Shelter Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

in this was done. He’d handed over the dog. His last connection to the Colonel—to Sierra—was severed.
    As Mike leaned in, he caught a whiff of her citrus scent. Such an enticing air mixed with memories. Except a roar of an engine brought the memories rolling back of other scents, ones from his last moments with the Colonel.
    His gut twisted. How the hell did memories have smells? Because right now the scent of explosives and dirt gave him vertigo. He needed to get out of here. Fast. Preferably on his own two feet.
    He started to turn away and slammed into his friend.
    Calvin high-fived him. “Tazz, party at my place after we finish up here? Sierra, are you coming, too?”
    Her face closed in a snap. “I’m not in a partying mood. Thanks for the invitation all the same.”
    Mike gripped the straps on his bag and guitar. “Count me out. I’m not good for anything more than crashing for the night in a queen-sized motel bed.”
    Calvin backed away. “Wuss. We’ll miss your guitar. I’ll drink your share, though.” He shot them both a wave. “Later, Tazz. Lookin’ goooood as always, Sierra.”
    Sierra’s hand landed on Mike’s elbow. “You said you’re going to a motel. What happened to your apartment?”
    He shrugged. “I gave it up. No need to pay rent on a place I wouldn’t be living in for a year.”
    “That makes sense.”
    Rhinestone sunglasses tucked in her hair, she shuffled from foot to foot, toenails painted purple with glitter. “I guess this is it then. Thank you for bringing Dad’s dog home.”
    “You always were adept at saying the total opposite of what your eyes are telling me. You’re not happy about Trooper. I can tell.”
    Her lips went tight for a second before she burst out, “I appreciate what you’ve done and I mean that. Regardless of what you say, I know you risked getting into trouble bringing him to us.”
    “Don’t worry. There’s too much good press connected to his story now for me to get into any major trouble. The media coverage is a blessing in disguise.”
    “But . . .”
    “I told you already.” He rested a hand on her shoulder and left it there this time. Bad move. God, she was soft and felt like home. “I’m going to be okay.”
    “Liar.”
    “Does it really matter to you?”
    “You’ve done something special for my mom. I appreciate that.” Her eyes held his for four heavy heartbeats before they heard her mom chanting soothing comments to the General. Sierra shook her head as if clearing a haze and slid her sunglasses into place. She opened the crate and patted the bedding. “Trooper? Come on. Inside, pup.”
    Trooper glanced back at Mike, dropping to sit, reluctant. The dog might not be huge, but he was stubborn. When he didn’t want to move, he could turn that doggie muscle into more like a ton of bricks.
    Lacey slid from the vehicle into view. “No worries. I’ve got this.”
    Sierra’s mom wrapped her arms around the dog, lifting with practiced ease and the same soothing tones she’d used on the disoriented General. She tucked Trooper into the crate and reached into a satchel for a treat, before turning all smiles again. “Easy peasy. We’re good to go. Thanks again, Mike, for everything.”
    It was really done. Delivery complete. Mission over. Wide brown puppy eyes stared at him from the crate.
    An ache started in Mike’s chest. Damn it, he didn’t need a dog. It wasn’t his dog. He’d done the right thing.
    So why did he feel like an ass, like one of those people who abandoned their pets, even though he knew better? Still, Trooper’s eyes seemed to speak to him, which was impossible because dogs didn’t talk.
    But if they did, he knew Trooper was saying, Dude, you’re screwing up again.
    *   *   *
    LACEY FELT GUILTY about feeding the puppies while drunk. But then she deserved a glass of wine—or four—after a day like this.
    Cradling the light brindle–colored pit puppy in her hand, she angled the tiny bottle of