Page 50 of Sleigh My Heart

Soft thumps preceded the door opening. Michelle braced herself. It didn’t help.

Nick stood in the doorway in a gray Henley and faded jeans.

She blinked. Did an egg drop from her ovary? The man was gorgeous. All rugged, with a day’s scruff on his face. Her fingertips tingled just looking at him.

“Come on in.” He stepped back and motioned her inside.

Here goes nothing. Don’t inhale. Don’t. She held her breath as she passed.

She couldn’t hold it any longer. A scent that was all Nick enveloped her. Her knees wobbled. Damn pheromones. He smelled way too good.

“Let me take your coat.” She slipped it off, and he hung it on the rack behind the door. His eyes dropped to the weapon on her hip. “You’re packing?”

“Sorry, it’s like an extension of me.” She untucked her shirt and covered the hip holster.

“Dinner will be here any minute. Come on back. Can I get you a beer or water?”

While a beer sounded good, she needed to keep her wits about her tonight. No repeat of last night… or this morning. “Water please.”

She followed him into the kitchen. Her gaze zeroed in on the counter. The one she’d been thrust upon last night. Heat crept up her neck.

Nope, not going there. She shifted her focus to the rest of the room. She hadn’t paid much attention the night before. The cool gray walls, dark stained cabinets, and stainless-steel appliances would seem cold if crayon artwork wasn’t hung on the fridge. The artist herself sat at the table—crayons spread in front of her.

Michelle smiled.

Ava smiled back. “Hello, Officer Swenson.”

“We’ve baked together. You can call me Michelle.” She took the glass from Nick, careful not to touch him. She didn’t need a volt meter to know there was serious electricity arcing between them.

“Okay, Officer Michelle.”

Michelle smiled. Close enough. She sat next to Ava and looked at her drawing. “That’s good. I knew you had talent. Your cookie decorating was good, but this is truly impressive.”

Michelle picked up one of the crayons. Not your typical elementary supply. Nope, these were art store quality.

“Do you want to meet Bandit and Snowball?”

“Sure?” Michelle looked from Ava’s excitement to Nick.

“Ava, honey. After dinner. Why don’t you go wash up?” Nick pulled a few paper plates from the cupboard.

“Okay.” Ava scooped up her supplies and put them in the desk drawer at the end of the counter before running down the hall.

“Who are Bandit and Snowball?”

He paused, then said, “Her pets.”

Pets? Michelle envisioned Nick with two big dogs. Labrador Retrievers or a Bernese Mountain dog. She glanced around. No bowls or leashes.

Did the tips of his ears turn pink? Something told her that Ava’s pets weren’t going to be something Nick picked.

“What? Put your brow down. Ava fell in love at the pet store. I caved.” He shrugged.

“You’re a big softy.” Then again, he always had been a marshmallow on the inside.

When she heard the water running, Michelle asked, “Did you have any luck on the paint?”

He shook his head. “I learned red paint sales are high in December. Do you know how many places sell paint in this town alone? Not including the neighboring towns.”