Just Enough Light Read Free Page B

The white knight going from place to place rescuing damsels in distress.” She smiled, possibly trying to ease any sting in her words. “Chances are we’d both be wrong.”
    “Not entirely,” Kellen said softly, surprising herself with her candor. “But that’s a discussion best left for another place and time. Right now there are more pressing concerns, like getting your tire changed before the weather gets any worse. More to the point, I’m quite used to this weather, these conditions, while at a guess you’re a little out of your element. So please. Let me do what needs to be done.”
    Their gazes locked as they studied each other. An intense, prolonged stare with neither seemingly prepared to give way. But then surprisingly, Kellen saw acquiescence.
    “I’d argue with you, but I don’t think it would do any good. More to the point, it would be foolish, since all you’re doing is trying to help me.”
    There was no further argument. Just simple acceptance of the arm Kellen had offered.
    Kellen felt her arm gripped by a strong hand. She nodded and a half-smile fleetingly touched her mouth as they began to move, with only the snow and ice crunching under their feet to mark their progress.
    Just before they reached the bright green Jeep, Kellen hesitated. “I guess I should have asked before now…um, you don’t have any problem with dogs, do you? Are you afraid or allergic or anything?”
    “Dogs?” The smile was back, albeit a bit confused. “No. I like dogs just fine and they usually like me. No allergies. No childhood trauma, or at least none that I can recall.”
    “Good to know,” Kellen said. “That means you should have no problem with the troublemaker you’ll find in the backseat. He’s a fair size and may look fierce, but trust me, it’s all an act. He’s really quite friendly. He’s just a little put out because I got to go out in the snow—which he happens to love—and I left him behind.”
    As soon as Kellen opened the passenger door to her Jeep, a large dark head emerged from the dim interior and the German shepherd’s big body wiggled with delight at her return. But then, almost immediately, a low warning growl began humming deep in the dog’s throat.
    “Bogart, no.” Kellen spoke firmly. “Friend.”
    “Dana,” the woman said. When Kellen turned toward her, she continued. “It’s my name. Dana. Just thought it might make the introductions easier.”
    “Sorry, Dana. I seem to have forgotten my manners. I’m Kellen and this is Bogart.” Turning back to the dog, she spoke softly once again. “Bogart, this is Dana. She’s a friend.”
    Bogart’s intelligent eyes looked at Kellen. Quivering like an overstrung bow and watching her avidly, he drew his head closer and tentatively nudged Dana’s palm with his nose as he sniffed her hand.
    “Bogart—”
    The dog promptly offered a massive paw to a clearly delighted Dana. “Hello, Bogart. I’ve never seen a long-haired shepherd before. Lord, you’re just beautiful, aren’t you?” Dana’s comment was accompanied by a still-cautious head scratch.
    Bogart’s tail twitched enthusiastically.
    “Now you’ve done it.”
    Dana froze in the process of stroking Bogart and looked up nervously. “What? What did I do?”
    “Sorry, it’s just that Bogart’s a great dog and he generally loves everyone.” Laughter threaded Kellen’s voice. “But he’s also got an ego the size of these mountains and you just told him he was beautiful. So you’ve probably just made a friend for life.”
    “Oh. Is that all?” Dana visibly relaxed and resumed rubbing Bogart’s ear. “I think I can live with that.”
    Although she trusted Bogart implicitly, he was still young and Kellen knew he could be overenthusiastic and bowl over the unwary at times. So she remained close, standing by while Dana got into the front passenger seat, and making sure she was truly comfortable with the dog, who had thrust his head between the two front seats