Page 24 of No Bones About It

His grin was feral, and he easily lifted her up so she sprawled on top of him, their bodies lined up in the best way. He trailed his hands up and down her torso and then rested them on her butt. “Me too. One day, we’ll need to try this in an actual bed.”

She laughed and leaned down to kiss him. “We will.”

A bark had them both looking toward the barn door. Olaf sat in the doorway, head tilted to the side as if asking what they were doing.

“Your little friend is getting braver. Talk to him and see if he comes.”

Garrett’s hands continued to graze her body as he spoke. “Hey, buddy. Come on in, and we’ll find some food for you. Kimi can check out that leg of yours. Come here, boy.”

Grover whinnied from his stall as if inviting the dog in. Oscar leaned out to watch.

Garrett shifted slowly to a sitting position, keeping her straddling him. When she started to climb off, he squeezed her butt. “Not yet. Don’t want to scare off the dog with any sudden moves.”

She snorted out a laugh and ground down into his erection, makinghim stifle a groan. Then his mouth was on hers, and all thought fled from her brain.

When they broke apart, her body tingled everywhere, and she considered stripping him naked right there. Then her alarm rang, and she thumped her head softly onto his shoulder. “Damn. I’ve got to go.”

Garrett wrapped her in a hug that warmed her from the inside out. “Okay. But I’ll see you later.”

Not a question. She nodded anyway.

It took another few kisses, but she finally peeled herself off of him. “I need to get to my rounds. Those calves aren’t going to inoculate themselves.”

He grinned at her but didn’t protest. “Do you need me to check on your mare and those kittens?”

She leaned forward to kiss him again. “I should be back around lunch, but if I’m longer, that would be great. Thanks for a fun night.”

Then she grabbed her backpack and headed out. Olaf sat on Garrett’s back porch, watching her. “I’ll leave food with him. I promise.”

After she showered and changed, she checked on the new cats and the other animals. The pigs were content and making friends with the Angora goats in the next paddock. Maybe she’d try them together to give both groups some extra stimulation.

With her distracted mind, Snoops almost got a chunk of her shirt when she was filling his feeding trough. “Sorry, Snoops. If you were friendlier, we’d put someone else in here with you. I’ve got feelers out for another donkey, but so far, I haven’t heard of any.” Probably because she was looking to rescue one that needed help. She wasn’t giving up on that.

Herone-dayidea of hosting a petting zoo for local kids and horse rides for people with various disabilities and injuries was still far off, but she figured Snoops would fit in one way or another. “Either you’ll be great with the kids, or you’ll help teach them that not all animals like to be touched. One day, buddy, and either way, you’re part of it.”

He tolerated her pats on the neck and her reassurances. “I think we need more goats, too. Would you like some pygmy goats? They’re cute.I don’t think you mind the goats. I’ll let you know if I find any. Okay, I need to head out. Have a good day.”

She loaded up what she’d need for the morning into the truck. Before she headed out, she texted Garrett.I left a bowl of food outside my door for Olaf if you want to grab it. I taped an extra barn key to the bottom for you.

That way, he could check on the cats if she was late. She liked the thought of him having a key. He was a good man, and she trusted him. The only other person with a key was Marcus. She’d left one with him in case she was out on calls and someone needed something to help an animal. The deputy had proven himself trustworthy from the day he’d arrived in Phail.

Now, her circle of trusted people was growing by leaps and bounds.

She climbed into the truck, but her phone beeped with a return text from Garrett.Thanks. Have a good morning. Stay safe.

His protective instincts were showing, and it made her smile. She’d always taken care of herself, but having someone there at her side was appealing.

She was still grinning as she headed out to inoculate calves. Garrett would be the perfect person to help her run the equine therapy program and petting zoo.

And look at her, spinning happy visions of a future that included a man at her side. She wondered how he’d feel about a little clandestine recon of a dog-fighting ring.

CHAPTER 9

Going To The Dogs

The days flew by for Garrett. It had been a long time since he’d had that feeling. Same with the contented one that filled him.

His buddies dropped by regularly, both to help and to visit. He visited them, too, to assist Levi to get the hops in the ground and marveling at what Isla was working on in her greenhouses.

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