“Looks like you’ve been claimed,” a deeper voice said.
I looked up to see Damien standing nearby in a lab coat. “He’s a love.”
“That he is. Of the group, that one is full of the most mischief. You considering a puppy?”
I shook my head. “Well, kind of. Lawson wants to get one for Drew for his birthday in a couple weeks.”
Damien smiled, the action lighting his green eyes. “This fella would be perfect. But let me guess. You’ll be taking on puppy daycare?”
I laughed. “That I will. But I’m also in charge of picking one out, and I think this guy has sold me.”
The puppy batted at a strand of my hair and bit it.
The woman to my side laughed. “He’s going to make a great pet with a little training. Want me to mark you down for Red?”
I saw then that the puppy had a red string as a collar. “Sure.” I kissed the puppy’s head and set him back with his brothers and sisters. “When will they be ready?” I asked Damien.
“Right around Drew’s birthday. They just need another week and change with their mom.”
“That’s perfect. Thank you so much.” I relayed my phone number to Susan, the receptionist.
Damien guided me toward the door. “Put any more thought into that coffee?”
I couldn’t help the wince that surfaced.
I expected him to be annoyed, but he surprised me by laughing. “I’m taking that as a no.”
“I don’t want to waste your time. And right now, my heart’s somewhere else.”
Damien’s eyes flared in surprise. “Left someone behind?”
“Not exactly. It’s complicated.”
He waved me off. “You don’t owe me an explanation. I’ll have Susan call when Red’s ready to go. Give us a ring if you have any questions when getting all the puppy gear.”
“Thanks, Damien.”
He held the door for me, and I stepped out into the crisp sunlight. A smile played on my lips, thinking about the sweet puppy and how happy Drew would be. Distracted, I almost ran into someone.
I skittered back on my heels. “Sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
The familiar man with the beard stared down at me, his dark eyes blazing. “It’s you.”
“Sure,” I mumbled, trying to skirt around him.
His hand snaked out and grabbed my arm. Hard. “It’s you. Lost you. Need you back.”
My heart hammered in my chest, and black dots danced in front of my vision. I tried to jerk my arm free, but his grip was too strong. “Let go!”
“Lost you, but now I found you. Not letting you go now.”
28
LAWSON
Katelyn battedher eyelashes as she handed me the box of pastries. “I know how hard you and the boys have been working. Just wanted to get you something to show my appreciation.”
Nash made a strangled noise from deeper in the conference room where we’d spread out to go over the cases from top to bottom.
