Page 40 of Sweet Beginnings

“Ditto.”

For the rest of the drive, barely a word or two had been exchanged. Thoughts of Kade and Samson swirled silently in their heads. Sight of the rescue ranch lit up under a crash of thunder that sounded to be hovering directly over them. When Preston pulled up to the spot Aaron had told them to come to, Sarah Sue bolted from the vehicle before he’d had time to shove the gear shift into park. At least the Texas light show hadn’t brought any rain so far. A downpour would only make bringing Samson home more difficult.

Several yards ahead of him, Sarah Sue and Aaron were already toe to toe in conversation; Aaron, bobbing his head and pointing, while Sarah Sue most likely was giving orders.

“So we’re in agreement?” Sarah Sue stood arms crossed in front of her friend.

“I may agree, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Without knowing the details, Preston already knew, whatever it was Aaron didn’t like, Preston probably wouldn’t like it either. Before he’d come fully to her side, Sarah Sue turned on her heels and trotted toward where Aaron had been pointing. “What don’t you like?” he asked.

“She wants to approach Samson alone.”

“What?” His voice came out louder than he’d intended.

“Anyone else and I’d have said absolutely not.”

“You still should have.” Going in to face a scared, stressed, and vicious dog on her own was not sitting well with Preston, not at all.

Aaron turned to face Preston, his brows slowly curling into a perfect V shape. “How long have you known this woman?”

“Long enough.”

“At this point, nothing could make things any worse than they are. Feel free to go see for yourself.”

“I will.” Preston hadn’t made it more than a foot or two when Aaron called after him.

“Just don’t get too close to her. If she sees you, Samson won’t be the vicious one you need to worry about.”

Her head down, her gaze cast toward the ground, Sarah was very slowly undoing the chain on a large lone kennel separating Samson from all the other dogs and activity on site.

All Preston could do was hold his breath; if he shouted at her now, he’d probably just agitate Samson even more. The second the gate slowly swung open, Samson crouched down on his front paws. Not a good thing. The animal was clearly preparing to pounce.

“Remember me, boy?” Sarah’s voice came out slow and smooth. “We’re going to be good friends.”

What the heck was she thinking, entering into a cage with an out of control animal and not a lick of protection? Not a stick, not a tranquilizer, no protective padding, nada. Just her and the dog, and oh hell, now the whites of snarling teeth could be seen by a blind man. He couldn’t help himself, as softly and calmly as he could muster, he spoke for Sarah Sue to hear. “Please step back, let me help.”

Without hesitation, she barely shook her head. In the darkness, he couldn’t swear in a court of law, but he was pretty darn sure she’d just shot him a deadly glare. Aaron was right, she could be as dangerous as the dog.

The fur along Samson’s spine stood upright, and to prove his mood to all bystanders, Samson added a fearsome growl to the exposed fangs. Regardless of what she wanted, the hackles on the back of Preston’s neck were rising too. Ripping off his shirt, he wrapped it around his one arm and slowly eased closer, praying that Samson wouldn’t attack before he reached his wife. Any other time and he would pause to let that word roll around his tongue—he’d begun to get used to it, but now was most definitely not the time to lose focus.

The gate open just wide enough for Sarah to slink into the enclosure, Preston still several yards away, Samson seemed to shift from paw to paw and they both knew what was coming next. One hundred pounds of angry fur-covered muscle lunged toward Sarah Sue and the gate.

Setting all caution aside, Preston bolted toward the kennel, reaching the entry just as Sarah Sue stumbled backward, failing to latch the gate before Samson shoved it forward, knocking her into Preston’s arms.

“Crap.” Sarah Sue sprang to her feet and without a word, took off at a full gallop after the dog.

“Wait.” Preston chased after her. He might have nearly a foot on the woman, but she ran with the speed of an Olympic track star. “Sarah Sue!”

“We have to find him before he hurts himself.”

It wasn’t the dog getting hurt he was worried about.

Before Preston could move a step, Aaron came running behind him. “Here. Take the jeep. Adrenaline can have him running fast and far.”

“Thanks.” Preston snatched the proffered keys to the vehicle parked a few feet away and hurried to catch up with Sarah. “Climb in.”

Scrambling to a halt, she grabbed on and swung into the seat. “Go.”

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