“Good morning.” Chance held out the cup for her. “This is for you.”
“Thank you.” She took a sip, glancing up at the six-foot-five hunk of dark chocolate. God, he was so handsome. “Nice and hot.” Just like you.
Even though Chance was blind, she felt like he could see right through her.
Holding her lips to the rim of the cup, she recalled the one and only kiss she’d shared with Chance at her mother’s Christmas party a couple of years ago. That night she’d wanted to talk to Chance about coming to work at her service dog training school. It had been the only thing on her mind and she’d tried to wait for the perfect opportunity to bring up the subject. She did have strong feelings for him, but that night she’d been thinking about the partnership they would form and the amazing work they would be able to do together. She’d hoped that spending more time with Chance would cause him to think of her differently.
Their signals had definitely gotten crossed when someone had mentioned the mistletoe above their heads.
After that toe-curling kiss, Chance had left in a rush, sending a clear message that the most they could ever be was friends.
She’d thought about running after Chance to tell him how much she’d cared for him but hadn’t been able to make her feet move. She’d suddenly been paralyzed by doubt and fear. Even though she’d been intent about trying to get him to agree to join her at the dog training school, he’d clearly sensed her unspoken feelings for him that night. He had no interest in her that way.
To this very day they’d never spoken about the kiss again.
Jaris came up with Sugar. He’d been the one who had finally convinced Chance to move to Destiny and work at her school. She was happy but didn’t hold on to false hope.
She’d retrieved that sprig of mistletoe the morning after her mother’s party and placed it in her nightstand, where it remained to this day, along with the box of condoms she’d bought. Why? She’d held onto the hope that she and Chance would make love that Christmas. It had turned out nothing like she’d hoped. The mistletoe and condoms were reminders to keep her feelings buried and locked away. Chance was an amazing and wonderful friend. Like it or not, it had to be enough. It would never be more.
“I knew you would be on time, but Chance made me bet against you.” The former detective was just as tall as Chance and equally as attractive, though his features were lighter, including his sandy blond hair.
Chance laughed. “You know me better than that, don’t you, Kaylyn?”
She smiled. “I think I’ll stay out of it, if you don’t mind.”
Jaris reached into his pocket. “Here you go, Chance.” He tossed the coin into the air.
Chance caught it, which never ceased to amaze her. “Best money I made all day.”
All the boys’ eyes were wide with wonder and one of the older boys asked, “How do you do that, Mr. Chance?”
“That’s a great question, Daniel.” She turned to Chance. “I’d like to know how you do that, too.”
Chance grinned. “It’s magic.”
She knew it had to do with how attuned his other senses were, but he had never admitted it to her.
Standing by Rosie, little Jake yawned. “Do we get to go with you today, Miss Kaylyn?”
She shook her head. “Not today, Jake. Today is a test day for Rosie and the other dogs.”
She would be driving the dogs out to a remote location on the Stone Ranch with Chance and Jaris. Their new owners would be arriving next week for their training and bonding with the new service canines. Rosie and the other dogs needed to be ready to go.
She loved her work but graduation day gave her joy and sadness. As always, after she said good-bye to the dogs and their new owners, the training of the next class of dogs would begin the very next day.
Holding a basket, Belle came out of the main house and walked over. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” Kaylyn could see the glow in the woman’s smile. Not surprising, since Belle was a little over three months pregnant. Soon she would start showing.
“How are the boys doing?” Belle asked.
“They are doing fantastic.” Chance moved right next to Kaylyn, causing her temperature to rise a few degrees. “All the dogs were bathed last night and put to bed. The boys got up early this morning to feed them and get the harnesses on. Perfect job.”
Belle smiled broadly. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Juan, come over here,” Chance said.
“Yes, sir.”