The drive into town was quiet. I couldn’t help watching Anson as he scanned the file in his lap. The way his eyes moved rapidly over the typed words. Every moment he spent poring over the information seemed to turn him darker. Yet he stayed. For Lawson.
Lawson pulled into a parking spot right next to the front door. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come inside with you?”
“We’ll be fine. Right, Thor?”
Thor yipped and slapped a paw on my cheek.
I laughed. “That’s his version of yes. We won’t be but a few minutes.”
As I slid out of the SUV, I glanced up. Thick snowflakes fell from the sky. What a difference from just a few days ago. A shudder ran through me as I hurried into the vet’s office. The first snow always put me on edge. Too many memories. And while I knew Cedar Ridge had gotten some earlier in the year, we hadn’t had any in Chicago.
A door shut, and I turned to see Lawson moving forward. Before I could say anything, he wrapped Thor and me in his arms and kissed me long and deep. That fluttering low in my belly started up, the telltale sign of heat building.
“What was that for?” I asked, my breathing still not quite back to normal.
“Love you. Want to make sure you know that. I never doubt how strong you are. I’m sorry if my trying to protect you made you feel that way.”
I melted against him, brushing my lips against his. “I love you. Thanks for believing in me.”
Lawson pressed his forehead to mine. “Always.”
Thor let out a bark and nipped Lawson’s chin.
Lawson chuckled and pulled back. “I think he’s trying to defend his territory.”
I grinned. “My little protector.”
“Just text if you need me inside,” Lawson called as he climbed back into the SUV.
I nodded and turned to the vet’s office but stopped short when I saw Katelyn glaring at me. She held a cat carrier in one hand and stood stock-still. It was clear she’d seen the display with Lawson and wasn’t happy about it.
I took a deep breath and started for the door. “Katelyn,” I greeted.
Her glare only intensified. “It’ll never last.”
My lips twitched. “Keep telling yourself that.”
I gave her a wide berth as I pulled open the door. A blast of warm air hit me as I stepped inside, and Thor’s little nose started twitching at all the scents.
Susan smiled widely at me from behind the reception desk. “How’s sweet Red doing? I’m sorry, I meanThor.”
I grinned. “Just up to mischief, mayhem, and adorableness.”
“As all puppies should be. Come on, I’ve got a room ready for you.”
She led me down the hall to an open exam room. “Dr. Miller will be right in.”
I nodded and bounced Thor as he sniffed the familiar scents of his first home.
A soft knock sounded on the door opposite where I’d come in. It slid open, and Damien appeared. “Hallie, good to see you.” He bent to the pup’s level. “And you, too, Thor.”
“Thanks for fitting us in during school hours.”
“No problem at all. I hear things are pretty busy at the Hartley house. Important company.”
I winced. Much to Lawson’s and Anson’s chagrin, word had spread like wildfire that an ex-profiler was in town to help with the murder cases. “Lawson’s friend is here to help out with the case.”
Damien made a humming noise as he prepped a syringe. “That’s good to hear. I know everyone has been on edge.”
