A Little Christmas Jingle Read Online Free PDF Page B

hand raked his hair off his forehead, and then the blond strands simply returned to their previous position. “I couldn’t have saved him without you.”
    â€œYou helped by letting me cut off his collar, rather than cutting it off yourself on site,” she admitted.
    He gestured. “So, square?”
    â€œI guess. It shocked me not to see the rescue group doing the transport like the procedure manual says would happen. But every second counted. Your efforts made the difference.”
    â€œLook, can I buy you dinner? I …”
    â€œThanks, but no. Best we keep this relationship professional.” As she shook her head, she realized multiple strands had escaped her ponytail and she probably looked like something the cat dragged in.
    â€œYou need to eat.”
    His kindness and concern touched her. “True, but I’ll order delivery. Lots of places around here to chose from. I’m thinking Thai.”
    A blond eyebrow arched. “You’re really going to sleep here?”
    â€œIt wasn’t a line. I’m set up for just such contingencies,” she replied, her tone confident. Kat pointed to a camera hanging up in the corner of the room. “I have eyes everywhere and a state of the art security system. I’ll be fine. Besides, the police substation is right down the block.”
    â€œTrue.” Jack’s weight shifted again.
    She worked to reassure him so he’d feel free to leave. “Tonight is crucial. It’s best for me to be here. If something goes wrong, time is of the essence.”
    â€œCan I call you later to check on how he’s doing?”
    â€œThe phones will roll to voice mail.”
    â€œI could go get carryout, wait with you. Keep you company,” he offered, enticing her.
    Company would be nice, especially his, but somehow she resisted. “Really, I’m fine. I’ll call you if anything changes.” She patted her pocket. “Promise.”
    The moment stretched, as Jack clearly wanted to say more.
    â€œGo enjoy your weekend,” she told him before her resolve faltered. The man was temptation personified. “I’m sure you have places to go, people to see. Don’t let me keep you. As for me, I still have work to do, including checking on Jingle.”
    Jack had absolutely no plans aside from turning on his TV and watching the Blues take on the Blackhawks, but he kept that to himself. He also wanted to ask about her shelter, but given that Jeff Ellis of Pet Rescue had approved her clinic, he knew it could wait until tomorrow. Jeff was the city’s most outspoken animal advocate and the man who’d singlehandedly convinced the mayor to form the task force. He thought of the letter he’d read. After meeting Kat, his gut told him something about the letter was off.
    â€œNo matter what time, call me and I can be here,” he told her. “I need to be here, if—”
    â€œI understand,” she said crisply, keeping the professional mask firmly in place. Jack’s offer to buy dinner and keep her company had sent sweet little tingles to her toes. She wanted to see more of him but knew she had to be professional. Her head—and the rest of her—were battling. Time to get him to a safe distance. “Don’t worry. I will make sure nothing happens to him now that he is in my care.”
    He nodded at her conviction. “No, it probably won’t. I can tell you keep your word.”
    â€œExactly.” Her countenance softened. She liked how persistent he was, how passionate. “We open tomorrow at nine. We close again at four. My staff—”
    â€œWhile I’ll call first thing, I’ll want to see him for myself,” Jack interrupted. “I’ll come by tomorrow. I’ll be checking on him personally for as long as it takes, pretty much until he’s adoptable. For the foreseeable future, you and I will be seeing a lot more of each