Page 35 of Caught in the Crossfire

“I’m from a small town outside of Summerton.”

She scowled. “You’re from Liberty?”

Fitzgerald inclined his head.

This man must be related to the woman killed in Mason’s accident. “I’m sorry for the loss of your family members, Mr. Fitzgerald, but Mason paid for his mistake. You can’t keep harassing him because you’re still hurting. The law says he has the right to a life. Do yourself a favor, and go home.”

“You’re still going to marry him? Even after what he did?”

“I love him. He’s a good man who learned a hard lesson. I’m honored that he asked me to marry him.”

“You’re making a huge mistake. You can’t trust him. What if the next time he drinks and drives, you’re in the car with him or your kids? Think hard before you marry him. I don’t want what happened to my sister-in-law and niece to happen to you.”

“You don’t know him, Mr. Fitzgerald. Mason is a man of honor and integrity. Go home and be with your family. They need you to be strong for them.”

Cheeks flushing, he grabbed her wrist and squeezed. “You’re a fool, Ms. Copeland. I’m trying to save you from my sister-in-law’s fate. She was murdered by your boyfriend before she could watch her baby grow up. I don’t want the same to happen to you.”

Before Nicole could tear her arm from his grasp, Linc latched onto Fitzgerald’s wrist with a punishing grip. “Leave now or I will throw you out.”

The other man hissed and released his hold on Nicole. “I’m just trying to help.”

Nicole held up her hand to hold off Linc’s rebuttal. “I understand your motivation, but this conversation is over. If you don’t have a pet for me to groom, I’ll have to ask you to leave Pet Palace.”

He stepped back. “I hope you don’t regret your decision.” Fitzgerald strode out the door as Heidi and Charlie came in.

Her eyebrows rose as she approached the desk. “Unhappy customer?”

“Just a man with an agenda.” As Linc and Heidi exchanged greetings, Nicole came around the desk and rubbed Charlie’s head. “Hey, buddy. How’s it going?”

The dog barked.

“That good, huh? I guess Heidi and Quinn have been treating you like a prince.” She turned to Heidi. “The usual?”

“Please. We’ve been on three S & R missions in the past three weeks. Charlie found two lost hikers and a lost child.”

Nicole took his leash and led him toward the workroom. “Good job, buddy.” To Heidi, she said, “I’ll give you a call when he’s ready. Probably three hours, though.”

“No rush. See you soon, Charlie.”

Linc remained silent until the door closed behind Heidi. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Mostly. Fitzgerald had a grip on him.

“If you’re not, Mason will take it out on me.”

Nicole had started to turn but froze at the instructor’s words. “You can’t be afraid of him. You have tons more training than he does. Mason might get in a few punches, but you could wipe the floor with him. Don’t do it, though. I’m partial to that handsome face of his.”

“You don’t know your husband-to-be very well, Nic.”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you think he’s been doing when you work late?”

“I assumed he was at home or running errands.”

“Even though he can’t have a weapon, he’s been training hard with Bravo and Durango on self-defense skills.”

No wonder he was in such good shape. Nicole had thought his prime physique was from the construction work. “Why?”

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