Unveiled Treasures by Kayla Janz Page A

dog of yours.”
    “I love you, Dad.”
    “I love you too. Now get up that driveway. There’s no lights out here for miles around. I don’t want you breaking your neck walking back up to the cabin.”
    She walked up the drive and turned when she heard the roar of the engine. Tires squealing against pavement as she heard her father drive away. “Well, back to the simplicity of quiet mountain life,” she said as she crossed the patio to her front door. “Brutus,” she called as she entered. “Honey, I’m home.” Joyous barks resounded off the canyon walls as he proceeded to cover her face with slobbery, wet kisses.

Chapter 6
    Thursday morning, Rachel woke stiff and sore again. This time, it was because of Brutus, the gigantic dog was perfectly content sleeping across her legs, pinning her to the floor. “Time to get up, Prince Charming,” she prodded. He rolled over and opened his eyes.
    “Oh no you don’t, lazy bones, get up!” she said, laughing at him. “We have a busy day today. All our stuff is going to show up. Isn’t that great?”
    Brutus replied by yawning and stretching his legs. His massive paws slid across the hardwood floor. “Outside with you, but be careful. You’ve only been out here for two days. The forest can be a dangerous place for a big city dog like you.” She told him as she opened the door. “I’ll leave the door cracked open. You can come back in when you’re ready.”
    Brutus bolted out the door, barking as the squirrels scampered up the trees to chatter at him from a safe distance. Laughing at his silly antics, she went back inside to make coffee and get Brutus his breakfast. She heard him start barking again before she heard the truck pull up the drive. Grabbing a jacket and slipping on sneakers, she ran out to see who he was barking at this time. She started laughing hysterically when she saw Brutus standing on his hind legs with his paws on the window of Todd’s SUV. Calling off her valiant protector, she walked towards the truck.
    * * * *
    Todd’s mouth went dry when he saw her. The morning sunlight glinted off her dark mane of hair, slightly rumpled from sleep. Her eyes were bright with laughter, she looked positively stunning. He imagined waking up beside her with her looking like that from a night of passionate lovemaking.
    “When I first met you, I suggested you get a dog. You neglected to tell me you already had a horse,” Todd said through the window he’d cracked open. He’d only met Brutus once before and was a little concerned about getting out of the truck.
    Trying to control her laughter and her dog, she said, “He won’t hurt you. I told you yesterday, he’s a big baby. If you look past his size and sound, you can see his tail wagging. He’s a little excited is all.” Turning her attention to Brutus, she said, “Brutus, sit down.” Immediately, the dog sat down with a thud, his tail still wagging madly.
    “When the tail goes down and the hackles come up on his back, then it’s time to be concerned. Come out here so I can properly introduce you two.” Todd hesitantly climbed out and walked over to them.
    “Now hold out your hand so he can smell you,” she instructed.
    Todd extended his right hand for the sniff treatment. Brutus stood up, sniffed his hand, walked around behind him and sniffed his butt too. “Okay, that’s a little too intimate for me,” Todd said, spinning in a quick circle.
    “That’s what dogs do, Sheriff.” She giggled. “Now, Brutus, where are your manners? Shake hands with the Sheriff. I should apologize; we were both quite rude the other night.” Once again Brutus sat down with a thud and this time, extended his right front paw to Todd. Todd shook hands with the dog without having to crouch or bend over.
    “How big is he anyway?” he asked as Brutus dashed off to chase after the squirrels again.
    “He weighs close to one hundred and thirty pounds, stands over six feet tall on his hind legs and is roughly four