Page 45 of Puppy Love & Snowflake Kisses
“I’m sorry you’re going through this.” His deep voice was soft and comforting. “But it’s all going to work out. We’re so close to getting Odie back. You just have to keep going.”
He was right. She could do this. And hopefully, by the time she went to bed, Odie would be by her side.
She pulled back. Her gaze scanned the garage, and then she spotted some boxes on her father’s workbench. She went there. They were too tall on the bench so Parker lowered them to the ground for her.
When she opened the second box, she gasped. At last, she’d found the jewelry box. There wasn’t anything fancy about it. It had more classic, subtle lines.
She lifted it. “This is it.”
“Great.” He reached out for it. “Let’s take it in the house and see what we’re dealing with.”
As they stepped out of the garage, big snowflakes fluttered down, landing on them. Even though she normally loved a wintry evening, this evening she didn’t love. Not at all.
She glanced into the darkness and wondered if the dognapper was watching them. Did he see that they’d found the jewelry box? And if so, did that mean he’d bring Odie to the park? He better or he wasn’t getting the jewelry box.
In the kitchen, she flicked on the lights. They kicked off their boots by the door. While he placed the jewelry box on the kitchen island, she slipped off her winter coat. She flung it over the back of one of the stools.
She quietly watched as he examined the jewelry box. He opened each drawer and door. There was nothing inside, just like she’d said. Belle sat up straighter when he once again pulled out each drawer. She leaned in close as one by one, he felt around in each opening, searching for a secret compartment.Please, let there be something there.
“I don’t understand,” Belle said. “Why does he want this?”
Parker continued to stare at the jewelry box. “We’re missing something.”
She checked the time. She only had nineteen minutes to get back to the park and leave the jewelry box. “It doesn’t matter. We have the jewelry box. And now I can get Odie back.”
Parker nodded as he continued to stare at the box.
“I’m going to change my jeans.” When Parker sent her a puzzled look, she added, “They got wet when I fell in the snow.”
He once more nodded. “Then we can go.”
“We?”
He arched a brow. “You didn’t think you were going alone, did you?”
“Yes.” She pressed her hands to her hips. “Yes, I did.”
He shook his head. “Not going to happen.”
“But I have to. Didn’t you hear the guy on the phone? He told me to come alone or no deal.” Standing no more than a foot from him, she looked into his eyes—dreamy brown eyes. In their depths, she saw his concern. She spoke softly. “You don’t have to worry. I’m going to be all right.”
“Belle…”
“This is just going to be a quick exchange.” She reached out, resting her hand on his shoulder. Her gaze never left his. “It’s sweet of you to worry, but this is Kringle Falls where nothing ever happens.”
“Well, something has happened now. And we still don’t know anything about the suspect.”
“As long as I give him what he wants, he’ll give me Odie.”
Parker shook his head. “It might not be that easy. You have no idea what might happen.”
“And you worry too much. I appreciate all of your help, but I have to do this alone.”
A muscle in his jaw flexed, as though he were trying to hold back his disagreement. He stared into her eyes, making her already racing heart beat faster. “I can’t let you go alone.”
“You can’t stop me. I have to do whatever is necessary to get Odie back.” Knowing that time wasn’t on her side, she didn’t wait for his response. She turned on her heel and headed for the stairs.
She glanced over her shoulder and noticed him staring at the jewelry box like he was expecting it to reveal its secrets to him. She hoped that was the case, but either way, it was her ticket to getting back her sweet puppy. Tonight, she’d be fussing over Odie and tucking him in for the night. She couldn’t wait.
