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  The dog watched him.

  “I don’t know, Corey. She must have owners who are looking for her.”

  “But there’s no collar.” Corey’s chin lifted defiantly.

  And Beth intervened. “Nick, are you hungry?”

  “There’s a plate for you in the kitchen.” Her mother started to get up from her chair.

  Beth waved her to stay put. “I’ll get it for him, Mom.” She gave Nick a pointed look to follow her.

  He glanced back at his son, who had sat down on the couch, and Peanut climbed into his lap.

  “We can’t keep that dog,” he said.

  Beth glared at him to keep quiet until they reached the kitchen. “Come on.”

  “Miss Ryken...”

  She held up her hand to stop him. “Before you decide, that dog loves Corey. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “Maybe you and your mom can keep her here until I have a chance to find out if anyone’s looking for her.”

  Beth nodded and popped the plate of leftovers into the microwave. “We can do that. Have fun getting her away from Corey, though.”

  Nick sat at the table and raked his hands through his short-cropped red hair. “What are we going to do with a dog?”

  “With puppies.” Beth grinned.

  Hard-edged Nick was one big softy. He’d caved pretty quick. He gave her an exasperated look. “With puppies.”

  She set the warmed plate in front of him along with a tall glass of milk. “Maybe this little dog is Godsent.”

  “How do you figure that?”

  She sat across from him and took a deep breath. “Well, I’ve been praying for you and Corey to find a common interest. Something other than reading that would bring you together daily. And look what showed up.”

  Nick looked surprised. “You prayed for me?”

  “And Corey.” Beth felt her face flush.

  “That’s good. Keep doing that.” Nick briefly bowed his head before digging into his food.

  Corey wandered into the kitchen with Peanut following him. “Can we keep her, Dad?”

  Nick gave his son and the dog a long look. “First we have to see if anyone claims her. If not, then yes, bud. We’ll keep her.”

  “Yippeeeee.” Corey flew at his dad and hugged him.

  Nick returned it with a fierceness that made Beth’s eyes sting. She got the feeling Corey and his father hadn’t embraced in a while.

  Beth offered up a silent prayer of thanks.

  Funny, but the message from the church service the day before came back with an interesting twist. God answers prayer. He might not give what’s wanted but always delivers what’s needed.

  Nick and Corey needed this little dog.

  Chapter Seven

  Nick peeked in on Corey. His boy slept soundly with Peanut snuggled into his armpit. In that moment the dog opened her eyes and looked at Nick as if studying him. She had a pretty black face with a white streak down her nose and small swatches of tan on her cheeks. He might be crazy, but he got the distinct feeling the dog wanted to stay with them. Maybe it was the way the dog had latched on to Corey or the relaxed look on her face as if she’d finally made it home.

  “I’ll do my best to keep you, girl,” Nick whispered.

  That seemed to satisfy the dog. She shifted and snuggled her nose right back into the crook of Corey’s arm.

  He stepped back and closed his son’s bedroom door partway. He couldn’t leave that dog behind tonight at Beth’s. Corey’s eyes had welled with unshed tears and he just couldn’t do it. So into the car Peanut had gone with tail wagging as she settled into his son’s lap for the short ride home.

  Mary had told him that when he dropped Corey off at school, he could also drop Peanut off at her house before Beth left. That way the dog would only be alone during the morning hours. She’d keep her until Nick picked up Corey, watching her in case of puppy delivery.

  Nick’s gut tightened. What did he know about dogs having puppies?

  Absolutely nothing.

  He scratched a quick note on his to-do list to call a veterinarian in the morning. There was a small vet office not far from their house. Maybe they’d know something about the little dog. If not, he’d run an ad in the paper to cover all bases.

  He hoped nobody claimed the pooch. Corey was smitten and Nick hated the thought of having to pry Peanut from his son’s arms. He prayed he wouldn’t have to.

  His phone rang and he picked up before the second ring. “Nick Grey here.”

  “Hi, it’s Beth. Sorry to call so late—”

  “Miss Ryken,” Nick purred. “What’s up?”

  She laughed. “You can call me by my first name, you know.”

  “I know.” He might need the distance, but he liked calling her by her teacher title.

  “Well, then, Mr. Grey, you left your sheriff’s hat here.”

  Nick glanced at the decorative hooks by the back door where he usually hung his hat. Empty. “Thanks for calling. I would have looked all over. I’m going to try to get Peanut to the vet’s tomorrow and then I’ll drop her by after your mom gets home.”

  “How’d she do?”

  “She’s snuggled up with Corey and they’re sleeping.”

  “Good.”

  “Which reminds me.” Nick ran his hand through his hair. “I’ve got to cover an overnight shift this Saturday night. The guy on duty’s wife had a C-section this week. I hate to ask, but do you think your mom would watch Corey and Peanut at your place overnight?”

  “Of course. It’d be fine. We’d love to have them both.”

  Nick breathed easy. He didn’t doubt her. Beth’s quick answer and upbeat tone spoke volumes. She cared for his son. A lot. “We didn’t get much reading done tonight.”

  “We didn’t either with the excitement over Peanut.”

  “Yeah, Peanut.” Nick hoped they could keep her. “I’ll try to get Corey back on track tomorrow night.”

  “You will.”

  Nick liked the confidence she had in him.

  “In fact...” Beth stalled.

  “What?”

  “Corey has shown a marked interest in boats, and I go sailing at the end of the school year with the other second-grade teacher and her husband. Do you remember meeting Julie at the baseball game?”

  He remembered. The woman had hinted at him going, too. Maybe Beth didn’t want that. “You want to take Corey?”

  “I thought it might be a good incentive to keep him focused on reading. Use the sailing trip as a reward for making progress. A reason not to quit trying.”

  “How big is this boat?”

  “It’s big enough for half a dozen adults and a couple kids for sure. Of course, I’d like you to come, too. So you’ll feel comfortable with Corey’s safety.”

  “Of course.” Nick smiled.

  She was so careful. Careful to reinforce that his invite was all about Corey. But he wondered...

  “Is that a yes, then?”

  He shifted his phone. “I’d say it is.”

  “Good. Well, I better let you go. We can talk more about the details another time.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Nick wouldn’t mind chatting a bit longer. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Good night, Nick.” Beth’s voice sounded soft, even hesitant as she called him by his first name for the first time.

  He had to admit that he liked the sound of it coming from her. Even over the phone, the connection between them hummed to life. He scanned his empty kitchen and envisioned Beth setting the table for Sunday dinner here.

  It was too soon, much too soon to go there.

  “Good night, Beth.”

  * * *

  By the end of the week, Beth had gone through se
veral children’s books about dogs having puppies with Corey. His reading had slowly improved after he’d finally nailed down some phonic rules. The boy’s interest in the subject matter helped as well, but Beth knew they’d lose ground in keeping Corey focused when those pups were born.

  Nick had reported that according to the vet, Peanut was in good health. A tangle of puppy heartbeats had showed up on the ultrasound. The vet believed she’d deliver sometime within the next two weeks. They were all on puppy watch.

  A knock at the door brought Beth’s nose out of the book she’d been trying to read. Peering through the window, she spotted Nick and Corey on the front porch with an overnight bag.

  Tonight Nick was on patrol.

  Beth hurried toward the door and opened it wide, stepping back. “Hey.”

  Nick carried in a duffel bag. Corey carried a bag of dog food. And Peanut trotted in behind them as if she owned the place.

  Beth bent down and scratched the dog’s ears. Then she glanced at the clock. It was six in the evening. Nick’s shift started at seven and ended at seven in the morning. “Did you guys have dinner?”

  “We ate before we came.” Nick set the duffel on the couch. “Corey’s clothes and pj’s.”

  Beth nodded.

  “Dad made spaghetti.” Corey sat down on the floor next to Peanut. The dog had climbed into the middle of a pink-cushioned dog bed, compliments of her mother.

  Beth glanced at Nick. “Wow. I’m impressed.”

  “Don’t be. It’s not hard to open a jar and boil water.” He looked around. “Where’s your mom?”

  “She went to the store to buy stuff for breakfast. Mom wants it ready when you come to pick Corey up.”

  Nick shook his head. “She doesn’t have to do that.”

  “I know, but try to tell her that.”

  “I have and it doesn’t work.” Nick referred to all the meals she’d sent home with him.

  “Now you know what I live with.” Beth tried to get her mother to follow a sound budget that included a savings plan. She fought a losing battle.

  “Walk me to the door?”

  Beth glanced at Corey. “The Tigers are playing in Atlanta, if you want to turn on the TV. Mom had the game on before she left.”

  The boy nodded and grabbed the clicker. “Thanks, Miss Ryken.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Nick’s gaze bore into hers. “Thank you for keeping him overnight. You’ve got the numbers?”

  “Yes.” Beth swallowed hard. Nick meant the phone numbers for Corey’s grandparents. Just in case he didn’t come home.

  He looked so tall and foreboding in his sheriff’s uniform, but Nick was lean enough to encourage someone to take a crack at him. Beth didn’t like that. She didn’t like the thought of him patrolling alone all night, either.

  “I owe you, big-time,” he whispered.

  He’d paid her mom generously for her time tonight. Too much, Beth thought. She gave him a cheeky grin she didn’t feel inside. “Yeah, you do.”

  He returned her quip with a lopsided grin. “Exact your payment, then.”

  Beth’s stomach swirled and danced. Nick Grey could flirt when he wanted to. “Be careful tonight.”

  His eyes grew sober in an instant. “I’m always careful. It’s my job to be ready for anything and anticipate the worst.”

  Beth resisted the urge to touch him. She wanted to feel the iron strength of Nick’s arms wrapped around her. Maybe smooth back that red hair of his.

  She wrung her hands instead. “It’s the worst that bothers me.”

  Nick stepped closer and grasped her hands, stilling them. For a minute, Beth thought she might get her wish, but instead of pulling her closer, Nick nodded. “I’ll see you in the morning, Beth.”

  “Okay.” He hadn’t promised, but the confidence in his voice helped. A little.

  This was the reason she didn’t want to fall for Nick. She hated the gnawing fear in the pit of her stomach at the thought of him roaming dark back roads in the wee hours with backup miles away.

  He let go of her hands. “Good night, Corey. Listen to Mary and Miss Ryken.”

  “Sure.” Corey nodded, but his gaze was fixed on the game.

  Nick gave her a wink and then left.

  Beth closed the door behind him and then leaned against it. Had her dad relaxed too much up here? Was that what had gotten him killed? Maybe he hadn’t expected the worst when he approached the car he’d pulled over for speeding. Maybe her dad had been tired that night.

  “Corey?” Beth’s stomach turned over.

  “Yeah?”

  “Did your father get a nap today?”

  The boy shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  Beth tried to shake the fear that settled around her like a misty shroud.

  “Something wrong, Miss Ryken?”

  Beth gave the boy a bright smile. It wasn’t right to make the boy nervous with her worries. “No. Why?”

  He looked her straight in the eye. “Do you like my dad?”

  Beth’s smile faltered and fell. What exactly was Corey asking? “Of course I like your dad. He’s a nice man.”

  “Yeah.” Corey focused back on the game. There couldn’t be any hidden meaning behind his question. He was only seven years old.

  Beth settled on the couch and Peanut made a wobbly jump into her lap. The dog stretched and then nuzzled her hand for pats. She stroked the dog’s fur and puzzled over Corey’s question. The kid wasn’t looking to play matchmaker, was he?

  “Corey, why did you ask me if I liked your dad?”

  He shrugged. “Just wondered.”

  “Oh.” See? Nothing.

  Beth was paranoid, or maybe everyone saw through her to the truth. She liked Nick, all right. She liked him a lot. Maybe too much.

  * * *

  Nick stepped into Mary Ryken’s warm kitchen the next morning. Sunlight streamed through the windows and the smell of sausage made his belly rumble. Corey’s painting had been framed and it now hung in a place of honor on the kitchen wall. It looked good there. It looked even more cheerful as sunlight shined off the glass. A promise of better days to come?

  He shook his head at such sleepy imaginings. He’d had an eventful Saturday night on patrol. He’d checked on a noisy party with a guy passed out on the ground by his car, and then he’d been called to a domestic dispute within a town smaller than LeNaro.

  Domestic violence calls were the ones he hated most. They were unpredictable and scary. But not last night. The couple had made up by the time he’d arrived. They’d been verbally but not physically abusive, so all had ended well with promises of keeping it toned down in future. Nick had filled out his reports during downtime before dawn.

  “Morning, Nick.” Mary Ryken stood by the stove wearing a ruffled apron and flipping pancakes.

  He yawned. “Sorry.”

  Beth peered at him with concern. “You look tired.”

  And you look beautiful. He didn’t dare say it, but he didn’t look away from her, either. Her hair was tousled from sleep and it was all Nick could do not to yank her into his arms. “I’m okay.”

  Silence settled in the kitchen.

  Nick jerked back to the present when he realized no one was talking or paying attention to the small TV droning in the background. He glanced at his son, who wore a curious expression. Mary, too, had been watching them, a pancake poised on her plastic turner. Even the dog sat with her ears perked high as if waiting for something. Probably a scrap of food to fall.

  Nick glanced back at Beth, who hunted for something in the fridge. She seemed so perfect in every way. Even cheerful in the morning. But Nick needed a bigger sign than his mushy heart beating too fast before he considered Beth Ryken right for them.

  Right
for him.

  “Why don’t you let us keep Corey for church and then Beth can run him home later. That way you can get some sleep.”

  “No....” Hadn’t these two women done enough for him?

  “It’s no problem,” Beth said. “I’ll bring him home after lunch.”

  Nick looked at Corey. “That work for you, bud?”

  “Yup.” His son dug into a small stack of pancakes with a smile. The kid liked it here. Why shouldn’t he?

  Mary touched Nick’s shoulder as she handed him a plate of pancakes and sausage. “Sit down and eat, and then go.”

  “Thanks.” Nick meant it.

  He couldn’t begin to express his gratitude to these two women, and even the dog. Corey flourished here. And that liveliness transferred when they went home, too. Especially since the arrival of Peanut. His boy was healing.

  He slipped into a chair next to Beth. She didn’t have a plate of food, only an empty mug. “Aren’t you eating?”

  She got up fast. “More coffee first. Can I get you a cup?”

  He shook his head as he jammed a forkful of fluffy pancakes into his mouth. “Milk?”

  She laughed at his muffled request.

  He watched Beth move around the kitchen as if trying to keep busy. When she set a glass of milk in front of him, he smiled and nodded.

  She didn’t sit back down. Instead she leaned against the sink and drank her coffee.

  He cleaned his plate in no time, but no matter how much he ate, a stronger hunger had settled over him. It felt right. This felt right. He and his son and Beth in the kitchen having breakfast together. It didn’t matter that they were in her mother’s house. It felt as if they were a family.

  “More?” Mary had another stack of pancakes ready.

  “Please.” He lifted his plate. Tired to the bone but not ready to leave. Not yet.

  He glanced at Beth and noticed that she looked pale. Worn, even, as though she hadn’t slept well. The light smudges under her eyes were barely visible, but they were there. Had Corey or the dog kept her up? He was used to getting up once a night with Peanut to let her outside, but he fell back to sleep easily enough that it didn’t bother him.

  “How many times did you have to get up with the dog?” he asked.