Page 205 of River & Crown
I didn't reply. I just walked quietly behind them to the open green space near the back wall. A large, gated pen had been set up where low barks and claws against steel could be heard. We stood in front of the pen, Killian in the middle, me to his left, and who I presumed to be the breeder to his right.
"I figured that much," the breeder finally replied to Killian's wants. "I brought all working breeds. They're young but trained for command and temperament."
The six dogs in front of us were impressive.
"That one," Killian said, pointing at the one that stood slightly apart from the others.
It was a young Doberman pup, body lean and lithe, with muscles just beginning to fill out beneath its soft coat. The deep mahogany fur glowed warm and rich under the afternoon sun. A single patch of pure white fur marked its chest, which was rare to see.
"Good eye," the breeder replied. "That's Sable. The best drive of the litter. She's young but advanced. She's obedient, territorial, but don't let her calm nature fool you. She'll take a man down if she thinks you're in danger."
Killian entered the pen and walked right over, reaching down with his hand out. Sable moved toward him slowly, then sniffed his palm once, then nudged it with her head.
Killian smirked. "Good girl."
The breeder watched, impressed. "She chooses who she trusts. You're one of the lucky ones."
"I'll take her. I'll be bringing her to her new owner within the next hour."
"Great. Let me get everything you need from my car."
Killian nodded, and the breeder walked back toward the house. I waited until she was far enough away to pry.
"Killian, who is Sable for?"
"Kysre," he answered shortly.
"Why are you buying her a dog after one conversation that wasn't even a real conversation?"
"I devoted myself. No amount of conversation is going to change that," he answered sternly.
"You don't know her," I huffed.
"I know what I saw when I looked at her, Emersyn. It was unlike anything I had seen before."
"And because you've never seen it, you think it's love?" I snipped, truly baffled by how Killian came to this conclusion.
Looking at me with pity, Killian shook his head and chuckled lowly.
"I asked you and others to help me find who I was in search of. Everyone dragged their feet on the matter, as if my desire for a wife wasn't a pressing issue. Fortunately, I found Kysre on my own. That's all I'm willing to say on the matterbecause anything beyond that you won't understand." My brows slammed together as shock twisted into bitter disbelief.
"Just because finding love or wanting it isn't on my list of priorities doesn't mean I wouldn't understand."
"It's not that you're incapable of understanding Emersyn, you justrefuseto."
"Whatever," I smacked, blinking back tears that only my brother could produce.
"Now, if you want to be the godmother of my children, help me find a way to get this puppy to Kysre. Your method can't involve blindfolds, handcuffs, or propofol."
"And I'm the one who knows nothing about love," I scoffed.
"Are you willing to help me or not?"
"I'll help. I planned on meeting with River to apologize for my behavior at dinner. Something tells me that if she does show up, she won't be alone."
"Should I be worried?"
Smiling, I pinched his cheek. "Never worry about me. Always worry about whoever else is in the room."
