by Terri Reed
“That young lady seems very independent.” Lorenza glanced around and then her gaze landed back on him. “She lives here alone with her pack. I’d imagine she’s the one used to giving orders, not taking them.”
Hunter’s jaw firmed. “Her safety is my responsibility.”
There was a slight curve to Lorenza’s lips. “Duly noted.” Her expression sobered. “And in that vein, Trooper McCord, I want you to see to Miss Potter’s continued safety. Utilize the Metro PD. This woman needs to be guarded 24/7 until we figure out what happened on that mountain.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Having his boss confirm what he’d already surmised, Hunter’s resolve solidified into place. No one would get to Ariel while he was on the case.
* * *
When Ariel and Cora entered the kennel building, the dogs all stood. Skye, a beautiful three-year-old agouti Siberian husky, was Sasha’s mom. The dog’s alternating band of color along each individual hair shaft made her markings unique and sought after as a mama dog. She let out a string of noises that made Ariel wish she could understand the story the dog was telling her.
“I know, girl,” Ariel said.
The rest of the dogs watched her, tails wagging. A couple paced, clearly agitated by the chaos.
Empathy for her pack twisted in her chest. Normally when she returned from an outing she’d open each kennel and love on each dog. But at the moment, Dash was the priority.
She led Cora to his kennel at the far end of the room, grateful to see that Hunter had secured the back door.
“Hey, boy,” Ariel greeted him.
Dash rolled from his side, getting his paws beneath him, but that seemed to be as much movement as he could muster. Ariel’s heart broke for how close she’d come to losing him. If she and Hunter hadn’t returned when they had, Dash would be gone. Stolen. What had the person planned to do with him?
The possibilities made her shudder with dread.
Cora set her black bag on the ground next to the kennel housing Dash before she moved to the sink to wash her hands.
Ariel opened the latch and sat on the floor inside the kennel. Dash lifted his head, his blue eyes nearly black with the pupils so dilated. “I’m here. You’re safe now.” She stroked his fur. He laid his snout on her knee.
Cora returned to their side and put on latex gloves. “I’ll need to get in there.”
“Of course.” Ariel scooted out so that the vet could take her place inside the kennel.
Cora rubbed her hands over Dash’s body. “I’m looking for any obvious signs of injury,” she explained. The veterinarian stretched his legs and palpitated his abdomen, took his temperature and other vitals, and checked his eyes, ears, mouth and paws. “Nothing out of the ordinary for him.” She combed through his fur, pulling the hair back to view his skin beneath. “Ha. A puncture wound.”
“What?” Ariel crowded close to see a small spot crusted with dried blood beneath his fur.
“This puncture is larger than a hypodermic needle would leave behind,” Cora said. “I’ll take a blood sample, but my best guess would be someone used a tranquilizer dart to subdue him. Something I’ve seen used on moose and caribou.”
Anger at the unknown person churned in Ariel’s gut. “Doping him would be the only way anyone he didn’t know could get close to him. Is he going to be okay?”
“Yes. How long ago was it that you and Hunter chased off the intruder?”
“Maybe forty minutes or so.”
“That’s good,” Cora said. “Then whatever substance was used is fast acting but wears off fairly quickly. I’ll know more once I run his labs.” She patted Dash. “He’ll be good as new before long.”
“Thank God above.” Relieved by the prognosis, Ariel backed out of the kennel.
Cora followed her, stripping off her gloves. “I’ll call you as soon as I have the results from his blood work and to check on how he’s doing. If he shows signs of worsening or refuses to eat or drink, call me and I’ll come back out.”
“I’d appreciate it.” Ariel stood. The world wobbled. She grabbed onto the side of the kennel to let the dizziness pass.
“You should do as Hunter suggested,” Cora said with concern lacing her words. “You need to rest. Head injuries are no joke.”
“I will.” Ariel stood upright and braced her feet apart. “Hunter’s words weren’t a suggestion but more of a directive.”
Cora smiled and pushed her glasses up higher on her straight nose. “He obviously is worried about you.”
“He’s just doing his job,” Ariel said. “He and Juneau were the ones to find me today.”
“What happened?”
“Someone pushed me off a cliff.” Even saying the words brought a sense of terror slamming into her. “I’d be dead now if a bush hadn’t stopped my fall.”
Cora drew her in for a hug. “I’m glad God protected you today.”
Thankful for the show of kindness and the words of support, Ariel hugged her friend back. “Me, too.”
Letting her go, Cora said, “Do you need me to stay with you tonight?”
Nearly brought to tears by the thoughtful offer, Ariel shook her head, then winced at the movement. “No. I’ll be fine. You go home to your family.” Cora had two school-aged sons and a firefighter husband.
“You shouldn’t be alone,” Cora said. “I’m worried about you.”
“She won’t be alone.”
Hunter’s deep voice made both women turn toward the trooper and his dog striding toward them through the kennel building. Her heart skipped a beat. The pair were so commanding and handsome together. Hunter had put his jacket on, the one he’d let her borrow that had smelled so good. His dark hair was mussed as if he’d run his fingers through the thick strands. A five o’clock shadow darkened his strong jawline, and his eyes appeared more vivid in the overhead fluorescent lights. Juneau also walked with purpose. He obviously wasn’t bothered by the animals in their kennels. His focus was on her.
Ariel glanced at her dogs. Though each canine watched with interest, none of them seemed to mind Juneau or Hunter in their space. Interesting. Did the animals have some way of knowing what heroes Juneau and his human partner had been today?
Belatedly, his words sank in, and Ariel wasn’t sure she understood exactly what he’d meant. Of course she’d be alone. She didn’t have anyone she was comfortable enough with to invite into her house. Plus, wouldn’t that put someone else in jeopardy if her attacker decided to come back?
She met his serious blue gaze. “Excuse me?”
“Juneau and I are staying with you,” Hunter said, his voice firm. “Tomorrow I’ll contact Metro PD to see if they can spare a patrol to keep watch. But for now, you’re stuck with us.”
Heart rate ticking up, Ariel barely refrained from shaking her head. She didn’t want to cause another wave of pain shooting through her brain. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine.”
“It’s our job to make sure you’re safe,” Hunter returned. “So, yes, we do.”
Cora touched her elbow, drawing her attention. “Let Hunter protect you. It’s the right thing to do.”
Stifling a groan, Ariel had to admit the truth in her friend’s words. But that didn’t mean she had to like the fact that a man would be keeping watch over her. Invading her space. She was very private and used to solitude. The last thing she wanted tonight was to have company.
Taking a calming breath, she decided the smart thing to do was acquiesce. She could handle the intrusion into her life for one night. “I appreciate your offer. I will accept.”
A soft smile played at the corners of his mouth, drawing her attention. She liked the shape of his lips and the angular lines of his face. Her gaze drifted to meet his.
Attraction tugged at her, catching her off guard.
He’d saved her life, she reasoned with herself.
Of course she’d be drawn to him. And he was handsome. There was no denying the obvious. Any woman with a pulse would notice. But none of that mattered.
She wasn’t looking for a repeat of her last relationship, nor was she looking for Mr. Right now. Hunter was only temporarily in her life for a specific purpose. To keep her alive.
Because someone had tried to kill her.
The reality of what had happened settled around her like a dark cloak, blocking out all other thought. Her vision tunneled and a buzzing sounded in her ears. Her head pounded behind her eyes.
“Steady there,” Hunter’s deep voice murmured close to her ear, his hands holding her shoulders, creating hot spots on her biceps.
When had he moved?
Her mouth went dry. “I should sit down.”
“Yes, you should,” he said. “Let’s get you in the house.”
“Wait.” She struggled to keep her mind from blanking. There were chores that needed to be done. A routine to follow. Things she had to take care of. “I have to let the dogs out one last time.”
“I can handle that,” Cora said.
“I can’t ask you to do my chores,” Ariel protested.
“Your dogs know me,” Cora replied. “We’ll be fine.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I want to do it.” She needed to reclaim some normalcy, and caring for the dogs would calm her.
A commotion outside the kennel doors had Ariel spinning toward the noise. She yelped with surprise as Hunter tucked her behind him, his hand reaching for his weapon.
“Hey! Stop!” Officer Everett Brand’s command jolted through Ariel.
Fear gripped her and she instinctively moved closer to Hunter, gripping the back of his jacket. She reached for Cora to draw her behind Hunter’s solid back.
“Okay, okay. I’m looking for Ariel Potter.”
Trevor! Ariel had forgotten he was bringing Sasha home. She pushed at Hunter. “It’s my neighbor.”
“Right.” He strode out of the building and returned a moment later with Trevor Nelson and a squirming puppy.
Ariel rushed forward to take Sasha. The puppy licked her face as she hugged his little body close to her racing heart.
Trevor’s eyes were huge in his narrow face. “Ariel, what’s going on? Why are the cops here?”
Ariel looked to Hunter, hoping he’d field the questions.
“Miss Potter had a rough day,” he said. “Did you notice anyone lurking around the property?”
Trevor shook his head. “No. All was quiet. I left after the evening feeding and exercise time.”
Ariel sent a quick prayer of gratitude that the young man hadn’t been here when the intruder broke in. “Thank you, Trevor, for caring for the dogs.”
She kept a very regimented schedule. Routine was important for the dogs and her. If only she’d stayed with her original plan for the day instead of going up the mountain, maybe none of this would have happened. She wouldn’t be hurt, her friends wouldn’t be missing and someone wouldn’t have tried to steal her dog.
A small voice in her head reminded her she wasn’t in control of every aspect of life. She did what she did and now she had to figure out a way forward. “If you’d come by tomorrow I’ll pay you.”
“Uh, sure.” Trevor hesitated as if not sure he should leave. Ariel appreciated the young man’s concern.
“It’s okay,” she assured him. “Everything’s fine.”
But would everything be fine?
Hunter quietly explained the situation to the young man, telling him to be on alert whenever he came over to help with the dogs.
Hearing the warning sent a shiver of dread down her spine.
Would the assailant come back? And this time succeed in taking Dash and killing her?
FIVE
Hunter appreciated the care and attention Ariel lavished on each dog as she let one canine out at a time into the cordoned-off dog run behind the kennel building. She’d insisted on performing her nightly routine without any help, which had given him the opportunity to feed Juneau from the stash of kibble he kept in his rig while keeping an eye on Ariel in case she needed him. His boss had pegged her correctly. Independent. Used to being the one in control. And Hunter would add stubborn.
Now that all the dogs were back in their respective kennels, Hunter and Juneau escorted Ariel and the puppy to her house. “I still don’t understand why you wouldn’t ask Trevor to stay and help you,” he said as he closed the side door leading into Ariel’s kitchen behind him and secured the lock. Once again, he was struck by the coziness of the ranch style home. The kitchen was clean yet looked lived-in with a shining chrome toaster on the granite counter, a fruit basket in the corner filled with apples and pears, and a nice set of cutlery in a wooden block.
Juneau sniffed around the light-colored luxury vinyl flooring, a good choice for a woman with nine dogs because of its scratch-and water-resistant properties.
Ariel placed Sasha inside a medium-size crate in the dining room. The rectangular dining table and four chairs had been pushed up against the wall to allow room for the puppy’s crate.
“I just couldn’t ask any more of Trevor. He and his mother have already done so much for me.”
Hunter leaned against the counter. “What about Cora? She offered to stay and help.”
Ariel made a frustrated noise and spun away. She went into the kitchen and grabbed the tea kettle before moving to the sink to fill the pot with water. “The dogs are my responsibility.”
He wanted to still her movements, to make her slow down and take a beat. He jammed his hands into the pockets of his jacket instead. “You have a hard time letting others help you.”
She set the kettle on the gas stove and lit the flame, then remained with her back to him for a heartbeat.
His observation must have hit a sore spot.
She faced him, her chin jutting out slightly and her light brown eyes sparking. “I learned a long time ago I can only rely on myself. Asking for help is something I do when I have no other option.”
That seemed like a hard way to live. What life event had taught her such a harsh lesson? “You could have used the help tonight,” he countered. “You sustained a head injury today and should be resting.”
“Taking care of the dogs is my pleasure. And routine. I just want some normalcy.” She grabbed two cups from the cupboard, shutting the door with more force than necessary. Then she huffed out a breath. “Plus, it seemed safer to send Trevor home.” She met his gaze, her expression softening. “I do appreciate your help.”
He hadn’t done anything other than stand back and watch. The bond between Ariel and the animals was obvious. Each dog was eager to please her while she lavished the same amount of affection on each of them. He’d experienced a strange sort of yearning that had confounded him. What was that about?
“Your dogs are very well behaved.”
She smiled, her gaze going to Juneau and back to him. He liked the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she wasn’t worried or upset. “Thank you. I would imagine you train with Juneau as much as I train with my pack.”
“Yes, but I’m only working with one dog, not eight. How do you do that much training and give them each enough attention?” He sometimes suspected he shortchanged Juneau when fulfilling his other duties.
“This is my job. 24/7,” she said. “Just as policing is yours. You have to train when not out catching bad guys. Or rescuing people off the side of mountains. These dogs are my only obligation with the exception of the bookkeeping.”
The puppy gave a bark and pawed at the door. Ariel opened the crate door and the puppy scampered across the floor, heading straight for Juneau.
Ariel scooped him up before the little guy could reach the bigger dog. Juneau stared at Sasha with his head cocked.
“Juneau wouldn’t hurt the puppy,”
Hunter said.
Ariel smiled at Juneau. “I’m sure you’d be the perfect gentleman. However, this little scamp knows no boundaries. And I would hate for his still-sharp teeth to rip Juneau’s ear or cause a wound on his legs or tail. The most likely places Sasha would attack.”
Hunter appreciated her concern and her care for Juneau.
The tea kettle whistled. She deposited the puppy into his arms as she moved past him to deal with the boiling water.
He struggled to contain the wiggling ball of fluff in his hands. Juneau rose from his spot by the side door and moved to sit in front of Hunter, his amber eyes on the puppy.
Sasha’s little mouth latched onto Hunter’s finger, digging his razor-sharp teeth into Hunter’s flesh. “Oh, no you don’t.” He pried Sasha from his hand and set him on the floor but stepped in the puppy’s path to block him from charging Juneau, who rose and dropped his head as if ready to bat away the little dog if need be. “Does he need to go out again?”
“Maybe. Do you mind?”
Shooting her a glance and noting the twinkle in her pretty eyes, he lifted an eyebrow. Apparently, she didn’t mind asking him for help taking the puppy out for a break. “Do you have a leash?”
“In the top drawer of the vanity dresser by the front door.”
Picking up Sasha in a football hold, Hunter found the bright green leash and harness. He slipped the harness over the small body and latched it. Holding on to the lead, he allowed the puppy to pull him back into the dining room. With Sasha on a leash, Hunter let the scamp sniff Juneau, while the older dog sat and watched, but Hunter tugged Sasha back when the puppy went after Juneau’s tail.
“Juneau is very patient,” Ariel observed.
“That he is.” Hunter couldn’t have asked for a better partner. He trusted Juneau more than he trusted most people.
Ariel opened a cupboard. “Would you like chamomile tea, peppermint tea, spicy tea, black tea, lavender and lemon...”
Half afraid she was going to rattle off every flavor and blend she had in that very packed cupboard, he said, “Okay, hold up. You really like tea.”