The Lauraine Snelling Christmas Box Set by Lauraine Snelling

Author:Lauraine Snelling [Snelling, Lauraine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459291881
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWO

Thane Davidson stared at the dog at his feet. If relaxed needed a picture, a sleeping basset fit. Especially Matty, his three-year-old fawn-and-white female, the only real steady female in his life at the moment. She had “relax” down to a science.

“I asked if you wanted to go for a walk. I’m going and if you get up, you’ll get to go, too.” He put the emphasis on the word go. “I know this is outside of your schedule but…”

She opened both eyes, wagged the white tip of her tail and with a groan and a prolonged stretch, got to her feet. Not that she could get very far up. While bassets are big-dog size in the body, in the leg department, they got woefully shortchanged.

He half smiled at the look of long suffering she sent his way. “Don’t bother, I don’t do guilt.” When he reached down and stroked her head and long ears, he marveled, as always, at how soft she was. Adoration was his for the petting, so he continued. Everyone needed to be adored at one time or another.

He smoothed down her long back and scratched her favorite spot, between her front shoulder blades, then rubbed along her spine.

“That’s all. We need to hit the street before the phone rings again.” He headed for the closet for his anorak and her leash. As soon as they were both dressed, they left the house, he with his cell phone in his pocket after a brief tussle with “take it along” or “leave it home.” But since he was on call 24/7 as a troubleshooter for several computer software giants, he had learned never to be out of touch. Even though he sometimes felt like he was on a tighter leash than his dog.

He locked the condo door and, leash in hand, strolled toward the elevator. The doors on either side of his door sported holiday wreaths, one including an angel. Wasn’t it a bit early for such decorations? Thane punched the elevator button with a little more force than necessary. Healthwise he should take the stairs but Matty hated stairs, especially four flights. He couldn’t say he blamed her—dragging your belly over all those ridges would aggravate anyone. He stopped just outside the entry to adjust his collar.

“Hey, Mister Davidson, you walking your own dog?”

Did the kid from 3A ever do anything but ride his bike in front of the building?

“Looks that way.”

“Where’s Josie?”

“I don’t know.” I’m not Josie’s keeper, she just walks my dog when I’m not home. Which is most of the time. During the day, at least. Since his clients were located in the Bay area, he did manage to sleep at home—usually.

“She’s not sick or anything?”

“Not to my knowledge.”

“You going to pay her anyway? She needs the money.” The boy stopped his bike, facing into the curb.

Thane swallowed a growl when Matty pulled on the leash, anxious to greet the boy on the bike. Had this kid no manners at all, telling

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