Page 12 of Colorado K-9 Rescue

M ckenna lost track of time. For a brief second, she forgot about the moment in life that had defined the last nine years.

Instead, she was lost in the kiss with Evan.

Everything about him was perfect. He was sensitive yet, at the same time, strong.

Not only was she able to forget the trauma, but she’d also felt safe with him in that moment.

Like he would protect her no matter what.

And he believed her.

That meant more to her than anything. She’d been dreading talking with Evan about her kidnapping.

Part of her emotion and tears were due to how, over the years, she’d feel something and friends and even her family would dismiss her because of her anxiety.

It seemed like once Toby was behind bars, her family was able to continue with their lives, but she was secretly struggling to move forward.

She’d learned to put on a brave face, but inwardly, Mckenna still had a storm brewing—one that wasn’t going away easily.

It had been unleashed listening to Lily.

What if Toby was the one who took her? What if he came after Mckenna?

What if he was the one driving that Jeep this morning?

What if no one believed her? What if she was crazy and making things up?

Maybe it was just one big coincidence that Lily had a similar experience.

When Evan said he believed her, though, relief coursed through Mckenna.

She forgave him for the things he had said earlier.

For a short time, the storm subsided. Then they had kissed.

She had never kissed anyone like him before.

She found herself not wanting to leave, instead wishing to just stay in this moment forever.

There was another side to Agent Evan Knox, and she liked it. A lot.

They sat together for a while, Mckenna letting her head rest against his chest, Mocha down by her feet. She didn’t want to leave, but she knew they both had to get back to work. Back to reality. Evan had a kidnapper to catch.

Mckenna sat back, her lips still tingling. Evan stood, giving her his hand, and helping her to her feet.

“I’ll figure this out, Mckenna.”

“I know. Thank you.”

“Do you want me to walk you to your car?” Evan asked.

Mckenna thought about the blue Jeep following her that morning. Was that her imagination running wild? Or could Toby somehow have a vehicle and be following her? Or could it be someone else?

Stop it. Jeeps are one of the most popular vehicles in Colorado. When it comes to that, you’re paranoid.

Despite her thoughts, Mckenna heard herself answer, “Yes.”

She picked up Mocha’s leash, giving him love and thanks for his help.

His tail wagged happily as they walked out of the chapel and toward the parking garage.

The heat of the August day hit her. Mckenna would be happy when fall rolled around and the days cooled off.

It was the best time in Colorado with warm days and cool nights—her favorite time of year.

Opening the back hatch, Mckenna pulled out portable stairs for Mocha and set them up.

He expertly navigated them and went into his crate, turning a circle and then curling up and tucking his head so that he formed a ball.

She knew he must be tired too. Even though being a therapy dog wasn’t like a police K-9 tracking and expending lots of energy, Mocha would need time to recover.

It was a different type of job, but it still took a toll on the dogs.

She would fill the kiddie pool in the backyard and let him lounge in the cool water tonight.

Mckenna started the car and turned up the air-conditioning. She turned around wondering if Evan would give her another kiss, but instead he stood back, running his fingers through his dirty blond hair that had enough curl to make it wavy. He appeared distressed.

Was he regretting the kiss? Maybe it hadn’t been as good for him as it had been for her. Mckenna’s heart sank, and she stared down at the ground.

“I’m sorry,” Evan said. “I uh…”

“For what?”

“What I did. Kissing you. It was unprofessional. I crossed the line. I shouldn’t have.”

“I wasn’t complaining,” Mckenna said, feeling her cheeks go warm.

So, it wasn’t as good for him. He looked like he was getting ready to say something else, but Mckenna beat him to the punch.

If he was regretting the kiss, then she didn’t want to repeat her mistake.

Climbing in the front seat, Mckenna said, “I’m sorry too then.

I also crossed a line and it’ll never happen again.

Thank you, though, for listening and thank you for investigating Toby Hanson. ”

She closed the door and backed out before any tears could start falling again. What a mess. Why had she kissed him? And why did she have to enjoy it so much?

Evan stood watching Mckenna drive out until she turned onto the street and her car disappeared down the road.

“You’re an idiot,” he said to himself.

He never should have kissed her, but oh man, what he’d give to do it again.

But he couldn’t. Evan hoped she didn’t go to her sister and tell Cassidy what happened.

The best-case scenario was office gossip would run rampant for the next couple of days.

The worst-case scenario would be the FBI firing him due to another office scandal.

Plus, he had sworn he’d never open himself up like this to anyone. Love never worked out.

Time to get back to this investigation. He had promises to keep.

Evan walked to his bu-car and slid into the front seat.

He started up the vehicle and cranked the air-conditioning.

Did he really think that Toby Hanson was responsible?

It was a lead and he had to investigate it.

What he hadn’t told Mckenna, though, was that he had to follow other leads too.

He couldn’t have tunnel vision, but he didn’t want her to think he didn’t believe her.

Whether the cases were connected or not, Lily’s interview had been a trigger.

First thing first, he had to find Toby Hanson.

Making calls, Evan received the name of Toby’s probation officer—Keith Warren. He dialed the number and heard, “Officer Warren.”

“Hello, this is Agent Evan Knox with the FBI.”

“What can I do for you?”

“I need to find one of your parolees, the sooner the better. I need to talk to him.”

“Who do you need to find?” Keith asked.

“Toby Hanson.”

There was a pause and then Keith said, “Funny you mention him. I’m heading to his brother’s place now to do a home inspection.

The judge said Hanson could stay with his brother Rex Hanson as long as the ankle monitor stayed on, and I deemed it okay.

I want to do a follow-up inspection to make sure everything is good. ”

“Would you like some company on that inspection?” Evan asked.

“Sure. Is this a good number to text you the address?”

“It is, and one other question,” Evan asked. “Has Toby’s ankle monitor been in any unusual locations?”

“Not that I’m aware of, but I can look at that information and let you know. You know how it is—I have a big workload, so it’s not like I sit and watch everyone’s monitor.”

“I understand,” Evan said. “If you could look up where he’s been, that would be great.”

“Sure, I’ll do that and then meet you at his brother’s house.”

“Thank you,” Evan said, hanging up and waiting for Keith to text the address. He willed himself not to think about Mckenna. That kiss. Or how she felt that close to him and how he’d love to feel her even closer.

The text chime notification thankfully interrupted Evan’s thoughts. He put the address in the GPS and a chill swept over him. Rex Hanson, Toby’s brother, didn’t live that far from where Lily was found.

Suddenly, Toby Hanson became a lot more interesting.