Free You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) by Melanie Jayne

compliment.” Jasmine stepped in to kiss Finn’s cheek as Hale dropped her hand and moved away.
    “It’s true.” They were a lovely sight, standing side by side. Jasmine was blonde, tall, and slender, always well dressed. Hale was of middle height, much more voluptuous with dark hair. Her sense of style was sexy in a more casual way. She looked like she would be more comfortable curled up on a sofa, as compared to Jasmine resting against an expensive sports car.
    Izzy pulled Jasmine into his side with a possessive arm. “I’m one lucky man.” He kissed Jasmine’s cheek.
    “I was telling our Hale that I was surprised to see her walking with the children in the parade today.” Major moved closer to Hale.
    She shot Major a puzzled look. Finn disliked the man, and it irritated that he was interested in Hale.
    “Our daughter was walking Hale’s dog so she was acting as overseer,” Izzy explained. “You might have noticed them since he was the biggest pet in the parade.”
    “You mean that huge, slobbering dog is yours?” Major looked horrified. “Hale, I would never have pictured you with an animal like that.”
    “What do you mean? Miller’s a great dog.” Now she was giving him a very unfriendly look. Dumbass, he should know to never insult a person’s dog.
    Major seemed oblivious to the fact that he was slighting her dog. “I mean a woman like you, well, I would have thought you’d have a tiny dog. Something cute that you could dress up,” he added lamely.
    “Oh, Lordy. Stop talking right now, Major.” Jasmine laughed as she tried to stop the damage.
    “I mean, that dog is so big.” The man didn’t listen to the good advice. He looked at the others as if they would agree.
    Hale shot Major a very unhappy look. “I rescued that big, not-cute dog from being tied outside on a short chain every day of his life in Ashville. He didn’t have any shelter from the sun or rain.”
    Finn was shocked. “Who would do that to a dog?”
    “I know. I was on a case there and I drove past that house three days straight and the poor puppy just sitting there looking so sad. On the last day, I was heading back to my hotel and it was storming. I saw him sitting out there and I couldn’t take it, I turned my car around and knocked on the owner’s door.”
    “Just like that?” Finn asked. Her compassion touched something inside of him. It was the second time that he had caught a glimpse of this softer, caring side of her.
    “Yes, I know it was impulsive. I asked the man how much for the dog. He tapped danced for a minute and finally named a price. I told him I would bring the money the next day by 10 a.m. It was Friday so I needed to find a bank fast.”
    “That’s how you bought a dog?” Major sounded appalled.
    “I couldn’t sleep that night, I was so worried about him. I made plans to rent an SUV to drive back to Tampa and I made a 2 a.m. run to Walmart to get dog supplies. I had nothing, so I needed everything.”
    “I bet that checkout was hilarious. I can see you grabbing things off the shelves.” Jasmine teased.
    Hale beamed as she resumed the story. “I had Miller and the supplies and then, about half way back to Tampa, I realized that my condo was going to be too small for us. I called my friend who was a realtor and told her to find me a house by Monday afternoon with a fenced in yard.”
    Major sputtered. “But that isn’t the way to shop for a house. Matching the right house to a buyer takes time.”
    Hale held up a hand and stopped him from talking trade. “My point is that I didn’t have the time. This whole deal was impulsive, and it all worked out.” She grinned, clearly proud of her actions.
    “I knew that it was the first step in you deciding to move back.” Izzy added.
    “You did?” Hale’s eyes registered surprise.
    “Sure, you had to take care of a house and your monster dog. Before, you worked and traveled. You didn’t have any roots,” Izzy pointed out.
    “He’s