“You can cancel more classes if you feel the need, but I won’t send families away who want to adopt.” Karly huffed out the frustration, hitting Mara right between the eyes with her unintentional resentment. “It’s been two days since Thad found the back door left open, and everything seems back to normal.”

Karly tossed a bill onto the heaping pile of invoices she was struggling to pay. “Mara, I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated.”

Mara crossed her arms and leaned back in the office chair on the other side of Karly’s desk, if you could call it a desk. The work area was made out of a wood door and two filing cabinets, and the door handle hole held a plastic cup full of paperclips. Her jerry-rigged desk worked, but her jerry-rigged life didn’t.

“Joe is not just my husband, he’s the town sheriff. If he thinks we should cancel classes, we should at least give it some thought.”

“I know. I know. You’re right. I don’t mean to be defensive. It's just that Helper Shelter is my home. I built this place so I could feel good about my life—to be happy. Why would someone want to destroy that? There's nothing here for them to take except unwanted pets even I can’t find forever homes for.” She gulped down her frustration rather than bursting into tears. “And most of the time, we can't even give these precious critters away.”

Mara gently threaded her fingers through Buddy’s fur. “Joe asked me to cancel classes for a week or two.”

Karly’s gut seized with panic. Dog training classes brought in dearly-needed cash flow. Without the classes, she might as well just board up and lock the doors. She picked up a metal clip, squeezed it open and let it snap shut again and again and again.

“Do you think it’s truly necessary?” Karly asked with a hitch in her voice.

“I know we need the money. Honestly, I don't see the need to cancel classes.”

Karly blew out a relieved breath and let her clenched fist open.

“Besides,” Mara added. “I'm only here half an hour before the training classes start, and there's a ton of people around. I'm more worried about you coming in early, or staying late to feed the animals.”

“Oh, please, don’t say that out loud. My mother might hear you and be down here in a heart-pounding minute to put the first nail in the ‘out of business’ sign.”

“Thad seems to be coming around a lot lately. Maybe the two of you can work something out so you won’t need to be here alone.”

More Thad time—that's exactly what I don’t need. “Please don’t go there.”

“Why not? You said yourself he's good with the animals.”

Yes, but he’s not good for my heart. “That’s all I need. A testosterone-driven male running around with a loaded gun. I’ll see if I can change the schedule to make sure there are two people here at all times. I don’t have the funds to pay for help, so I’ll just have to get more volunteers.”

“Which reminds me.” Mara shifted uneasily. “Joe asked you to have Thad apply for a concealed weapon permit, or he'll have no choice but to charge him with a misdemeanor.”

“Me? Isn’t that his department’s job?” The whine in Karly’s voice was clear as glass, and she didn’t like the sound. In fact, she was feeling rather self-centered lately, and hated being needy.

“It was a rather odd request. Joey’s been rather preoccupied lately. Something is going on that he can’t talk about. Before we were married, he told me being a sheriff’s wife wouldn’t be easy sometimes, because there would be things he couldn’t discuss, but I didn’t know the secrecy would bother me as much as it does.”

“Is your sixth sense telling you something isn’t right?”

“Maybe.” Mara’s blindness had honed her instincts to a razor-sharp edge. Shaking her head, she signaled Buddy and got up to leave. “I’d better get out there and start teaching puppy basics.”

Her friend’s almost caustic expression made Karly chuckle. “Come on, at least the puppies are cute.”

“I can deal with puppies, it’s their parents I can do without. Buddy, let’s go train the humans how to manage their little ones.”

Karly cringed when Mara ran smack into the door. Her helper instinct escalated, but out of respect for her friend, she stayed in her chair. If she could find even half of Mara’s courage, she might just believe she could face any challenge life threw at her.

Karly’s cell phone rang. Noting the caller, the desire to let it roll to voice mail was tempting, but it would only ring in another fifteen minutes. “Hello, Mom,” she sighed.

“Karly, hun, I have the best news. I was talking to your brother this afternoon, and he told me there is an office manager position open at his company. You would be perfect for the job. Just think, you’d have insurance and benefits.”

Good thing she was already sitting down. “Mother. You’re meddling again.”

The same way Karly was meddling in Thad’s life. Oh, no. She rubbed her temples. I’m turning into my mother. That can’t happen. I won’t let it happen.

“Wait. There’s more.” Her mother’s trill of excitement wound Karly’s coil of self-berating resentment tighter. “Since Kevin’s roommate moved out, he’s been struggling to pay the rent. He said you could move in with him.”

I doubt it. He wouldn’t be struggling with rent if he didn’t eat out all the time, and go to bars twice a week. He would love to have a cook, a maid, and someone to help with rent. No, thanks.

“Let me get this straight. You want me to apply for a job in Denver and live with Kevin, the brother who tossed me down the stairs when I was nine and cracked my head open.”

“Oh, honey, that was so long ago. He’s changed a lot since then.”

Yes, he has. Now he’d do the job properly, and toss me out his twelfth-story window. She rubbed her head, cycling through and discarding a selection of sarcastic replies. None of them would get her mother to back off and let Karly live her life.

“Just in case, you should make an appointment to get your hair trimmed and highlighted.”

“I’ll think about it,” she said, hoping next week her mother would have forgotten all about the job in Denver, although the odds of her mother forgetting anything were not in her favor.

“You should look professional for your interview.”

If I go for an interview. “I’m set, Mom. I had my hair done yesterday.”

“Did you tell your stylist to cut it the way I recommended?”

“Sure did.” The dog shears worked great. If her mother only knew.

“Good. Well, I had better run, hun. I’m playing bridge with Vivian Newhall this afternoon.”

“Have fun playing cards.” She rolled her eyes, thinking her mother and Vivian were a perfect pair. The only problem was they both wanted to be the Queen of Diamonds. However, her mother never could see she held a losing hand. She hadn’t yet learned to avoid playing games with cardsharps.

She placed her phone on the desk, then brought up the schedule on her computer to calculate how many more boarders she needed to book in order to make the bank loan payment and the annual kennel license due at the end of the month.

She pulled at the pocket of her flannel shirt, to peek in at the sleeping gerbil who looked forward to a stint in Karly’s body-warmed pocket like a trip to a day spa. “Looks like I need to get my newsletter out. Generate some new business, or start panhandling for donations. What do you think?”

The gerbil stretched and yawned and curled into a tighter ball.

The face of pure bliss gave her a moment of pleasure. “Okay. A newsletter it is.”

Propped against Karly’s office doorframe, Thad observed quietly. Her pouty frown contradicted her loveliness. She’d wound her hair in a ball and secured it with a pencil, exposing her long, kissable neck. The temptation to nibble and caress was almost overwhelming. He took a step into her office. “Talking to yourself again?”

“Do you enjoy sneaking up on me?” She saved her work and closed out the computer file. “Where’s Custer?”

“I’m giving him a day off. We went back to the park yesterday to practice. He did an excellent job dealing with the kids, swings, and slides. The kids wore him out.” Thad slid into the seat across from her.

“The Carsons will be here tomorrow to pick him up. Are you sure he’s ready?”

“Don’t look so worried. He’ll do fine.” At least I hope he will. “What has you looking like you just ripped the head off your favorite Beanie Baby? You still have that purple bear?”

“There’s a saying about old friends.”

“Keep them close?”

“No…don't make them your enemy. They know you too well.”

Damn, he loved her confidence. It was downright sexy.

Memories of their first kiss, of the first time he collected enough courage to tell her he loved her, of her face while they made love, came tumbling back. “Anything I can help with?”

“I’m updating my business plan. I have to figure out a way to increase my cash flow. The sheriff wants me to cancel some training classes, but I can’t do that and still pay the rent. I’m trying to figure out how to get in more donations, or get a grant.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Find me a bucket full of money?”

He pointed at her computer screen. “I was looking for the Helper Shelter Facebook page, but didn’t see one.”

“That’s ’cause I haven’t had time to set one up. Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, who has time for all that?”

Time? He did. He released a heavy sigh. “At minimum, you need a Facebook page. It will help potential customers in neighboring towns discover you. I could set one up for you. If you send me pictures of the rescue animals, I can set up your page. It might bring you a bit more traffic. Plus, you can post and link to other pet-finder sites.”

“Since when did you learn how to use a computer?”

He pulled at an ear, wondering how much he should say. She had unfulfilled dreams of going to college. He barely got the school’s principal to sign off on his diploma before leaving town. How would she feel if he admitted to getting his degree online? Would it crush her? Maybe. Maybe not. He didn’t want to take the chance of hurting her feelings.

He brushed a hand over the top of his head. “The Army has a lot of high-tech equipment. Learning how to use computers is part of the job.”

“I could use the help. If I don’t figure out something fast, I might have to take my brother up on his offer and move to Denver.”

Denver? The idea sucker-punched him in the gut. “Kevin is the one who lives in Denver.”

“How do you know?”

“Kenny must have told me.” He hated the idea, and no doubt so did she. “Kevin’s the one you don’t get along with.”

“You’re right, but soon I might not have any choice. Both my mortgage on this place, and the rent on the apartment are due.”

“There’s empty space in that back trailer. You could fit a bed in there.” Or come live with me.

“Can you imagine what my mother would say?”

“Fair enough.” He moved around the edge of her desk and leaned in to grab her mouse. “Let me show you something.” He pulled up a website he’d found while at the Cuppa Joe’s. “Look here. The shelter lists supplies needed so people can donate toys, bedding, office supplies, or anything else the shelter needs. And, see here? There’s a calendar plugin. Volunteers can sign up for dog walking or cat socialization. On this page, the shelter advertises food drives and dog washes, and then streams the information to other social media sites with a click of a button. The workflow is done automatically. There’s less work for the web administrator.”

“The huh?”

“Web administrator. The person who maintains the site.”

“You learned this in the Army?” He gave her a little shrug, surprised to realize she wasn’t pushing him away. The way she looked at him gave him a cold beer on a sunny afternoon feeling.

“The Army taught me some. A couple of the guys in my unit were masters at metadata tags, SEO, and RSS feeds. They taught me a lot.”

“I have no idea what you just said, but it sounds impressive.”

“Once you get a hang of the stuff, it’s kind of cool, actually.”

He pulled up another website. “I did notice one thing. You’re boarding, running training classes, grooming, fostering, and adopting for all types of animals. That’s a lot, and maybe why you’re overwhelmed. I couldn’t find another shelter doing all of those things. I know you love the animals, but if you go out of business, you won’t be able to keep doing what you love, and what will happen to all the animals?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“You’ve got a ton of volunteers, and everyone here loves being able to contribute. What about deciding what part of the business you’re most passionate about, and then partner with other people in the area that have compatible businesses.”

“There are a lot of fosters and groomers close by.”

“Exactly.” He wanted to hold her attention and a whole lot more. “Let me show you one of the websites I built for a buddy of mine. He took these amazing photographs—National Geographic-worthy. Willie’s wife is helping him sell them online.”

His fingers shook as he typed in the URL. Seconds later the site appeared. Willy’s memorial to Steve Plutton, his military brother and friend, flashed up on the screen. Thad quickly clicked through to the picture portfolio to avoid the face he still missed seeing every day. That, and the guilt.

The rolling slide show of a little Afghani boy laughing and playing in the streets brought back some more palatable memories of helping villages carry water, giving out chocolate to the kids, playing a quick game of kickball.

“These are amazing. Says here these were posted two days ago?”

He pushed back from the desk and stared at the screen. “Yeah, I heard Willie was stateside. I should give him a call.”

A warm hand folded over the top of his. “Does he take any pictures of dogs or cats? I’m always looking for pictures.”

“I can ask.” He leaned in to close the browser window. “We sorta had a falling out. He and Pluto were good friends, and…well…Willie blames me for not finding that bomb.”

Her breath hitched in sympathy, a sentiment he didn’t deserve. “We settled this. Steve’s death is not your fault. You didn’t plant that bomb.”

He stepped back, but she held on to his arm. He studied the computer screen, wishing, hoping he could see his good buddy, see his wise-cracking smile, hear another one of his pitiful jokes. Pluto had been the jokester—always playing around, willing to take things as they came. Not Thad. He had to push. Push hard toward the invisible line. A line that, if crossed, would mean he’d be able to feel something positive. Anything. But he just couldn’t find that invisible line.

He failed Steve. Just like he failed his mom and sister and Karly.

He’d failed a lot of people.

By staying.

By leaving.

By existing.

He’d give everything he had to trade places with his buddy. To avoid having to tell everyone how sorry he was. If given a chance, he’d give his life without a second thought. Regrets were the reason he couldn’t sleep, or eat, and was always tired. Dead tired.

He inhaled his sorrow. “I know it’s not my fault. Willie just needs someone to blame.”

“Don’t do that. Not with me,” she said with a bitter annoyance fueling her voice. “You and I both know you believe Steve and Ike’s deaths were your fault. I can say it’s not your fault every day, all day, and still, the only one who needs to believe is you.”

He gazed into a face full of worry. “What do you want from me?”

“I want you to stop taking responsibility for things that are not your fault—things you can’t control. You didn’t make your dad the way he was. He had a choice. He chose to be an alcoholic.”

“It is my fault. If I’d kept my mouth shut, done as my dad told me, he wouldn’t have started taking it out on my mother and sister.”

She waved her hands, making circles that made no sense. “Your dad is the one who did the hitting. It’s not like you purposely walked into his fists. We all feel guilt, but we have to let it go.”

He pushed back from the desk, refusing to listen. “It’s not that easy.”

“Nope. It’s not. But it is possible to embrace it, make peace with it, and move on.”

Her face revealed concern, the same expression his buddies had while they loaded him into the medevac helicopter.

“Can we talk about something else?”

At another point in time, she might have pushed, tugged, even carried him back from the self-berating line. She’d make him face his nemesis—taunt him, no doubt—and be by his side every step of the way. Another screw and bolt twisted into place on his broken heart. She made him feel whole, yet he still wasn’t steady or working properly.

His chest tightened with a burning desire to hold her in his arms. The need wasn’t sexual. He wouldn’t mind going there, but it wasn’t what his need was about right now.

He wanted to feel something good.

Something new.

Damn, he wanted to feel anything but regrets.

He turned and drew her to him, his hands sliding over her hips. “God, you’re beautiful.”

Her eyes widened. His fingers shook as he slid his hands up her arms to touch the soft skin on her face. My beauty. Her eyes searched for his intent, then she softened and wrapped her arms around his neck, meeting him halfway. There you are.

She lifted up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. Need pulsed through him. Hunger gripped him, like a predator on the hunt. Patiently watching. Waiting to devour. He pulled her against his chest, wanting to feel every inch of her heat. I’ve missed you. His thumb brushed against the vein in her neck to feel the way her heart pounded in rhythm with his.

When she pulled back, he tightened his grip. “No. Don’t go.” Her golden eyes searched his while her breath steadied, and his knees weakened. He touched her jaw, and wordlessly she pressed her cheek into his palm.

His whole being roared with desire. “Karly? Do you know what you’re doing to me?” The low, gruff question didn’t require an answer. She kissed his palm.

Oh, man. Do that again.

Her hand cupped his face. “I’m making you forget.”

No. You are making me want to remember. He wanted her in every way possible. But not here. Not in her office, or on a desk with an open door. No, he wanted her in a mountain valley, the summer sun heating their skin, surrounded by beauty.

“This isn’t…”

“Shhh.” She placed a finger over his mouth, and then replaced her finger with a kiss. She pressed in, and he groaned. Wanting more. Much, much more.

He tightened his arm around her waist. Her tongue eased inside and sought his. He let her explore, play, take what she wanted. She kissed him more deeply, and his heart opened wider. His hand drifted lower and around, and splayed across her stomach, then slipped lower. She wrapped a leg around the back of his to press them together.

He should stop her. Stop this…yet he couldn’t.

He didn’t have the strength to move away. He couldn’t leave her. Not this time. Not again. He lifted her shirt to trace the line between her shirt and running pants, skimming over her soft skin.

Another groan—this time hers.

She vibrated against his hands, her skin damp. She was his. His woman. Not that he could ever own her. No one could. But for these precious moments, she gave herself to him. He possessed her mouth. The feel of her nipples rising to his touch thrilled him. Her little whimpers of pleasure encouraged him to explore. He wanted to feel her flesh under his hands. He slid his hand lower and pushed her against the wall.

He wanted to make her soar.

Lowering his head, he placed his mouth on her breast, sucking on the crinkled skin to make the nipple expand. She gasped before she could stop the sound.

“That’s it, Karly,” he murmured. “Tell me what you need.”

She dug her nails into his back. “More,” she thrust out on a sharp exhale.

“More?” he asked again, as a thrill sizzled down his spine.

“Yes. More, damnit.”

With a groan, he pressed his mouth to her neck and slid his hand south, down to give her more. He slid his hand inside her panties. His fingers opened her folds and touched juicy flesh.

“Open for me.” He nudged her thighs. While his fingers sought the warmth, her hips pushed forward. “That’s it.”

Her breaths were coming in quick blasts, her groans pure, exquisite torture.

“Thad…”

“Say my name again.” He nibbled his way to her mouth.

“Thad. Thad. THAD!”

Ah, heaven. His fingers circled faster and faster and faster, driving her to the edge. Her body jerked and trembled. He played. Speeding up. Slowing down. Making her climb higher, until he dangled her over the edge, her muscles pulsing again and again.

He held her while she struggled to catch her breath. Bliss. Pure bliss.

She shoved shaky fingers through her hair, then wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

“Thad, I—”

“Karly?” Mara asked, opening the door wider. “You there?”

Karly pushed on his chest, staring at him, and then turned. “Yes. Thad and I were just discussing his ideas about social media and how we can get more business.”

His full-blown hard-on ached, and for the first time he was grateful Mara couldn’t see.

“Hi, Mara.” Seeing the red blotches climbing Karly’s neck and cheeks gave him a thrill. “Yep, social media. That’s what we were discussing. I’m sure you ladies have things to talk about.” He rubbed a thumb gently over Karly’s mouth before taking a step back.

Mara took another step into the office “Thad. Before you go, I’m singing at Mad Jack’s on Friday night. Why don’t you stop by? Karly will be there. I’d appreciate the support, and it would be fun having you there.”

“He doesn’t like crowds.” Karly spoke a little too quickly for his liking.

“I’ll be there. What time?”

“Jenna’s meeting me there at 6:30. Why don’t you join us?”

“Sounds good, Mara. I’ll see you Friday. Karly, I’ll meet you at the park tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Custer’s handsome and ready to meet his new owner.”

“Don’t be late.”

“Five minutes early is ten minutes late in soldier time. You’re just going to have to trust me.” Something you’re not good at doing.

He walked slowly back to his truck, not wanting anyone to see the bulge in his pants. Then again, what did he care?

He just might kiss Karly in front of the whole town, because there didn’t seem to be anything either of them could do to change the way they felt about each other.