But once the little dog had sniffed his discarded, damp boots and had checked out the edges of the fresh blankets, he trotted down the hallway toward Jill’s room. Cute little guy, Mitch thought, smiling as he watched him go. He was glad Jill had both an inside companion and the dogs outside to stand guard. After they got an electronic alarm system installed and operating he’d feel even better, especially when the time came to leave her. That outcome was inevitable, just as he’d told Timmy. Although Mitch planned to spend as much of his free time with Jill and the boys as possible, the fact remained that he had a regular job. Chief Longstreet expected him to pull his own weight, not ask fellow firefighters to sub for him indefinitely. Pausing before lying down, Mitch checked each of the boys to satisfy himself that they were covered properly and sleeping. Apparently, the deputy who had put Paul to bed had also settled for whatever pajamas she could find because the younger boy was decked out in pink, too.
