[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Time to get to work.”When Jane released her and left to go to her office for the files, Elizabeth sank to her knees and laid her head against Rufus, who leaned in to give her kisses.You’re safe now, you’re safe, she reminded herself.There was no sense in dredging up the past.But the old fear had never completely gone away, and deep down, she feared it never would.Chapter 5It was a brisk eighteen degrees outside, and snow swirled around Jane as she gazed out across the valley.The sun was an orange ball hovering above the far mountain, and the sky was layered in colors of turquoise and peach.Feeling the urge to run today, she had arrived a little earlier than usual and jogged about a mile along the mountain path that extended beyond the park.Running at this altitude had put her in the best shape of her life, and she freaking loved that.She’d left Annie, dressed in a warm yellow fleece, in the SUV.Jane was heading back to her vehicle, Rufus running beside her, when Matt drove up.Her heart started pumping double-time, and her whole body felt flushed and alive.“Hey!” he called as he got out of the car, shoving an overzealous Henry back to keep him from bounding out of the backseat and through the driver’s side door.“Where’s Annie?”Nice of him to notice.“I went for a run, so left her in the car.”“Oh, are you leaving?” he asked, gazing at his SUV door as though he were afraid to let the dog out.Woot.Woot.Woot.Woot.Okay, so she didn’t need that song running through her mind right now.“No, just coming back to get her.She’s too little to run with me.”“Right,” he said and smiled at her.Just smiled.And she grinned back at him like a lunatic.Man, she had it bad.At Elizabeth’s suggestion, she was wearing navy thermal tights, her turquoise running shoes, and a hot pink fleece with an insulated shirt underneath.A matching pink hat covered her head and ears, and her navy gloves had hand warmers in them.She looked sporty cute, her friend had said.And then she’d told her they were immediately going to buy more “park” outfits.“Wasn’t sure you’d be here,” Matt commented, still not opening the SUV.“Storm’s supposed to be blowing in.”“Not yet, and I love this kind of weather.I missed winter, so it’s good to have it again.”“Where did you live before Dare?” he asked, finally opening the car door, leash in hand.Henry shoved the door open the rest of the way and raced off before Matt could catch him.Jane had seen it happen before, so she knew what would happen next.He would swear a blue streak at the dog and then chase him around the park for ten minutes until the dog tired of the game.“Dammit, Henry!” Matt called out.She thrust Rufus’ leash at him.“Here, take him and get Annie out.Her leash is on the seat.I’ll get Henry.” When he took it, she headed after the errant dog.“Henry,” she called.Fortunately, no one else was in the park due to the brisk wind and falling temperatures because technically all dogs were supposed to be leashed.Not that everyone followed that rule.Owners could be just as disobedient as their dogs.“Come, Henry.Right now!” She yelled across the park and watched him chase his tail and then kick up some snow.As she walked toward the dog, she drew up to her full height and stared him down.“Sit!”He stopped nuzzling the snow and looked up, as if to say, are you talking to me?“Yes, I’m talking to you, Henry.Now sit.Sit.And if you’re good, I’ll give you a treat.”His ears perked up at that.“Yeah, he knows that one, all right,” Matt said when he appeared beside her, leading her dogs.“He gained five pounds before I started cutting back on that carrot.”“Well, we’re going to use it as an incentive today so we don’t run ourselves ragged chasing him.He has zero obedience skills.”“Don’t I know it? If Annie weren’t so girly, I’d gladly trade Henry for her.She just stood there smiling as I clipped her leash.I almost teared up.”She glanced over and laughed.“Been bad, huh?”“He turned over the water bowl three times this morning.The kitchen floor hasn’t been cleaner.He’s trying to break me.Of course, then he lays his head in my lap and acts all sweet, making me forget the other stuff for a little while.”“He just doesn’t like rules.Who does? Henry.Treat.Now.Come.”Henry regarded her warily.“You don’t always give him a treat when you use that word, do you?”Matt sighed.“I’ve been desperate.”“Right.But now he doesn’t trust the offer.We’ll work on that too.” She grabbed a bone from her pocket and held it up so the dog would know she wasn’t faking it.Finally, he pranced forward warily, eyes dancing.Yeah, you little devil.You know you’re running him a merry race.“Step back a bit.I want him to come the full way and not…”“Take off because of me.Got it.”He stepped back, and she waited.Sure enough, the dog came forward.“Now sit,” she said.Henry sat and inclined his head toward the treat.“Only when your leash is attached, my man.” She clipped it on and then gave him the treat [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]