“I keep an extra bag in my car for Bane when his handler works double shifts.”

 Willa watched as Knox fed the dog out of his hand.

 “You have a bowl?”

 Leanne ran inside the house, returning with one of her fine china bowls that had been from when her mother was married. Willa didn’t chastise her, watching closely as Knox filled the bowl with dog food then sat it down in front of the dog. He took the bowl away after the dog ate a few bites, and the dog sat down on it haunches, wagging its tail.

 “I’m no expert, but I think she’ll be fine around the kids.” Knox’s hand smoothed over the dog’s head. “You can drop her off at the shelter in the morning,” Knox reminded her.

 “Please, can we keep Ria tonight?” Charlie moved closer to the dog as if Willa would snatch her away.

 “I suppose one day won’t make a difference,” Willa relented.

 “Yay!” the children all yelled.

 “We are not keeping her, though,” Willa said firmly.

 “I’d say she’s housebroken. She won’t be too much trouble. The shelter’s pretty full right now. I had to call them Friday on a hoarder. She’ll have to be put down if they don’t find her a home.” Knox wasn’t helping.

 Willa shot him a glance as the children began crying, begging her to let the dog stay. Charlie and Leanne glared at her like she was a monster.

 “She can stay for a few days until I can find her a new home.” Willa caved in to the children’s cries.

 “I’m glad that’s settled. Anything else I can do for you, Willa?”

 “No, I think you’ve done enough,” Willa said reproachfully.

 Knox gave her a grin, and Willa thought she caught sight of a tongue ring before he caught her staring. He gave her a wink before leaving. Willa blushed when she remembered Diamond’s words from the night before.

 “Wait, what about my cat? Is she going to eat it?”

 Knox’s lips twitched. “The cat give you those scratches on your arms?”

 “Yes, she doesn’t like me, but she likes the kids. Will the dog eat her?”

 “If you’re lucky.”

 Willa looked at him aghast, not finding the imminent death of her cat funny.

 “The dog won’t bother the cat.”

 “You’re sure?”

 The cat under discussion wandered languidly across the yard as they talked. When the dog bounded over to the feline, Willa waited for the cat to run or Ria to use the cat as a toothpick. Then the dog lowered his head to sniff the cat, and the feline retaliated by viciously swatting the dog on the nose. The dog took a step backward, whining.

 “Yeah, I’m sure. Give me a call if you want me to take the cat to the shelter.”

 Willa waited until he was a few feet away before muttering, “Jerk face.”

 Knox came to a stop, turning back to face her. “Did you say anything?”

 “I said have a nice day.”

 * * *

 Lucky was waiting for Knox when he arrived back at his office.

 “She keep Ria?”

 “What the fuck do you think? After I told her what you told me to say about putting the dog to sleep, the kids bawled. Made me feel like shit.”

 Lucky grinned. The massive brother hid that he had a weakness for kids and squirrels, but Lucky was more than aware of it.

 “How did you talk Colt out of Ria?”

 “I gave him twenty thousand for her. According to him, the dog has the most protective instincts of any dog he’s trained.”

 “You buy Willa a cheap engagement ring that all the women are bitching about and then buy her a twenty-thousand-dollar dog trained to be a K-9, and she doesn’t even know you bought it for her protection?”

 “Yeah.”

 “Shade’s right; you are a dumbass.”

Chapter 16

 Willa stared down at the engagement ring on her finger, twisting it around and around. She felt like the smile pasted on her face would break, and her friends would know she was a big, fat fake.

 “How about this one?” The elegant saleswoman held up a beautiful white gown with elaborate beading.

 “I wanted something plainer, and it’s too puffy.” Willa regretted letting Beth and Lily talk her into this fiasco. “We’re getting married at the courthouse. Do you have a dress that isn’t so formal?”

 The woman nodded, lowering the dress. “I’ll be right back.”

 “Willa, even if you’re getting married at the courthouse, you still want to feel like a bride.” Lily placed a hand on her arm. “Do you see the one on the mannequin? It’s beautiful.”

 “It’s too small.” She had seen the dress the moment she had entered the store. If she was really getting married, she would have tried to shove her body into the small size, but her engagement wasn’t real.

 “They may have it in your size. We could at least ask,” Beth prodded.

 The saleslady returned, carrying a plain white dress that was exactly what she had asked for.

 Willa stood. There was no way to fight the inevitable; she was going to have to try it on.

 “I’ll put it in the dressing room for you.”

 “Thank you.” Willa began to follow her.

 “Wait, she wants to try this dress on, too.” Lily had gone to the mannequin and was touching the filmy material.

 “We have another out back. I’ll just grab it and put it in the dressing room also.”

 “Don’t bother; it won’t fit.” Willa tried to stop the women from taking over, but it was useless.

 “Don’t worry; we have it in a larger size.”

 Willa couldn’t come up with another excuse, finding herself in the dressing room with the door closed and the two dresses hanging from the hook.

 She tried on the short one first. It was exactly what she had been searching for. It wasn’t expensive, and she planned to give it to the church store after her engagement to Lucky ended.

 When she walked outside, coming to a stop in front of Lily and Beth’s chairs, both women gave her encouraging smiles.

 “It’s very pretty.”

 Beth nodded at her sister’s comment. “It’s perfect for a courthouse wedding.”

 “Yes, it is,” Lily agreed unhappily. “Will you at least try on the other dress?”

 “I shouldn’t.” Willa hesitated, seeing the disappointment in their expressions. Sighing, Willa gave in to them. “I’ll try it on.”

 Their faces became expectant as Willa went back into the dressing room.

 “This is a really, really bad idea.”

 “Did you say something?” the saleswoman asked from outside the door.

 “I said I’ll be out in a moment.”

 “Take your time. If you need any help, let me know.”

 “Can you get me out of here?” Willa prayed silently, taking the dress off the hanger and carefully sliding it over her head.