Raising the Stakes. Karen Rock

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СКАЧАТЬ he would.

      She unlatched the door and hip checked a baying Scooter out of the way. Jinx’s collar bell rang as the cat bolted after them. It seemed the Harris family welcoming party was in full force this morning. She stopped her eye roll before opening the door...and was glad she did.

      Wow.

      A powerfully built man, well over six feet, stood on her front porch. His green uniform stretched across broad shoulders and a wide chest that tapered down to a lean waist. Matching pants went on forever, ending in black boots bigger than Jinx. Too bad newly single Maggie wasn’t here. Her weakness for men in uniform was legendary and vocalized often.

      Reining in her wandering thoughts, Vivie finally glanced up.

      A Stetson covered his hair, the brim throwing shadows that pooled beneath high cheekbones and a cleft chin.

      He resembled an actor playing an officer. Not the real deal. Not the kind of man she’d meet wearing a faded nightshirt covered by a poultry-patterned apron. She flushed. It shouldn’t matter...especially given who he worked for. Who he was...

      “You—” she breathed. Her fingers tightened on the door handle.

      “Miss Harris. A pleasure.”

      She gave herself a shake, determined not to be swayed by his deep voice and twinkling light green eyes. This was anything but a happy reunion, she reminded herself.

      Scooter butted her leg and she stumbled forward, banging her head on the door. Smooth. Real smooth.

      “May I come in?”

      “Do I have a choice?”

      His full lips curled at the edges. “Not if you’re harboring wildlife again.”

      She drummed her fingernails on the molding, wishing she still had her skillet in hand. Infuriating man. The last time she’d seen him, he’d given her a citation for leaving out leftover fresh vegetables and fruits behind her diner during last year’s brutal winter.

      “Some would call that protecting.” She cocked an eyebrow and made to shut the door...only his steel-toed boot kept it from closing.

      “That’s what I aim to do, ma’am,” he drawled, his confident expression making her flush hot.

      “Protect what? Your promotion? Christmas bonus? It sure isn’t the animals because I’ve heard what you people do to injured wildlife.”

      He leaned close, his eye flush with the open space of her door. “Is the bear injured?” he asked, his voice low but insistent.

      She pictured the cub’s swollen jaw and felt a twinge of guilt. It did need medical attention and help finding its mother. But could she trust him to put the animal’s—not “nature’s”—best interests first? What choice did she have?

      “Yes,” she muttered at last and slid the chain back. She paused before pulling the door open farther.

      “Could you sort of come in sideways while I hold Scooter?”

      “Pardon?” He pulled off his hat to reveal thick, dark hair that curled around the tops of his ears. He shooed the morning gnats away before settling the Stetson back on his head.

      “The animals are a little—ah—spirited.” She pushed Scooter back. Relentless dog. Meanwhile Jinx leaped on the curved arm of a nearby chair, looking ready to pounce and take out this stranger. All eight pounds of her.

      “Your domestic pets or the wild animal?”

      She sighed. Was there a difference? Still, she couldn’t love them more. She thought of the terrified cub in her pantry, her affection including it as well. What would happen to it once this horrible man got hold of it? She eyed the officer.

      “Pets.” She grabbed Scooter’s collar and body blocked Jinx, whose leap landed her on Vivie’s shoulder. She winced, then grimaced harder as the officer slid through her door.

      “Not sure if you remember my name. I’m Liam Walsh and you’re Vivienne. Vivie, right?” He squatted and held out a hand to Scooter. “Come.”

      His firm command quieted Scooter who trotted over and held up a paw. Unbelievable. It was a trick the shelter workers had taught him, one he only did to impress. Officer Walsh gave Scooter a high five, ruffled his ears and stood.

      “Nice dog.”

      She pressed her lips together to stop the forming smile. She would not be charmed. “Occasionally. The rest of the time, he’s a stinker.”

      A low chuckle sounded and Officer Walsh’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Got one like that myself. A collie. Extra Pickles.” Jinx flung herself between them, landing neatly on Officer Walsh’s shoulders.

      “You named your dog Extra Pickles?” She blinked up at him, surprised. How odd that this official, by-the-books man would name his dog something so unusual. Maybe he wasn’t just a policy-spouting drone in uniform.

      He plucked Jinx from his neck and nuzzled her before setting her on the floor. “Her mom was Pickles so—”

      “—she’s extra...” Vivie finished for him, staring.

      He cleared his throat and pulled out a notebook and pen, suddenly appearing self-conscious. Her grandfather clock chimed seven times while Scooter sprawled at Officer Walsh’s feet, spit shining his boots.

      “The dispatcher mentioned a bear cub...?”

      Vivie nodded. “Last night. It came in through my open window. Must have smelled my pies.”

      Officer Walsh lifted his fine nose and sniffed. “Is that raisin pie?”

      She nodded, proud, despite her sour mood. “It didn’t get ruined, at least.”

      “Your customers will be relieved.”

      “And Maggie, my co-owner. She’s an amazing cook but hates baking. She was on vacation the week you ordered me to stop feeding the wild animals and let them starve.”

      His eyes narrowed on her for a long moment. “Teaching them to fend for themselves rather than relying on handouts would be closer to the truth.”

      “We had record low temperatures,” she snapped, her anger rising fresh and raw over the year-old incident.

      “And the animals best equipped to survive it, did. Natural selection,” he observed with a mildness that infuriated her more. Didn’t the man have feelings?

      “You really don’t care, do you?” she exclaimed.

      “I care about doing my job.” He pocketed his notepad. “I’d like to see the bear now. Since my vacation starts tomorrow, I need to get this wrapped up.”

      She glared, then turned without a word. Of course he’d be more concerned with his free time than the well-being of an animal. Oblivious to his abominable attitude, Scooter and Jinx trailed him into the kitchen as if he were their new best friend.

      “It’s СКАЧАТЬ