Page 107 of Dark ’N’ Deadly

“You as well.” She flipped her long, thick mane of dark hair from her bare shoulders, making the diamond rings on her fingers sparkle.

“This must be the famous Tiger.” She patted Tiger’s head. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said to Dayne.

“Dayne,” he practically snarled. “Just Dayne.”

“Well, Mister Just Dayne. Welcome to the Canine Haven.” Katrina’s flawless congeniality didn’t waver, although Tess noticed she didn’t extend her hand to Dayne, as if she’d picked up on his frostiness. “But I know you didn’t come here to see me.” She winked at Tess. “Nancy?” she called out over her shoulder.

A stocky young woman came through one of the doors, leading out the prettiest dog Tess had ever seen. The dog’s fluffy black and white tail wagged, and Tess dropped to her knees, clasping the animal’s smiling, furry face.

“She’s a two-year-old Australian sheepdog-shepherd mix.” Katrina unhooked the leash. “Her name’s Rosie.”

“Rosie. That’s a perfect name.” Tess gazed into Rosie’s eyes—one white, one blue. The dog nuzzled her face, making happy whimpering sounds. That was all it took, and Tess knew.

This is my dog.

Woof. Tiger strained at the leash, his black nostrils flaring as he scented the pretty female.

“You can let him go, Jesse,” Katrina said.

The second Jesse unhooked Tiger’s leash he trotted to Rosie. Tess backed off to give the dogs space.

Aside from the stiff wag of his tail straight in the air, Tiger stood absolutely still while Rosie “inspected” him.

Eric laughed. “She’s trying to decide if he’s the stud for her.”

“I can’t say I blame her.” She winked at Eric. When he winked back, her heart fluttered.

After one particularly close sniff, Rosie let out a sharp yip that Tiger returned in a deeper tone. Both dogs pranced and pirouetted around the vestibule, sniffing each other and making more yipping sounds.

“I’d say we have a winner.” Eric grinned.

“Excellent.” Katrina clasped her hands together. “I apologize, I have to get to an event in Westchester, but Nancy will help you with the paperwork.” She gathered up a white shawl resting on a table by the door.

“Careful out there, it’s muddy,” Dayne said. “You wouldn’t want to get your diamonds dirty.”

Katrina froze.

Having known her for a grand total of five minutes, Tess didn’t know for certain but could swear the other woman’s eyes flashed with genuine hurt.

“Thank you for your concern, Mister Just Dayne.” Katrina whipped the wrap around her shoulders, the fringe of which nearly caught Dayne in the face. “I’ll be certain to tiptoe around the puddles. Lovely to meet you all.” A moment later, she was out the door.

“Dayne!” Tess swatted his shoulder. “What’s gotten into you? Do you know her?”

“No.” His gaze trailed Katrina as she stepped into a white limousine that had pulled up while they’d been inside. “But I’ve known people like her. I’ve gotta go.” He leaned down to give her a quick hug. “Later, man,” he said to Eric then barreled out the door.

“Happy?” Eric slid his arms around her waist then tipped his head to where Rosie and Tiger were happily nuzzling each other.

“Very.” She smiled up at him. “But, am I missing something? What just happened with Dayne?”

He shrugged. “Dayne’s got…issues. Don’t let it bother you. At least, not today. We have another stop to make on the way home.”

Home. She really did love the sound of that, and now they had a new addition to their family. A beautiful rescue dog of her very own.

…

Eric tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. He adjusted the volume of the radio. Next, he turned the heat down. Anything to keep himself occupied.

He was nervous. More than he’d been disarming his first mock bomb at FLETC or getting his first search warrant signed by a judge.