Protect and Serve (Rookie K-9 Unit)

by Terri Reed

  With a sinking sense of doom and a heart that felt as if it were cracking open wide, she reminded herself that Shane deserved better than that. “You were fortunate, Officer Weston. You and Miss Perry both,” claimed the doctor, who’d introduced himself as Dr. Ruskin. He was older, with a shock of white hair and pale blue eyes that seemed to see right through Shane.

  Shane didn’t believe in luck. God had put a hedge of protection around him and Gina, preventing Tim from doing more damage beyond totaling the Jeep. They’d been blessed, that was for sure. If only Shane hadn’t let Tim take advantage of Shane’s momentary distraction when he’d realized his cuffs were missing. Inexcusable.

  His father would be mortified. And he could just hear the jabs his brothers would aim at him. Loser. Weakling. Mama’s boy.

  Shane shoved away the echo of his brother’s taunts and concentrated on the doctor. “Can I go now?”

  He needed to see Gina, to assure himself that she hadn’t suffered any major injuries.

  “Yes,” the doctor replied in a tone that had Shane waiting for more. “I’d advise you both to rest for the next twenty-four hours at least. The bruises you sustained to your ribs need to heal before you are too active. And the same goes for Miss Perry. Though she’s a bit more banged up than you are.”

  Shane winced with concern. He’d seen the laceration on her forehead from the air bag deploying. He wasn’t sure what other injuries she’d sustained during the crash.

  He changed back into his uniform and went in search of Gina and Bella. Every moment away from them ratcheted up his tension.

  He found them waiting at the administration desk. The stark white bandage wrapped around Gina’s head glared in contrast to the tumble of red waves cascading over her shoulders. Her hazel eyes were clear, but her smile appeared strained. She looked tired and scared and pretty all at the same time.

  The rush of relief at seeing her caught him by surprise. As he moved toward her, he tried to analyze what he was feeling. But his emotions were in a jumbled mess, so dissecting his feelings wasn’t happening.

  She closed the distance between them and he automatically opened his arms for her to step into his embrace. It felt like the most natural act in the world. Holding her close, tucked within the shelter of his arms—that was where he wanted her. Always. A pipe dream, but for now, he wouldn’t fight his emotions. After the ordeal they’d been through, he just didn’t have any fight left.

  “Hey, you two,” James Harrison said as he sauntered through the hospital double doors and halted beside them. Hawk, his bloodhound, greeted Bella. The police dogs all had a special place in their hearts for their former trainer. “Thought you might need a ride home.”

  “We do,” Shane said. “Did you track down Tim Perry?”

  James’s jaw tightened. “I’m sorry, I didn’t. The guy’s slippery. He had another vehicle stashed not far away. The one he used to ram into your Jeep was stolen from a house down the block.”

  “He must have followed us from the Cactus Café,” Gina said.

  “Yes, and anticipated we’d be crossing that intersection on the way back to the training center.” Shane hated to admit it, but Tim was smart. An evil genius. But one of these days he’d make a mistake that would land him in jail for good. At least Shane prayed so.

  James drove them back to the training center. As soon as they entered, Sophie hugged Gina. “I freaked out when I heard what happened. Are you okay, for real?”

  “I’m a little banged up, that’s all.” Gina hugged her friend back. “The seat belt did a number on my ribs.” She touched the bandage around her head. “Not to mention the stitches on my forehead and in my scalp where I hit the window.”

  Shane hadn’t realized she’d banged her head, as well. He was surprised she didn’t have a massive headache. Must be the pain meds that would eventually wear off. He wanted her home before then.

  “Thank God above you two are safe and relatively sound,” Sophie stated.

  “I’m sorry to leave you with all the work here,” Gina said.

  “Nonsense,” Sophie replied. “For now I can handle the center. Until we can open back up for training sessions, there isn’t much for me to do. Though I have had two breeders call to say they have dogs old enough for training. I told them we aren’t offering sessions but that I’d take the pups and start working with them to get them ready for when we do offer police training sessions again. And I’ve also put out a call to departments all over the state for refresher courses. When you’re ready to come back there will be plenty of work but until then rest and recover from the crash.”

  Shane noted the way Gina grimaced. He touched her arm. “See, nothing to worry about here.”

  Gina sighed. “I know. I just feel responsible for everything that has happened. So many people’s lives have been affected.”

  “You’re not to blame,” Shane told her, but he could tell by the look in her pretty eyes she still held herself accountable for her brother’s evil acts.

  “He’s right,” Sophie said. “Don’t beat yourself up for your brother’s actions. When he’s caught, life will get back to normal and we’ll open back up for training.”

  Which would mean Shane would be gone, assigned to another department, either in Flagstaff or somewhere else in the state of Arizona. Somewhere far from Desert Valley. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

  “In the meantime,” Sophie continued, “I’ve organized the supply closets, gone over the accounts and scrubbed every square inch of the place.” She frowned. “Except for Veronica’s apartment upstairs. I can’t bring myself to go in.”

  “I don’t blame you,” Gina said with a visible shiver. “I’ll be back tomorrow to help you if you’d like.”

  He admired her willingness to be there for her coworker, but she needed to look out for her own well-being. “The doctor said you need to rest for at least twenty-four hours,” he reminded Gina.

  Shane scooped up the puppies and escorted Gina out. James dropped Shane, Gina and the puppies off at the condo while he and Hawk went back to the station.

  “I’ll take care of these two while you rest,” Shane told her as he set the puppies on the floor. They immediately ran for the back patio door.

  “There’s no way I can sleep right now,” she countered. “Can we watch a movie?”

  Her question socked in him in the gut. An image of the two of them snuggling on the couch like a couple in love marched through his mind. His pulse picked up. As tantalizing as that thought was, they weren’t in love. They weren’t a couple. They were just two people who’d endured a harrowing event and needed some downtime to decompress. He could handle that. “Sure, but first I’m going to put these two out back and then make us something to eat.”

  Ten minutes later, with the puppies chewing on bones and Bella lying on her bed, Shane and Gina settled on the couch. A lunch of cold cuts and cheese, bread slices and two apple ciders was laid out on the coffee table. Gina picked a movie from the On Demand function on the cable box as she nibbled at the food. Shane wanted to urge her to eat more, but refrained. The last thing she needed was him bossing her around. Before long, she abandoned the food to curl up next to him.

  His chest grew tight. The image he’d had earlier was coming true. He should move away from her, stop this madness right now, but it felt too good having her so close. And as he settled his arm around her, he knew there was no way he’d break this moment for anything.

  She rested her head on the soft plane between his chest and shoulder, fitting perfectly within his embrace. Warmth spread through him and he couldn’t help but feel protective of this sweet woman. He knew there were other emotions floating through his system—affection, caring, attraction. As much as he wanted to deny that he was growing attached to this beautiful woman, he couldn’t.

  It was going to be t
orture to leave her behind when he left. But he would leave and she would stay. That was the way of their jobs.

  And he needed his focus on his career, not on a woman, if he hoped to earn his father’s and brothers’ respect.

  Though that driving need that had propelled him through his life didn’t have the same intensity it once had. Being here in Desert Valley, away from the influence of his family, he found himself questioning his needs. Questioning his path in life.

  As Gina’s breathing evened out, he glanced down to find her sleeping in his arms. For a long time, he held her, savoring the feel of her against him. When the movie ended and he had no legitimate reason to keep holding her, he lifted her and carried her to her room. Bella followed.

  Awkwardly juggling Gina, he pulled back the blankets and then laid her down. He slipped off her shoes, then settled the covers over her. Bella rested on the floor at the foot of the bed. The puppies trotted in and headed for their crates. Afraid the two young dogs would wake Gina, Shane dragged them and their beds into the hall. They’d sleep in his room tonight.

  Shane paused at Gina’s bedroom door and gave the hand command for Bella to come with him. She stood and came to him but then turned to look back at the woman on the bed. Bella sat and nudged him in the thigh.

  Was she trying to tell him she wanted to stay with Gina?

  Seemed his partner was as smitten as he was.

  Leaving the dog there added another measure of safety. He crouched down so he was at eye level with Bella. “Okay. You stay here and protect Gina,” he whispered.

  Bella immediately moved back to the end of the bed to lie down. She settled her chin on her paws and closed her eyes.

  Marveling at Bella’s intellect, he left the door slightly ajar in case Gina awoke and needed him.

  His heart spasmed as the thought seared clean through him. He wanted her to need him. No one had ever needed him. But Gina did and that made him feel invincible. And foolish.

  How was he going to say goodbye when the time came?

  * * *

  Gina awoke to find Bella standing beside her bed. The dog cocked her head and then walked to the door, which was cracked open. Bella glanced back at her, clearly wanting out, but also wanting her to follow.

  Blinking the sleep from her eyes, Gina realized she was fully clothed. She must have fallen asleep on the couch with Shane and he’d put her to bed. And he’d left Bella with her as protection.

  Tenderness filled her. Shane’s thoughtfulness set her heart beating. He was such a caring man. Honorable and committed. The type of man every woman hoped to find.

  That they’d been thrown together by danger only added to his appeal, because he could have refused the assignment of guarding her. He could have been cold and distant in dealing with her but he wasn’t.

  He was personable, concerned for her comfort and safety. She knew he would protect her at all costs. He’d taken an oath to protect and serve. And yet she hoped his actions stemmed from more than just duty. Could he care for her beyond an assignment? Did she want him to?

  And did she care for him?

  Of course she did. He’d put his life on the line for her. But what she felt went beyond gratefulness and that scared her because she knew there could be no future for them. Her shoulders slumped. She had to protect Shane as much as he was protecting her. She needed to keep things between them from turning personal. They could be friends but nothing more.

  She slipped from the bed, every muscle protesting, and opened the door all the way. Bella waited for her and walked at her side into the living room. Shane was in the kitchen with his back to her. His broad shoulders filled out his dark blue T-shirt nicely. The puppies came running, tumbling over themselves to get to her. She knelt to receive their love. Bella headed for the back patio door. Shane hustled over to open it for his partner.

  “How are you this morning?” Shane asked, his green-eyed gaze searching her face.

  “I feel like I was in a car accident,” she replied as she gingerly sat on a stool at the counter. The puppies lost interest in her and chewed on their toys.

  He gave her a lopsided grin that made her breath catch. “Yeah. Me, too.”

  Forcing herself to breathe evenly, she said, “Thank you for last night.”

  Heat flooded her cheeks as she remembered how she’d snuggled up next to him on the couch. She’d been so worn-out and emotionally drained she hadn’t had the mental fortitude to stop herself. “I mean for leaving Bella to watch over me through the night.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Best to put last night behind them. “So I guess today we stay here.”

  He nodded. “Doctor’s orders.”

  She smiled, thinking there were worse ways to spend a day than with a handsome man, two puppies and a guard dog on duty. Just as long as there was no more snuggling. Or kissing. Even if she yearned for more.

  She knew this forced proximity was necessary, and she’d enjoy it while it lasted. But she’d have to put a lock on her emotions if she hoped to make it through this situation unscathed. The wounds to her flesh were nothing compared to the potential wound to her heart.

  THIRTEEN

  Though they’d been housebound for the day, Gina decided the best use of their time, and the best way to keep things between her and Shane on a more professional level, was to continue working with the puppies while reviewing Shane and Bella’s training.

  There’d been some hysterical moments where they’d both ended up doubled over with laughter at the antics of the puppies. Bella had even proved a good teacher for the two rambunctious pups by using her herding instincts to keep Lucy and Ricky in line.

  All in all a good day. And after dinner, when it was so tempting to curl up on the couch with another movie and a potential opportunity to snuggle with Shane, Gina opted for reading in her room. She told herself that wasn’t disappointment she’d glimpsed in Shane’s eyes when she’d wished him good-night.

  When she’d awoken this morning, she’d found Bella sleeping in the hall outside her bedroom door, which had melted her heart and made her seek out Shane to thank him.

  “Hey, I’d like to take credit,” Shane said with a smile. “Once you went to bed last night, she took a position in front of your door and wouldn’t budge.”

  That made her feel so loved. At least by the dog. She ignored the tiny, mopey voice inside of her that wished Shane loved her.

  Time to get back to work.

  James dropped Gina, Shane and Bella off at the training center on his way to the station with Hawk. He and the other rookies would continue helping in the investigation into the two previous rookies’ mysterious deaths and the cold case of Melanie Hayes’s murder.

  If Shane was disappointed not to be more involved in the investigations because he had to protect her, he didn’t say so. Gina felt bad regardless. If her brother hadn’t come to Desert Valley with murder on his mind, then the rookies would now be far away at various police departments around the state, and Marian Foxcroft wouldn’t have had to so generously endow the police station with the funds to keep the rookies on staff.

  Strange how life had a way of changing so dramatically, so quickly. Her father would have said God takes the bad in life and uses it for good. She wasn’t so sure that was true, but at least now Ryder could solve his wife’s murder, and the questions that surrounded the two other mysterious deaths might be answered. She prayed so.

  Her cell phone rang as they entered the training center. Shane set the puppies free while she grabbed her phone from her purse. Her ribs ached with every movement but she forced herself to ignore the pain. The doctor had said only time would heal the sprain in her rib cage from the seat belt locking so tight across her torso. She’d taken off the bandage covering the few stitches on her head, opting to let the wound breathe now that i
t had stopped bleeding.

  She stared at the caller ID and didn’t recognize the number. Fear tightened her throat. Would Tim call? She met Shane’s gaze. “I don’t know who this is.”

  “Put it on speaker.”

  She did as he instructed. “Hello?”

  “Is this Gina Perry?” A woman’s crisp voice spoke through the speaker.

  “Yes, this is Gina.”

  “Marian Foxcroft here. I understand you’ve been caring for the two puppies, Ricky and Lucy.”

  Relaxing, she nodded. Then quickly answered, “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I take it there’s been no word on where little Marco is?”

  Gina’s stomach clenched. “No, there hasn’t. We’ve put up flyers, we’ve gone door to door as well as searched the area surrounding the training center.”

  “I will offer a reward for the puppy’s safe return. Surely that will galvanize the person who took him to come forward.”

  “That’s very generous of you.” Gina couldn’t stop the spurt of excitement. If someone had found Marco maybe they would want the money more than the puppy. She sent up a quick prayer that puppy would be found alive. That he hadn’t become food for a predator.

  “I’d like to see the other puppies,” Marian said, interrupting Gina’s prayer.

  “Of course. I’m with them now at the training center. We’d love for you to visit us.”

  “No. I want you to bring them to me. I’m sure their mama would be happy to see them.”

  Gina raised her eyebrows. Though the puppies had stayed with their mama long enough for the mother dog to remember them, Gina doubted the dog longed for her puppies. Dogs didn’t have the same emotional attachment to their offspring as humans do, even if this litter was the mama dog’s first.

  More likely Marian Foxcroft was lonely up in that big house of hers. Though Gina knew Ellen lived at home, the young rookie wasn’t often there, preferring to work rather than deal with her mother. Empathy for the older woman had Gina agreeing. “Yes, of course I can bring the puppies to you. We could be there in an hour.”