Jax by Lori Foster

Author:Lori Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2020-03-11T12:33:56+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

THE AIR INSIDE was so still, it felt even colder than it did outside, but at least there wasn’t any wind. Briana checked that the fireplace flue was open, then made sure the grate was positioned properly. Dusting off her hands, she set the water in the bathroom and kitchen to a slight but steady trickle so it wouldn’t freeze.

Locating a few old cleaning towels, she put them by the door. The dog would need to be dried off, poor thing, and he’d need a dry place to rest.

She heard stomping as Jax kicked snow from his boots, and she hurried to greet him at the door. The dog stood at his side as he handed her several logs, along with some skinny branches. When he headed back to collect more, the dog happily leaped along at his side.

Within half an hour she had enough wood neatly stacked on the porch to last two days, and the fireplace was set...except that she didn’t have any paper or matches.

Again with the dog sticking close, Jax hiked up to the truck to retrieve both. How he managed without shivering she didn’t know. Maybe the physical labor warmed him. She wore a long-sleeved T-shirt and heavy cardigan, and now her sweatshirt, too, but her nose and fingers felt like ice.

Expression grim, muttering under his breath, Jax returned with discarded newspapers. He opened the door wide and stepped inside, the dog entering with him.

She watched the animal do a quick search of everything, his paws leaving wet prints across her hardwood floors. Definitely a male dog, she realized, and he had to be over a hundred pounds. Was he hungry, thirsty? Probably.

“I’ll be right back,” she told Jax, and hurried into the kitchen to fill one pan with water, then put a pack of lunch meat on a paper plate. It was the only dog-friendly food she had.

“Careful,” Jax warned.

“I know. A hungry animal is always unpredictable.”

And yet the dog remained skittish rather than aggressive, waiting, very unsure about things, until Briana called him over.

He inched closed, constantly glancing at her as if expecting to be denied.

“Poor baby. It’s for you,” she urged. “Come on.” She pushed the paper plate toward him.

His nose twitched, and finally he gave in, devouring the lunch meat in three big bites. He licked the plate, pushing it around the floor, and then took several very sloppy drinks that sent puddles of water everywhere. With that complete, he padded back to the towels she’d put on the floor. He kicked them around, arranging them until they were in front of the door, blocking it. He dropped down with a lusty sigh and a yawn, his gaze watchful, waiting to see what the humans would do.

The dog, at least, didn’t look cold, but then he had enough thick fur for a grizzly bear.

Grinning, Briana turned back to Jax—and found him stripped out of his jacket.

“Jax?”

“I’ll start the fire,” he said.

Maybe he wanted to ensure she’d be warm before he left.

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