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Prologue

Five years ago

She held the garland loosely in her hand as she slowly unwound the bright gold in steady, even rows. Turn by turn, the empty green branches filled with the shiny, vivid color as Bellamy Reeves enjoyed watching her handiwork come to life.

Her parents had asked her to work the store this evening, their annual holiday event with the local men’s club a highlight of their year. She’d been happy to do it, the familiar work of managing the counter and ringing up purchases at Whisperwood’s only corner store something she’d been doing since childhood. It was a far cry from her work in finance at Lone Star Pharmaceutical but it kept her in touch with her roots and she enjoyed it.

Add on that it gave her a shot at stringing up the decorations just to her personal specifications, and it was a job she was happy to take on.

Maggie had teased her about risking spinsterhood if she were willing to work the family store on a holiday Saturday night and Bellamy had ignored her. Her sister was fond of quoting all the pithy reasons Bellamy was doomed to a lonely existence and she’d learned to ignore it.

Or, if not ignore it, at least stop caring about it so much.

Her sister was the resident beauty queen of Whisperwood, Texas. She’d had men wrapped around her finger basically since she’d crawled out of the womb and had learned to drape herself over their arms not much longer after that.

Bellamy was different.

She wasn’t afraid of men. Nor was she afraid of dating or putting herself out there. She dated regularly but just hadn’t found anyone who interested her. Or made her feel special.

She’d spent her life observing her parents’ marriage and knew that was the type of love and companionship she sought. A deep, abiding commitment that bonded the two of them together.

Tonight was a perfect example.

Although it was the men’s club event, both her parents enjoyed the evening in equal measure. It was nice, she mused as she dug in a large plastic container for another string of garland. And while the event might seem simple or unimportant—a dinner dance at the Whisperwood Lodge—it was something they looked forward to and talked about all year long.

The bell over the front door of the store jingled and Bellamy eyed the entrance as a well-built man pushed his way in, a puppy cradled in his arms. Her father was fairly laid-back about the store, but since they sold food, animals were forbidden unless in service. “I’m sorry, sir, but the dog needs to stay outside.”

Dark brows slashed over even darker eyes and the guy juggled the black Lab pup from one well-formed arm to another, his biceps flexing as he shifted the limp bundle. “Believe it or not, he’s a service dog. In training,” the guy quickly added before reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a badge. “I’m with the Austin PD. I’m his handler.”

The sight of the puppy—and the sudden delight she didn’t need to kick them out—had her crossing the store to greet them. “He’s sweet.”

“And sick, I think. He’s not very energetic and he won’t eat.”

“Oh.” She reached out to lay a hand on the small head, the fur silky soft over the bony ridges of his skull. He was small, but the large paws that hung over the man’s forearms indicated the puppy would be a big guy once fully grown.

“I wanted to pick up some chicken and rice and hoped you’d have what I needed.”

“Would you believe me if I told you I had both already cooked in the stockroom?”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. They’re my bland leftovers from lunch that I brought along in some vague attempt to offset Christmas cookie consumption.”

Although he wasn’t inappropriate, his eyes drifted over her body before settling back on her face. “You’re dieting?”

Heat burned a path where he’d gazed, that steady appreciation lighting a fire. “I prefer to think of it as holiday calorie management. A goal I’m failing at miserably, seeing as how the bland chicken and even blander rice were horrible.”

“Why not toss it?”

“Some vague notion of trying again tomorrow. You know—” she waved a hand as she headed for the back of the store “—to make up for the pizza I ate in its place today.”

A hearty laugh followed her through the swinging door into the stockroom and she beelined for the fridge and the leftovers.

Her father’s store carried all the basic necessities of a convenience store and boasted a fairly hearty kitchen out front to accommodate the breakfast and lunch crowds who buzzed in for coffee and portable meals. She’d nuke the chicken and rice out at the counter and be able to keep an eye on the front door at the same time.

She could also keep an eye on Officer Hottie.

Wow, the man was good-looking. His body, evident beneath the long-sleeved black T-shirt that seemed sculpted to his shoulders, was strong without being imposing. And the way he cradled the dog had pretty much put her ovaries on high alert.

He was hot and a dog lover. Did it get much better?

She pushed through the stockroom door, only to see the back of the guy’s head disappear through the front exit. Spears of disappointment layered over the lingering heat until she saw him bend over through the glass, his small charge quivering before him on the sidewalk. She raced to the counter and grabbed a few bottles of water, then headed for the miserable little puppy getting sick on the front parking lot.

“Is he okay?”

The guy glanced up from where he crouched on the ground, his hand on the small black back. “I think so. Or he will be.”

She passed down a bottle of water, touched when the guy twisted it open and poured some into his palm. “Come on, Alex. Here you go.”

The small head bent toward that cupped hand, the sound of his tongue lapping drifting toward her in the cool night air.

“Poor baby.” She didn’t miss the three brightly colored plastic pieces that lay in the pile of vomit. “Legos strike again.”

“What?”

She pointed toward the small pile. “Looks like a blue vase holding a single plastic flower and a two-piece.”

Officer Hottie’s gaze zeroed in on the offending irritants, his voice gruff. “Just the pieces my niece mentioned were missing from her masterpiece before we sat down to dinner.”

He poured more water into his hand and the Lab lapped it up, the trauma of his ordeal fading as his natural eagerness returned.

“He’s looking better already.” Bellamy opened the second bottle and poured it over the sidewalk, erasing the evidence and washing the Lego blocks aside. She’d come out later and pick them up with a broom.

Or planned to, until the guy pulled out a hanky from his back pocket and cleaned up the plastic, tossing the entire package into the trash. “That’ll teach me to let dog or child out of my sight together again.”

“That’s wise.” She couldn’t resist his rueful grin or the clear relief in his dark eyes. Suddenly conscious of standing there staring at him, she shifted her gaze toward Alex’s sweet face and the tongue that lolled out the side of his mouth. “Why don’t you come back in and we can give him the food?”

“If you’re sure?”

She smiled at that. “I’m certainly not going to eat it, no matter how many vows I make to myself. It’ll be nice to see it go to a more appreciative recipient. Plus, he should probably go easy on dinner based on his recent Lego binge. The bland food won’t hurt him.”

The guy followed her back inside and she picked up the discarded container to warm up the leftovers.

“Would you mind if I came behind the counter and washed up?” He pointed to the sink beside her.

“Come on.”

“Then I can introduce myself properly and shake your hand.” He settled the puppy on the ground, issuing a series of commands that had the small body sitting up straight. The little guy tried to move, his butt squirming on the floor a few times, but ultimately gave in to the firm tone and the unyielding command by sitting where he was told.

“He’s good. How old is he?”

“About ten weeks.”

“And he can listen already?”

“‘Sit’ is about all he can listen to, but he’s coming along.” Hands clean, the guy turned the full force of his attention on her. For the briefest moment, Bellamy could have sworn she saw stars, the sky around his face glowing brighter than the gold of the garland. Quelling the ridiculous impression, she focused on the moment and not making an ass out of herself, especially when that warm, slightly damp palm closed around hers.

“I’m Donovan Colton.”

Colton?

The Coltons were well known in Texas; several branches of the family were scattered across the Hill Country. She thought she knew the entire family who lived in Whisperwood, but hadn’t placed Donovan when he’d walked in.

Shaking off the sudden awareness when she realized she was standing there, staring at the man, she quickly shook his hand. “Bellamy Reeves.”

“Thank you, Bellamy. I appreciate the help.”

“I’m happy to help. And I’m glad the little guy’s okay.”

The microwave pinged and she pulled the food out, then transferred it to a paper plate before handing it over. The moment was oddly domestic, Donovan’s close proximity and their joint actions to put food together for the puppy surprisingly intimate.

The bell over the store entrance pinged and she went to help her customer. One of the high school coaches, who came in regularly for his nightly dinner of soda and a meatball sub seemed unphased by the addition of a puppy behind the counter.

“Hey, Bell. Haven’t seen you in a few weeks.”

“I’m helping my parents out tonight. They’re out cutting a rug at the men’s club event.”

“You doing well?”

“Yep. We’re closing out a busy year at work.”

“How’s Magnolia doing?”

It happened often enough, she wasn’t sure why she was surprised any longer. The small talk as a method to ask about her sister. The pretend friendliness that was really just a fishing expedition.

“Maggie’s good. She had a hot date tonight so she abandoned me in favor of a night of dinner and dancing.”

Bellamy handed over the sub, not surprised when the coach’s face fell. And while she’d not-so-delicately delivered news he obviously didn’t want to hear, it didn’t make the facts of Maggie’s plans any less true. The besotted coach paid and was on his way out without saying much more.

“Did he even notice Alex was back here?” Donovan marveled once the guy was gone, the scent of his spicy sub wafting in his wake.

“He deals with teenagers all day. I suspect it takes a lot to rile him.”

“Maybe.” Donovan bent and took the now-empty paper plate. “Guess Alex got his appetite back.”

She dropped to her knee and rubbed the silky head. The puppy’s gaze caught on hers, his brown eyes trusting as he stared up at her. “He sure is sweet.”

“Don’t let him fool you. He’s a Lego thief.”

Bellamy rubbed a bit harder before laughing when the puppy presented his belly for additional petting. “He’s at risk of being spoiled.” Pulling her hand back, she realized the potential danger of her lavish affection. “Should I be doing that? Am I going to put his training at risk?”

“There are hard-core guys among my numbers who may not agree with me, but I think part of his training is also knowing there’s praise and affection. A few belly rubs after this evening’s trauma shouldn’t do too much damage.”

When Alex’s wiggles of ecstasy quickly faded to longer breaths and droopy eyes, she gave him a final pat and stood, coming face-to-face with Donovan.

Goodness, the man was attractive. His dark hair was cut close and showed off a sharply angled face and strong jaw. He was thick in build, but there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him. Instead, he looked competent.

Capable.

And no one to mess with.

It made the warm eyes and sexy smile that much more powerful. Like she’d tempted him just the slightest bit to go against character.

“You mentioned closing out a busy year to that guy. You don’t work here?”

“This is my parents’ store. I grew up working here and can still be counted on to take a shift every now and again.”

“This place is a Whisperwood institution.”

She laughed at that, the description not quite how she’d have classified a small town corner store. “One they know about all the way up in Austin?”

“My family’s here in Whisperwood. I grew up here and Mr. Reeves could always be counted on for a summer popsicle or a late night cup of coffee. I just came down for the evening for a family Christmas party and to put my dog at risk of my niece and her Legos.”

She glanced at the clock and thought that eight was awfully early for an evening family party to end, but held the thought. Maybe they started early or maybe the kids had to go to bed. But...it raised questions.

“How long have you been a part of the APD?”

“I went in straight out of college, so a few years now. I’ve wanted K-9, and Alex is my first opportunity.”

She did the quick math, estimating he was about four or five years younger than her. The thought was briefly unsettling—she usually went for older guys—but there was something about him that made the question of age seem more arbitrary than anything else.

Perhaps you’ve been looking in the wrong places, Bellamy Reeves.

Catching herself staring, she refocused on Alex. “You’re responsible for his training?”

“A good part of it. There’s a formal program for the entire K-9 team and their handlers, but we’re paired. He lives with me and works with me.”

She glanced down at the now-sleeping puppy and considered what that must be like. Fun, in a way, but what a responsibility. “What will he be able to do?”

“Once he’s fully trained? He’ll run the gamut on what he can find, including humans, drugs and bombs.”

“Wow.”

As she eyed the jean-clad form that even now leaned against her counter, she had to admit Donovan Colton made an impressive figure. And it wasn’t just his body, though she could hardly deny that she found him attractive.

Wow was right.

There was an intensity about him. Some indefinable quality that intrigued her.

He was interesting. And she’d often found the opposite of attractive men, especially if her sister’s long list of past boyfriends was any indication. It was as if somehow masculine features, a firm jaw and a sparkling smile negated any sense of humanity or interest in the world around them.

But not this guy.

“The K-9 team is designed to work across cases so we can go where we’re needed. There are six others in the APD. Alex and I will make seven.”

“It’s impressive. And while he’s obviously got great promise, you’ve got a big year ahead of you. I wish you the best.”

“Thanks.” Donovan’s gaze dropped toward the sleeping puppy before lifting back to her. “So if you don’t work here, what do you do?”

“I’m an employee at Lone Star Pharmaceutical. I’m just helping out here since my parents had plans tonight.”

“LSP. That’s impressive. Are you a chemist or something?”

“No, I’m in finance.” Ignoring the whisper through her mind of Maggie’s continued admonitions to showcase herself in the best light, Bellamy pressed on. “They’re wise to keep me away from beakers. Other than warming things up in a microwave, I avoid anything that involves cooking or open flames.”

“Maybe I should consider inviting you to dinner, then, instead of risking you making anything behind that counter for me.”

“Maybe.”

“What time do you get off tonight?”

“I close up at ten and this is small town Texas. Nothing’s open then.”

“What about next week?”

“Sure. I—” She broke off when a distracted air came over his face, his hand dropping to the phone clipped at the waist of his jeans.

“I’m sorry. I’m getting a dispatch.”

He excused himself and moved around the counter toward the door, his gaze morphing from friendly and sexy to straight cop.

Alex stirred, his senses on immediate alert at the emotional change in the atmosphere. He was on his feet and scrambling toward Donovan in a heartbeat. When he reached Donovan, he sat immediately, his little body arrow straight.

Bellamy marveled at it, the ease and trust she could already see between the two of them. If the dog was this responsive to training at ten weeks, she couldn’t imagine what he’d become once fully grown.

The low tenor of Donovan’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. Something had happened. Something bad, if his clipped responses were any indication.

“I’m sorry. I have to go. Can we take a rain check on that dinner?”

“Of course.”

The sexy cop and his trusty sidekick were out of the store as fast as they came in and for several moments, Bellamy simply stood and watched the door where they’d disappeared, wondering if the evening had actually happened.

It was only when she got the call a half hour later that she knew the exact accident Donovan Colton was called to. And that the people he’d helped pull from two tons of wreckage were her parents.