Page 67 of Pick Yourself Up
After supper, he took her hand. “Anything you want to work on at the B&B tonight?”
She nodded, and they headed out, Boomer at their side.
Inside, Boomer moved off to sniff the house, and Gray backed her against the door, kissing her brainless.
When he lifted his head, he tugged her into a dance stance and moved them around the room. “What are we doing?”
He grinned at her. “On the day we met, I promised you a dance. As we walked up here, I realized I hadn’t followed through on that promise.”
Her heart softened. She’d been bleeding on the hotel floor, injured and terrified. He’d talked her down from her fear and told her she was brave and that she was probably a good dancer. She thought she’d dared him into promising her that dance. The memory had her smiling as they moved.
They swayed around the room while Boomer trotted up the stairs to check out the rest of the house. He always ensured the entire building was safe.
Gray leaned down to kiss her again. This time, when he pulled back, he grinned. “Better. Okay, what did you want to do?”
She laughed. “Well, I know what I want to do, but I don’t feel safe enough here yet.”
He nodded, face softening in understanding. “And we can get to that once we’re back in the other farmhouse. For now, put me to work.”
With some effort, Amber yanked her mind away from making love with Gray. “I’d like to start painting here on the main floor. The library is finally clear of supplies. I’d like to paint the walls and shelves in there.”
He nodded. “We should be able to get a full coat on tonight. I’ll head upstairs and get the ladders. You grab the paint and brushes.”
He jogged up the stairs, and she headed to the mudroom. They made a good team.
Yanking her gaze away from him, she spun in a circle before she moved to get the paint. Tonight. She’d tell him she loved him tonight. When they were in bed and she was snuggled in his strong arms.
She danced her way into the mudroom for the brushes when Boomer barked from somewhere behind her. His alert bark had her turning to see what was wrong.
A crash sounded behind her as the mudroom door banged open and the alarms shrieked.
She tried to run, but strong arms grabbed her—one arm wrapped around her waist, the other covering her face with a cloth as she screamed.
Amber kicked and pulled at the arm around her waist. She tried to fight back, but in moments, everything faded to black.
Gray’s heart nearly rocketed out of his body at the sound of Boomer’s bark. He hadn’t heard that tone before, but it wasn’t friendly. Angry. Calling for help.
Gray was already running to the stairs when he heard a crash, then Amber screamed as the alarms wailed.
He flew down the stairs, only pausing to grab his gun from his ankle holster.
Boomer barked fiercely, and Gray followed the sound, trying to lock down the terror.
He found Boomer in the kitchen, barking at the closed door that led to the mudroom.
Trusting the dog and his instincts, Gray flattened against the wall. He wanted to rush in, but his training was better.
He pulled out his phone and texted one word to Knox. Help. Then he silenced the phone and shoved it back in his pocket. The alarms probably had them moving, but he needed to be sure.
Boomer continued to bark, desperate to get through the door. Weapon out and ready, Gray flung open the door and aimed.
Boomer raced in first and, before Gray realized his intent, the dog ran through the mess of glass and wood and out the broken door.
Gray followed him to the porch, keeping low and opening his senses as wide as they’d go.
The work he’d done in the gardens meant he mostly had a clear sightline to the other farmhouse. The jerk wouldn’t take Amber that way. He’d head for a vehicle.
Where was Boomer?
