True Blue K-9 Unit Christmas. Laura Scott

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      Pete wasn’t a cop, but he wanted to offer to protect her anyway. Which was stupid since he didn’t even own a firearm, and Faith was a police officer who was comfortable carrying a gun. He gave himself a mental shake. No reason to get emotionally involved with a woman. He hadn’t been a single parent for very long, and was finally settling into a rhythm. And his marriage to Malina had been rocky for several months prior to her death. He discovered he hadn’t known his wife as well as he’d thought. She’d kept secrets that had put their son’s life, and others, in danger.

      He had no intention of heading down that path again.

      Kim pulled into the space reserved for ambulances and shut down the engine. When they were all outside, Pete turned toward Faith. “Still want a lift to the day care?”

      She hesitated, then nodded. “I won’t have a crate for Ricci, but I don’t think you’ll be driving very fast in this weather, so it should be safe enough.”

      “I just hope we get there in time.” Pete didn’t like being late to pick up his son. He always felt as if the day-care workers were frowning on him for neglecting Mikey. As if he were failing at being a single father.

      “Me, too.”

      Pete followed Kim inside, knowing that they had to restock before he could leave. Fortunately, his partner waved him off.

      “I’ll do it. Go pick up your son.”

      “Thanks, Kim. I owe you one.”

      She didn’t answer, and he knew she hadn’t forgiven him for jumping out of the ambulance to go after Faith and her K-9. Kim was younger than he was by several years. She was good, after all he’d trained her, and he couldn’t blame her for not wanting to be placed in danger.

      He punched out and then went back outside to find his SUV. It was covered in snow, but Faith joined him in brushing it off.

      Five minutes later they were inside the car, heat blasting from the vents. Ricci was in the back, sniffing out his new environment.

      “Do you think he recognizes Mikey’s scent?” Pete asked as he pulled out into traffic.

      “Yeah.” Faith sent him a sidelong glance. “From what I hear, our kids play together all day.”

      He nodded, since that’s what one of the day-care teachers had told him, as well. “So, uh, do you live nearby?”

      “I have a small two-bedroom home that I inherited from my parents. I was going to try to sell, but that was when the market wasn’t very good. So I ended up staying. I like it here.”

      “Me, too. And I understand making sacrifices. I changed my career and my hours for my son.” He shrugged. “Whatever is best for our kids, right?”

      “Right.” Her tone lacked conviction and he knew she was worried about being the target of gunfire. “Maybe I will take a few days off,” she added, almost as if she were talking to herself. “I can’t work the weekend since Logan won’t be watching Jane. Not to mention she’ll need me after losing her father.”

      “Counseling worked for me and Mikey,” he offered. Once, he wouldn’t have even considered going to see a psychologist, but after Malina’s passing and nearly losing his son during a kidnapping attempt, which thankfully only lasted a few hours, Pete had reconsidered his priorities.

      Faith looked surprised. “I—You’re probably right about that, thanks. Will you share the name of who you went to see?”

      “Of course.”

      “I’m glad I have my church group for support, too,” Faith continued. “It’s bad enough to lose someone to an illness, but knowing Logan was stabbed and left for dead... I just can’t understand. Why? Who would do that to him? Wilson was mad at me, but he’d have no reason to go after Logan.”

      Pete slowly shook his head, keeping his eyes on the snow-covered road. They were barely going fifteen miles per hour and would be late if the traffic didn’t lighten up soon. “I hate to ask, but is it possible your ex was involved in something criminal?”

      “No. Logan was an accountant and made a good salary. Why would he risk it for something like that?” She paused, then added, “He got engaged recently. Could be that Claire dragged him into something. But even that seems far-fetched. He had his wallet and his driver’s license but no cash. Maybe a robbery, or a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

      “Except for the gunfire back there,” he pointed out.

      “Yeah.”

      Pete thought about how his own wife had inexplicably turned to drugs, which in turn had led to her death. He knew what it was like to live with the fact that your spouse had been murdered.

      He hoped, for Faith’s sake, she was right about Logan. The way he’d spoken of danger, and the gunfire that had echoed at the scene of the crime, didn’t play as being a random act.

      Not that it was his mystery to solve. Yet when they finally reached the day care, and both of their kids came running over to greet them, he knew deep down it wouldn’t be easy to let it go.

      “Mommy! You rode with Mikey’s daddy?” Jane’s eyes were wide in surprise, and Faith knew her daughter was far too perceptive for her own good.

      “I sure did.” Faith did her best to smile, but inside she couldn’t bear knowing the light in her daughter’s eyes would disappear when she learned her daddy was gone. Especially less than a week before Christmas. The bright Christmas lights on the artificial tree in the corner of the room mocked her. It was covered in ornaments made by the day-care kids and she could see her daughter’s sparkly angel prominently displayed near the top of the tree. “Mikey’s daddy will drive us home, too.”

      “Yay!” Mikey and Jane cried in unison, then fell into uncontrolled giggles. Faith decided she’d wait until later to tell her daughter about her father. Okay, there wasn’t a good time to hear that devastating news, but for now, she wanted Jane to enjoy the thrill of riding home with her best friend.

      “Can we borrow a car seat?” Pete asked the day-care worker. “I’ll bring it back in the morning.”

      “Sure.” Peggy led the way back to the supply closet. “This is exactly why we keep extras on hand.”

      “Thanks.” He took the car seat and turned to Faith. “Ready?”

      “Yes.”

      “Can Mikey have supper at our house?” Jane asked, as they each dressed their respective kid in snow pants, boots, jackets, hats and mittens. “Please, Mommy?”

      “Oh, I don’t think so.” Faith risked a quick glance at Pete, who was doing an admirable job getting Mikey bundled up for the cold. “It’s late. Maybe another time, hmm?”

      “Daddy, can Jane—” Mikey started, but Pete cut him off.

      “No, son. Didn’t you hear Mrs. Johnson? She said maybe another day.”

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