Blinded by Beauty

by Chloe Lang

  Two Christmases ago he’d had too much wine at Kaylyn’s mother’s holiday party. Inhaling Kaylyn’s sweet aroma had ignited his desires. Standing in the doorway together, he’d placed his arm around Kaylyn’s shoulder. Someone near them had pointed out that they were under the mistletoe. Courage or foolishness had swept through him. Without thinking, he’d pulled Kaylyn in close and kissed her.

  Her response seemed to be complete shock, crushing his hopes. “Wow. Chance, I—”

  Realizing he’d overstepped, he released her. “Don’t say anything, Kaylyn. I’m sorry. Too much to drink.”

  He’d left quickly, fearing he had damaged their friendship completely. But he hadn’t. The next day they’d gone back to work, talking about his new clients and her new pups but never mentioning what had happened the night before. He’d vowed that day to always keep his feelings for Kaylyn under control.

  As much as he wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her, he was certain the relationship they had would end if he ever told her the truth about how he felt.

  He wasn’t willing to risk losing Kaylyn.

  What they had together would have to be enough. It was absolutely better than not being with her at all.

  Annie’s tail began wagging, hitting his leg. Her hearing was better than his, and seconds later he could hear the rumble of Kaylyn’s truck off in the distance.

  “Listen, Jaris. You recognize that sound, don’t you?”

  “I sure do. Looks like I owe you a nickel.”

  Chapter Two

  Kaylyn stepped out of the truck. She smiled, seeing Chance pouring her usual cup of coffee.

  Her feelings for him had been growing for years despite all her efforts to keep them in check. She cared deeply for him. Her mind drifted back to the one kiss they’d shared. God, how I wish it had meant more to him. It sure meant so much to me. He’d never given any signs that she was anything other than a friend to him. She’d learned to keep her feelings in check, especially now that he and Jaris were part of her training team.

  Jaris and the boys had the dogs harnessed and ready to go.

  “Good morning, fellas.” She looked up. “This day is perfect. The clouds look like big puffy bales of cotton floating in the sky.”

  “That’s painting a perfect picture for a blind man since birth, sweetheart.” Chance smiled, making her weak in the knees. “Thank you.”

  “You’re always welcome, Chance.”

  Having the bulk of her dog training at the Boys Ranch had been good. With Chance and Jaris joining the effort, she’d been able to find time to go on her band’s out-of-town gigs. God, she loved music almost as much as she loved training her dogs. Her life had really expanded over the past several months for the better.

  “Good morning, Miss Kaylyn,” the boys said in unison.

  “Good morning.” Chance held out the cup for her. “This is for you.”

  “Thank you.” She took a sip, glancing up at the six-foot-five hunk of dark chocolate. God, he was so handsome. “Nice and hot.” Just like you.

  Even though Chance was blind, she felt like he could see right through her.

  Holding her lips to the rim of the cup, she recalled the one and only kiss she’d shared with Chance at her mother’s Christmas party a couple of years ago. That night she’d wanted to talk to Chance about coming to work at her service dog training school. It had been the only thing on her mind and she’d tried to wait for the perfect opportunity to bring up the subject. She did have strong feelings for him, but that night she’d been thinking about the partnership they would form and the amazing work they would be able to do together. She’d hoped that spending more time with Chance would cause him to think of her differently.

  Their signals had definitely gotten crossed when someone had mentioned the mistletoe above their heads.

  After that toe-curling kiss, Chance had left in a rush, sending a clear message that the most they could ever be was friends.

  She’d thought about running after Chance to tell him how much she’d cared for him but hadn’t been able to make her feet move. She’d suddenly been paralyzed by doubt and fear. Even though she’d been intent about trying to get him to agree to join her at the dog training school, he’d clearly sensed her unspoken feelings for him that night. He had no interest in her that way.

  To this very day they’d never spoken about the kiss again.

  Jaris came up with Sugar. He’d been the one who had finally convinced Chance to move to Destiny and work at her school. She was happy but didn’t hold on to false hope.

  She’d retrieved that sprig of mistletoe the morning after her mother’s party and placed it in her nightstand, where it remained to this day, along with the box of condoms she’d bought. Why? She’d held onto the hope that she and Chance would make love that Christmas. It had turned out nothing like she’d hoped. The mistletoe and condoms were reminders to keep her feelings buried and locked away. Chance was an amazing and wonderful friend. Like it or not, it had to be enough. It would never be more.

  “I knew you would be on time, but Chance made me bet against you.” The former detective was just as tall as Chance and equally as attractive, though his features were lighter, including his sandy blond hair.

  Chance laughed. “You know me better than that, don’t you, Kaylyn?”

  She smiled. “I think I’ll stay out of it, if you don’t mind.”

  Jaris reached into his pocket. “Here you go, Chance.” He tossed the coin into the air.

  Chance caught it, which never ceased to amaze her. “Best money I made all day.”

  All the boys’ eyes were wide with wonder and one of the older boys asked, “How do you do that, Mr. Chance?”

  “That’s a great question, Daniel.” She turned to Chance. “I’d like to know how you do that, too.”

  Chance grinned. “It’s magic.”

  She knew it had to do with how attuned his other senses were, but he had never admitted it to her.

  Standing by Rosie, little Jake yawned. “Do we get to go with you today, Miss Kaylyn?”

  She shook her head. “Not today, Jake. Today is a test day for Rosie and the other dogs.”

  She would be driving the dogs out to a remote location on the Stone Ranch with Chance and Jaris. Their new owners would be arriving next week for their training and bonding with the new service canines. Rosie and the other dogs needed to be ready to go.

  She loved her work but graduation day gave her joy and sadness. As always, after she said good-bye to the dogs and their new owners, the training of the next class of dogs would begin the very next day.

  Holding a basket, Belle came out of the main house and walked over. “Good morning.”

  “Morning.” Kaylyn could see the glow in the woman’s smile. Not surprising, since Belle was a little over three months pregnant. Soon she would start showing.

  “How are the boys doing?” Belle asked.

  “They are doing fantastic.” Chance moved right next to Kaylyn, causing her temperature to rise a few degrees. “All the dogs were bathed last night and put to bed. The boys got up early this morning to feed them and get the harnesses on. Perfect job.”

  Belle smiled broadly. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “Juan, come over here,” Chance said.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Chance placed his hand on Juan’s shoulder. “You know you’re in charge of Sugar and Annie while we’re testing the other dogs. I know I can trust you.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll take very good care of them.” The boy took Sugar and Annie. “Here’s Rosie and Rex, Mr. Chance.” He handed the leashes over.

  “Thanks, Juan.”

  “And here are King and Blue, Mr. Jaris.” Daniel, one of the older boys, gave the leads to him.

  “Thanks, buddy.”

  Juan and Daniel led Sugar and Annie into the house.

  Belle turned to the other boys. “Miss Amber has made you all chocolate chip pancakes. Go inside and wash up. I will meet you at
the table in five minutes.”

  The rest of the boys ran into the big house.

  Chance placed his arm around Kaylyn’s shoulder, causing her heart to skip a couple of beats. “I wouldn’t mind some chocolate chip pancakes myself. How about you, Jaris?”

  Jaris’s lips curled up into a grin making him appear even more handsome. “I could eat. Maybe we should go inside.”

  Though Kaylyn hated changing her schedule, for them, she would. “Guys, if we need to delay the test we can.”

  Jaris laughed.

  “Just kidding, Kaylyn.” Chance released her, and she instantly missed his touch. “We asked Belle to pack us some food for the morning.”

  Belle handed the basket to Chance. “There is another thermos of coffee for you, as well as some fruit and muffins. When you get back, we’ll feed you a proper breakfast.”

  Jaris loaded up the dogs into the back of the truck.

  Shane and Corey ran out of the house, moving quickly to Belle’s side.

  “Honey, you shouldn’t be out here alone.” Corey scanned the tree line in the distance with his hand on the butt of his gun.

  “I’m not alone. Kaylyn is here and so are Jaris and Chance. I’m perfectly safe.”

  Kaylyn felt sorry for Belle. Ever since learning that Kip Lunceford wanted her bone marrow, the entire town had become her bodyguard detail. She couldn’t go anywhere without an armed escort. It had to be exhausting, but Belle didn’t complain.

  Corey frowned. “Sweetheart, you know what I mean.”

  “I do. You and Shane are my overprotective husbands, and I love you for it. I’m sure Chance and Jaris would hear anyone approaching before any of us did. And they have these beautiful dogs that would protect all of us from harm.”

  Corey turned to Jaris and Chance. “Sorry, guys. Even though we know you are capable, she’s our responsibility. You understand?”

  “Of course,” Chance answered. “If it were Kaylyn, I would feel the same way.”

  Shocked to hear that, Kaylyn asked, “You would?”

  He smiled. “Well, we are best friends, aren’t we?”

  “I suppose you’re right.” She sighed as her heart shrank a bit.

  Belle turned to her. “Good luck with the test.” She and her husbands walked back inside the house.

  Kaylyn took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Are you ready to go, guys?”

  Jaris walked up to the driver’s side door and grabbed her hand, sending a shiver up and down her spine. “Let’s get this show on the road, boss.”

  Over the past few months working with Jaris, she’d found herself imagining what it would be like to be with him and Chance. Why not? She was from Destiny, a place where women were allowed to dream of love with two or more men.

  Who couldn’t love Jaris? The guy was a hero. Handsome. Charming. And funny. He was so good to the boys and wonderful with the dogs.

  Who am I kidding? I’m falling for Jaris, too.

  Getting behind the wheel of her truck, she glanced at the men who were invading all her nighttime dreams. As much as she would like to be in their arms, it wasn’t going to happen. She had deeper feelings for Chance than he had for her. She’d almost lost him as a friend for good because of those feelings. She vowed not to make the same mistake with Jaris.

  Feelings can’t be trusted.

  * * * *

  Chance held Rosie’s and Rex’s harnesses. He could hear Jaris and the other two dogs up ahead about ten feet on the path. All four dogs were doing great, but he still felt odd being without Annie. If Annie and Sugar had remained close, they would’ve taken the lead in this test, skewing the results for the new dogs.

  Going for help when necessary had to be learned by every service dog. This test would verify these dogs were fully trained to seek aid when their masters were in trouble. He and Jaris had run several exercises with the four and were confident they would pass Kaylyn’s standards today.

  Kaylyn was two miles back beside her truck.

  “The time is 8:29 a.m.” One minute to go until the final part of the test.

  He could hear the waterfall that he and Jaris had passed after leaving Kaylyn. During the entire walk from the truck, the dogs had accomplished their tasks perfectly. They were all completely focused and so far had done exceedingly well on every part of the test. None of the distractions that Kaylyn had planted along the path—raw steak, noisemakers, or toys—had been able to pull Rex, Blue, Rosie, or King from their jobs. He was filled with pride for the four dogs, nearly done with their training and ready to meet their new owners in the next few days.

  “The time is 8:30 a.m.”

  “Now, Jaris.” Chance spread out on the ground, hearing his friend do the same.

  Rosie and Rex both sniffed and licked him, which was expected. He held his breath and remained motionless.

  The two dogs ran off. He heard King and Blue bolt after Rosie and Rex.

  Chance waited for a minute before sitting up, making sure the dogs were down the road. It was important not to distract the canine students. They needed to run all the way back to Kaylyn.

  Hearing Jaris roll onto his side, Chance turned his direction. “Man, these four are going to make their new owners very happy.”

  “Just like Annie and Sugar make us happy, buddy.” Jaris’s tone was filled with admiration.

  He smiled. “I hope so. That’s why we’re working so hard with them.”

  “It won’t be long before Kaylyn will be back with the dogs and the truck to pick us up. I wonder what score she’ll give them.”

  “You know we’ll have to give her the results of the preliminary tests during the walk before she comes to a final decision.” Kaylyn was one of the top service dog trainers in the country. People from around the world sought out her dogs. “But I’m sure they will all get A-pluses.”

  Suddenly, he and Jaris heard the four dogs yelp as if they were hurt.

  “What the hell was that?” Jaris leapt to his feet.

  He did the same. “Don’t know, but we’ve got to get back to Kaylyn.”

  “Agreed. Let’s go.”

  They started down the path together when they both heard a gunshot.

  Chance’s gut tightened. “What the fuck?”

  Jaris came up beside him. “It sounded like a rifle to me.”

  They both knew that Kaylyn had a pistol in her truck but not a rifle.

  “Shit. We’re not alone, Jaris. Someone else is in the woods.”

  “This is the Stone’s property. Private land. We’re supposed to be the only fucking ones out here today.”

  Chance pulled out his cell, running his fingers over the numbers in Braille. He dialed Kaylyn’s phone. It rang once and then her voice mail came on. “Fuck, Jaris. Kaylyn isn’t picking up. It went straight to voice mail.”

  “I’m calling the Stones.”

  He dialed Kaylyn again. Same result. “God, please let her be okay.”

  “Emmett’s phone is ringing, buddy.”

  That was a good thing since reception was spotty on the ranch. Maybe that was the reason he’d gotten Kaylyn’s voice mail so quickly. She might’ve been in a dead spot.

  “Hey, Emmett. This is Jaris. We heard a fucking rifle fire out here. We can’t get ahold of Kaylyn and the dogs are gone.” Jaris paused. “So nobody should be out here? That’s what we thought. We’re out on the sunrise road. She parked about a mile before the waterfall. We’re about two miles up the road from her and we’re headed her direction now.” Hearing Jaris pause again, Chance felt every tick of the clock. “Fuck. Please hurry, Emmett.” Jaris clicked off his phone. “Chance, Emmett’s on his way but he is in town with the boys and his brothers. It’ll take too much time before he can reach Kaylyn.”

  “We’ve got to get to her, Jaris.” His heart pounded hard in his chest.

  “Agreed.”

  As they headed down the path, Chance thought about shouting commands for the dogs to return, but decided against it. Until they knew who had
fired the rifle, it was best to keep quiet.

  Kip Lunceford had leukemia and wanted Belle’s bone marrow. The killer was still on the loose, and Belle lived on this ranch. Like it or not, there was a distinct possibility that the gunshot they’d heard had come from that bastard or one of his cohorts. He and Jaris had no other choice but to try to reach Kaylyn, regardless how difficult it would be without Annie and Sugar.

  “If the dogs made it back to Kaylyn, she’ll be headed this way.” Jaris was clearly running through a myriad of possibilities, hoping she was safe.

  “That’s true.” But after hearing the yelping, his gut told him they hadn’t.

  Several minutes passed in silence. No dogs. No Kaylyn.

  “Did you hear that?” Jaris asked, suddenly stopping on the path.

  He listened intently, focusing all his attention on the sounds around him. “That’s a truck, but it doesn’t sound like Kaylyn’s.”

  “I know.”

  “Wait, Jaris. That’s two trucks.”

  “I hear them, too.”

  It sounded like the vehicles drove off in opposite directions.

  They hastened their steps to Kaylyn.

  When they got next to the waterfall, he heard Jaris stumble.

  “Fuck.”

  “You okay, Jaris?”

  “Fine. Just a dip in the fucking road.”

  Chance’s pulse shot hot through his veins. They had to work together to get to Kaylyn. “Let’s lock arms. It’ll help stabilize us.”

  “Good idea, buddy. Don’t forget the path curves to the right up ahead.”

  “I remember.” Being without Annie was proving more difficult than he’d imagined, but it didn’t matter. He had to get to Kaylyn and make sure she was okay.

  Suddenly, they heard honking.

  “That’s Kaylyn’s truck,” Jaris said.

  “I recognize it, too.”

  They picked up their pace, heading toward the sound.

  “Kaylyn has got to be okay, Chance.”

  “I hope so, but I keep asking myself why she wouldn’t have come to us.”

  “Maybe one of the dogs is hurt and she can’t leave them yet.” Was Jaris grasping at straws, trying to calm his worry for Kaylyn? Yes.