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
