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gave a slight nod. "I'll grab my tools, follow you home, and help you get that gate fixed."
    "But… but…"
    Night shook his head. "No arguments."
    "He likes to work with his hands. And, with him gone, I can watch my soap opera in peace and quiet." His mother chimed in.
    "See?"
    "Well, I guess so. If you really don't mind."
    His lips twitched at Summer's reluctant acceptance. Stubborn and independent. He would give her credit for both traits in abundance. They only added to her intrigue and attraction as he much preferred self-reliant women over those that couldn't lift a finger to help themselves. He worked hard and expected a woman to pull her own weight, not simply sit upon her throne and look beautiful to admirers. Summer certainly fit that bill from what he determined thus far.

    * * * *

    Thirty minutes later, Night pulled into her gravel driveway, following her car up to a pair of huge overhanging oak trees. Parking the truck, he stepped out, taking in the view. An old two story white farmhouse stood in the middle of fenced pastures, the driveway serving as a dividing line. The house appeared in good repair, sporting a large covered front porch with steps leading down to the ground. A green, floral-patterned swing occupied one corner, inviting guests to take a seat, drink a glass of lemonade, and spend a lazy afternoon watching nature. He wanted to do just that. Tuck Summer under his arm, pull her against his body, and spend the afternoon talking and cuddling.
    With a rueful grin, he shook his head. Mother's nagging must be getting to me. His interest and attraction to Summer's girl-next-door ways baffled him. In all his prior experiences, he sought women considered more traditionally sexy. High heels, short dresses, make-up, painted nails, and dressed in the latest fashion were the ones that drew attention before. One day, he would stumble across one and decide to keep her. Liar. The voice in his head disagreed immensely, clamoring at him to pay attention to what stood right in front of him.
    Summer bounded up the steps, opening the door and allowing a large white fluffy dog out. The animal greeted her with licks and tail wags before lifting her nose to the air. Seconds later, she trotted toward him, deep brown eyes watching him with intensity.
    "Night. Meet Murphy, the Great Pyrenees."
    He reached out, holding one hand for the dog to sniff. Once she did so and decided he proved to be no threat, she moved closer, leaning her heavy frame against his legs. "Murphy, huh?" He petted her head, scratching behind her ears, not the least unbalanced with the addition of her weight.
    Summer moved closer, rubbing the dog's chin. "The rescue named her that when they took her in. She responded to it, so I kept it." She smiled at the dog, bending down to receive another lick across the face.
    He found himself grinning at the spectacle. "Rescue? She was a stray?"
    "Yeah." She stood once more, keeping a hand on Murphy. "The neighbors saw her living around the highway for a while, surviving off road kill. Finally, someone with a heart picked her up and took her to the pound. A large dog rescue pulled her from there at the last minute before she was put down. Those wonderful people sheared her down to get all the mats out, got her spayed, and all the vet care she needed. I saw her at a mobile adoption site and fell in love. She's the best dog."
    Night rubbed one hand across Murphy's back, noting the soft, thick coat. "Bet you're handy with a brush." He teased, enjoying the joy and pride evident in Summer's demeanor.
    She chuckled. "Oh, yeah." Reaching down, she tugged on the dog's collar. "Come on, Murphy. You better go to the bathroom then it's back inside for you. Way too hot for you to be out in this sun. Air conditioner is more your style."
    Sure enough, the dog trotted off, nose to ground to find the perfect spot. After finishing her business, she jogged up the stairs with her long pink tongue hanging out, heading back through the