Page 9 of Perfect Harmony

“Incoming,” Kira said.

The fawn coloured Great Dane bounded intothe kitchen. Tail wagging madly, he skidded to a stop next to Grace andimmediately leaned against her.

She’d already braced her body for hisgreeting, and she patted his side as he nudged her with his big head. Shepetted his head and grabbed his collar when he started to move toward Connor.

“Tank, sit.”

He sat obediently and leaned his head againsther hip as she stroked the length of his neck.

“I swear, after Gideon, Tank listens to youbest,” Kira said. “When I tell him to sit, he doesn’t pay any attention.”

“You’re not stern enough with him.”

Gideon’s low voice sent shivers down Grace’sspine. Her body tensed, and Tank cocked his head to stare up at her. Couldthe dog feel her tension? Probably.

“I’m plenty stern with him,” Kira said.

Connor grinned at her. “Tank outweighs youby sixty pounds. Of course he isn’t going to listen to you.”

“Cork it, Dr. MacMillan,” Kira said.

“How’s the hand?” Gideon had moved up onher left, but Grace kept her gaze on Tank. She didn’t need to look at Gideon,she knew what he looked like.

Connor made a face. “Not healing fast enough,as far as I’m concerned.”

“It’s only been two and a half weeks,” Kirasaid. “You need to give it time, honey.”

“I guess. Food’s ready to go,” Connorsaid. “We need some napkins though.”

“Top cupboard on the left,” Kira said.

“I’ll get them.” Grace hurried forward andopened the cupboard before Connor could. She snagged the package of napkinsand smiled at Connor. “I’ll carry them outside for you.”

He grimaced. “I can carry napkins, Grace.”

“Yeah, I know. But it’ll give me a chanceto tell you all the juicy gossip you’ve missed at work.”

Still ignoring Gideon, she skirted aroundTank and left the kitchen. Connor caught up to her in the hallway and theywalked into the sunroom. “So, what’s this juicy gossip?”

She hesitated at the patio doors. “Um…”

“I knew it,” Connor said. “We work at a dentalclinic, there’s no juicy gossip in a dental clinic.”

She laughed. “Dude, I work at the dentalclinic. Youownthe dental clinic.”

He stared at his cast. “Want to hearsomething really pathetic? I miss the clinic. I’d kill to fill a cavity or pulla tooth. Being a dentist with just one working hand is annoying as hell.”

She squeezed his good arm. “We miss youtoo. Graham said he was going to talk to you about coming back part time atleast. Did he?”

Connor nodded. “Yes. It’ll be all admin stuff,obviously, but at least it gives me something to do. I’m going stir-crazy athome.”

He glanced at his cast again, the regretwritten all over his face. Grace gave his arm another squeeze. “Hey, peoplemake mistakes, right?”

“Yeah, but smashing my fist into Daniel’sface in a fit of jealous rage has got to be in my top three too-stupid-to-livemoments.”

“Is he here tonight?” Grace scanned the yardthrough the patio doors but didn’t see the firefighter.

“Kira didn’t invite him.”

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