Lyn huffed out a soft breath. “That’ll work.”
Quiet footsteps came to the door and paused. An older man peered out the tall thin window beside the door. A moment later, the deadbolt turned and the door opened. “David Cruz? What brings you to our door tonight?”
Cruz held his hands to his sides, palms open. More for the benefit of the big dog behind the older man than the man himself. Unarmed. Nonthreatening. The breeze at his back would carry his scent inside for the German shepherd. “How are you, Thomas? We were driving up north and got tired. Thought we’d stop in for the night if you’ve got the room.”
“Always room for you or any of the boys from the kennel.” The older man nodded to Lyn. “Hello, miss. Welcome.”
Lyn gave him a shy smile. “Hello. This is Atlas.”
Atlas had eyes only for the German shepherd. Until they were introduced, neither of them would relax. David planned to get it done as soon as possible. For the meantime, he shifted enough to block direct eye contact between the two dogs.
“Don’t think I’ve ever seen David here in the company of a lady when he’s working with his dogs.” Thomas gave Cruz a significant look as the older man stepped back and opened the door wider, giving his dog a quiet command to stand down. “You remember old Brutus.”
“He’s looking good.” David stepped inside and ran his hand down Brutus’s back as the dog’s tail waved side to side once in greeting. Gray around his muzzle and eyes showed his age. He had a couple of good years in him yet, though. “You mind if I put on his lead and take him outside? I’ve got another dog to introduce him to and it’s best to do these things out on neutral territory, off your property.”
Thomas nodded, reaching for one of two leather leads hanging from a hook on the wall. “Not at all. I’ll go get Caesar. We’ll introduce ’em all at once. Kathryn will get your room ready. You’re lucky tonight. Master suite is the only room empty.”
Cruz shrugged. “Ah. Any room would be fine.”
“Maybe for you. We give hospitality to ladies here.” Thomas tipped an imaginary hat toward Lyn.
Lyn laughed. “And it’s appreciated.”
Cruz opted out of the conversation and instead spoke quietly to Brutus. Immediately responsive, the dog sat for him and turned his head to make it easy to clip the leash to his collar. “You’ve been keeping up on their training.”
“More like they’ve been keeping us up on ours.” Thomas chuckled as he stepped away. “It’s the way you and the boys changed our lives by helping us with Brutus and Caesar. Couldn’t have done it without you.”
Cruz smiled, suddenly awkward and embarrassed. It was what he did, training dogs. A job well done meant a happy owner and a content dog. It meant a dog was more likely to have a home for the rest of his days. Comfortable. Belonging.
Lyn called to him quietly. “Let’s get them all introduced and then head up for some rest. It’s been a weird night.”
Yeah. Tomorrow wasn’t going to get any more normal.
*
Lyn wandered around the room—suite, really—and took a moment to simply enjoy. She stayed in hotels all the time and they were most definitely not all made equal. In fact, even hotels in the same chain varied to a certain extent, depending on location. She hadn’t spent much time in bed and breakfasts or inns or even boutique hotels but seeing this place, she might need to do research to start including these in her accommodations for the future.
This room was decorated with Old World charm, overlooking a garden with a formal fountain elegantly lit for nighttime viewing. As Lyn wandered past the queen-sized bed, she ran her hands over the sheets and pillowcases. Cotton woven so fine to the touch, she couldn’t wait to get into bed. Okay, and she was a sucker for a thick down comforter, too.
Peeking into the bathroom, she bit her lip. “Hey, David?”
“Yeah.” She heard David walk into the suite and shut the door. He must’ve unleashed Atlas, too, because she heard the sound of the big dog shaking himself.
“Mind if I take a bath?” Who knew what he’d think but damn it, there was a real Jacuzzi in there. “A real bath.”
David chuckled. “As opposed to a pretend one?”
She tore her gaze from the Jacuzzi, and shot him a pointed look. “It’s been an interesting road trip. I’d be stiff from the hours in the car alone. But then we had some insanity.” She held up her hand when he was about to say something. “A lot crazier than I think I can process all at once. I’d like a long soak because I don’t know how anyone is supposed to stay loose during that kind of driving and I will be sore tomorrow. This’ll at least help it from being worse.”
A long moment of silence. “It would be good. Go for it.”