Twain and Sadie lay on their beds—pressed together—fast asleep.
Arthur sat in the recliner with his feet up, an ice pack on his leg, the heating pad ready to take over, and Xandra resting on the top of the chair as she occasionally kneaded his hair.
Naturally, I wanted him next to me on the couch, but keeping the leg elevated was a requirement. Also, Cheyenne needed me close.
Dogs on the couch? We could go over the rules again tomorrow.
I hadn’t missed how excited Sadie had been to see Cheyenne. Hell, almost as excited as Chili had been when she spotted me.
“Sadie doesn’t have rabies.” Cheyenne appeared absolutely indignant. “And she didn’t bite me.”
“True.” I grinned. “But Harvey might’ve. You had blood exposure.” I had to joke—even with dark humor. Although…I hoped they’d test him for blood-borne diseases because it actually wasn’t funny. Crap.
“I owe Sadie treats from now until the end of time.” Cheyenne managed a smile. “If she hadn’t bitten that asshole first, and if it hadn’t become infected, then my chompers might not have been so painful. Blech.”
She’d washed her mouth repeatedly in the hospital—along with being checked out from head to toe. Air bags could cause serious damage. She’d been so hellbent on escaping that she hadn’t done up her seat belt. Had the airbag hit at a different angle, I might not have her beside me right now.
I grasped her hand.
The doorbell rang.
Arthur, dear man, tried to get up.
“I can go.” Cheyenne offered, but the uncertainty was clear in her eyes. Harvey might be in jail, but if Denver had decided to follow, then…
Nope. Couldn’t go there.
I ordered Arthur to stay put, disentangled myself from Chili, and headed for the door. Midnight was late for visitors, but practically all the lights in the house were on.
Arthur had only been home half an hour, since dealing with the chaos at the shelter. The smashed front had been boarded up, the power turned off at the main pending an inspection, and a security guard was onsite, thanks to one of the cops who knew someone. They’d talked about evacuating the animals, but decided that as long as there was no live electricity, the risks were minimal. Arthur said some of the animals were a bit freaked out, but they’d settle better in their familiar cages and runs.
He’d wanted to stay all night as reassurance, after the cops and firefighters were done.
Then that Neil guy had showed up, stuffed him in a cab with promises to keep an eye on his babies, and sent him home to rest.
I owed Neil a whole bunch of homemade cookies.
Tomorrow, my boyfriend could deal with all the cleanup and inspection and assessing the damage. And the insurance.
Again.
I checked the peephole, then grinned as I opened the door. “Wynn.”
“Hope I’m not too late.” His eyes read uncertainty.
“Not at all. A welcome sight.” Unless you’re coming to tell me that Cheyenne has to go back. Hell, I might just take her and run to Canada.
I closed the door and beckoned him to follow me. “Soda? Water?”
“I’m not staying that long, but thank you. I heard what happened, and I wanted to check in, see if there was anything I could do.”
“That’s mighty kind of you.” We walked through to the family room. “Won’t you sit?” I pointed to a wicker chair with a comfy cushion on the seat. Thank God I have that. Otherwise, he’d be on the couch with the pile of pooches.
“Sure. Thanks.” He lowered himself into the chair.
God, I hope there’s not too much fur. Oh well, he’s wearing jeans.
His gaze honed in on Cheyenne. “How are you?”
