Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 119764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Aggie chuckles. “I hope that was the ocean.”
Murr moves to Stella’s side and crouches near her. The dog immediately goes to him, licking his cheeks and covering him with slobbery kisses. He submits to this, grimacing as it continues. “Stella…good.”
“She’s very good. That’s enough, Stella. Let someone else love on him for a while. Like, say, Dakota.” She gives me the most obvious wink possible.
Oh brother. I take the water bottle from Murr and wet a towel, offering it to him so he can wash his face clean of dog slobber. “Why don’t we let Murr and Stella get acquainted tomorrow morning? It’s late and we could all use some sleep.”
And I personally need to talk to a dragon about plans for the future.
CHAPTER 49
DAKOTA
Rabbit wants to know all about Murr’s journey and where he dumped the nomad, and what it looked like from above and if there were any landmarks and…
“He can tell us all about it tomorrow,” I reassure her, picking up a random cat that rubs against my leg and plopping it into her arms. “Murr’s tired and it’s late, and Aggie and Dottie will want to hear what he has to say. Let’s save it for the morning, all right?”
She stifles a yawn, looking over at Aggie, who’s asleep in her chair again. Dottie’s managing to stay awake, but just barely, her eyes mere slits. “Tomorrow, then.” Rabbit gets up, cat still in her arms, and moves to Murr. She gives him a one-armed hug, then me one, and then Dottie and Aggie. “Night, everyone.”
Three cats trail after her, no doubt because she’s good to snuggle with.
“That’s my cue,” Aggie says, heaving herself to her feet. “Come on, Stella girl.”
The massive dog follows after Aggie, but Dottie lingers behind for a moment. She takes a long time to put away her knitting, and when she finally stands up, she moves to my side instead of heading to bed. Dottie takes my hands in hers. “She isn’t going to say it in so many words,” Dottie says, voice low and soft. “But what you did today to help us was kind and thoughtful, and we appreciate it more than you realize.”
“I didn’t do anything,” I protest. “I literally fell out of a window.”
“Murr listens to you, not to the rest of us. We noticed.” She squeezes my hands, hers trembling. “Aggie hasn’t been herself since Stella got taken. She’s been so subdued and sad. We thought we’d never see that dog again. I just want to say thank you for giving two old ladies hope.” She turns to Murr, beaming him a smile. “Both of you.”
Aggie has been subdued? Jesus Christ on a cracker. “Again, it was all Murr.”
She turns to Murr and puts her arms out. “Then let me hug you, Big Meat.”
He carefully wraps his arms around Dottie, as if she’s the most fragile of creatures, and when she pats his back, he pats hers. He glances over at me, as if seeking reassurance that this is normal, and holds her until she lets him go. She releases him, gives me a brief hug as well, and then waves a hand. “And now I’m off to bed. I hope that dog didn’t get my spot, because she snores like a freight train.”
“Let me know if you need more bedding,” I call after her. “We can make a bed for Stella if we need to.”
She disappears into the store, and then it’s just me and Murr by the fire.
I glance over at him, suddenly nervous as he turns towards me. “Well, now we have a dog. A pregnant dog. At this rate, you’re going to collect an entire menagerie of strays. I hope you don’t mind catching a lot of food because if this continues, we’re going to have a veritable…Noah’s…Ark…”
My words trail off as he cups my cheeks with both hands. He stares down into my eyes, his thumb-claw grazing over my lower lip. God, the way he’s looking at me, it’s as if he’s trying to memorize my face. He cradles me tenderly, and I’m helpless in front of his warm, intense gaze.
“Dakotah,” he murmurs, and then leans in to kiss me.
Oh, mercy. Stay strong, Dakota. I bite back the groan that rises in my throat as his tender lips brush over mine. It’s the best feeling in the universe, and I want to kiss for hours…but we can’t. With insane self-control, I pull his hands from my face and meet his gaze. “Murr, wait. We need to talk about the future. I think you need to go for your own safety. Find some other place to set up shop. The fort’s going to think we’re rich and they’re going to come after us. It’s one thing for me and Rabbit to hide, but it’s another for you. And if they realize you’re a friendly dragon, they might not want to let you go. I don’t want anyone to take advantage of you.” I realize I’m rambling word-soup at him, so I boil it down more. “Murr not safe here. Murr go.”