Wolfe shook his head. “Most dogs but not that one. The vet can’t explain it, but Roscoe always survives. We try to keep him away from the booze, but accidents happen.”

“Especially when there is cake involved.” Mitch started laughing, and his wife slapped his hand.

Conversations started up again around them, and Wolfe turned toward Dana. She’d come to breakfast in a pale yellow summer dress with her long hair back in a ponytail. Her pretty pink lipstick made her mouth shimmer and all but beg for a kiss. Her eyes were a clear, happy green, and although she’d moved a little carefully this morning, she seemed relaxed.

He gave in to temptation and reached out to knead her nape. “How are you doing?” He kept his voice low.

“Great.” She sipped her orange juice, a muted pink tinging her cheekbones. “A little sore but in a good way.”

Yeah, he got that. The scratches on his arms and chest were light and would fade, but he liked that she’d left her mark on him, at least temporarily. “Your family is pretty great.”

“Thanks.” She leaned into him naturally, and he tried not to think beyond this moment. “I know we have to get on the road soon, so when it’s time, just let me know.”

The desire to stay another day with everyone caught him by surprise, since he’d usually rather be alone. Oddly enough, he didn’t feel out of place here. But he and Dana had cases to solve, and he needed to keep an eye on Force and make sure he wasn’t killing his liver. “We have a few minutes.” He tugged on her ponytail, and she smacked his arm, laughing and then rolling her eyes at Lissa, who was openly grinning at them.

Was it possible for him to have a real relationship with Dana? There were a lot of people to protect in this family, but he was one of the best. He settled his hand against her nape, stopping the kneading. “I was thinking—”

“No,” Dana said, her smile remaining firmly in place. “I am not staying with my family while you solve all of the world’s problems on your own.”

Well, then. That wasn’t exactly how he’d planned to word the suggestion, but she’d caught his gist. He could appeal to her father, but something told him that would get him punched in the gut. It’d probably tick off her sisters, too. “Hey. I forgot to ask about that scene with the bride last night. It had looked like she was actually going to hit you. You weren’t really going to fight, were you?”

She shrugged. “No. Lissa would’ve tried to jump in, and Katie would’ve stopped her, and it would’ve been a mess if the moms hadn’t arrived in time. But nobody would’ve gotten hit. Well, probably.”