Chapter 26

“Mr. Barron, Daniel has returned from the Capital,” Ethan Hart reported respectfully. Alexander stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, a faint, unreadable smile in his eyes as he gazed down into the backyard. Below, Summer Knight was happily—and messily—bathing Little White, the massive Tibetan Mastiff. The dog, after days of romping on the mountain, had turned his snowy coat into a dusty mess. Clearly, Summer had decided enough was enough. After lunch, she’d enthusiastically dragged him into the garden for an impromptu outdoor bath. What others saw as a fierce beast was putty in her hands, obeying her every command without a hint of protest. But halfway through the wash, she’d ended up in a full-blown water fight with him, laughing and splashing like a carefree child. It was a ridiculous, yet utterly heartwarming, sight. Watching the scene from above, Alexander felt something deep within him settle into place. He had her. His girl. After everything, she was finally his. And from now on