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“He’s a stray. I’ve seen him wandering around my place for a day or so.” Judi paced back and forth in the tiny examining room while Mike Jericho ran his fingers over the little mutt. “I like dogs. I wouldn’t hurt one intentionally. But I was in a hurry. Didn’t see him.”

“He may have some broken ribs, but with a little care he’ll be as good as new in...” Mike’s attention slipped momentarily from the pup to Judi.

Hey guys, look at me. I’m the one who’s hurt here.

“Um, in a week or two,” he continued, returning his focus to the dog.

“You’re sure, Doctor?”

“Call me Mike. And yep, he’ll be fine now that he has a home.”

“A home...,” Judi mumbled, giving Mike the once-over. Seriously cute. Just shy of six feet, sensational blond hair a little on the longish side, gorgeous baby blues, perfect pearly whites and a dangerous physique... Wow! “So, you’ll send him to a shelter?”

“A shelter?”

Judi nodded. “Where they’ll take good care of him until somebody adopts him.”

“Look, Miss Blake... That is Miss, isn’t it? Your friend, Deb, did say you’re...”

“Not married,” Judi jumped right in. For once, she was glad she wasn’t. “Call me Judi.

Remember sad eyes, anyone?

“Judi, I need to get some x-rays. But if they confirm the broken ribs, no shelter’s going to take

him. Guess I assumed that since you brought him in you were going to keep him.” Of course she’s going to keep me.“I’ll take care of his vet bills, but I can’t keep him, Mike.” Oh, great, he was scowling now. Was he getting ready to take back her use of his first name? “I’m not equipped to deal with...”

“Be right back,” he said hastily, picking up the dog and exiting the room.

“Got the wings in my truck,” Deb said, rushing into the exam room. “So I’m on my way to feed the Bigelows. And didn’t I tell you? Isn’t he the most magnificent thing you’ve ever seen in a white smock? Aren’t you just dying to see what’s underneath it?”

“Shh,” Judi warned. “This is strictly professional.” But Deb was right. She was dying to take a peek at his pecs. “And he’s not happy that I’m not keeping the dog.”

“So keep the dog. Makes it easier to get to the vet.”

“Don’t want a dog. Therefore, don’t need a vet.”

“Honey, you need a vet worse than both LuLu and that pup you ran over do.”

“What I need is to get over to the Bigelows’ to get their food service going.”

“No need. I called Larenz. He’s on his way.”

“Larenz?” “You know, Larenz DeFazio. We’ve used him as a server a couple of times.... I’ve used him a couple of times on my own.” Deb giggled.

“But I thought you and the vet...”

“Hey, a girl can look, but when this girl touches it’s short, dark and Larenz all the way. So help yourself to the vet. And don’t worry about the Bigelows. They’re in good hands. Hope you are, too, pretty soon.”

Judi shook her head as Deb trotted out of the examining room. They were the same age, twenty-six. Apart from that, no other similarities. Deb was on the edge — short, bouncy, with dark brown eyes and spiked champagne hair. Great business partner, not great in the kitchen, excellent with the public contact. And apparently excellent with Larenz.

And Judi? She was not bouncy, for starters. Five-five, one-twenty, green eyes and long, copper-colored hair she couldn’t control with a whip and kept tied back when she cooked or served. She was great in the kitchen and...and... Well, for a caterer, that was enough. Until she met Mike.

“A couple of broken ribs,” Mike confirmed, stepping back into the exam room. “They’re stable, but you’ll have to keep him on bed rest for a few days. Give him plenty of water, some puppy food, and he’ll be fine.”

My very own bed, lady?

“But I thought you understood...”

“I understand you have a pup who needs some TLC for a while. Get him healed, then we’ll talk about finding him a home. Okay?” He smiled the most beguiling smile she’d ever seen in her life. “But I’m warning you, I’ll do whatever it takes to convince you to keep him.” Then he winked and almost melted her into a puddle on the floor.

Can I sleep with you, lady? Please, please?



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