Page 283 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“That’s my house.”

She smiled. “That’s a lot of house for a single guy, isn’t it?”

“I don’t plan to remain single forever.” He saw the panic in her eyes but didn’t say anything to ease it. If they were going to give this a chance, she had to know he wanted more than a fling.

She ordered linguine in a pink sauce with crabs and shrimp, and he got the prime rib. They were both too full for dessert, but he promised to bring her back to try their decadent layered chocolate cake.

“Want to take a walk around the lake?” he asked after he paid the check.

“I’d love that.” She slipped her hand into his.

“Do you mind if Ruger joins us?”

“Ruger?”

“My German shepherd.”

“You’re full of surprises, Wade Brunner.” She grinned. “I’d love to meet your dog.”

When they arrived at his house, Ruger was waiting at the door. He sniffed Emily’s hand.

“You can pet him.”

She did, and Ruger leaned against her. He never did that with anyone but Wade. “I think it’s official. He likes you better than me.”

“I don’t know about that, but he’s friendly.”

“He’s a retired military dog.”

She scratched Ruger behind his ears.

Wade shook his head. It was amazing to see her work a miracle on his dog. “Want to go for a walk?”

The German shepherd disappeared down the hall and returned with his leash. “Good boy.” He turned to face Emily. “Ready?”

She nodded. “Will you show me your house when we get back?”

“I’d love to.”

Emily’s stride was much shorter than Wade’s, so he couldn’t keep up their usual speed, but Ruger was patient with the slower pace. When they arrived back at his property, he opened the gate into the fenced part of his yard for the dog, and then took Emily by the hand and steered her toward the water’s edge.

“It’s beautiful out here at night.” She smiled up at him. “You chose a lovely place to live.”

“I like it, but it gets lonely living in that big house alone.”

“I get that.” She looked down at her feet. “Sometimes I feel that way, too, and my house is tiny compared to yours.”

“Will you allow me to take you out again, Em?”

“Tonight was wonderful, but I don’t think it would be smart to repeat it.”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Let’s not spoil the present by talking about the future. You promised me a tour, remember?”

He smiled but didn’t feel it. The night had gone perfectly, so he couldn’t imagine what spooked her. Probably too much thinking about the past. “Let’s have that tour.”

The next morning,Wade followed up on a tip they’d received on the whereabouts of Lester Parsons. Their suspect was hiding out on his boat in Indian River Marina in Rehoboth, Delaware.

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