Page 16 of Mason

Before we arrived at the front door and knocked, it opened and Mrs. Rose Benchwood walked out smiling.

“Hello, Mr. Silverman. Your security has been here for a while. We’re all set up.”

“Hi, Mrs. Benchwood. The security came early as we changed plans and will be here longer.” I nodded down to Alexa who was holding my hand. “This is Alexa.”

Mrs. Benchwood beamed at Alexa. “Hello, Alexa. I’m Rose Benchwood. I’ve been told this is all a surprise for you.” She held out her hand and Alexa took it and gave a short shake before taking it back to cling to me. “Let’s go around the back. Ruby, my daughter, is out back with everything.”

Alexa’s brows furrowed as she gazed around searching for a clue as to why she would be here. The house wasn’t big, a small Queenslander style cottage, so when we came around the corner, she squealed and let go of me to run toward the puppy pen. I was surprised to see more than one in there. Three, to be exact, two smaller and one that was a lot older than the seven and half weeks the little ones were.

“There’s more than one in there.” I stopped before we got too close to Alexa who was already in the pen falling in love with the puppies.

Mrs. Benchwood didn’t take her eyes off Alexa and when she spoke her voice was soft, with a hint of sadness. “What you told me of her story.” She quickly wiped a tear away. “I know I should have consulted with you, but . . . ” She shook her head like she was clearing it. “Benza has been training and he’s mastered most things. Ruby is sure if we stick with him he’ll get better and move on to the next level, but I just don’t see him as a military attack dog. I know he’s just too soft.”

I glanced over at the bigger puppy who I guessed was Benza. He was licking Alexa’s face and trying to get all the attention. I could already tell Alexa was in love. She laughed and cuddled him as she tried to pat the other two puppies. “Okay. What about the other puppy? You said you only have one.”

Her sigh was loud and drawn out. “I was going to keep the female for breeding, but I just feel Alexa deserves to have as many options as she wants.” She stared at Alexa and the puppies and in a barely there whisper said, “Poor girl.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Benchwood.”

She patted my arm. “It’s Rose.” She made a sound that was between a snort and a laugh. “You Silvermans have provided me with enough support and stability over the years with my business that I’m happy to offer you more.”

We got to the pen and the beaming smile Alexa gave me had my heart soaring. I knew that I would do anything to keep her this happy, even if it meant coming home with three puppies and one guard dog.

“What do you think of your surprise, bear? Who you going to pick?” Her eyes lit up like I’d just given her the world, but by the time I ended my sentence she’d gathered the puppies all to her and glared at me.

“Surely you’re not cruel enough to make me choose between these adorable babies.” She batted her eye lashes at me and I groaned, knowing I’d been right before. I’d planned to get one guard dog but instead, I was going home with a whole pack.

Turning to Rose, I scrubbed my hand over my face and threaded my fingers through my hair. I could see Mrs. Benchwood was barely resisting laughing at me. I raised my brow. “You knew as soon as you saw Alexa with those pups that I would be leaving with them all, didn’t you?”

She stopped resisting and laughed. “I wasn’t sure until she let go of you and her eyes lit up like fireworks on New Year’s Eve. I can tell her that she needs to choose one and I’ll have the others to train or something along those lines, but I can see you would give her the world if she asked.”

“Yes, I would.” I looked at Alexa and the absolute happiness that shined out of her at that moment was impossible to miss. “How do you want to introduce the guard dog to its new owner?”

“It’s a he. Sam. He’s a year and a half old and has had extensive training. I’ll say he’s my most trained dog to date. I look forward to hearing how he fits into his role.”

“Thank you. He will not be leaving Alexa’s side.” I lowered my voice so Alexa wouldn’t hear. “I haven’t told her yet, but in a couple of months she will be going to court to testify as a witness for some major cases. It’s not a request either. We have tried to get her out of testifying, but the court has ordered her to do it. I’m telling you, too, as I know my family has a lot of dealings with your business and I don’t want this group to try anything with you. We’re notifying all business that have been involved with us, as we have had other business attacked before.”

“Thanks for telling me. I’ll leave some of my dogs out at night.”

“I’d advise that. I have security and we don’t think we’ve been followed, but I don’t want to chance your family getting hurt because you’ve helped us.”

Rose nodded. “The dogs will alert and protect us Mr. Silverman.” She caught her daughter’s gaze and called to her. “Ruby, go get Sam.” Ruby left the pen where she’d been playing with the puppies and headed to the kennels. Rose looked back at me. “We will start with Sam’s transfer today. I have had Sam sleep with her shirt you gave me. I’ll bring him to your place every day for the next two weeks.”

“Sounds good. My head of security, Darren, will contact you and sort out the times and security details.”

“I’ve spoken with him already, but will double check with him on times.”

Ruby came down from the kennels with a large, short-haired German Shepard.

“Bear, I have someone else I want you to meet.” She barely tore her attention from the puppies to shoot a glance my way. “Alexa, I need you to leave your puppies for a little while and come meet him.”

The reluctance was clear on her face as she got up and stepped over the gate. Benza clearly didn’t want her to leave him and I laughed as the puppy jumped the fence. Alexa was smiling so hard, her eyes bright with so much love, that I couldn’t resist. I went to her and gathered her to me, capturing her lips with my own. She instantly wrapped her arms around my neck and sank against me.

In that moment I knew that I was one lucky man.

I WAS IN HEAVEN. I pinched myself as Mason embraced me and took my lips in a kiss that had the world around me disappearing and the love I already felt overflowing. If I hadn’t already been in love with Mason, I would have fallen head over heels in love with him then. He was letting me have not one, not two, but three adorable puppies and he’d just told me he had something else for me. My heart was bursting with my happiness.

A wet nose nudged us apart and I giggled as the bigger puppy, who’d jumped the pen, pushed his way between us. “I’m not leaving you for long, little buddy. You’re coming home with us.” I leaned down and hugged the puppy.

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