Page 32 of Midnight Secrets

He aimed the light at the ground near the fence and walked forward a couple steps before crouching in front of the hole. “It was definitely cut.” He touched an edge, then stood. “She didn’tget cut, did she?” He nodded to the dog. “That hole isn’t very big.”

“I don’t think so.” Concern pinched my features as I ran a hand through Pebbles’s fur. “I don’t feel anything.” I’d take a closer look later, just to be sure, but for now I was satisfied she was fine.

“Good. If you want, you can head inside. I’ll take a look around out here and make sure nothing else has been tampered with.” Oscar nodded toward the house.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. I’m guessing you’ve been out looking for her for a while. Go warm up.”

“Okay.” My nose and hands thanked him. “Can you come knock when you’re done?” I didn’t want to sit up, wondering if he was still out here looking for anything amiss.

“Yes.”

With a soft smile of thanks, I hurried away, ready to be warm. Next time, I’d grab my coat before wandering through the neighborhood.

“But there better not be a next time,” I muttered, dropping a kiss on Pebbles’s head.

Inside, I set her on the floor, then immediately went to the coffeemaker. I needed something to warm me up from the inside, and I had a whole bag of decaf in the cupboard.

Adding enough grounds to the carafe side of my dual-brew machine to make two cups, I hit start, then went to the window to watch Oscar search.

It felt weird to think of him by his given name. But he had a point. It seemed we were neighbors, and Pebbles was determined we got to know each other.

And really, was that so bad?

Maybe he was gruff the first time because it was early, and who expects to get accosted on a run at that hour by a Yorkie?

As far as his staying out of trouble comments went, I had a feeling that didn’t have much to do with me. He’d been very quick to leap to the conclusion I would stick my nose where it didn’t belong. Someone somewhere in his past had done so. I’d bet my real estate license on it.

The coffee machine gurgled, expelling the last of the coffee through the filter. I returned to the kitchen and took a mug from the cabinet to pour myself a cup. Oscar could have the rest if he wanted it.

Wrapping my hands around the mug, I wandered back to the window to wait.

And to wonder more about why someone would cut a hole in my fence. If the goal was to take Pebbles, or even to lure me out and harm me, they’d have to lay in wait. There was no guarantee Pebbles would go through the hole or that it would happen quickly. That hole could have been there for days.

Oscar’s flashlight bobbed outside the fence as he walked toward the gate. I watched him come through, then search the yard. There weren’t many places to hide back there. I had a shed and some lawn furniture. And the bushes, of course, but those weren’t big enough to conceal a person. I deliberately kept them low so they didn’t obstruct my view of the bay.

Pebbles, who’d snuggled up on her plush bed by the couch, suddenly raised her head and let out a little bark.

“It’s just your rescuer, sweetie.” I shushed her, and she settled.

A minute later, he approached the back door. I opened it for him, then stepped back so he could come inside.

Redness from the cold tinged his cheeks, and the wind had mussed the dark waves of his hair.

He looked good enough to eat.

I raised my coffee cup and took a sip, hiding the scowl that formed as I admonished my errant brain. Those kinds of thoughts were not helpful.

Lowering the mug, I cast a quick look at the kitchen. “I made coffee, if you’d like some to warm up. It’s decaf.”

“Actually, that sounds nice.” He rubbed his hands together, then blew on them. “It’s chillier than I expected. You get a breeze from the ocean. My house is more sheltered.”

“But my view is spectacular.” I flashed him a quick smile, then went into the kitchen and poured the rest of the coffee into a brown, hand-thrown ceramic mug. “Here.”

“Thanks.” He took it, cradling it in his large hands to warm them. “I didn’t see much. Near that hole, it looks like there might have been some food. I found?—”

Pebbles let out a series of barks, rising to her feet and spinning in a circle.

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