
“Sure.” Mack pulled one of the old plant racks away from the window. “I’ll clean up in here and move the art supplies in.”
“I can help.” Tris took one end of an old wrought iron baker’s rack and pulled it toward the door. “Dad couldn’t bring his work table and easel, but maybe we can find something in town.”
“I’ll figure it out. You must be tired from the drive. Don’t you want to rest?” Mack had noticed the young man yawning a few minutes ago.
Tris shrugged, the uncertainty on his face making him appear much younger. “I haven’t slept in three days,” he admitted, voice cracking. “This is insane, right? Maybe I shouldn’t leave in August. I can take online classes. He almostdied.”
Mack couldn’t help himself. He pulled the young man into a hug. “We’ll keep him safe, Tris.”
“I hate my alpha father,” Tris said, shuddering. “I hate that I’m named after him. Granted, it’s his middle name I took, but he’s an asshole, and Gabriel is even worse. Dad doesn’t deserve any of this. He’s a good person.”
“No one deserves this,” Mack said, rubbing Tris’s back. “One thing I’ve learned over the years is that all those bad things in life don’t discriminate. We can’t control that.”
Mack looked up when he heard footsteps. Roe stood in the doorway, watching them with a soft look.
“You aren’t alone in this,” Mack said, not sure if he was talking to Tris or Roe. “I’ll do my best to keep you all safe.”
Chapter 4
“You really don’t have to cook breakfast,” Roe said, watching Mack as he flipped a pancake from the pan to a plate. The sheriff had taken the day off again and wore an old, well-worn pair of jeans and a faded gray T-shirt. He was making bacon and pancakes. With Benji’s help.
