Keeping Kenzie - Pepper North Page 0,42

soon.” Another woof followed before Lollipop trotted to sit next to Kenzie.

Osiris turned around the phone. “I think he’ll hang with my Little girl until you get back. Thank you for letting us borrow your house.”

“My pleasure. It’s much easier to be close as they build your house. Good luck!” A voice in the background called Deke’s name. “Sorry. I’ll have to go. Thank you for loving on Lollipop. He’s a great dog.” With a quick goodbye, Deke ended the call.

Another sad woof followed.

“Come on, Lollipop! I need your help outside. There were all sorts of sticks outside. Do you know how to play fetch?” Kenzie asked as she walked to the door with a Lollipop shadow.

Osiris watched from the large window as his Little quickly picked up a stick about twelve inches long and threw it a short distance. Lollipop lunged after the new toy and brought back a three-foot-long one. He heard her giggles and protests that it was the wrong one.

Walking away, he tried the builder’s number. Their meeting time had passed, and Osiris hadn’t heard about a delay. No answer. Puzzled, he looked out into the yard where Kenzie stood guard over the huge stick while Lollipop chased one, she could lift and throw. They were so cute together.

Maybe I do need to get a dog.

He turned to walk to the kitchen. He’d need to make a grocery list for tomorrow. Deke had stocked shelf-stable goods, and the freezer was stuffed. They could make it through a couple of days. Osiris would replace anything they consumed. Deciding on chili, he threw everything together.

Checking often on his Little, Osiris relaxed. This was SANCTUM. They’d be safe here.

Ring, ring, ring! His cell phone announced a call. Sure it was the builder, he answered quickly.

“Osiris, this is Carrie Covington. I wanted to update you. Arrest warrants have been issued for Kenzie’s ex-husband and two collaborators. Only two have been apprehended. Dean Anders is still out there. There was a report on the local news station stating that documents linking Dean and the other two to the building collapse have surfaced.”

“Dean will know that Kenzie was the best source of those papers,” Osiris said, rubbing his neck as tension set in.

“Thank goodness you’re at SANCTUM. Stay safe!” After an additional brief conversation, Carrie hung up.

Osiris stared off into space, trying to figure out the best way to keep Kenzie safe. SANCTUM was a distance from the town where they’d lived. That would be a great buffer. There was no way that Dean would know where they were.

Suddenly aware of the quiet filling the space, Osiris ran to the front door. Ripping it open, he dashed onto the lawn and looked around for the frolicking dog and his Baby girl. Silence surrounded him.

Panicked, he yelled, “Kenzie?” He forced himself to stay in place to listen.

Several seconds later, he heard a faint, “Daddy? We’re coming!”

Osiris pounded in that direction, repeating his barked question. “Kenzie?”

“We’re here, Daddy,” she called, her voice much closer now.

Emerging into a clearing by a creek, Osiris found Kenzie and Lollipop following the stream and heading toward him. He ran to meet her. “Baby girl!” She squealed as he wrapped her in a giant bear hug and lifted her into his arms.

“Did you miss us?” she asked a few seconds later.

“New rule. You must tell Daddy where you’re going. How did you get down here?”

“I threw the stick into the stream. Lollipop chased it down here trying to get it. I followed him. I didn’t want him to get lost. We were on our way back. We just stopped to look at the biggest fish I’ve ever seen. It had whiskers!”

“A big catfish, huh?” Osiris felt the tension easing from his body. He eased Kenzie’s feet down to the ground.

“No wonder Lollipop wanted to get him so bad!” Kenzie giggled. She raised up on her toes to press a quick kiss on his lips. Settling back on her feet, she searched his face. “I’m sorry I scared you. Is something wrong?”

Osiris repeated the news that he’d just received from Carrie. “The arrest warrants have gone out. The other two were picked up immediately, but Dean has eluded the police. SANCTUM is a safer place every day as more people settle here. There are more eyes to watch and a few tech wizards who’ve set up surveillance at the walls.”

“You thought he’d grabbed me,” she whispered before shivering at that idea.

“You stay close to Daddy, Baby girl.” He held out