Classified K-9 Unit Christmas by Lenora Worth

Author:Lenora Worth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-01-10T05:00:00+00:00

THREE

“Make way!” Two volunteers squeezed through the front doors of the new, temporary homeless shelter carrying a leather couch, the last of the salvageable furniture from the old shelter.

Standing in the narrow entryway, Tim hooked an arm around Vickie’s waist and drew her up against his chest while he tucked Frodo next to his leg.

She stiffened and glanced at him before quickly looking away. He kept his hold loose so as not to crush her, but had a hard time ignoring the awareness zinging through him from the close contact. She’d shed her jacket an hour ago as they’d worked to make the donated space habitable.

She barely reached his chin. Her blond hair hung loose about her shoulders, and though the lingering odor of the fire clung to her, there was a hint of sugar and apples in the silky strands teasing his senses.

He noticed one of the firefighters giving her the once-over and wanted to growl at him like a possessive dog with a bone. So not the way he should be feeling. But given someone had attacked her tonight, he decided he could be a bit territorial.

In a protective way, of course. Nothing personal. He wasn’t looking for anything personal. He was content with his life. Adding in any kind of relationship would only complicate things. He didn’t like complications.

Once the path was clear, he released his hold on her. She stepped away with a shy smile that packed a powerful punch. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” He tugged on the collar of his uniform. “At least the heat is working in here.”

She dropped her gaze to Frodo. “He’s a handsome dog. May I pet him?”

“Of course.”

She hesitated with her hand poised in the air. “He won’t bite?”

“Not unless I command him to,” Tim replied with a smile. “His specialty is arson investigations. He alerts on accelerants.”

Tentatively, Vickie held her hand out for the German shepherd to sniff. Then crouching slightly to reach him, she ran her palm over his sleek head and rubbed him behind the ears. “You’re a good boy.” She looked at Tim. “How old is he?”

“He’ll be three on New Year’s Eve.”

“How long have you had him?”

“The FBI purchased him when he was ten months old. We’ve been together for the past two years.”

She straightened. “I’m thankful you and Frodo are here.” She blinked as if surprised by the admission.

He struggled to suppress a chuckle. It wasn’t every day a pretty woman told him she was glad he was around and it wasn’t contrived.

She leveled her shoulders and met his gaze. “It was amazing you were able to convince Mr. Johnson to open up the building for the shelter.”

“Considering he’d latched on to the idea of letting the media know of his generosity, I think it’s safe to say he realized the benefits of charity,” Tim replied.

She laughed, the sound soft and pleasing. He liked it.

“I don’t think it was a coincidence the building was empty,” she said. “God arranged this. He knew we’d need it tonight.

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