Free Their Forever Home by Marla Monroe

asked. She was pretty sure it was close to one in the afternoon now.
    “I figure another four, maybe five hours. It all depends on how many of the houses he has to search to find something close enough to your size that it will be comfortable to you. Plus, he’s going to look for another pair of boots. He said one of yours had a hole in the toe.”
    She sighed. She’d been ignoring that little irritant in hopes she would be able to make it all the way there before it got to be a problem. Going through houses wasn’t her favorite thing to do. There was too big of a chance someone would catch her that way. When she had to have shelter because of rain or even snow, she’d checked the place for everything possible she might could use and still be able to carry it in her pack.
    “I hate that I lost my pack. It’s causing you and Carver to lose a lot of time. I don’t like being a hindrance to anyone,” she confessed. “It makes me feel guilty even though I’m not entirely to blame.”
    “You’re not to blame at all, Vella. You were trying to survive. The only other choice you had from what you told us was to surrender to them, which would have been stupid and dangerous. Jumping in that swollen stream was the only other logical choice.” Lance smiled at her. She watched as he absently scratched the wolf’s fur as they stared at each other.
    “Are we going to head toward Yellowstone tomorrow?” she asked. “I hate to wait any longer with it threatening snow.”
    “I don’t know. We’ll talk with Carver about it when he gets back. He may need a day to rest, and I’m really not convinced you’re well enough to travel yet. It’s only been one day since you’ve been awake enough to move around well.” Lance got to his feet. “I’m going to go clean up the dishes. I’m taking one of the guns with me in case I run across another squirrel or even a rabbit. Just so you don’t panic if you hear a shot.”
    “Be careful, Lance.” She said it without even thinking but knew it was the right thing to say when his smile brightened.
    Vella settled so that her back was against the cave wall and closed her eyes. She felt the wolf stand up, shake, then settle down again with his head and one paw in her lap. She cracked one eyelid and smiled to see him resting. His warmth seeped into her as her lap cradled his head. She hoped Carver would be okay with the animal. She liked him and hoped he would stick around.
    Deep inside, she hoped the guys would stick around, too. She was pretty sure they would, but one thing the last few years had taught Vella was never to count your chickens before they hatched. Once they hatched, it still wasn’t any guarantee they’d stay in the barnyard either.
    “I’d kind of like it if they would, fella,” she said, stroking the big animal’s head. “They’re nice, strong, and will be good providers.”
    She smiled to herself, but continued talking to the wolf in her lap. He seemed to be a good listener, and she hadn’t really had anyone to talk to in several long months. Lance and Carver had been the first ones she’d come across that she didn’t believe might be dangerous since she’d first escaped the commune.
    Love should fit in there someplace, but maybe her brother had been right. Maybe love could come later with the right person or persons. Maybe it wasn’t essential that she be in love with them before she made a decision on staying with them as their woman, as long as she was sure she would be safe. But how would she know if she was safe if she didn’t know that they loved her?
    “I guess I don’t. I suppose I have to trust my instincts and step out on faith, huh, boy?” She smiled at the oblivious mongrel before leaning her head back and closing her eyes.
    Thoughts of what it would be like to be kissed by Carver while Lance sucked on her nipples soon had her uncomfortably warm with a need to change her panties to a dry pair. Since she didn’t know when either of the