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Brax grinned. “You’re not wrong.”

Jenny was good with all three of the dogs, including Xena, who was often skittish around new people. But Jenny didn’t have the ‘mom’ voice, so the dogs didn’t obey her when she told them to get down. Her jeans and sweater were covered with dog hair. But she didn’t seem to mind.

“It’s hard to believe she’s the same person we rescued seven weeks ago,” Mateo said as he pointed his spatula at the cheese.

Brax handed him a couple of slices.

“Yesterday helped her a little,” Brax admitted. “Knowing she’s someplace safe makes all the difference.”

“Yeah, it did for Lainey, too. But you’re her touchstone.”

Brax watched as Mateo turned the patties and put the cheese on two of them.

“Ya think?”

“I know. You two bonded back in Bangladesh, and with all the calls, I’d say it’s even more since you’ve both been in the States.”

“Maybe.”

“How long are each of your calls?” Mateo asked.

“I told her in the truck on the way over, that the calls were the equivalent of twenty dates.”

“You’re shitting me,” Mateo said as he looked over at him.

“Okay, maybe only fifteen,” Brax admitted.

“Nah, probably twenty,” Mateo disagreed. “You even knew that she doesn’t like cheese on her burgers, I didn’t have to ask.”

“She’s allergic to dairy.”

“I rest my case,” Mateo smirked. “Lunch is ready,” he hollered out.

Brax laughed when the first ones to the deck were the three dogs. “You do not get people food,” Mateo admonished. “There is food in your bowls.” He pointed to the three bowls that were on the deck.

“Isn’t it kind of cold to be grilling?” Jenny asked as Mateo brought the burgers and grilled onions into the house.

“As far as Mateo is concerned it could be snowing and it’s still a good time to be grilling,” Lainey laughed as she brought out a macaroni salad from the refrigerator. She set it down on the set table, then went back to the kitchen and pulled something that smelled wonderful from the oven. She slid the slices into a bowl.

“What’s that?” Jenny asked as she brought it to the table.

“Provenzal-style Papas, they’re Argentinian spiced potatoes,” Lainey answered.

“You’ll love them,” Mateo assured her.

“If they taste as good as they smell, I’m sold,” Brax said.

“Are you sure there isn’t anything I can help you with?” Jenny asked Lainey.

“I’m sure, just sit down and enjoy.”

Soon they were all seated around the table, and Mateo and Brax were explaining about Gideon’s dog Lucy and how well trained she was. They didn’t go into the story on how she had sniffed out bombs that had saved a bunch of adults and children from being blown up when Gideon’s house had been sabotaged.

“I didn’t realize she was so well trained when I met her yesterday,” Jenny admitted. “She seemed so friendly and playful.”

“That’s part of her training as well,” Mateo said. “Our hope is to train Hercules and Faith as well as Gideon trained Lucy.”

“First, you’re going to have get them to obey you when you say ‘heel’ and ‘sit.’” Lainey laughed.