Chapter 21

Veterinarian Clinic

April Thursday

As had been the case since their date at Captain Jack’s, every time she was alone, Emma got lost thinking about Killian. She was enjoying the journey. Their relationship had the excitement of falling in love for the first time but was tempered with the maturity of an adult. There was no rush to get to the next step, which allowed them to savor the moments.

His kisses could be tender and sweet one second and soul-reaching sexy the next. And when he touched her ... that set her on fire and sent her pulse racing. Making love would come, but until then she thoroughly enjoyed their kissing sessions.

“What are we watching tonight, Doc?” Killian handed her the bowl of popcorn and sat down on the sofa beside her. “Another bad boy movie from Elsa, I presume.”

Emma laughed, “You presume correctly.” She kissed the pout he’d been wearing before continuing, “We’re watching Pretty Woman. Now, hush and let’s watch Vivian tame the loner Edward.”

He was quiet for the first few minutes of the movie, draping an arm along the back of the sofa to toy periodically with strands of her hair. Every time his fingers brushed against the nape of her neck, the spark between them zipped across her skin, creating a tingle.

“Look at him, Doc,” Killian swore, as on the movie Edward was attempting to drive a stick shift. “His driving skills aren’t worth shi—“

“Shh!” Emma crammed popcorn into his mouth. “Be nice.”

“Hey, Doc,” his pitch dropped, “I’m always nice.”

She worked to maintain a modicum of distance away from the potent attraction she felt for Killian Reade. However, internally her pulse was pinging from one side of her body to the other, starting a fire deep in her core.

“Emma,” Killian’s fingers lightly trailed back and forth under her right ear, “Edward’s one of you.”

“One of me?”

“Aye, love.” His lips replaced his fingers and with every tiny butterfly kiss, the trembling inside grew. “He’s a planner. Think he makes lists too?”

“Oh you,” Emma leaned away, just enough to allow her blood to settle. “Don’t knock my lists. It’s important to know where you’re going.”

“And have you arrived?” Killian asked, his tone laced with some underlying question she was unable to grasp.

Emma glanced over her shoulder, a flirty smile playing on her lips, “I have,” and the look in his eyes caused her heart to flip.

It was difficult, but Emma forced her attention back to the movie; except it was Killian who filled her mind. She couldn’t forget the way his bottom lip glistened from the popcorn’s butter, tempting her to taste. Or how the low light from the television and kitchen brought out the highlights in his hair and scruff, making her want to touch. And how his eyes were tender one minute but quickly morphed into passion-filled the next. How could she fight such a potent combination?

You can’t, her heart shouted.

“She doesn’t kiss on the mouth?” Killian murmured in her ear, disrupting her thoughts. “Doesn’t she know what she’s missing?” He cupped her jaw, turning her mouth to meet his waiting lips.

He tasted like salt and butter from the popcorn and something indefinably unique to him. Any reason keeping them from moving to the next level seemed to float away as she relaxed back against the sofa, and Killian’s lips worked their magic with hers. Their labored breathing mixed with the sounds of the movie until suddenly, there was silence.

Emma lifted her head and looked back at the quiet television. The lack of sound came about because Vivian had unbuttoned Edward’s shirt, exposing his chest. Unconsciously, Emma’s eyes moved to the V at the base of Killian’s neck, where several opened buttons exposed the light dusting of chest hair, begging for her touch.

She closed her eyes as Vivian unzipped Edward’s pants, the sound unnaturally loud in the room.

Oh man, she thought, I’d forgotten about that scene.

When Vivian started kissing down Edward’s chest, and her head disappeared from the camera’s view, causing Edward to moan with pleasure, her eyes met Killian’s.

“Come here,” Killian’s husky voice called to her.

Emma moved the popcorn bowl to the table and climbed into Killian’s lap. As he bore them down to the sofa, she latched on to a particularly sensitive section of his neck. He growled low in his throat and pulled her closer, tucking a leg between hers.

“Oh my,” she cried, when he applied just enough pressure where it was needed.

Time didn’t matter as they kissed, and their hands roamed. Killian pressed her against the hard ridge behind his zipper, and their hips danced in a rhythm all their own.

“Give me a minute here, Doc,” he begged.

“You don’t want to ….” She couldn’t finish her statement, confused by his calling a halt to their lovemaking.

“Bloody hell, Emma,” Killian groaned. “You think I like blue balls?”

“But,” Emma leaned back enough so she could look him in the eye, “then why?”

“Emma!”

She heard her name but loathed leaving the memory behind.

“Emma!”

The voice called to her again, this time effectively bursting her memory bubble.

“What?” Emma met Sadie’s amused smirk.

“Where were you just now?” Sadie teased. “The look on your face says it was someplace verrry,” she drew out the word, “nice.”

Emma’s face flushed. “Nowhere,” she answered hurriedly. “I was right here.” Slowly, she brought her hand to her neck, her pulse fluttering rapidly beneath her fingers. “Did you need something?”

Her clipped tone earned her a snort of amusement from her office manager. But if she could hold it together until she was alone, she’d give herself permission to melt into the floor.

“Spoilsport,” Sadie laughed, setting a pile of papers on the desk. “Look at the first quarter numbers, Emma! You made a profit!”

“What?” Emma picked up the papers showing her first quarterly summary for the year. It wasn’t much, but … her eyes gravitated to her list, still hanging beside her desk. “This is good news, Sadie. Thank you. Anything else?”

“I completed your taxes too.” Sadie set those on the desk. “If you sign here, and here, I’ll take care of that before I leave.”

Emma glanced down at the completed tax form in front of her. “You answer phones, schedule, make coffee, and complete taxes?”

“Sure,” Sadie took the forms that had just been signed and slipped them in an envelope. “My degree’s in accounting so …”

“Wait,” Emma shook her head slightly to clear her thoughts, “you’re a Certified Public Accountant, and you’re working for the pittance I pay you?” At Sadie’s sheepish grin, she continued, “What gives?”

“Let’s just say,” a dreamy smile crossed Sadie’s face, “love rescued me from a life of dreary number crunching. Besides,” she admitted, “I prefer fraud investigations, and there’s not a big call for that in Swan Harbor at the moment, so, here I am.”

“And I’m grateful,” Emma shared. “In fact, what am I going to do without you while you’re on your honeymoon?”

“It’s funny you mention that,” Sadie pulled up a chair, “I have a suggestion.”

“Just as long as it’s not one of Killian’s floozies.” Emma smirked.

Sheriff’s Department, Thursday 11:00 a.m.

After almost two months, Killian was still searching for that elusive last piece to the ‘dog killer’ puzzle. They had clues, but so far none of them had been specific enough to narrow things farther. Not tire type or car color.

And while he’d had high hopes of knowing the potential hair color, the list was still too many to count. Bloody hell, even Amy and Dylan fit the profile, as both had light hair and drove dark cars with the right winter tires.

Killian yawned and took a last drink of coffee before tossing his cup in the trash.

“What am I missing?”

“It has to be right in front of our faces, right?” Rusty murmured.

“One would think,” Killian replied dryly. “I just don’t see it.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re too tired,” Rusty offered. “Why is that? I thought your carousing days were behind you.”

“The girls have decided the middle of the night is the best time to play.” Killian swiped a hand through his hair. “They aren’t happy unless I’m in the middle.”

Bam!

Killian whipped his head around to see Dylan’s wife giving him the evil eye. “Bloody hell, Molly. Did I forget to do something?”

“No,” she frowned, “but what did you just say about your girls?” 

“My girls?” Killian glanced at Rusty for help. But his blank stare said he didn’t know what had her so riled up either. “What about my girls?”

Molly shook her head and without answering picked up the books she’d dropped, “I thought you were interested in Emma.”

“I am.”

“Then how can you be involved in,” she lowered her voice, “those kinds of games with other women?”

“Those kinds of games?” Killian grinned, finally understanding her anger. “What kind of games did you think I was talking about?”

“You know,” she waved her hand around as if it would help her find the right word, “sex games.”

“Oh,” Killian’s smile grew, “that’s what I thought you meant.” Over Molly’s shoulder, he saw his boss step out of his office, “Don’t tell me Dylan hasn’t asked you to play sex games.”

“Why that’s,” she sputtered, “that’s beside the point.”

“Molly,” Dylan slipped his arm around her, “what’s going on?”

Killian laughed when she pressed her lips together, “Molly’s concerned about my nightly activities. Doesn’t think Emma would approve of my girls.”

Dylan glanced down at his wife, “Why wouldn’t she approve? After all, she gave them to you.”

Molly’s gasp had all three men laughing, “I’m sorry, Honey.” Dylan gave her a quick kiss. “Killian’s girls are his kittens, Trudi and Nina. Right?”

“Aye. Would you like to see their pictures?” Killian pulled out his phone.

“Oh, don’t get him started,” Rusty groaned, excusing himself to make a phone call. “He’s like a new father.”

“I’m sorry, Killian,” Molly apologized. “I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

“That’s how gossip gets started.”

“I really am sorry,” she reiterated, her face flushed with embarrassment. “I just …”

“Was protecting your friend.” He let that hang for a few seconds, “Or was there another reason?”

“Emma’s been so happy,” she smiled and set some books on his desk. “I like seeing her that way.”

Killian’s heart flipped, and he felt a sappy little grin cross his face, “I like seeing her that way too.”

“I’m glad.” Molly groaned and rolled her eyes, “Again, I really am sorry. I’ll even let you choose which one to read to the class next time.”

“Thank you. And Molly,” he waited until she looked at him, “Emma is the only one who has my interest. She has nothing to worry about.”

“You’re sure about that?”

“Positive.”

“We’re heading to the Beach Shack for lunch,” Dylan offered. “Want anything?”

“No,” Killian grumbled. “Gray said his parents are back in town. I’m going to meet Mary at Sally’s.

“Mary and Clint are back in Swan Harbor?” Dylan smiled. “Good. Maybe they’ll finish my house, and we can move out of the apartment.”

“Wilby would love that,” Molly murmured. “Excuse me for a minute.” She disappeared into Dylan’s office.

“Clint’s going to kill me,” Dylan muttered. “Anyway, why is it you’re meeting with Mary?”

“She was a big help last summer on that runaway teen case. I thought maybe she could help me figure out the ‘why.’”

“Like a psychological profile,” Dylan nodded, “that’s a good idea.”

“I’m not expecting much on the actual perp,” Killian confessed. “But if we can figure out ‘why,’ maybe we can understand the perp better.”

“Sounds good,” Dylan replied. “Keep me posted. I’d better go check on my wife.”

Killian laughed and slid all the papers back into the appropriate folders and locked them in his bottom drawer. If he was lucky, when he returned, he’d have an idea of where to go next.

Sally’s Diner, Thursday 12:30 p.m.

Emma drove by the Sheriff’s Department just as the glass doors were pushed open, and Killian walked out onto the sidewalk. It was a fight to keep going, but knowing Maggie was expecting her, she waved and pulled into Sally’s parking lot.

Before she’d completely removed her seatbelt, Killian was pulling her door open. “Come here, Doc.” He tugged her out of the car to cover her lips with a swoon-worthy kiss.

“Well,” Emma grinned when they came up for air, “what was that for?”

“Can’t a guy just kiss his girl when he wants?”

She pulled him down for another kiss. “Anytime is fine with me. But I’m running late for a lunch date. Are you heading into Sally’s to eat?”

“I’m meeting Gray’s mom, Mary,” Killian took her hand as they walked toward the door. “I’m hoping she can give me a few answers regarding our dog killer.”

“The psychiatrist?”

“Aye.”

“Still no leads?”

“No specific ones,” he grumbled, “but I’m not giving up.” Killian stopped just before opening the door, his blue eyes capturing hers, “I promise you, Doc. I will get this person.”

Emma studied his intense gaze, the way his brows were lowered, and the tense set of his jaw, telling her just how much the case was affecting him. “I know.” She hugged him, taking a moment to enjoy his warmth. “Fingers crossed, Mary gives you some ideas.”

Killian kissed the top of her head and opened the door to the usual sounds and smells of Sally’s, “Thanks, Doc. I’ll let you get to your meeting.”

“Okay, see you later.”

Emma squeezed his hand one last time before letting go to work her way toward a booth near the back where Maggie was waiting.

“Doc,” Killian called, before she’d moved too far, “Any plans after your last appointment?”

“No, why?” She wiggled her eyebrows comically. “Need me?”

Killian didn’t answer her immediately but glanced around the crowded room, almost as if he was deciding something. It didn’t take long before he made up his mind as he took two steps to reach her, wrapped her in his arms and dipped her into a massively romantic kiss.

“Always, Doc.” he whispered. “I’ll be at Giennie’s waiting for you.”

Killian was already across the room and in conversation with Mary before Emma could gather her wits. Guess the cats’ out of the bag, she thought, coming face to face with a trio of Killian’s discarded women.

“Emma,” Chloe smirked, “he’s a good kisser, isn’t he?”

“What?” Emma uttered, more out of shock at the venom in the other woman’s voice than the words.

“She said,” Morgan stepped a little closer, “he’s a good kisser, isn’t he?”

Emma’s eyes met those of the third woman’s but instead of anger, Belle’s showed sadness, embarrassment, resignation even.

“Excuse me.” Belle pushed past her to run out the door.

“She doesn’t like to share,” Chloe shrugged, “but we don’t mind, do we Morgan?”

“Not at all,” Morgan licked her lips, her blue eyes narrowed as she leaned in and whispered, “He’s man enough to handle all of us.”

“At the same time,” Chloe added snidely. “A few adjustments might need to be made to accommodate a fourth though.”

“Is there a problem, ladies?” Killian’s arm slid around Emma’s waist, halting all conversation.

“No, no problem.” Morgan ran her long red nails down the sleeve of Killian’s leather jacket. “We were just inviting Emma along the next time we get together, weren’t we Chloe?”

Chloe smirked, “Morgan’s right,” her eyes challenged Emma to contradict them. “Just inviting the new animal doctor to join us. Later, Lover.”

Emma thought about tripping them as they pushed past to sashay out the door, but decided it wasn’t worth it.

“You know that I,” Killian began before Emma covered his mouth with her hand.

“I know, Killian,” she assured him. “But while you staked your territory with that kiss, I wasn’t about to strut around and start a fight over you. I’m not a female Phalaropes. I’ll see you later.”

She walked away with her head held high and slid into a booth across from a woman who looked to be in her mid-sixties. “I’m sorry I’m late. I ran into a few pests.”

Maggie barked out a laugh, “I saw that. Was that your young man?” She peeked around the booth to where Killian had rejoined Mary. “He’s quite the hunk.”

“Don’t let him hear you say that. His ego is big enough already.”

“Reminds me of my late husband,” Maggie mused. “Looks to die for, but a heart of gold and totally devoted.”

“How can you know that?”

Emma leaned on the table, curious about what Maggie had to say. Were some of the same signs present between her and Killian as with her friends?

“When he looked at you,” Maggie grinned. “It was as if you were the only woman in the room.”

Which was exactly how he made her feel.

Maggie’s comment gave her a warm feeling and made her smile. “Anyway,” Emma redirected, “tell me a little about yourself.”

“I was Sadie’s teacher at Swan Harbor High,” Maggie began. “Did she tell you that?”

“She did,” Emma confirmed, “science, right?”

“Biology,” Maggie explained.

Emma learned that Maggie Pierce had moved to Swan Harbor over forty years ago as a new bride. Her husband, a Lobsterman, was often away and, never blessed with children, she had devoted her time to those she taught. While her life was full and she loved her students, there had been a need inside of her for more.

“More?” Emma repeated, “as in adoption?”

“You could say that,” Maggie chuckled, “just not what I think you mean.”

“Not kids?” Emma frowned, and then a light went off in her head and she remembered snickering at Sadie as she recited the scientific names of Maggie’s menagerie: Equus asinus, Felis catus, Canis lupus familiaris, and Capra aegagrus hircus, “Animals, right?” At Maggie’s nod, Emma continued, “That’s right. Sadie told me you have a donkey, cats, dogs, and goats.”

“And I just added a Bos taurus,“ Maggie laughed. “I can’t turn away anything in need.”

“A cow too?” Emma empathized. “But how do you handle all of those alone?”

Emma knew how much work it was. And how much it cost. “Are you considered a sanctuary of some kind?” she asked, remembering researching the feasibility of becoming one when she was still in school.

“I wish,” Maggie sighed. “But that takes money, so …”

“You know, Maggie,” Emma was thinking of her mother’s new endeavor, “I think we can help each other.”

Sheriff’s Department, Thursday 6:00 p.m.

Several hours later, Killian was still contemplating Emma’s remark about how he’d staked his territory when he kissed her. Was that what he’d been doing? While they hadn’t been overt, in public at least, he’d assumed after their display at Randy’s that everyone knew they were together. Had he subconsciously been showing Morgan, Chloe, and Belle he was with Emma?

Bloody hell, yes!

So okay, he’d accept that, because he had wanted them to know. But what about Emma’s comment? A Phalaropes was a red-necked bird where the females fought for the male’s attention. Was she saying that she wouldn’t fight for him? Or was she saying that she trusted him and knew he belonged to her? The fact they’d grown so close, but were yet to take the next step in their relationship had him asking himself why? What were they waiting on?

You’ll know when you know, the inner voice guiding him in his journey reminded him. It’s all about timing with Emma.

“What has you so deep in thought?” Rusty interrupted his introspection.

“Just thinking,” Killian confessed. “I’m glad you’re here though,” he pushed his personal thoughts away temporarily. “I spoke to Mary today, and she had some interesting things to say.”

“Oh?” Rusty dropped into his chair and propped his feet on his desk. “Do tell.”

Killian flipped open his notes. “My main question was to find out if Mary could give us any idea as to why this was happening.”

“And why it had suddenly stopped,” Rusty added.

“That too,” Killian groused, annoyed at his partner’s impatience. “One idea we discussed at length was whether the person had targeted dogs because they were seeking attention.”

Rusty frowned. “Could she give you any reason as to how killing a dog could gain someone positive attention?”

“No,” Killian admitted. “Nor could she tell me why they suddenly stopped.”

“Could it be because of a specific person?” Rusty offered another option.

Killian rubbed his thumb back and forth along the scruff below his bottom lip, deep in thought. “So they wanted to hurt one of the people whose dog was hit, and the others were decoys?”

Rusty nodded and Killian had to agree there was some merit to the idea. “Mary did suggest the person stopped because they had gotten what they wanted. Of course, she also said it could be the opposite. That the person didn’t get what they wanted, and were regrouping.”

Rusty grimaced. “Oh, damn.”

“Aye,” Killian retorted. “It’s cocked up.”

“Did she give us any good ideas?” Rusty retorted sarcastically.

“Well,” Killian exclaimed, “Mary wondered why dogs and not cats were targeted, and I happened to think about the farmhouse.”

“The one where you took Emma and rescued the kittens?”

Killian nodded and told Rusty about several things that had just seemed off when they entered the house.

“It was cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey outside. But once we were inside the house, it was warm enough, so the kittens survived.”

“Was that the house that had those bags of cat food?”

“Another unexplained situation,” Killian acknowledged.

“Do we know who owns that house?” Rusty asked the question Killian had spent hours trying to find out.

Killian shook his head, already composing the next step in their quest. “No. I spoke to Gray, whose company wants to purchase the land, but without a name, they can’t find out anything in the Registry’s Office.

“So, there’s no way to track it down?” grumbled Rusty.

“Not without a break,” Killian glanced at the clock. “Look, it’s late. You should get home to your family.

Rusty wasted no time in grabbing his coat, and leaving Killian alone with his thoughts. There was a problem he needed to solve, but it wouldn’t happen until the last piece was slipped into place. In the meantime, he had a Phalaropes waiting for him at Giennie’s Gym.