Chapter 15

To Emma’s Home

Monday 5:30 p.m.

Emma’s anxious voice had Killian dropping the tarp and cones he’d been using to preserve evidence, draw his gun and take off running.

What had she discovered?

Was she in danger?

When she didn’t yell again, he thought about calling her name. But the possibility he could somehow jeopardize her safety had him continuing in silence.

Once he’d reached Sydney’s driveway, Killian navigated the ruts, trying to follow the fresher footprints. As he neared the bend, he slowed his steps, listening, hoping to hear something...anything to assure him his girl was safe.

A copse of pine trees grew close to the pavement on his right, and for a moment, he considered detouring into them. But the deep snow and debris would diminish his possibility of stealth.

“Killian! Hurry!”

Emma’s cry for help had him forgoing quiet for speed as he continued to race up the main path.

“Killian, it’s Sydney.” Emma called again. “He needs help.”

The realization Emma wasn’t in danger had Killian relaxing enough to run quickly toward her voice. He shoved his gun back into his holster and didn’t stop until he reached where she was kneeling next to Sydney’s prone body.

“Is he …?”

“No,” Emma denied. “But he needs a doctor.”

Killian made the call to request an ambulance and then scanned the area. Sydney was lying on his back, his feet facing the road. He was still wearing the running suit from earlier and pieces of mail were scattered around him.

“Has he moved since you arrived?” Killian asked, looking around for signs of foul play.

“No.” Emma stood and pushed her hands into the pockets of her coat. “I did a cursory exam but saw no obvious wounds.”

She toed the snow with her boot, looking so defeated Killian couldn’t stop himself and pulled her into his arms. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she sighed. “It’s just …”

The sound of the siren had her stepping back and giving him a lop-sided grin.

“I know,” Killian acknowledged, dropping his arms and immediately feeling the loss. “I’d better go.”

“Go,” she sent him a shy smile. “I’ll wait with Sydney.”

He wanted to say more, but with a little nod, donned his professional cloak and went to meet the others.

As he walked away, Emma couldn’t help but wish she could follow and put the last hour behind her. She knew solving the mystery was Killian’s job, but she couldn’t help but ask herself questions. The victims, after all, were her patients.

“But what happened to you, Sydney? Did you slip on the ice or was something more nefarious at play?”

As she’d expected, he didn’t answer. But the mystery of what had happened between when she’d seen Sydney and Buster in the park to now haunted her.

It wasn’t long before the silence was shattered by slamming doors and two men rounded a corner with a stretcher.

“How long has he been unresponsive?” one of them asked as they bent over Sydney’s prone body.

“I don’t know,” Emma shrugged, “at least half an hour.”

But if the accident occurred just before they arrived, would Buster have felt as cold as he did?

“Okay, thanks.” He wrote something down and slipped the pad into his pocket. “Investigator Reade said he would meet you on the road. He was talking to Sheriff Prince.”

Emma left them to do their job and retraced her steps to the main road to see Killian, Dylan, and Rusty huddled together. While she’d been waiting with Sydney, the temperature had dropped, and it was beginning to snow. And as a chill worked its way up her spine, she suddenly had a need to be somewhere else.

The sight of Buster’s body drew her attention to where his brown fur was quickly becoming white from the falling snow. And seeing several tarps setting on Dylan’s car, she appropriated one and covered the dog’s body.

“Emma?” Killian suddenly materialized. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” she shrugged, “I know you still need him, but …” her words faded when she couldn’t come up with what to say to explain why she needed to cover the dog’s remains.

“It’s fine.” His eyes said he understood what she was feeling better than she did. “Are you ready to go home?”

“Go home?” She frowned as he guided her to the car. “Aren’t you still needed here?”

“Aye,” Killian opened the passenger side door, “but Dylan and Rusty can handle it while I drive you home.”

“Have you learned anything yet?” Emma asked when he’d climbed in.

“We got a nice cast of the tire tread.” Killian started the car and turned in the opposite direction, “Sorry, we have to go the long way.”

“That’s okay.” She leaned her head back and tried to relax. “So, a tire cast? But, since it’s winter, don’t most cars in Swan Harbor have the same winter tires?”

“I didn’t say it was going to be easy,” Killian winked. “Nothing worthwhile ever is.”

Sexy flitted through her mind whenever he winked at her and it always disrupted her concentration.

“So now what?”

Killian gave her a few details about the investigative process. While Emma cared about finding the person who was targeting dogs, he also knew she had reached a point where she didn’t want to think; just wanted to be.

“How’s Leroy working out?” He sent her a crooked grin as the little man’s timing still annoyed him.

“Oh, he’s fine,” she smiled. “I just don’t ask too many questions, and we get along.”

Killian chuckled, as the image of Leroy laying on Audrey’s floor was still a bit too fresh in his mind. “A little free with information, is he?”

“You could say that. But at least he doesn’t pass out and can help with surgery.”

“Like Sadie?” Her look of surprise had him adding, “I heard it from Gray.”

“Ah, okay. Sadie was pretty embarrassed. It’s good she didn’t hurt herself when she fell.”

“No more strawberry disasters?”

Emma laughed as he’d hoped. “No, thank goodness.”

Once he turned onto her property, he followed her directions around the main building to the opposite side of her clinic. “I didn’t realize there were separate entrances.”

“This one leads directly to my apartment.”

“Good to know.” His flippant reply was out before he could stop it.

She sent him an ‘is that the best you can do’ look, reminding him that with Emma their best encounters were when he wasn’t pretending. Why then were there moments when his mouth got away from him?

Because change is hard, the voice inside reminded him.

“You can just let me out right there.” Emma waved to a spot in front of her door.

He decided there was no bloody way he was going to just let her out and parked next to her yellow bug.

“Don’t you need to rush back?”

“Emma.” Killian removed the key and shoved it, along with his hands, into his pockets. “earlier today, when …”

But there was something in her eyes telling him to tread lightly, pushing him to amend what he was going to say. “It takes a special person to do what you do.” And when the veil he’d seen in her eyes lifted, he relaxed.

“In my line of work, I’ve seen some really bad things.” Killian forced the image of Violet’s body away and added, “But I’m not sure I would have had the stomach to do what you did with Buster.”

“You do what you’re called to do, right?”

“Aye,”

“Good luck, you know, with your clue gathering.”

“Killian Reade always gets what he’s after,” he quipped.

The look she gave him as he exited the car had him thinking through his words again, “I, I didn’t mean that like it sounded,” he stuttered. “I, I just meant I’m a good investigator.”

“Oh, I know.”

But the tone of her voice had him mentally kicking his own arse for getting too close to that line yet again.

She stepped in front of him to unlock her door and Killian couldn’t stop the image of bringing her home from a real date. His imagination had him tugging her into his arms and tasting her lips. “Emma, I …”

When she turned toward him, the pack on her shoulder unbalanced her, causing her to fall hard against his chest. His arms unconsciously tightened around her, and his body jumped in reaction to her nearness.

Emma’s moss green eyes locked with his, making him want to promise her the world. Her pink lips parted, exposing just the tips of her white teeth. He was so close that every time she exhaled her warm breath sent tiny shivers up his spine.

Cor blimey, he wanted to kiss her. Just a taste. Just a little taste. But would that be enough?

No, never.

It would be so easy for him to lean down and seal her mouth with his. At what cost, though?

Earlier at the park, he’d thought she was ready. But moments ago, when he was going to bring up their talk, an almost panicked flicker had come and gone in her eyes.

Be her friend.

Be patient.

Once again, he found the need to rely on some untapped force deep inside, deciding the move had to be Emma’s. He dug into that resource and lowered his mouth to kiss her gently on the forehead.

“Killian?”

The look in Emma’s eyes when they flew open gave him hope.

“Lock up behind you, Doc.”

He trailed a finger across her petal soft cheek. “Thank you for your help with Allen.”

“You’re uh,” she stammered, “welcome.”

“Let me know when I can pick up my kittens.” Killian tore himself away and with a jaunty wave, jogged to the car.

But as he drove away, the view of her still standing in front of her door told him he’d made the right move.

Veterinarian Clinic, Thursday 2:00 p.m.

A few days later, Emma waved goodbye to Molly and Wilby, and instead of doing paperwork got lost in the memory of an earlier phone call from Killian.

“Hello,” she answered, somewhat breathlessly.

“Doc,” Killian’s husky voice teased the cilia in her ear. “How are my girls?”

Emma swallowed hard, the image of Killian’s blue eyes as he bent toward her on Monday still having the power to get to her. “Your girls?” she barely squeaked out.

“Aye,” his chuckle was low and sexy, confident in how he was affecting her. “Trudi and...”

“Nina!” The fog cleared from her head in time for her to realize it wasn’t she he was referring to, but his new kittens.

“Huh!” Killian practically huffed. “How did you know Nina was the other kitten I would choose?”

Emma giggled, “I’m not the only one who’s an open book,” she tossed his own words back. “And your girls are fine and ready for their new home.”

“That’s ah fine.” He stammered just like she’d done when he’d kissed her forehead.

His hesitant reply had her heart turning to mush. “Just fine?” she teased, remembering how her same response to him had made him crazy.

“Okay, more than fine,” Killian blurted. “But bloody hell, Emma. What if I cock up and harm comes to those little buggers?”

Emma’s knees joined her mushy heart, turning to jelly all over his concern for a pair of barely one-pound kittens, “You’ll be fine. Trust me.”

“I do, Emma,” his weary sigh came through the line.

“What is it, Killian?”

“It’s Sydney.”

“He’s not …”

“No,” Killian hurried to assure her. “He’s fine … at least physically, that is.”

“I sense a but is coming,” Emma guessed.

“Aye, Doc.” Killian acknowledged. “Seems Sydney’s suffering from some form of amnesia.”

“He can’t remember anything?”

“Let me clarify,” Killian specified. “The last thing he remembers is running in the park with Buster, after that … nothing until he woke up in the hospital.”

“Which means, he could have seen something, but we don’t know, right?”

The conversation had worked its way back to his kittens and after promising she would send him a list of the needed necessities, they hung up.

Were they going to catch this person before more blood was shed?

Millicent hopped up on her desk and spread herself out across the computer keyboard. “I needed that.” Emma scolded, but couldn’t stop from scratching under the cat’s chin.

“This was your goal all along, wasn’t it?” Emma crooned to her purring pet.

With what could have been an excited trill, the cat stood and moved closer to rub her head against Emma’s hand. “Already spoiled, aren’t you?” But then again, that’s what they’re for, right” she decided, remembering how sick the feline had been when she was found.

“Emma,” Sadie called from the front. “Come quick.”

“Please don’t let it be another hit and run,” Emma whispered to Millicent, giving her one more pat on her way to the front.

“Sadie, it’s not …” Emma reached the doorway, but was quickly brought to a halt by the sight before her. “Do I even want to know?”

“Oh, these aren’t all from Gray. These roses,” Sadie tapped the huge bouquet next to her, “are from my fiancé. But those,” she indicated the heart-shaped mylar balloons bobbing around the room, are for you … kind of.”

“But why?” Emma glanced at all the balloons, unwilling to admit how hard she was fighting to keep her lips from curling up.

“Emma,” Sadie scolded, “duh, it’s Valentine’s Day.”

“But, but I don’t have a Valentine.” Yet, her subconscious whispered. You could, though.

“Well, like I said,” Sadie handed her a red envelope. “They are for you, kind of. Except two of them and this,” she gave her a pink envelope, “explains.”

“Oh.”

The writing on the outside of the envelopes had Emma’s heart climbing into her throat. Instead of opening them, though, she turned the attention back to Sadie’s gift. “Should I ask how you rated four-dozen roses?”

“Five dozen,” Sadie giggled, laying a magazine on the counter next to the roses. “I bought a few items from that magazine and he’s,” she winked, “thanking me.”

“Rebecca’s Fantasies.” Emma flipped through the pages. “Fulfilled his fantasies, did you?”

Sadie’s chuckle was low and naughty. “You have that all wrong, my friend. It was he that filled …”

“La la la,” Emma interrupted laughingly. “Between you and Leroy, I feel like a voyeur.”

“You never know, Emma,” Sadie winked. “Might give you some ideas for when you and Killian …”

Emma had gotten used to Sadie’s innuendos and let her prattle on for several minutes. It was only when the door opened, and a well-dressed older gentleman entered with a mixed-breed Canis lupus familiaris.

“Captain Jack!” Sadie rushed around the counter to hug the newcomer. “And Bandit!” She scratched the dog’s head. “Have you met the new doctor, Emma Foster.”

Emma stepped forward, and held her hand out to greet the newcomer, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You,” But when his eyes met hers, his voice faltered, and a surprised look crossed his face.

She sent Sadie a ‘what’s up look,’ and slowly let her hand fall back to her side.

“I’m sorry,” Captain Jack seemed to straighten, standing taller. “Your beauty overwhelmed me. It’s nice to meet you. We’ll just wait for you in the treatment room.”

“Any idea what that was about?” Emma asked once he and Bandit had disappeared into exam room #1.

Sadie shrugged. “Who knows? He’s a bit eccentric. Even been known to talk to the swan that shows up every summer.”

Since eccentricity seemed to fit Swan Harbor, Emma let it go and went to check on her patient.

“Aren’t you going to read the cards?” Sadie whispered.

“Later,” Emma mumbled, cramming them into her pocket.

“Chicken.”

Emma childishly stuck her tongue out. Yep, I’m chicken and scared of not being in control.

Sheriff’s Department, Thursday 5:00 p.m.

Killian spent the better part of his afternoon setting up a large board for evidence in the conference room. But even with it spread out before him, the pieces weren’t fitting together. There was still a part of the puzzle missing, and he was at a loss as to where to find it.

“Killian,” Dylan joined him in front of the board. “Tell me you have some good news.”

“It’s a dog’s breakfast.”

“What the hell,” Dylan laughed, “does a dog’s breakfast mean?” His face sobered, Killian thought, more than likely thinking of Wilby. “And I’m sure it’s anything but a dog’s breakfast for the dead dog’s owners.”

“Sorry, mate,” Killian apologized, “it just means this,” he waved at the board, “is a mess. Maybe, I cocked up, and the case has gone pear-shaped.”

The door slammed against the wall, breaking the quiet. “That means he thinks he’s screwed up.” Rusty waved a piece of paper around.

“What did you find?” Killian barked, hoping his partner had some good news.

Rusty sent him a cheeky grin, “Play nice or I won’t share.”

“Sorry,” Killian groused, pressing his molars together to stay quiet.

“Temper, temper.” Rusty handed over the paper.

Killian glanced at the page, “Bloody hell, Rusty. Is this all you have?”

“What did you expect, Reade?” Rusty snapped. “A name and an address?”

“That would have been nice.”

“Calm down, Children,” Dylan retorted. “Break it down for us, Killian.”

Killian pinned the paper Rusty had given him to the board and started at the beginning “There have been seven hit-and-run accidents spread throughout our town. As of today, only two canines have survived. Five dogs belonged to residents of Swan Harbor, with the other two considered strays.”

“Where were the strays found?” Dylan studied the map.

Killian pointed out the two places he had learned from Emma.

“So, most of the incidents are occurring around the perimeter of Swan Harbor,” Dylan murmured.

“Aye,” Killian indicated the two blue pins, “except Wilby and Bo Peep.”

“Why would that be?” Rusty wondered.

“I don’t know,” Killian grumbled, “but that brings me to witnesses. Dylan, you’re the only one who’s seen anything. I was hoping Sydney had, but …”

“Nothing new with him?” Dylan inquired.

“No.” Killian sighed. “But I have an appointment tomorrow, so maybe.”

“Good, good,” Dylan noted, “and canvassing?”

“That’s my agenda for tomorrow,” Rusty added.

“Okay, and this,” Dylan pointed to the paper Killian had just pinned next to the picture of Buster’s body.

“Unfortunately,” Killian grumbled, “nothing specific. The mark was from a 15” Dunlop Winter Maxx WM01 which is on approximately 40% of the vehicles in Swan Harbor.”

“Nothing stands out?” Dylan frowned.

Bloody hell, no!” Killian snarled. Dylan sent him a concerned look forcing Killian to take a deep breath, “Sorry, I just feel …”

“So bloody frustrated!” Dylan and Rusty simultaneously.

Killian lifted one black brow. “What the bloody hell?”

Dylan laughed, “You’ve mentioned how you feel a time or …”

“Two thousand,” Rusty asserted. “We get it.”

“Listen,” Dylan added. “There’s nothing else we can do now, so let’s call it a night. Besides, I have plans with my Valentine.”

“As do I,” Rusty concurred. “See you two later.”

Once they were gone, Killian dropped into his desk chair and studied a picture of his ‘girls,’ Emma had sent. He had known Trudi and Nina were tiny, but even the smallest collar possible still hung off them. “Guess, we’ll be growing into them, won’t we girls?” He thumbed to the next picture; the list Emma had promised.

“Are you talking to me?” Amy stopped beside his desk, a pile of folders in her arms.

Killian jumped, embarrassed to be caught talking to himself. “Sorry, no. I was just thinking out loud. But why are you still here?” he asked, hoping to change the subject.

“Just finishing up.” Amy lifted the pile of folders she was holding. “What has you so interested, anyway? Got a hot date?”

“You could say that.” Killian showed her a photo and pointed to the gray kitten. “Meet my girls, Trudi,” he indicated the marble colored one, “and her sister Nina. I’m picking them up later.”

“Kittens!” Amy laughed reaching for his phone. “They’re adorable.”

“They are pretty cute, aren’t they?”

“They are,” she agreed. “See you tomorrow.”

Once she was gone, Killian went back to Emma’s message. He’d wanted to spend Valentine’s evening with her, but he didn’t think she was ready for that yet. However, based on her behavior when they’d been together Monday, she wasn’t immune to him. That gave him hope. Question was, how much longer could he be patient?

“No choice, Reade,” he murmured, scanning the never-ending list of kitten supplies. “Bloody hell,” he grunted, sending a quick text.

Killian: Doc, what’s a litter scooper?

Emma: It’s used to scoop waste out of litter.

Since the only litter he could think of was the waste that lined the side of the road, Killian invited Google to fill him in:

Litter - absorbent material, typically in granular form, used to line a shallow receptacle in which a cat can urinate and defecate when indoors.

Unbidden, the smell that had assaulted his senses when he’d entered the farmhouse came back to him, “What have I gotten myself into?”

Killian: And where does one find a litter scoop?

Emma: Stop by Patti’s Pampered Pets. You should be able to find everything you need.

Seems like he had much to learn.

Veterinarian Clinic, Thursday 7:00 p.m.

With the clinic ‘closed’ Emma pulled the red envelope from her pocket. It was bent from the multiple times she’d taken it out, only to cram it back in. But after the way the card, to his ‘girls,’ made her feel, she could admit to being scared.

For My Girls, he’d written in a unique and distinctive style.

Trudi and Nina, Welcome to the Reade family and two of the mylar balloons had collars attached, one red and the other pink.

Short, simple, and sweet. Words that kept coming to mind, especially when it came to him and animals.

“Come on, Emma.” She lifted the flap. “It’s just a card and doesn’t bite.”

Her name, written in his loopy letters, made her heart race.

Emma

The journey isn’t only where you’ve been, but where you’re going. Thank you for being a part of mine.

Killian

P.S. Somehow, I knew you would open this one last. Follow the numbers on the balloons and walk with me.

Eight mylars, each with a red ribbon tied around a gift, was waiting. She carefully unwrapped, a miniature yellow car, a DVD of the movie Grease, a copy of a book, titled Ten Big Toes and a Prince’s Nose and a silky white scarf, like the one she’d worn at the ball. There was also a collie, resembling Wilby, a tiny grey kitten, a bunch of plastic strawberries and a picture of the Peter Pan Park parking lot. All symbols that meant something to her, except the book.

Until she read the story and realized he was giving her a glimpse of what his journey had been about.

Uncovering Killian.

Untying the strings and letting go of the cape.

Just like you.

Was she a catalyst in his wanting to change just as he was one in her fight to stay focused on her list?

The knocking on the door startled her, but since she was expecting Killian, Emma opened it without checking to see who it was, “Oh!” She swallowed and tried again, “Mother, what are you doing here?”

“Hello Emma,” Ava King smiled. “May I come in?”