the music,” Lacey said. “Maybe the loud bass noise reminds him of the storm.”
Mike turned off the music and watched as Lacey got down on her stomach and crawled under the bench to “whisper” to his dog. Eventually, she coaxed him out and Sheridan retreated to his bed against the wall.
Mike helped Lacey to her feet, and when their gazes locked, he had the sudden urge to kiss her pink mouth. Tension vibrated between them like a live wire. He inched his mouth closer to hers, but at the last minute she ducked away.
“We should get some rest,” she said with a nervous little laugh. “We all have a big day tomorrow.”
He nodded, feeling like a naughty schoolboy trying to steal a kiss. He’d hired Lacey to help Sheridan and, as she’d so rightly reminded him, that’s where their focus belonged. Meanwhile, he’d have to keep a lid on his libido, no matter how much she tested his restraint. She turned to walk toward her bedroom. The fact that he didn’t want to part company with her alarmed him.
“By the way,” he called, “how many animals do you have?” He imagined her room in the boardinghouse to be a menagerie, with dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and who knew what else cohabitating happily.
She gave him a little smile. “None.”
Mike’s mouth fell open. The self-proclaimed animal lover and alleged dog whisperer had no pets of her own? “Do you mind if I ask why?”
She shrugged. “I guess deep down, I’m a loner. Good night.”
Mike stared at her closed bedroom door, then pulled on his chin. The pretty woman was a riddle, for sure. Then his gaze bounced to Sheridan.
But right now he had other problems to solve.
* * *
Lacey started awake, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings and the disturbing noise that rent the air. Predawn light slanted through the window onto the colorful quilt on her bed. She sat up and remembered she was in Mike’s cabin just as she realized the loud sound penetrating the door was howling. Sheridan was in distress.
She hurried out of bed and opened the door leading to the main room. Opposite her, Mike opened his bedroom door. She had a few seconds to register the fact that he looked oh-so-sexy bare chested and in zipped but unbuttoned jeans before her attention zeroed in on Sheridan, who was sniffing along the floor of the great room, stopping every few feet to howl.
Lacey walked out into the room, wishing she’d brought a robe to wear over her pale blue cotton shortie set. “What’s he looking for?”
Mike also walked forward, seemingly unfazed by his—or her—state of undress. His dark hair stuck up at haphazard angles, and a frown pulled at his mouth. “Probably that toy you gave him.” His voice was shaded with accusation.
Lacey frowned back. “Chaz gave it to him. Where is it?”
“It fell out of his mouth when he went to sleep,” Mike said, “so I took it.”
Sheridan was frantic now, pacing back and forth with his nose to the ground.
“I think you need to give it back to him,” Lacey said.
“Not after I finally got it away from him,” Mike said. “He’ll forget about it in a few minutes.” He clapped his hands once. “Sheridan, quiet.”
But if the dog understood, he didn’t obey, continuing to howl and presumably search for the missing toy. Minutes ticked by, and the dog’s distress—and decibels—intensified.
Lacey crossed her arms and gave Mike a pointed look. “Your tough love isn’t working,” she shouted over the noise. “You promised to do what I asked.”
His mouth tightened, but he threw up his hands and went back into his bedroom, then emerged with the toy. Sheridan ran over to him and clamped down on the stuffed bone so fiercely, Lacey heard his teeth snap together. Silence was restored, but the dog continued pacing around the perimeter of the room, occasionally bumping into things.
“Sheridan, stop,” Mike said.
But the dog continued circling the room.
Lacey crouched down and when Sheridan went by, she crooned to him. On the next trip past her, he slowed and nudged the hand she offered, then stopped. She put her arms around his neck, then massaged his shoulders and back while humming in his ear. He whimpered, but didn’t pull away. She talked to him in soothing tones, using the universal “release command” word to signal the dog the task was over, he could relax. “Okay…okay…okay. Okay, Sheridan, okay…okay.”
The dog finally quieted, and his heartbeat slowed under her hand.
Mike walked closer and she