How many times had she awakened from one of those dreams to the startling realization that the man himself was right down the hall? Was that what had brought them on?

She closed the refrigerator door rather more firmly than was necessary, and the bottles in the door racks rattled. The movement, and muscle aches it caused, jarred the fuzziness—and the thoughts—out of her head. She’d thought she was in decent shape, but every time she moved a certain way she was rather fiercely reminded of how hard she’d fought.

Which brought her right back to the attack, and seeing Cutter and Adam charging out of the darkness, heedless of any danger, as they came after the brute who had her so helpless.

On the thought Cutter appeared at her side, plumed tail wagging slightly. She’d already let him out first thing this morning when she’d given up on sleeping any longer, and he wasn’t looking as if he wanted out again. Especially not when he sat at her feet and stared at the fridge intently.

“Hi, furry one. Can I get you something?”

Even as she said it she remembered something Hayley had told her and opened the fridge again. She reached into the produce drawer and pulled out the small bag of baby carrots. Cutter sat politely, but his eyes were glued to her movements. And when she tossed him one of the little carrots he caught it and crunched with gusto. It made her smile, and she thought once more that she might just have to get a dog. She supposed dogs like Cutter were few and far between, but just the companionship made it worth thinking about. She reached out and stroked the dark head.

And then the dog’s head came up, his ears alert, as he looked toward the back door. He listened for a moment, then trotted over to the door and looked back at her. Quinn had said if he scented or heard danger she’d have no doubt, so she assumed the wagging tail and no barking or growling meant there wasn’t any, and he just wanted outside. She opened the door for him, and he went out eagerly. Maybe he’d heard Quinn, she thought. She should try again to think about some breakfast for her guardians. It seemed the least she could do.