Page 15 of Tucker

But the way she worked him now? The little manipulator knew exactly what she was doing. God help him, she did it well.

“Why don’t you have one?” she asked.

It would be so easy to bend down, to put his mouth to hers—or to draw her up onto the bed with him. He mentally shook his head to clear it. “I do now. Five, in fact.”

That startled her and she leaned away again. “You’re going to keep them all?”

“Maybe.” Conscious of his weakening resolve, he handed her the pup and stood, making the mama dog go on alert. “Come on, girl. While the babysitter is near, you want to do your business?”

Once more proving her trust and intelligence, the dog hustled out the bedroom door ahead of him.

“Wow, she’s a smart one.”

“Very.” Looking at Kady, Tucker knew he didn’t stand a chance. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

He didn’t bother to tell her that her uncle, the local vet, was due to arrive any minute to check on the dog and pups. With luck, having a relative around would get her on her way, the sooner the better.

Before he jumped the gun and asked more questions about virgins...and what she’d meant about not wanting anyone except him.

CHAPTER THREE

THEBLASTED,STUBBORNsheriff was dodging her. Kady was sure of it. Three days ago her Uncle Jordan had shown up to check over the animals, catching her in Tucker’s bedroom. Why that should have made her face red hot, she couldn’t say, but Jordan had definitely noticed.

He’d given her a long look that promised more questions later, then he’d gotten busy with the dogs. “Did you know they’re all males?”

“Really?” She’d grinned. “Maybe we should name them Sawyer, Morgan, Gabe and Jordan.”

“Your grandmother wouldn’t be pleased if you named a dog after her sons.”

The grin turned into a laugh. “Bull. She’d love it.”

Jordan smiled. “Yeah, she probably would.” And he’d gone back to his work with the animals with single-minded—and gentle—concentration.

In her opinion, Jordan Sommerville was the best veterinarian in Buckhorn. Heck, in Kentucky.

Maybe the best ever, anywhere.

He was the third son, a changeling to hear the family tell it, with Uncle Sawyer the eldest, then Uncle Morgan, and her dad the youngest. The family could be rowdy, especially her dad and Uncle Morgan, but Jordan was the quiet type, with a voice that could melt the hardest heart, or soothe the most frightened animal.

She loved them all, so,somuch, but a big close family meant that someone was always in her business. Jordan, at least, was a little more subtle than the others.

It wasn’t uncommon for him to do a house call, especially for a friend, and she supposed they all considered Tucker that. She’d been relieved to know the dog and her babies were okay, but she really could have used more alone time with the sheriff before family intruded.

But intrude, they had.

She’d been summoned to Uncle Sawyer’s house for a family gathering tomorrow, which was code forwe want to know what you’re up toandnone of your secrets are safe.

Her family had tried a more casual approach, first with her dad dropping in with the suspicious pretense of checking up on her after her “ordeal.” Ha. Tucker was the one injured, not her. It had taken all her finesse to dance around his barely veiled curiosity.

Then Morgan and Sawyer had caught her at lunch where they’d tossed out multiple baited questions about her job and whether or not she had enough free time.

Since then, her cousins had sent her various texts inquiring about the upcoming craft bazaar, and the community picnic after that, and the skiing competition...always wanting to know if she’d be bringing a date.

So frustrating.

She knew she’d be the topic of conversation at Uncle Sawyer’s house, and she didn’t like it. Oh, it was all fun and games when someone else was in the hot seat, but things were still so uncertain with Tucker.

---