Come Home

Chapter 22

A couple of days have passed, and she had to admit it was still hard for her to rely on her exes in helping her recover. But thankfully she was starting to feel better and could move around more without as much pain. She finished the work on her computer and decided to go check out the building the guys had made for her for work. Slipping on her jacket, she headed outside and beamed when Jack came racing to her. Once he kneeled, she carefully climbed on his back, and he rose.

"Is that safe?"

She looked around to see North and Corey walking towards her. "I feel fine," she nodded. "He is always careful with me."

"Okay," Corey nodded. "Do you have your phone with you?"

"Yes," she nodded while looking at him confused.

"Will you please just text or call if you start to hurt or need help?" Corey asked.

"Please?" North asked.

"Fine," she sighed. "Let's go Sweet Boy."

Jack bobbed his head and started to slowly walk away. "I don't like this," North mumbled as he watched her ride away.

"I know but you can't push it," Corey sighed. "Come on, let's just go back to work and hope she doesn't start to hurt riding him."

She walked around the activity yard and shook her head, those men. They ordered and made equipment for the dogs. There were ramps and tunnels and jumping things and a bin full of various outdoor toys. She tried to be mad at them for not telling her, she knew she should be mad for them keeping it a secret and try to win her forgiveness, but she was touched they were trying so hard.

Back when she was a teenager, they told her numerous times that she wouldn't have a job outside of the ranch and she was ridiculous for even thinking of one. And now she had one and they were supporting it. She wondered if their intentions were pure or was this just a way to try and win her back? She was so confused and all she wanted were her men to help calm her down.

Her phone starting ringing, breaking her out of her wandering thoughts. She frowned when she saw the number, not recognizing it. She hung up a few minutes later and left the building to find Jack just casually standing there.

"Time to go back," she said, and he got down so she could climb on him.

"Hey, you're done already?" Corey asked as Jack came up to the fence by the house.

"Yes," She nodded as he got down so she could slide off him. "I need to leave."

"Where?" Nathan asked curiously.

"The shelter thirty minutes away. They told Officer Romeo that they have some dogs they think will qualify for the program," she said honestly. "I want to go check them out."

"Okay, a few of us will go get cleaned up and join you," Owen said wiping his forehead with the rag in his back pocket. "Give us a few moments, please."

"Why would you go with me?" She asked confused.

"So, you aren't alone, for one," Owen explained. "For two, you may need help with you back in case some of the dogs come back with you or you start to hurt. And finally, your men would be pissed if you left this house alone and we want to stay alive."

"Fine," she sighed knowing he was right. "I'm going to go get ready. I shouldn't be more than thirty minutes then I will be leaving."

"Got it," they nodded.

"Who's going and who's staying?" Marc asked.

"Me," North and Raven said at the same time.

"Figures," she muttered under her breath.

"I'll go," Axel said, and she heard more talking but had reached the house, so she tuned them out.

She quickly changed clothes then sent a text to both Jasper and Jackson letting them know what was happening. She didn't expect a reply since she knew they were busy and mentally prepared herself as she headed to the office to print out the paperwork she may need.

As she came into the living room she saw Axel, North, Raven, Luke, and Kota waiting for her. "Fine, let's go," she said grabbing her car keys and purse.

"Can I ride with you?" Kota and Luke asked as they followed her out of the house.

"I guess," she mumbled as she unlocked the car.

"So, what kind of dogs are you wanting to get?" Kota asked after a few minutes of her driving.

"It doesn't matter to me," she said as she turned on the turn signal. "The only ones that may not be suitable are the working breeds or larger ones that need more exercise, but each dog is unique, so it just depends on the dog not the breed."

"I'm excited to see the puppies," Luke beamed. "Are we going to play with them?"

"I have to see temperament test them and see how they do outside of the kennels they are currently in, yes," she nodded. "But dogs also react differently in different environments so keep that in mind." Her phone starting ringing, so she hit the answer button on the radio screen. "Yes, Officer Romeo?"

"Are you heading to the shelter?"

"Yes," She said as she switched lanes.

"Alright, let me know how it goes."