“Should talk to her about snow tires and good chains. I can call Greg about putting her on the plow list for winter. Maybe even get a snowmobile in case of emergency or—”
“Dad.”
He glanced quickly at me. “What?”
“It’s gonna be okay. She’s nice.”
He nodded, adjusting his grip on the wheel. “I know that.”
“Then I think you can stop chattering about every type of plan for snow.”
Dad scowled in my direction. “I wasn’t chattering. Didn’t anyone ever teach you to respect your elders?”
“Apparently, not.”
“I’m rethinking my parenting approach.”
“Understandable. You raised a bunch of hooligans.”
He snorted. “Ain’t that the truth?”
Koda pushed his head between the two seats as the cabin came into view. I gave him a scratch under his chin. “I know you’re excited, but you need to behave yourself. You were an embarrassment the last time you were here.”
“He jump on Everly?”
“No, just didn’t obey a single command.”
“Koda,” my dad said, leaning his shoulder into the dog, “you’re gonna get yourself into trouble one of these days.”
“Not with Everly. She loves dogs.”
We came to a stop in front of the cabin, and I caught sight of the woman stacking what appeared to be fence posts. Her hair was piled in a messy array on top of her head, blond strands gleaming in the sun. She moved with an ease that said she wasn’t a stranger to hard work. Her tank top and worn jeans showed the lean muscles and curves beneath.
“That her?” Dad whispered.
“That’s her.” I forced my gaze away from the woman I was beginning to worry could drive me to distraction. “Come on, Koda.” I slid out of the truck and opened Koda’s door as I shut mine. Everly looked up at the sound, but I had a feeling she’d already known we were there. “Incoming,” I called as Koda leaped down.
He made a beeline for his new best friend, and Everly dropped her post so she could meet Koda on the fly. She sank to a crouch as Koda’s front legs went to her shoulders. He licked her face, and Everly’s head tipped back as she let a laugh free. The sound punched me right in the gut, and I almost had to take a step back.
“Well, I’d say those two have hit it off,” Dad said, coming to stand next to me.
“Something like that,” I muttered.
Everly stood, pulling a treat out of her back pocket. Her gaze met mine. “Is it okay if I give him this?”
“Sure.”
She sobered, looking Koda in the eyes. “Sit.” With a singular motion of her hand, Koda’s butt plunked right on the dirt.
“Well, I’ll be. I’ve never seen him sit so quickly for you when he’s this excited.”
“Shut up.”
Dad’s mouth pressed into a firm line as if he were trying to hold back a smile. “It wasn’t an insult.”
“Sure, it wasn’t.”
Everly gave Koda the little bone and rubbed his head. “Good boy.” She looked up at me. “I was hoping you’d bring him.”