by Dobbs, L. A.
“Couldn’t make her bail. Too bad, not sad. Not at all.” A small smile formed on Shelby’s full lips for the first time since she’d found him hiding behind the trees. He’d do anything to see that smile every day, for the rest of his life. She bent to pet the top of Snickerdoodle’s head. “So, what’s going on with your brother?”
“Shane?” He gestured toward the bench he’d sat on earlier and they both took a seat. “Well, he took the plea bargain the cops offered, and the attorney I hired got his sentence reduced. He ratted out Katherine, so with any luck, he won't be in prison long, given that Katherine was the real brains behind it all.”
“That’s good.” She crossed her legs toward him and her knee brushed his. He did his best to ignore the electric tingle now zinging through his system from the brief contact and instead concentrated on what she was saying, or at least tried to. “So do you know what kind of pet you want?”
“Huh? Oh, a dog. Yeah definitely a dog.” Her knee bumped his again, but this time she didn’t pull away, making him a bit braver. “Do you have one like Snickerdoodle?”
She tilted her head to the side. “I have a fluffy white shit-zhu and a black Pomeranian. But I'd have to make sure you'd provide a suitable home first.”
“Frou-frou dogs.” His gaze dropped to her lips before returning to her eyes. “I could come check them out. Then if I like one, you could check me out to see if I'm suitable. No obligation, of course.”
Pretty pink color flooded her cheeks and she scooted closer. “What if I want an obligation?”
“Excuse me?” Snickerdoodle nuzzled his head into Chase’s lap, distracting him. She couldn’t have meant what he wanted her to mean, could she? “I’m sorry. Could you repeat that?”
“I said.” She took his hand. “What if I want an obligation? From you.”
Nope. No mistaking her touch, or that look in her eyes. His heart kickstarted then beat triple time. Don’t blow this, buddy. Don’t expect too much, too soon. Don’t… He severed the negative track looping in his head and for the first time in such a long time, let hope take the wheel.
Chase laced his fingers with hers then brushed a soft kiss over her knuckles. “What kind of an obligation?”
“Well, let’s see.” She snuggled into his side. “How about you adopt a dog from my shelter and something else.”
“Something else?” The way she was nuzzling the side of his neck made him crazy. He shook his head to clear the warm fuzzies clouding his brain. “What something?”
“Me.”
His breath hitched. “You?”
“Mmm hmm.” She met his gaze, her lips hovering close to his. “If you still want me.”
Her lips were on his before he noticed her move. When they broke apart, his fingers were tangled in her curls and her face was flushed and he’d never seen a more beautiful sight in all his life. His words emerged rough. “Does that answer your question?”
“I believe it does, yes.”
Chase laughed, the sound bursting from him with all the joy now filling his heart.
Shelby cupped his cheeks and rubbed noses with him. “Just don’t ever leave me like that again, okay?”
“Never.” He kissed her again, this one full of love and hope and possession. “That last time damned near killed me.”
“Me too.”
Apparently tired of being ignored, Snickerdoodle jumped up and burrowed between them, effectively ending their romantic interlude, at least for the time being.
Shelby laughed and hugged the dog tight. “I think he missed you too.”
“I missed both of you.” He scratched the dog under the chin then put his arm around Shelby and kept her as close as their awkward position would allow. “And I’m not going anywhere. Not again. No matter what, you’re stuck with me.”
“Good.” Shelby leaned over and he met her halfway in a quick peck on the lips.
“Good.”
As if in agreement, Snickerdoodle woofed loud as his wagging tail beat back and forth between them.
********************
Want More Rockfords?
The only thing keeping Whistleblower Alison James alive is her uncanny ability with numbers. Unfortunately it’s also why she’s being hunted. Can the Rockfords help? Read the next book in the Rockford Series today:
NO TIME TO RUN
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Also by L. A. Dobbs
Sam Mason Mysteries
***
Telling Lies (Book 1)
Keeping Secrets (Book 2)
Exposing Truths (Book 3)
Betraying Trust (Book 4)
Killing Dreams (Book 5)
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Liars Island Suspense Novellas:
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Liars Lane
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More books in the Rockford Security Series:
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Cold As Her Heart
A Game of Kill
No One To Trust
No Time To Run
Don’t Fear The Truth
Hide From The Past
About the Author
L. A. Dobbs also writes light mysteries as USA Today Bestselling author Leighann Dobbs. Lee has had a passion for reading since she was old enough to hold a book, but she didn’t put pen to paper until much later in life. After a twenty-year career as a software engineer, she realized you can’t make a living reading books, so she tried her hand at writing them and discovered she had a passion for that, too! She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix, Mojo, and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
Join her VIP Readers group on Facebook:
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Find out about her L. A. Dobbs Mysteries at:
http://www.ladobbs.com
This is a work of fiction.
None of it is real. All names, places, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real names, places, or events are purely coincidental, and should not be construed as being real.
NO ONE TO TRUST
Copyright © 2016-2020
L. A. Dobbs
Leighann Dobbs Publishing
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner, except as allowable under “fair use,” without the express written permission of the author.
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