Sneak Peak
“Mr. Nichols?” Cameron’s voice trembles, and that’s when I notice her whole body is shaking. Her eyes are so wide I can’t tell what color they are. “I was told you’d be expecting me.”
In the second it takes me to respond, Denver, my gentle giant pit bull, must hear something in Cameron’s voice too because she closes the gap between us and hurls herself at Cameron’s legs, sending her to the ground with a squeak.
“Oh!” She gasps. “Hi there!”
Denver’s tail wags furiously, and I wait for a growl, a warning, that just doesn’t come. If anyone was a threat, Denver’s body language would change, and she’d growl or snap in warning. She might only be a puppy, but I’ve been training her since she was three months old and no longer weak and malnourished. She needs to detect a threat at any time, and with the right signal from me, protect my son first. When I walk closer, I see she’s licking Cameron’s face, and Cameron is…giggling?
“Denver!” I snap, but she doesn’t listen so I grab her by the collar, and reach for Cameron with my free hand. My fingers wrap around her bicep with ease, even through her hooded jacket. She’s light too, and almost stumbles into me from the force I use to pull her up.
“S-sorry,” she says, looking up at me. God, she’s beautiful. I shake my head, and frown. At her or myself, I’m not entirely sure.
“I should be the one apologizing, she’s my dog.”
“It’s fine, Mr. Nichols.” She swallows. “I’m Cameron, it’s nice to meet you.”
We stare at each other for a minute, maybe more, until I realize it’s cold in the hallway outside my penthouse apartment, and Cameron has pretty much just fled her hometown for her own safety. She must be scared, though she doesn’t exactly look it. Not to sound sexist, but most women who have to flee for their own safety are often jittery, emotional, and a little all over the place. Aside from the shaking, Cameron seems to be handling the current situation well and I’d be an idiot not to take notice. It could bode well if she were ever in an emergency with my son, and that checks a box for me.
I spot the duffel bags at her feet and carry them inside for her. “C’mon. Let me show you where you’re sleeping.”