The Sergeant's Christmas Mission. Joanna Sims

you hang everything up?”

      “Yes,” Carson said.

      “No,” Caleb said simultaneously.

      Wordlessly, Rebecca pointed her finger toward the stairs leading to the second floor. Caleb took off running, which made her smile, even as she reminded him not to run in the house.

      She made a quick lunch and then sent the boys back up to their room to start unloading the boxes that had been stacked neatly in the corner by the movers. While she washed the dishes, she looked out the window over the sink and watched Shane sitting in a lawn chair between his motorcycle and his front door, brushing Recon’s coat. Much like the feeling she had about the German shepherd, Shane’s outward appearance didn’t seem to necessarily match his outward appearance. Savannah was an earnest soul—that was her impression of the woman—and her words only confirmed her own instinct about Shane Brand. There was a good man hidden beneath that beard, long hair and gruff personality. Thoughtfully, she wiped her hands on a dish towel, and by the time her hands were dry, she had made a decision. She had made one too many sandwiches, and instead of wrapping it up and putting it into the refrigerator, she wrapped it up in a paper towel and took it out to Shane.

      “I know you said you weren’t hungry.” She held out the sandwich to him, spotting the open beer at his feet. “But I don’t really consider barley and hops a hearty lunch.”

      Shane frowned at her for a split second before he silently took the sandwich. Recon took the opportunity, with his tail wagging, to greet her again. He licked her arm and she found a spot behind his ear that he liked to have scratched.

      “I heard you playing the other night.”

      Shane had eaten half of the sandwich in one giant bite. He was chewing, so he couldn’t answer right away. He swallowed hard, took a swig of beer and then said, “Ginny never minded me playing at night.”

      “Oh. I don’t mind.” She wanted to reassure him. “I...” Rebecca paused, not sure she wanted to share the fact that he had, unknowingly, given her a private concert. “Actually, I sat on the back porch stairs and listened to you.”

      Their eyes met, and she was so taken with the blue of his eyes. Those eyes drew her in and held her suspended for a minute before she could remind herself to look away.

      “I’ve never heard anyone play a guitar like that before.”

      It had been sad and haunting and passionate. Shane played the guitar with all the emotion he couldn’t seem to express in his expression or in his words. In so many ways, perhaps too many ways, Shane reminded her of her beloved father.

      “Then I’ll keep on playing for you.”

      She tucked her hands into her back pocket and shifted her weight onto one hip. “I wanted to talk to you about the new lease.”

      Shane crumpled the paper towel in his hand and she reached out to take it from him instinctively, as she would with Carson or Caleb.

      “I like you, Shane. You seem like good people. You know the house, you take care of the yard and I could really use the extra income right now while I’m settling in and looking for work. So, if you want to stay on, I’ll have the attorney send over the lease.”

      “I want to stay.”

      “Good. Then it’s settled.”

      “Same rent?”

      “Same rent.”

      He stood up, crossed the short distance to her and held out his hand. “I appreciate this, Rebecca.”

      “Of course, the old lease only accommodated for one pet. We’ll have to change that to account for Top.”

      “I’ll pay an additional pet deposit, if you’d like.”

      “No.” She shook her head. “I’m just grateful that you saved her. Any news when she can come home?”

      “Tomorrow.”

      “That soon?”

      He nodded.

      “That’s wonderful, Shane. Caleb is going to be over the moon when he hears. I’m going to warn you now, he’s going to beg you to see her.”

      “He can come see her.”

      “Well, if either of my boys start to wear out their welcome with you, don’t be shy, just tell them the truth and they’ll respect it.”

      He gave her another nod.

      “Well, I’d better get back to work. Those boxes aren’t going to unpack themselves.”

      The last time, she had something to add to the conversation—this time, it was Shane who stopped her from leaving.

      “I forgot the thank you. For the lunch.”

      It wasn’t his words that made her pulse quicken; it was the way he looked at her, like he really saw her. When Shane looked at her, it felt as if he was able to read all of the secrets of her soul. It was unnerving and, if she was being honest with herself, exciting.

      “It was my pleasure, Shane.”