They shake and he introduces MaryKatherine who’s holding Ayla. “How long are you staying?”
Jarrett shrugs. “As long as it takes. I hear you’re heading out on a cruise.” He looks at Dad and gives a fake shudder. “You’re crazy man. Stuck on a boat in a little room surrounded by strangers… No way in hell.”
“The state rooms aren’t that small young man,” MaryKatherine shakes his hand.
“They are to me, ma’am.” He chucks Ayla under the chin. “Damn, man you did good. She’s a cutie. I’ll be on the porch when you’re ready to talk.”
I take my daughter. “Dad, I know you moved up your plans. Now that Jarrett is here, I think you should stay with MaryKatherine until you leave town. I’ll have Gentry inside and Jarrett and Stone will watch the house.
“Gentry, will you be okay calling or video chatting with Dad if you need something before he leaves? He could also come out for an hour or two while MaryKatherine is working.”
“Yes, that works. Who’s Stone?”
“Wait,” MaryKatherine cuts in. “What about my daughter? Is she in any danger?”
“I don’t think so, but I’ll talk to the Sheriff and get his opinion. Maybe he can have someone keep a closer eye on her, too.”
She nods.
“Let’s go outside.”
Jarrett is on the porch, leaning back in a rocker, ankles crossed on the porch rail. He smiles. “Damn, I love your view. Although it’s even better up where I’m at.”
“I’ll bet. Cliff behind you?”
He smiles. “Ready?”
“Yep.”
He gives a low whistle.
I turn to MaryKatherine and Gentry. “I should have asked, are either of you afraid of dogs?”
Too late, Stone pads into the yard.
“That’s not a dog. That’s a horse,” MaryKatherine gasps.
Stone crosses to Jarrett and sits beside him, taking the rest of us in. His nose lifts and he cocks his head.
“Hand me Ayla, please,” Jarrett asks.
Handing her off, Jarrett cuddles her first then leans forward letting Stone smell every inch of her.
To my surprise, Ayla giggles and grabs Stone’s face. He lets her gently maul him.
Then Jarrett speaks a single word.
“What did he say?” Gentry asks.
“That’s his guard command. Basically, he just told Stone to guard Ayla with is life. Which he will. Now he’ll let Stone know which ones of us are safe to her. Until he tells the dog otherwise, no one else will be able to touch her.”
“How does that work?”
“Let’s say you are home alone with Ayla. Someone breaks in. His job is to guard her, but you grab and hold her. Stone will protect both of you.”
“If an intruder tries to pick her up, he’ll attack.”
“What kind of dog is he?”
