Blind Trust

by Laura Scott

  Sadly, she could envision exactly how it must have happened. After things fell apart, Yost had fired her sister. Maybe that was when she’d stolen their package.

  If only Malina had come to her for help. Or to Pete. The sister she knew would never have put her son’s safety at risk.

  Yet that was exactly what Malina had done.

  No one spoke for several long minutes. The only noise inside the vehicle was static-filled voices coming through the radio. Eva realized that she could ask the vet to check Cocoa for signs of injury, too. The poor puppy didn’t look injured from being stuck with the stinky guy for the past four going on five days, but she wouldn’t rest until she knew there were no internal injuries or issues with smoke inhalation, as well.

  “Do you have an address for the vet?” the driver asked, breaking the silence. “We’re approaching Jackson Heights now.”

  Finn lifted his head and provided directions to the emergency veterinary clinic a few blocks down from the K-9 headquarters.

  When they pulled up in front of the emergency veterinary clinic, Eva had to wait for the officer to let them out of the back seat. She and Finn, along with their respective dogs, went inside.

  Finn hit the emergency buzzer with his elbow. “Injured K-9 officer! I need help!”

  A veterinary assistant instantly came out through the door separating the front waiting room from the back clinical area. “What’s the problem?”

  “Abernathy was nicked by a bullet, then brutally kicked.”

  The tech’s eyes widened. “I’ll get the vet right away.”

  Twenty seconds later, a slender woman with curly red hair wearing a long white lab coat emerged through the doorway. “I’m Dr. Ynez Dubois.” Her French accent was charming, but Eva could tell Finn didn’t notice. “Bring your K-9 officer this way.”

  Eva wanted to speak up about Cocoa but held back, understanding that Abernathy’s wound was more serious.

  She settled down to wait, lightly stroking Cocoa’s fur while fighting the urge to cough. Her elbow and hip were bruised from hitting the floor on Finn’s command. She’d sacrificed her body to make sure Cocoa was safe. She murmured a prayer of thanks that God had watched over them.

  The veterinary tech came out a few minutes later. “My name is Anna Lee. Does your puppy also need to be seen?”

  While it wasn’t exactly an emergency, she was here and liked Dr. Dubois. “Yes. This puppy was taken from the guide dog training center four—well, now five—days ago and I’m concerned they mistreated him during that time. He was also stuck in a fire with me and could have smoke inhalation.” She coughed, then continued, “I’d appreciate it if Dr. Dubois would check him out for me when she’s finished with Abernathy.”

  “Of course.” Anna crouched beside Eva’s chair and held out her hand for Cocoa to sniff. “You’re a good boy, aren’t you, Cocoa?” She crooned. “And such a lovely name.”

  “He’s learning to be a guide dog,” Eva said as Anna gently took Cocoa from her arms. “He led me out of a burning house. I didn’t see any burns on his coat, but if you could ask Dr. Dubois to check out his lungs, I’d appreciate it.”

  “I will. Although your lungs don’t sound great, either.” Anna stood, looking down at her.

  “I know.” She managed to smile while holding off yet another cough. “Thank you.”

  Anna disappeared through the doorway, and moments later Finn returned to the waiting room. His face was grim and gaunt, the wound on his temple caked with blood. Her heart ached for him.

  “Abernathy is going to be fine,” she assured him.

  He nodded and dropped into the chair beside her. Leaning forward, he propped his elbows on his knees and cradled his head in his hands.

  “Finn, don’t.” She stroked a hand down his back. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I never suspected Wade Yost of being involved. When he stuck that gun in my side and ordered me to leave... I didn’t know what else to do.”

  Finn lifted his head. He shifted in his seat and put his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. I should have figured out the truth sooner. I had no idea Grant Ulrich owned the guide dog training center. And Abernathy’s injury isn’t our fault—it sits with Ulrich and Greer.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder, reveling in his comforting scent. Now that the danger was over and the bad guys had been captured, she knew that her time with Finn had come to an end. It was heartbreaking, even though she understood it was for the best.

  “Officer Gallagher?”

  Finn straightened quickly when Dr. Dubois called his name. “Yes?”

  “I need to do a minor surgical procedure on Abernathy. He’s bleeding internally, and I need to find the source and cauterize it.”

  “Surgery?” She felt Finn’s muscles tense with anxiety.

  Dr. Dubois smiled gently. “It won’t take long. Abernathy is in perfect shape. I don’t expect to encounter any problems or complications.”

  “Do it.” Finn’s voice was low and raspy. “Take care of my partner.”

  “I will. And when I’m finished with Abernathy I’ll check out the chocolate Lab.”

  “Thank you.” Eva wasn’t sure the vet heard as she disappeared behind the closed door.

  “Surgery,” Finn whispered.

  “It’s okay. As Dr. Dubois said, Abernathy is strong and healthy. He’s going to do fine.”

  Finn surprised her by turning and leaning on her for support. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair. “If he doesn’t make it...” He couldn’t finish.

  She clutched him close, in awe that the big strong Finn Gallagher was seeking support from her. “He will. We’ll pray for God to watch over him.”

  “Dear Lord, please keep Abernathy safe in Your care.” Finn’s anguished whisper resonated deep within.

  “And Cocoa, too. Amen,” she added, then ruined the moment by coughing. Finn didn’t seem to mind. He only clutched her closer.

  They stayed like that for a long time, finding comfort and support in each other’s arms.

  * * *

  “Officer Gallagher?”

  At the sound of his name, Finn forced himself to let go of Eva long enough to turn toward the vet. “Is he okay?”

  The pretty redhead smiled and nodded. “He tolerated the procedure very well. He’ll need to stay here overnight, but barring any complications, he’ll be discharged into your care tomorrow morning.”

  A wave of relief washed over him. “Good. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Dr. Dubois glanced at Eva. “I’ve examined Cocoa, too, and have some lab tests pending. He looks a little malnourished and dehydrated, but I don’t see anything more serious. His lungs sound okay, too. I’ve given him a fluid bolus—you’ll see the bulge in the back of his neck—and have given him some moist dog food. He only ate a small amount, so over the next few days I want you to feed him three times a day. I need a little more time for the tests to come back, then he’ll be ready for discharge, too.”

  Malnourished and dehydrated. The words made anger burn in his gut all over again. First Abernathy, now Cocoa. The little pup had proved his worth helping to get Eva out of the burning house. Greer and Ulrich didn’t value human or animal life, and frankly, he couldn’t wait to testify against those jerks at trial.

  “I don’t have any wet dog food at home. You’ll have to tell me what kind to get.”

  It was on the tip of his tongue to point out she didn’t have a home, but there was time to worry about where she’d spend the night later.

  “Not a problem.” Dr. Dubois waved a hand. “I’ll send you home with samples. Once those are gone, you can switch back to dry food. I’m sure he’ll get his appetite back in no time.”

  Eva nodded but didn’t say anything more. Her coughing seemed to be getting b
etter, but he still wanted her to get medical care.

  “I’ll get you to the hospital soon,” he promised.

  “No need. My cough isn’t as bad as it was.”

  Stubborn woman. When the vet left them alone, Finn drew Eva into his arms. She hugged him, resting her cheek on his chest.

  She felt perfect in his arms, and in that moment he knew he didn’t want to lose her. Ironic how he hadn’t thought twice about moving on from one no-strings-attached relationship to the next without realizing what he truly wanted. What he needed.

  The thought of losing Eva made his heart squeeze tightly in his chest, making it impossible to breathe. Lifting her chin with his finger, he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her with all the love he felt inside.

  Their kiss lingered for long, breathless moments until she broke away from him. She placed her hand on his chest, gasping for breath in a way that made her cough again. “We shouldn’t do this,” she managed.

  “Because of your cough? I know, I’ll take you to the hospital soon.”

  “Not because of that.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Then why not?” Finn didn’t understand. “The danger is over, Eva. We have everyone in custody. Thanks to you, we’ve busted up the drug ring once and for all.”

  “I’m glad about that. Truly.” The way she avoided his gaze bothered him. “But we can’t be together, Finn. As you said, the danger is over. It’s time for you to move on.” She lifted her face to his. “Isn’t that what you do? Isn’t that what has made the Gallagher charm so famous among the other K-9 cops?”

  “Not this time.” He looked deep into her beautiful blue eyes, trying to think of a way to convince her. “I don’t want to move on, Eva. I want you. To be with you. Because I love you. When I realized you were still inside the fire... I nearly lost my mind.”

  Her smile was sad and she shook her head. “You might think you love me, Finn, but that feeling will fade over time along with my eyesight. You have your whole life ahead of you. You’ll find someone else to love. Someone that won’t be legally blind in the next few years.”

  “You’re wrong about me, Eva.” He couldn’t help being upset by her attitude.

  “I already had one boyfriend who dropped me because of my diagnosis. I’d rather not go through that again.” When he opened his mouth to argue, she lifted a hand to stop him. “Besides, I’m not wrong about your track record with women.”

  That stopped him because it was true. “Yeah, okay. Until I met you, I wasn’t interested in commitment. Cops aren’t good husbands or fathers. My mom—” He grimaced, then forced himself to tell her the truth. “Let’s just say she couldn’t stand being married to a cop. She and my dad fought all the time, until one day she up and left. I was eight years old.” The memory of that day had faded over time, but the sense of loss had never left him. “I didn’t see her again until I was an adult. No Christmas presents, no birthday cards. Nothing.”

  Eva gasped and clutched his arms. “Finn. That’s horrible!”

  He shrugged. “It wasn’t easy. But me and my dad became really close. He was a good man and a great cop. I was proud to follow in his footsteps.”

  “Your mom... Do you think something happened to her?” Eva asked. “I can’t believe she’d just disappear from your life like that.”

  “Not knowing bothered me, so I looked for her. Found her about ten years ago in New Jersey. She’s remarried and has two kids. Her husband left the house wearing a business suit, so I figure he’s a lawyer or an accountant. Something safe. The complete opposite of a cop.”

  “Her loss. I think you’re amazing, Finn.” Eva tightened her grip on his arms, then released him. “Your dedication to protecting the people of New York, to upholding the law, is honorable. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise. You’re a good cop and a good man just like your dad. Your mother was wrong to leave like she did.” She tilted her head to the side. “What did she say when she saw you?”

  “She didn’t.” It was his turn to avoid her gaze. “I didn’t bother talking to her. She made her choice. I watched her interact with her new family for a while, then turned and walked away.”

  “Oh, Finn.” Eva sighed. “You deserve so much better.”

  That made him smile. “You’re right about that, Eva.” He drew her close again. “I deserve you.”

  Her internal struggle played across her features. Ironically, it gave him hope knowing that she was protesting more because of her impending blindness than a lack of returning his feelings.

  Although he desperately wanted to hear her say the words, he silently vowed to be patient.

  “I don’t know what to do with you,” she finally said.

  “You could try giving me a chance. To prove I’m better than your loser boyfriend.” Now he understood why she didn’t trust any man could love her, knowing of her progressive vision loss. But he did. “I love you, Eva Kendall. And I’m happy to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.”

  “I love you, too, Finn.” Her confession made his heart soar and he swept her up against him, sealing their fate with another kiss.

  “Um, excuse me?” The sound of Dr. Dubois’s voice broke them apart. “I have Cocoa ready for you to take home.”

  “Thank you.” Eva crossed the room to gather the puppy close. Cocoa licked her face, then greeted Finn exuberantly. The fluids and food had done wonders for the pup.

  “Could I see Abernathy before I leave?” Finn asked.

  “Of course. But understand he’s still a bit sedated.”

  Finn followed the vet into the back, where he could see Abernathy lying in a crate. There was a small line of stitches along his flank from the procedure. When Abernathy caught his scent, the dog lifted his head but didn’t have the energy to hold it there. His tail thumped twice, then went still.

  “It’s okay, boy.” Finn stroked Abernathy’s coat. “You’re going to be fine. I’ll come in the morning to bust you out of here, okay?”

  Abernathy’s tail thumped again. Finn felt the sting of tears in his eyes and blinked them away. He bent down to press a kiss on top of Abernathy’s head, then left, knowing Abernathy was in good hands.

  In the waiting room, he took Eva’s hand before turning to face the vet. “What time can I pick him up tomorrow?”

  “Anytime. We’re open all night, remember?” Dr. Dubois smiled.

  “Right. Then I’ll be here at eight.” Maybe earlier, he added silently. He escorted Eva and Cocoa outside, then stopped, realizing he didn’t have his SUV.

  As if on cue, his phone buzzed. Zach Jameson. “How’s Abernathy?”

  “Healing from surgery. Where are you?”

  “At headquarters with Reed Branson. I told Noah about what happened with your partner. He’ll be glad to hear Abernathy will be okay. But we have Greer and Ulrich here. I figured you’d want to be here while we question these guys.”

  He did indeed, and he glanced at Eva. She looked exhausted. “Pick me up at the vet. We’ll drop Eva and Cocoa off at my place, then we’ll head back to interrogate these guys.”

  “Be there in five.”

  “Your place?” Eva pinned him with a narrow glare. “Isn’t that a bit presumptuous?”

  “I have to work for several hours yet, so I won’t be there. Or there’s a hotel not far that I could take you to.” He hesitated, then added, “Unless you want to go back to Pete’s house?”

  “No, it’s too late. I wouldn’t want to risk waking Mikey.” She sighed. “I guess that leaves me no alternative other than to take you up on that hotel. Just make sure it’s a dog-friendly one as I’m bringing Cocoa.”

  “I will.” He was relieved she’d be close by. Now he just needed to find a way to convince her that a quick engagement and even quicker wedding was the way to go.

  But first, he needed to finish the case.

 
For Abernathy’s sake and his own.

  EIGHTEEN

  Eva awoke the next morning with a sore throat, but the incessant coughing seemed to have disappeared. The room wasn’t at all familiar, and then she realized that she was in a hotel near Finn’s home.

  Cocoa was curled up beside her on the bed. The poor puppy had been so afraid to be separated from her, she’d given in and allowed the puppy to sleep with her.

  Cocoa sensed her movements and jumped up excitedly. Eva took the animal outside, then cleaned up after him. Although it was early, she found herself wondering what time Finn might show up.

  She hadn’t expected to fall asleep after everything that had transpired. But somehow the memory of Finn’s kiss and his declaration of love had brought a sense of comfort. Knowing the bad guys had been arrested had helped provide another layer of security.

  God had certainly watched over them last night.

  Two minutes after she returned to her room, there was a knock at her door. When she opened it, Finn stood there, looking amazingly handsome.

  “Hey!” He bent to give her a quick kiss, then flashed a distracted smile. “Ready to go? I’m making breakfast at my place before we pick up Abernathy.”

  “Um, sure. I guess.” She glanced around the hotel room, found her purse, then saw the cans of wet dog food. She hadn’t had a can opener with her so she decided to take it along to Finn’s. Last, she picked up Cocoa. “Okay, we’re ready.”

  “Great.” Finn ushered her outside and drove them the short distance to his place. When they entered the kitchen, which was surprisingly spotlessly clean, he began pulling out pots and pans.

  “Do you need anything? I’m not completely helpless in the kitchen.”

  “Never said you were,” Finn responded. “Have a seat—this won’t take long. As soon as we’re finished, I’d like to get over to the vet.”

  She understood his need to see Abernathy. “Okay. What happened last night? Anything you can tell me that won’t jeopardize your case?”

  He quirked an eyebrow. “How many cops have you dated?”