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The glittering gala was not Rowdy’s normal cup of tea, but he still enjoyed the night. Specifically, he enjoyed holding Annabelle in his arms. They danced, in his own painful, disjointed way, just so that he could hold her longer, and he tolerated the stares from the people around him to do it. Annabelle didn’t seem to mind, which was the most important thing. She just tucked her head under his chin and continued to sway. There was a dreamy look on her face that he’d never seen in another woman’s eyes, and he wanted to find a way to keep that look there.

When Mrs. Dodd took the stage, Cookie in her arms, the music faded away and everyone turned to listen. Rowdy kept his arm around Annabelle.

“My George gave me this dog before he died. I think most of you know the story. Cookie was a pound puppy, like the dogs you’ve met tonight from the shelter.” She made a motion with her hand, indicating the dogs. “I know most of them have found possible forever homes, and I encourage you to check out the others. There is no love like that of a dog, and this week has shown me how much I value that love.”

She glanced down at Cookie. “My Cookie was stolen this week. I’m sure you’ve all seen the reports. The responsible parties will be held accountable. But I would like to thank the Lost and Found Investigative Service. Yes, I hired an investigator to find my Cookie.” She looked around at the snickering people. “And I would do it again. They are the finest investigators in the state.” She lifted a glass from a nearby table, first to Rowdy, then to Duncan and his wife Alex, John and Shannon, and Chad and Lora, standing a few feet away. “Thank you.”

Everyone drank to the toast.

“Now, let’s get these last two dogs adopted and raise some money for the shelter,” she cried, lifting her glass high. “Merry Christmas, everyone!”

Annabelle stood under his arm, and she seemed content to stay there. Rowdy didn’t want to move. Actually, he did, but he didn’t think she was ready for what he wanted.

She glanced up at him, as if sensing his thoughts, and smiled slightly. “That wasn’t too much recognition, was it?”

He shook his head, glancing at Duncan and the other partners. Two men had approached the group and Rowdy had a feeling they would be even busier when they went back to work Monday. “Nah, it was fine. Maybe we can find a quiet place to talk?”

Annabelle immediately turned and led him through the crowd, her fingers light in his. They ended up in a small, glassed-in conservatory. It was decorated with pretty little lights, and with the snow falling outside the glass, it was a bit of a wonder.

She settled on a small bench at one of the walls and he settled beside her.

“I loved this space as soon as I saw it,” she breathed, glancing around.

Rowdy swallowed hard, suddenly nervous. Annabelle was a beautiful woman, and he had a feeling there would be plenty of men willing to do anything for her. He’d seen the glances of the other men in the room. For some reason, though, she only seemed to have eyes for him.

Did he deserve her? Maybe that wasn’t the question he needed to ask. If she wanted to be with him, and he wanted to be with her, who was he to fight it?

“Any hiccups tonight?”

She shook her head, lifting her brows. “Not a single one! After last year, I was really dreading this night.”

He reached into his pocket and brought out a small, brightly wrapped gift. “It’s not much, but I thought of you when I saw them.”

Annabelle looked thrilled with the gift and untied the ribbon.

“A lady at the store wrapped them for me.”

She grinned, and pulled off the lid of the long, narrow box. Inside was a strip of book page markers. They were little dogs of different colors, just their heads on their paws. When attached to a page it would look like they were peeking over the top.

“Oh my gosh, how adorable!” Annabelle fingered the bookmarks. “I love them! They’ll be perfect for my planner.”

Rowdy grinned, feeling like he’d won the lottery or something. “Good.”

“I feel bad I didn’t get you anything,” Annabelle said, her big green eyes meeting his. “With the gala and everything…”

He waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. If you want to give me a Christmas gift, promise me you’ll go out with me again. Soon.”

A huge smile split her face and she nodded, her eyes going liquid. “Yes, definitely, Rowdy. I was already worried what would happen now that Cookie was returned. You’ve made tonight so magical for me, and I don’t want it to end.”

That warmth that had been in his chest expanded, and he leaned down to press a kiss to her lips. He didn’t know where this relationship was going to go, but he suddenly had a lot of Christmas hope in his heart.