Buzz instantly calmed, and Nick dropped down onto his knee to give him a big hug.
“Thanks for your help,” Karin told the tech. “I think we’ll be fine. You can check on Misty in the next room.”
The woman nodded and slipped from the room, leaving them alone with Buzz. Karin dropped down beside Nick and gave Buzz a kiss of her own. “He’s a strong dog, Nick. He’s going to be fine.”
Nick didn’t want to question what she was saying, and Buzz did look fine. But he knew all too well how injuries like these could end a career, for dogs or for humans. “He was protecting me.”
Karin’s eyes were on him, concerned and a little sad. “I think I would’ve been fine, but poor Buzz, he…”
He trailed off, unable to finish. Feeling Karin’s manicured hand resting on his sleeve, he looked up at her, wanting to lose himself in that look, in her eyes. She bit her bottom lip, her eyes a little glassy. “That’s what he’s trained for, right? If there was even a chance your life was in danger, then Buzz did exactly what he should have done. And because you’re not hurt, I assume he did it well.”
Nick fought not to get too emotional at her words. “He did a great job. Textbook. There’s nothing I would’ve changed, except for him getting hurt, of course. I just wish I would’ve been quicker. Stronger. I don’t know. I feel like I let him down.”
He saw tears in her eyes, wondering if he had some in his own. He’d thought he could handle a dog like Buzz, but now he was coming to realize that Buzz was more of a partner than he’d ever had. If Henry or one of the other officers had gone down in service, he’d feel the same as he did now. “I keep remembering him lying there, helpless. It wasn’t supposed to go down like that. It was just a regular day.”
“What happened?” she asked softly, pulling up a stool.
He took a deep breath, not sure if he was quite ready to talk about it without breaking down. Petting Buzz’s familiar coarse fur, he drew strength from the healing dog. “They found some suspicious pallets abd we had to inspect them. Things got out of hand.”
He ended up telling her the entire story. At the end of it, he realized that Karin hadn’t interrupted him once. She hadn’t tried to understand it or help him through anything. She’d just listened.
And feeling a great burden lift from his shoulders, he realized it was exactly what he’d needed. He didn’t need advice or suggestions. He knew he shouldn’t get too attached to a work animal. There was a probability that all their lives were in danger every day just by going to work. What he needed right now was a friend.
The tears streaming down her face let him know she not only understood what he was feeling, but felt it herself. “I suppose because you work with animals every day, you know what I’m going through, huh?”
He handed her a tissue. She grabbed it, shooting him a thankful look. After blowing her nose, she admitted, “I probably care a little too much, too. Just the other day, we lost a pet hamster, and I was sobbing in the bathroom when a tech found me. It’s hard sometimes.”
He reached for her hand automatically, not even thinking about the fact that there was still tension between them until he realized she was staring at their interlocked fingers. He went to pull his hand away, but she held on tighter. “Look Nick, I know you were stressed out last night and I completely understand what you thought you saw the other morning, but I promise it wasn’t what it looked like. And when you’re ready to talk about it, we can. I want to explain it all.”
Nick sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath as he thought of how to answer. I trust too easily, he thought to himself, even as he realized that there had been something he trusted about Karin and his gut was already telling him again that he could really trust her. He wanted to believe it had been nothing. Desperately, he wanted to believe that. But he kept playing the scene over and over in his mind, picturing her with that other guy, making the hurt tear through his gut again like the scene was still fresh.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Everything with Buzz just has me feeling sort of raw. I’m not trying to avoid it forever, I think I need some time.”
She took a deep breath and nodded. He could tell she wasn’t happy with his response, but she didn’t push it. Finally, she smiled at Buzz and scratched behind his ears. “Are you ready to go home, Buzz?”
Nick helped Buzz off the table. “Is there anything I should know about taking care of him?”
“I’ll have a tech walk you through it after you check out at the front counter. There’s some medication I want him on, and I want to see him every other day for two weeks. Is that doable?”
Nick nodded and smiled gratefully at her. Whatever their problems might be, she had been a rock through this situation and he appreciated her professional attitude when he needed it most. And when Buzz had needed it most. “Thanks for everything, Karin.”
“Just doing my job,” she waved him off, packing up the supplies in the exam room and prepare it for the next furry customer.
He put a hand out, and she froze. He waited until she looked up at him to start talking again. “I mean it, Karin. Thank you.” Then she took his hand and shook it like any professional would.
“Nick,” she started softly, “I care about Buzz. And you. I’d do anything for either of you.”
He listened to her words, saw the honesty in them and in her beautiful, familiar face. He stood quietly and made a decision. “So, about what you were trying to tell me earlier. I do want to hear what you have to say.”
“Good. Would you come by my house tonight? Maybe it would be better to have that conversation in a more relaxed place.” She was looking into his eyes and he returned her gaze intently.
“I can do that.” He nodded and led Buzz out of the room.
20
Karin was nervous. In fact, she couldn’t remember ever being so nervous. She attempted to tell herself that she must have been at some point in her life, perhaps when she was waiting to see if she would pass her veterinary boards. But thinking of it did nothing to help the butterflies that had taken over her stomach as she waited for the doorbell to ring.
The food was ready. She was ready, at least as ready as she would ever be, and all she could do was sit and wait for him to arrive. She kept glancing at the clock. Nick had never been late before. In fact, he’d always been early for their dates and the closer time grew to when he was due to arrive, the more nervous she became.
She wasn’t sure whether knowing that he wouldn’t be late made things better or worse. At least him being early would mean she could explain herself quicker and get things out of the way, but it also meant that she had less time to prepare what she would say.
When she heard the doorbell ring and Babs barked, alerting her to somebody at the door, she knew her time for planning was up. Pushing herself to her feet where she’d been perched at the dining table, she headed down the hallway to the front door. Pausing as she placed her hand on the door handle, she took a deep breath, and pulled the door open.
She was taken aback by the sight of him. She was sure he grew more handsome every time she saw him. He had a bit of stubble which she hadn’t seen before, and she liked it. His cologne gently wafted through the open doorway and it was so intoxicating to her. She breathed it in, enjoying the heady musky scent she associated with the man she couldn’t get enough of, scent and all.
“Good evening.” He greeted her with a warm smile although she could sense the tension in him telling her he wasn’t quite ready to forgive her for what he’d seen. He’ll understand once I explain, she told herself. He’s a very understanding person. And I’ll be telling him the truth. How can he not understand that?
“You look beautiful,” he added, and she smiled tentatively in response. Clearly, he was at least making an effort not to be so harsh towards her.
Karin looked down at herself. She was wearing a pale pink summer dress and sandals. The evening was warm, and she hadn’t wanted to overdress for a hom
e cooked meal and look as though she was trying too hard.
“Thank you.” Smiling, she turned her face back to him. “You aren’t looking too bad yourself.”
He was wearing a light blue polo shirt, plaid Bermuda shorts, and deck shoes with no socks. He looked relaxed and comfortable and very summer appropriate. She liked the look very much.
“It’s nice to be out of uniform for a change.”
“I have to admit I like you in your uniform.” She blushed as soon as the words were out of her mouth, imagining how many women had told him that before. She’d just made herself sound like the world’s oldest stereotype. Every woman liked a man in uniform. To his credit though, he didn’t tease her for stating the obvious.
“Now that you mention it, you do look very fetching in your green scrubs and lab coat when you’re at work. I guess we’re even, then.”
She was thankful for his joke and started to think that maybe they’d be able to work things out. Then he produced a bouquet of red roses from behind his back. She gasped, the gesture so unexpected and so filled with hope.
“They’re beautiful!” she exclaimed, gaping at him. “Are they for me?”
“You, or Babs.” Nick laughed as the little white dog appeared at Karin’s feet and began to wag her tail. “Buzz asked me to bring them as an apology for not being able to make it tonight. He’s on bedrest under doctor’s orders.”
“I am glad somebody listens to their doctor.” She couldn’t stop the giggle, even it she did sound like a silly teenager. She felt like one at the moment. Giddy and crazy about a boy in her class. He always made her laugh.
“Of course, they’re for you. Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman.”
Karin hoped that the flowers and sweet words meant he was at least halfway willing to forgive her for the misunderstanding. She still believed she’d have to work much harder if she was going to convince him to give her another chance.
For a moment, she couldn’t help but think of the irony of it all. In the beginning, she’d been the one turning him down. Now it seemed that the shoe was on the other foot and she would have to do all the work.
“Thank you.” Karin took the flowers from him and stepped out of the way of the door. “Please come in and I’ll put these in some water.”
Nick stepped into the entryway and closed the door behind him as she headed into the kitchen to grab a vase from the windowsill that had stood empty for quite some time. He followed her and when he sniffed the heavily scented air he sighed. “Something smells amazing.”
“I hope you’ll say the same thing when you taste it,” she smiled. “Make yourself comfortable and I’ll plate everything up.”
“I’m sure it’ll be heavenly.”
Karin dished up the sautéed seafood she’d been preparing, along with roasted potatoes and salad. Then she picked up the plates and walked them to the dining room table where she had set two places. She was glad she’d thought to light the candles earlier than she had expected him due to his habit of always showing up early.
“What are you smiling about so much?” Nick asked as she sat down opposite him. She had thought carefully about where to seat them. She’d been tempted to sit next to him rather than opposite, giving herself the chance to sit just a little closer, but knowing he wasn’t very happy with her at the moment she’d changed her mind about that.
“I’m just glad you’re here.” She couldn’t very well tell him the real reason she was smiling like a happy little school girl.
“I will admit, I almost cancelled.” Nick looked at her intensely and his words caused Karin’s heart to ache. Had seeing her with her ex-fiancé really upset him that much?
“Even knowing that, I’m even happier you’re here. Please, eat before it goes cold. I made a cherry pie for dessert.”
“You do know how to spoil a man.” Nick smiled back at her as he lifted his fork to take a bite. “I love cherry pie. It’s one of my favorites.”
Karin barely stopped from giving herself a pat on the back for a job well done. She had almost made a lemon tart instead, but in that moment, she was glad she had stuck with her original plan and gone with cherry.
“Well I am not a master baker but my great-grandma’s recipe for cherry pie is the best I’ve ever tasted, and I couldn’t very well keep it from you, especially since I’m trying to impress you with my baking skills.” Karin laughed nervously, hoping he couldn’t tell. “And I’m trying to get back into your good graces.”
After the words slipped out of her mouth, she instantly regretted them. Nick’s face fell as though he had almost forgotten the reason she was trying so hard in the first place.
“I’m an awful host. I forgot to offer you a drink. What would you like? Water or maybe tea?” She really did feel like a poor host for forgetting to offer him something to drink with dinner, but she also wanted desperately to change the subject. Nick needed some time to relax before they got to the serious discussion. How would he react when faced with the fact she’d been engaged before. She had a ton of explaining to do.
Nick shook his head. “I guess a glass of water would be nice.”
Karin gave a quick nod and pushed herself to her feet to get the water for him. When she returned, she was glad to see that Nick had stopped eating to wait for her to return. He really was a gentleman.
“Thank you,” he said gratefully, as she placed the glass of water in front of him and settled herself back in her seat.
“How is Buzz doing?” Karin asked as they began to eat again. She hoped that the conversation might flow a little better before she had to get into it.
“He’s doing just fine thanks to you. He seems pretty stiff at the moment but it’s not stopping him from getting up and moving around. He’s slow, but I can tell he’ll be okay soon.”
“Just as long as he isn’t running around, a little walking will keep him loose.” She took a bite of her food and reached for her water. She paid attention to her movements hoping the action would help control her nerves.
“I assure you, he really is quite calm and doing well.” Nick looked down at his plate and took another bite. “This is delicious, Karin. Where’d you learn to cook?”
“My grandmother mostly, before she passed away,” Karin told him, feeling her heart clench a little at the mention of her grandmother. “After she passed away, I told myself I was going to continue to learn and grow and took an evening cooking class for a few months when I first moved to Reno. It was at one of the hotels. I learned so much.”
“Well, you definitely do your grandmother proud. This is the best shrimp I’ve ever tasted.”
“You’re just saying that,” Karin replied, her cheeks flushing a crimson red in embarrassment at the compliment. “I wish you could have tasted my grandmother’s cooking. She was the real pro.”
“I wish I could have met her, too,” Nick sighed. “I bet she could have told me an embarrassing story or two.”
“Oh, I’m more than sure she could have.” Karin nodded with a smile. “I was always so clumsy in the kitchen. She joked that I couldn’t become a veterinarian because I couldn’t stir cake mix without spilling it. She couldn’t see how I’d ever hold a scalpel steady.”
That made Karin giggle a little to remember and Nick laughed along with her.
“She sounds like a woman I would have gotten along with,” he told her as he finished up what was on his plate and leaned back in his seat to rub his stomach as though he was full.
“I think she would have loved you,” Karin nodded. She could hear her grandmother’s voice in her head saying, Don’t let go of him, he’s a keeper.
“What makes you say that?”
“Because she would see just how happy I am when I’m with you.” She’d answered instinctively, and knew she was getting close to telling him the truth about how he made her feel. Also, close to admitting to herself just how he made her feel. “Because she would see how much you make me smile and laugh and how good you are to me.”
Nick looked down at his empty plate for a moment and looked her in the eyes. “If that’s true, why would you continue to date other people?”
21
Karin sucked in a deep breath. His question was completely unexpected and she wasn’t prepared for it in the least. Though she had a basic plan for what she would say to him, he’d blown that plan by asking such a question.
She’d known that was what he must have thought when he had seen her with Brad in the café, but hearing it from his own lips made her heart ache. She longed to reach out and touch him.
“Like I said before,” she started, shaking her head as she looked down at her own plate. She stared at it for a moment before she looked into his and locked her gaze with his own. “It wasn’t at all what it looked like.”
“When we first met, you said you weren’t ready to date so what changed?” Nick continued as though he hadn’t heard her.
“I wasn’t ready to date,” Karin admitted, shaking her head again. “I wasn’t on a date when you saw me at the café with Brad that morning.”
“Brad. So that’s his name,” Nick whispered, slowly, as though he was logging it future reference. Then he raised his voice and looked at her again. “So, what was it if it wasn’t a date? Because I know you don’t have a brother and the two of you didn’t look like you were related.”
“No, Brad isn’t my brother and we aren’t related, but we have known each other for a very long time.” Karin held her breath for a moment as she readied herself for her next sentence. “Brad was my fiancé before I moved to Reno.”
Karin saw Nick flinch as though the information had taken him off guard and when his eyes met hers, she wasn’t at all sure she could read them. “You were engaged?”
“Yes.”
“So why did you move to Reno then? If you were engaged why didn’t you stay in Alabama and get married?” Nick narrowed his eyes. “Did you take the job at Bright Lights and he didn’t want to make the move with you?”
All About Trust: K-9 Unit (Hero Hearts: Contemporary) Page 7