Page 38 of K-9 Prime Target

“I could get used to this,” she murmured, and Liam wrapped himself around her.

“Mmm.” He nuzzled her hair.

She squirmed away. “But I really do have to get ready for work.”

“I know. I know.” He released her, and she headed for the shower. When she emerged once more, he had fallen back asleep. Smiling, she switched off the lights and motioned for both dogs to accompany her.

Grateful to have the dogs as both protection and a warning system, she took them outside and scanned the area for signs of trouble. Everything looked normal—no new graffiti, no notes, no damage to cars or property. After a brisk walk around the block, she went back inside, gave the dogs a treat, then made coffee and her own breakfast and lunch. After eating, she returned to the bedroom and kissed Liam goodbye.

He opened his eyes. “Is everything okay?” he asked, and shoved up onto his elbows.

“Everything’s fine,” she said. “I took the dogs out and everything is perfectly normal.”

He ran a hand over his face—sleepy, in need of a shave, still strikingly handsome. “Maybe my being with you is keeping Nicholson away.”

“Maybe. Cowards like him always choose the most vulnerable.”

“You were never vulnerable,” he said. “You’ve always had friends, and you’ve always been strong. He just didn’t realize how strong.”

“Maybe.” A counselor had said something similar to her, and the words had begun to change how she thought. Just because Nicholson saw her as weak didn’t mean she really had been. She had fought him and escaped. She would do it again if she had to, though she prayed she wouldn’t have to.

The patrol crew crowded into the ski patrol office, some clutching steaming cups of coffee, some finishing off breakfast burritos or muffins. The dogs milled about their feet as Connor tried to clear a path for an easel and a whiteboard. “What’s that?” Raz asked, and gestured to the board, which seemed to show a diagram of the front-side runs.

“SkyCrest is hosting a big Mardi Gras celebration next Tuesday,” Connor said. “They’ve hired a zydeco band to perform in the plaza, the hospitality staff will be handing out beads, and at noon there will be a parade down Main Line to the base of the lift. The restaurants in the area will be highlighting Cajun food and offering drink specials.”

“Sounds like fun,” Renee said. “Do we get to wear beads and stuff?”

“We do,” Connor said. “But we’ll also need to help with crowd control and keep an eye out for guests who may have overindulged or anyone making trouble.”

“You know that’s going to happen,” Chase said. “Some people can’t help themselves.”

“SkyCrest is heavily advertising the event, so they’re hoping for big crowds,” Connor said. “We’ll need to help mark off the parade route and clear the run before noon,” he said. “Any questions?”

“Who’s in the parade?”

“They’ve got a theatre company in costume leading things off, along with a brass band on skis, and then anyone else who wants to participate.”

“Sounds like a great party,” Lily said.

“Let’s hope everyone behaves themselves,” Connor said. “And that’s all I have for today, so let’s get to work.”

Nina was shrugging into her pack when Connor waylaid her. “I’ll remind everyone again on Tuesday morning to keep a special lookout for your stalker,” he said. The previous afternoon, he had distributed Nicholson’s photos to the patrol team, and two of the photos were tacked to the bulletin board behind his desk.

“Thank you,” she said. “But the crowds could be a good thing. It will be harder for him to do anything, with so many witnesses.”

“You’re probably right, but I want you to know, we’ve got your back.”

She smiled. “You can’t know how good that makes me feel.”

Raz was waiting for Nina outside the patrol office. “Hey, Nina, got a minute?” she asked.

“Sure, Raz.” Nina moved over to an alcove between buildings where Raz was standing. The normally cheerful redhead looked serious, almost furtive. “Is something wrong?” Nina asked.

“I’ve been thinking about this guy who’s been stalking you. That’s such an awful thing to deal with.”

“That’s sweet of you to be concerned, but I’m handling it.”

“Yeah, but it would be a lot better if we could catch him and send him packing, right?”