Oodles of Poodles (31 page)

He hesitated. Was he about to declare how upset he had been? How worried for me?

How he hated to see that the woman he loved had been nearly killed?

Was he about to propose?

Hell, I hated when my mind went off on tangents like that. But if so, what would I say? My last marriage had been such an awful mistake. But the first one…

“You didn’t listen to me,” he finished. “Again.”

I blinked at him. That wasn’t what I’d anticipated. He was upset because I didn’t obey his orders?

“This wasn’t the first time I wasn’t happy about your getting involved in a murder investigation. You’re not a cop, or private eye, or anything like that. I’m much more of a law enforcement type than you, and not even I try to solve homicides.”

“You try to protect animals,” I said, keeping my tone as light as I could. “That’s even more important. To me, at least.”

I looked down at Zoey and Rex, who now lay at our feet on the tile floor. That was better than looking at Matt’s face. Was he chewing me out? I was still alive.

Was he telling me I had to follow his orders to stay in whatever relationship we had?

I never took orders from anyone. My ex-husband had tried that—and it was one of the things that had caused me to boot him out.

On the other hand, this time Matt had been right. If I’d done as he commanded and waited for him—only a short while, since he was already at HotRescues—I might not have been hurt, and Elena would still have been caught.

“That’s one thing I really like about you,” he said more
gently. “We do share a love of animals. But…Lauren, I’ve been thinking. I care about you a lot—and that’s why I don’t like worrying about you. Not the way I do, anyway. About your safety.”

“You don’t need to,” I replied, but I was touched by his caring look.

“No,” he said, “I don’t. Will you promise me something?”

With that soulful expression in his eyes, I’d have considered promising him anything. But of course I wouldn’t. Not without knowing what he wanted. “What’s that?” I asked, trying not to let suspicion enter my tone.

“That this is the last time you’ll put yourself in harm’s way by poking your nose into a murder investigation.”

“I didn’t plan to get involved in any of them,” I reminded him, trying to keep the chill out of my voice. But I didn’t like the way he’d said that. I wasn’t poking my nose anywhere. I was helping myself, or my friends.

“I know. But will you promise?” He took me into his arms as if to bribe me with his closeness.

“I can promise I won’t go looking for trouble,” I muttered against his chest.

“Would you say you’d gone looking for it in any of these instances?” he asked.

I pulled back. “What do you think?”

His laugh sounded rueful. “I know that you’ve convinced yourself that you haven’t.” He held up his hand as I opened my mouth to yell at him. “And maybe you’re right. Tell you what.”

“What?” I asked suspiciously.

“Next time you even think about trying to solve a
murder—and I really hope there isn’t such a next time—you’ll tell me right away and we’ll discuss it. And you’ll try to pay attention when I tell you to back off. Or you’ll at least wait before jumping into danger till I can get there to help you.”

He’d scolded me before, and I appreciated his caring. In fact, instead of wanting to yell at him I found myself smiling. “If I can,” I said. “And I appreciate it. But you really don’t have to worry about me, Matt. I have no intention of getting involved in another murder case.”

“Okay. That’s good enough—for now.”

“Great. Are we having dinner together tonight?”

“Sure, if you’re hungry.”

I was. And I might even be hungry for more than food. His caring about me that way warmed me deep inside.

“Give me a few minutes, though,” I told him. “I have a couple of phone calls to make.”

He and Rex went outside into the kennel area, taking Zoey with them. That way the dogs could do what nature demanded, if they wanted, while I finished up in here. Of course I made sure that Matt had biodegradable poop bags with him.

I hurried down the hall into my office and moved the mouse so my computer woke up from sleep mode. Then I looked up a name and phone number. The Barancas. I’d have to call Kevin later to tell him that I’d called his girlfriend Mindi’s home, and what I’d been able to tell her parents.

I dialed their number. Judy Baranca answered.

“Hello, Judy,” I said. “It’s Lauren Vancouver—Kevin’s mom? I’m here at HotRescues and have some great news for you.
Hope is now definitely available for adoption. When can Joseph and you come in and fill out the paperwork—and pick her up?”

Judy screamed in delight. And called her husband to the phone.

They promised to come in the next day to adopt Hope.

One more call to make: Carlie. “Hey,” I said. “I’ve got some more news both about the Hans Marford murder and some other stuff I’d like to talk to you about.”

“Great! Are you available for dinner tonight?”

“If you’d like to join Matt and me. You can bring Liam, too.”

That worked for all of us.

We had a great evening, especially since Carlie promised to feature the dogs from
Sheba’s Story
who needed a new home on an upcoming episode of
Pet Fitness
. I was sure that, for the first time, we were likely to have people lined up at the door of HotRescues ready to adopt a new pet.

Later, Matt and I, and our dogs, headed to my house and closed the door behind us.

I couldn’t help wondering, as I got ready to join him in bed, what he’d really do if I happened to get stuck trying to investigate another murder someday.

I hoped I wouldn’t have to find out—although I couldn’t help giving myself a virtual pat on the back for having solved my fourth—fourth!—case.