CHAPTER FOUR

"Hey, Clark, can we get you to take Rose and Baptiste up to Philly and bring them back?" asked Cam.

"Sure. Not a problem." She smiled at her new boss. In the last few weeks, she'd gone from being unsure of whether or not she fit in here to knowing without a doubt that it was her home and where she belonged.

"She's speaking at a conference on senior healthcare. Once she's done, they will be waiting for you at the airport. No rush, just come on back when you've got them."

"No problem. I'm just going to let Alistair know."

"Alistair," he smirked. "You two an item?"

"Is that not okay?" she frowned. "I mean, I just thought with all of you marrying one another that it was alright."

"Relax, Clark. It's totally fine. Alistair is a good dude from a great family," said Luke. "I'm glad you two connected."

"Thanks. I'll see you guys later." The relief flooded her body, solidifying the fact that this was where she should be.

She took the path toward the kennels, knowing that Alistair was going to be out there working with Goliath and Atlas, the new dogs. When she approached the fenced-in area, she stopped, smiling at his big body rolling on the ground with Goliath.

"Let me up, you big animal," he laughed. "Come on. You're making me look bad in front of my girl." He pushed the dog off of him and walked toward her, covered in slobber and grass.

"Your girl, huh?" she smirked.

"Yep. I damn sure hope so." He kissed her, and she scrunched her nose.

"I'm not sure if that was all you or dog slobber as well." Alistair could only laugh. "I'm going to Philly to take Rose to a conference. I'll wait for her and bring her home. I should be back this evening. Late dinner?"

"I'll be waiting," he said, pulling her tighter against the fence as he kissed her again. He released his hold on her, and she stepped back, nibbling on her lip. "What's wrong?"

"I like you, Alistair. I really, really like you. Are we exclusive?"

"Damn right, we are. And for the record," he said as he hopped the fence, grabbing her, "I like you too, but more importantly, I'm falling in love with you."

This time, Alistair kissed her with such passion she couldn't breathe. When he set her feet back on the ground, she actually wobbled for a moment. He steadied her shoulders, smiling down at her.

"I-I'm good," she grinned.

"See you tonight."

"Are you and Clark going with everyone to The Well tonight?" asked Garr.

"I think so, as long as she's back in time. She's flying back from Philly. She took Rose up there for a conference on human rights and benefits for the elderly. She said Rose lit ‘em up," he laughed.

"Man, she's found her calling, and I'm thrilled for her."

"Same. I'm just hoping that Clark decides to stick around. She's still on her probationary period. She and Autumn are good friends, and Autumn said for a while she wasn't sure that this is where she belonged."

"Change her mind, brother. That's how you make her stay. Change her mind."

"Says the man without a girl beneath his arm," smirked Alistair.

"All in good time, Alistair. All in good time." Alistair stared at his friend, the sad look on his face giving him concern.

"Hey, I meant nothing by it, brother." There was a strange look on Garr's face, and Alistair couldn't, for the life of him, put a finger on what it was. He didn't know of anyone that Garr had been seeing, either while in the service or at home.

"I know. It's not a big deal."

"Alistair! Alistair!" yelled Evie, running toward him with Joseph, Liffey, and Dalton.

"What's wrong?"

"Clark's chopper went down! Come on!"

"Down where?"

"Somewhere over West Virginia. We've got her signal. Let's go."