Page 45 of Colorado K-9 Rescue

A couple of days later

M ckenna snuggled closer to Evan, the sheets tangled between them. They’d ended up back at Mckenna’s after Mocha started chewing on Evan’s couch. The Lab was happily snoring on his bed, content to be home.

The sun went behind some clouds making the room darken.

Mckenna couldn’t remember ever being this happy.

Once she had been released from the hospital, Evan had taken the personal days he mentioned.

Originally, they were going to hike to the summit of Mount Blue Sky before it closed for the winter and try to get tickets to a concert at Red Rocks, but so far, they hadn’t made it very far out of the house.

She closed her eyes, for once feeling safe and secure. Protected.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” Evan said.

“What’s that?” Mckenna asked, opening her eyes, and propping herself up on one elbow so she could see Evan and trail a finger down his chest.

Evan swallowed hard, his face turning serious. Now Mckenna was really wondering what he had to say. “You have a girlfriend? Wife?”

“What? No. You really think that?”

Mckenna laughed. “No. Of course not. I’m teasing you and now, whatever you have to say, it’ll be fine.”

Evan sighed. “I’ve been offered a promotion. To ASAC.”

“What? Evan, that’s great. It’s what you wanted. Why do you look so upset?”

“Because it’s in Oregon. But I think I’ll turn it down.”

“Why would you do that?” Mckenna asked. “This is your dream. You want to keep moving up the chain, don’t you?”

“Well, yeah. I told them I would think about it.”

“Why?” Mckenna asked. “You should pursue this. Opportunities like this don’t come along all the time. What’s the problem?”

Evan ran his fingers down Mckenna’s side, trailing along her phoenix tattoo. “The problem is I don’t want to lose you. My job isn’t the most important thing in my life. Not anymore. Plus, I’d miss Mocha. I haven’t had another guy to watch TV with in a long time.”

Mckenna giggled. “Have you thought about the possibility that there might be options? Like I could see if there was a transfer available for me too. And Mocha. Maybe there’s an opening in the Oregon office.”

“You’d do that?”

“Yes, I would. Just like I know you’d give up this offer for me. We’ll figure this out.” She leaned in and kissed Evan, her fingers trailing from his chest down lower. “But for now, let’s not worry about it.”

“Works for me,” Evan said, responding to her touch. “Maybe we can hike Mount Blue Sky tomorrow.”