Page 16 of Smoky Mountain K-9

With a nod, he opened a coat closet and put it on a hanger and hung it on the bar inside. When he turned back, she noticed his expression looked pinched.

“Are you all right?”

Carter nodded. “Yeah. I’m just tired. It was a long night, and I didn’t get much sleep when I got home. Too keyed up.”

A wrinkle marred the space between Mara’s eyes. “What happened?”

“We found Piper Riordan. She was near death from hypothermia.”

Mara inhaled a sharp breath.

“I talked to Ben a little while ago, and she’s going to be fine.”

“That’s great. I know Gemma was worried yesterday. About her and about Cullen Tate.”

“Yeah. He was a mess last night. Until we found her. Then he showed us why he’s a leader in his field.”

Mara frowned. “As a coroner?”

Carter shook his head. “No. He’s a trauma surgeon. He took charge and had Piper packaged and ready to go to the hospital in minutes. The coroner thing is in addition to his other duties.”

“Oh.” She hadn’t known that.

A soft whine from the corner drew her attention. She glanced over to see Maverick sitting in a large dog kennel, the door open.

Carter called the dog over and had him sit. Maverick raised a foot and whined.

Mara laughed. “Hi, buddy.”

Rolling his eyes, Carter released the dog from his hold, and the animal scooted toward Mara, working his head under her hand. Mara scratched his ears.

“I still don’t understand it.”

She glanced up to see him watching them, shaking his head.

“He likes very few people well enough to seek out attention. Even with me, it took a couple of weeks before he’d come find me and want to be pet.”

Mara shrugged, continuing to pet the dog. “Animals are like people in some ways. There are certain people who just click with them. We have a few horses I can’t put with certain riders because it makes the animal skittish. Those same horses will nudge other riders for head scratches.”

He let out a soft grunt. “I hope you’re prepared to have a dog if something happens to me. He’s picked you, and I’ll be sure to let Ben know.”

She gave him a curious frown. “Wouldn’t they pair him with another handler?”

Carter shook his head. “Not with our history and his age. By the time he got used to another handler—if he did—he’d be at or close to retirement.”

“Oh, well, in that case, I’d be happy to take him. Though I hope it never comes to that.”

“You and me both.” He tipped his head toward the rear of the house. “Come on. I’ve got the main part of our dinner in the oven, but I’m still working on the sides.”

Mara smiled and followed him. Maverick trotted along behind them. “What did you make?”

“Shrimp tacos.”

“In the oven?” She’d never heard of it being done that way.

“Just the shrimp.”

“Oh. I’ve never cooked shrimp in the oven.”