Chapter 3
Kellan knew that he had to get himself under control. This wasn’t like him at all.
Stop engaging with her.
“Don’t you know how dangerous that is,” Eli added. “He could have hurt you, attacked you.”
“Horse wouldn’t do that to me,” she muttered, staring down at her feet.
Kellan got the feeling she knew they were talking sense. She just didn’t want to admit it.
“You named him?” Eli asked.
“Horse?” Kellan added.
“There’s nothing wrong with the name Horse,” she defended.
“Why would you name a dog Horse?” Eli asked.
As if the dog realized he was being spoken about, he climbed out of the car.
Shit.
Was that a dog? Because it was huge. It’s head reached the girl’s hip and if it wasn’t so skinny, he was certain he would probably outweigh her.
Although she did look like a stiff wind would blow her over.
Speaking of wind . . . had someone just let some go? He eyed the dog. It had to be him, right?
“Jesus, I take that question back,” Eli said. “I can’t believe that you picked up a stray dog the size of a small pony. He could hurt you. Especially since you don’t know what his life has been like. Why didn’t you take him to the pound?”
“It’s not open. Besides, he doesn’t want to go.”
Really?
“How do you know he doesn’t want to go?” Eli asked.
“When I mentioned it, he whined.” She rubbed Horse’s head and he stared up at her with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.
Damn. Was she serious?
Horse wasn’t the most attractive dog he’d ever seen. His fur was matted and looked a bit dirty. It was hard to tell what color he was or what sort of breed.
“That doesn’t explain why you’re sleeping in your car,” Eli said.
Right.
They should get back on topic. Kellan wanted to get to bed sometime tonight. And even though he liked to run, he didn’t enjoy the feeling of being sweaty.
He needed a shower.
And he needed to get away from this girl. She intrigued him far too much for his peace of mind.
Not that his mind had much peace. He had a very good memory. And shit from his past often circulated through his brain, tormenting him, keeping him awake. However, what little peace he did have, he’d like to keep.
“I don’t think that is any of your business,” she said.
There was bravado in her voice, but she wrapped her arms around herself. Either she was scared or she was cold.
Or both.
Eli crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you know anything about Haven or how things are run around here?”
“I know a bit.”
“What do you know?” Eli asked. “Because you don’t seem to realize that this town doesn’t let its women sleep in cars alone in a park.”
The girl ran her hand over her face, looking exhausted. A part of him felt a strange twinge. Was he feeling bad for her?
“Do you think I want to be sleeping here?” she asked. “Right now I could be inside a cute little cottage in an actual bed.”
“What happened to the cute cottage?” Eli asked, wrinkling his nose as he obviously got a whiff of the dog stench.
“Apparently, the rental doesn’t allow dogs.
I get it. I didn’t know I was going to have a dog when I arrived in town.
I asked if I could just keep him a few nights until I figured out what to do with him.
But the agent wouldn’t hear of it. And he looks like he’s had a rough time.
He’s scared. He was hungry and shaking and .
. . I know what it’s like when no one loves you. ”
That last part was said so quietly that he was fairly certain that they weren’t supposed to hear it. But it only added to his suspicions about her relationship with her father.
“This agent . . . who was it?” Eli asked.
“What does it matter?” she asked.
Kellan shared a look with his brother. Kellan let Eli lead. This was his operation, after all.
Well, not exactly an operation.
But if it was up to Kellan they would have kept running.
Sure you would have.
“Because they don’t sound like someone who lives here,” Eli said. “Most people here wouldn’t just kick you out unless they were sure that you had somewhere else to stay.”
“Um, right, it’s okay. It’s not a problem. I’ll figure something out.”
“Did you not have money for a hotel room?” Eli asked.
Good thinking. Maybe they could give her some and then move on their way with their consciences clear.
Yeah. That would work.
“I have enough money,” she said in a defensive voice.
Her fear seemed to be disappearing, her confidence growing. Either that or she was trying to mask it, to push it down deep.
“Then why are you in your car?” Eli asked. “The hotel has dog-friendly rooms.”
Although they might not be impressed with a dog whose stench reached up to the high heavens. Even Kellan’s nose wrinkled and he tried hard not to let outside factors affect him.
“Did he just fart?” Eli asked. “Or did the wind change?”
“Uh, it’s hard to tell,” the girl said. “It seems to be part of his . . . aroma. Maybe he rolled in something? I don’t think brown is his natural color. I tried to give him a bit of a wash, but it was difficult with just a small sink and no dog shampoo. Nothing was really open in town.”
No. Most things shut around five in this small-ass town. Unless you wanted a drink or some kink.
“Right,” Eli said, taking a step to the side. Kellan nearly snorted. His brother was obviously trying to find a spot to stand where the stench of dog wasn’t overwhelming.
“It will be easier to wash him in the hotel,” Eli stated.
She threw her hands up into the air. “Don’t you think I know that?
The hotel doesn’t have any free rooms. I checked.
I also rang around several more places in the next town and there was nothing.
I could keep searching, but I’m tired and I don’t really like driving at night.
So I thought I’d park here and see what I could find in the morning.
Now, thank you very much for your concern, but I need to go back to sleep. ”
“You’re not sleeping here,” Kellan said, making her jump.
Had she forgotten that he was there? He wanted to scold her. She needed to be more aware of her surroundings and who was in them.
He was dangerous and she shouldn’t be letting her guard down around him.
“Fine. I’ll drive to a different town.”
“Wait,” Eli said. “You’re not doing that either. You’re coming with us.”
She took a step back toward her car, finally seeming to show some self-preservation.
“What . . . what do you mean?” she asked nervously. “I don’t even know you guys. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“First smart thing you’ve said,” Kellan replied.
“Kellan,” Eli warned.
“What? It is.”
“I don’t understand what the two of you want from me, but I’m not going anywhere with you. I’ll just get in my car and drive. Okay?”
Definitely nervous now.
“Freeze,” Kellan barked.
She froze. Satisfaction filled him as she obeyed.
“Kellan,” Eli said with a groan.
“What?” he asked. “You didn’t want her to leave, did you? I was helping.”
“You scared her.”
“She’s making a dumb decision.” If someone needed help making the correct decision, then why shouldn’t he use his powers for good?
“I don’t know why I just did what you said, but that isn’t happening again,” she said haughtily.
“We’ll see,” he replied. “Now, Eli is getting in your car with you and the stinky dog. I’ll call ahead to the hotel and get things sorted.”
“But there aren’t any rooms,” she said with exasperation. “How will you get things sorted?”
“I always find a way.”