Page 41 of Split Screen Scream
“Remember what I said about crating her. If you let her have the run of the house, she’ll chew up things while you’re gone. Puppies love to chew.”
“Yes, I will. Do you think I should look for a pet sitter or a doggie day care? She’ll be home by herself.”
“Can you come home for lunch to let her out?”
“I’m pretty sure Mrs. Brown will let me go a few minutes over if I explain what I’m doing. I often stay late when we have big orders, and she knows the work will get done.”
“Okay, good. Then I don’t think you need a sitter.”
They played with Lacey for a while, and then Tanya left.
Christie couldn’t wait to get settled into her new routine, just her and Lacey. Who needed a man, anyway? The two of them would be just fine.
Reed turnedhis phone back on after retrieving it from his locker. He saw Christie had left a message for him and smiled. It was the first time she’d called him. Before, it was always him calling and setting up their dates or just chatting with her. Did she miss him?
He pushed the button to listen to her message, and then frowned. The frown grew deeper the longer he listened.
Immediately, he dialed her number.
No answer.
“Christie are you all right? I just got your message. Damn, I hope you’re okay. Call me.”
He hung up the phone and scowled. It had been two days since she’d called. Terrified that someone had broken into her house. And then the long pause, and the breathing, and the hang up. Anything could’ve happened. This was not good.
He was going to find her as soon as he left the base. If she wasn’t at home, he’d try the shop.
* * *
It wasdark when he pulled up to her house, and he saw that her lights on. Why hadn’t she called him back?
He got out, walked to the front door, and knocked.
Inside, a dog started to bark.
She opened the door with a German Shepard pup at her feet who was furiously barking.
Relief flooded through him. She appeared safe. But then she went pale. Was she all right?
“Come in,” she said, without smiling, her voice brittle, an unspoken anger in her tone. “Meet Lacey.”
His stomach tightened. This wasn’t the greeting he’d expected. So few words. Not even the trace of a smile. And she was angry.
They hadn’t seen each other in weeks. Was she even glad he was back? Frustration coursed through him.
Damn it.He had to fix this.
“Lacey,” he said as he stepped through the doorway. The puppy barked and jumped around their feet. “Nice dog. When did you get her?”
“After the break-in.”
“So you did have an intruder.”
He closed his eyes for a second. When he looked at her again, he noted that she was watching his face.
She was so reserved. Had she moved on? Could she see his regret?
“I got your phone message a couple of hours ago,” he said.
