Alpha barked as he backed toward the door, advanced, backed up again. Pappy watched him and knew what the big dog was going to do even before he did it. He nodded slightly. It was all Alpha needed as he ran and leaped neatly onto the bed, where he scratched around until he had the covers where he wanted them. He stretched out alongside Sam, warmth radiating from his huge body.

Pappy started to babble again. “I don’t know how he knows things. He just does. He appears out of nowhere when someone needs help, like that time your team was in the woods and came across the snake. It’s uncanny. There is nothing like an animal’s warmth next to a human. I’ve seen documentaries where, by doing just that, an animal saved a human life. Lie still and let it work for you.”

“Okay. Oh, he is soooo warm. I’d like to hear Alpha’s story now, please,” Sam said sleepily.

Pappy settled himself on a hard chair at the side of the bed. He started to talk until he realized that Sam was asleep. He stood up and looked down at her. What was it about this woman that made him so nuts? She wasn’t model beautiful, more of a natural beauty who didn’t need makeup or fancy potions to enhance her looks. He peered closer at the smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. She had two freckles on her chin. He hadn’t noticed them before. Even in the dim light of the infirmary, he could see how glossy her hair was. He wondered what it would be like to wind his fingers through it.

“Stay, Alpha. Come get me if…if you need me.” The wolf-dog raised his head, his eyes glowing in the dimness. Pappy knew he was leaving Sam in good hands. Not that it was easy to convince the nurse, but in the end he prevailed when he very blithely said it was the law of the mountain. She looked skeptical, but she didn’t contradict him. Sometimes it paid to be the boss.

Pappy stopped at the Omega Three building and informed Sam’s team about her condition. “She was concerned that she lost her shoes last night. I imagine we’ll find them in the spring thaw.” If he was hoping for a smile or a chuckle, he didn’t get it. So much for being witty. Sam was right, I am a stiff.

When no one asked him to sit down or stay, he left the building and walked back to his own cabin, where he sat up all night watching the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, leaving hourly to visit the infirmary.

Each time he stepped over the threshold, he saw that the patient and dog were both sleeping soundly.

Chapter Fourteen