Page 29 of Smoky Mountain K-9

His expression smoothed out, and an intensity entered his eyes. “I never expected you. I’m happy you didn’t stay home instead of coming to the auction.”

Her smile widened. “I’ll have to remember to thank Brooke for hauling me out of my house against my will.”

His lips tipped up, crinkling his eyes. “For sure.” He dipped his head, hovering inches away from her mouth. “Later, though. Much, much later.”

Fifteen

Maverick’s deep bark pulled Mara from sleep. She groaned and tucked the covers tighter around her shoulders, only to have them yanked away when Carter sat up.

“What?” She rolled onto her back and blinked, sitting up to grab the sheet and hold it to her chest, feeling vulnerable as she took in the sharpness to his features.

“He doesn’t bark. Not randomly. There’s always a reason.”

He got out of bed and grabbed his jeans from the floor. They hadn’t bothered to get dressed again last night. Mara hadn’t left the bedroom, and he’d only left long enough to let Maverick out. She had enjoyed the sight of him walking away from her without a stitch covering his beautiful backside.

Donning his pants, he glanced at her as he walked toward the door. “Stay put. I’ll be right back.” He was gone before she could reply.

Mara blew a lock of hair out of her face, then got up. She had her underwear and his shirt on when he entered the room, holding her phone.

“It looks like you missed a call.”

“Is that why he was barking?” She took the device and swiped the screen.

“From what I can tell, yes. Nothing seemed amiss outside. Who called?”

She frowned as she stared at the number. It wasn’t local, but instead an eight-hundred number. Why would a solicitor call her before dawn?

The phone buzzed in her hand, and a banner appeared indicating the caller left a voicemail. She touched the screen and raised the device to her ear to listen. Her blood ran cold as the male caller’s voice informed her the alarm at the equestrian center had gone off and the police had been dispatched.

“What is it?” Carter grasped her elbow, brows knitting together as he watched her.

She hung up and spun away, searching for her pants. “The alarm went off at the equestrian center. I need to go.”

“I’m coming with you.”

Mara didn’t argue as he hurriedly got dressed. She pulled on her pants and exchanged his shirt for her bra and top. Snagging a hair tie from the pocket of her khakis, she pulled her disheveled hair into a messy bun and left the bedroom.

Maverick whined from his kennel when he saw her. She wanted to let him out but didn’t, knowing the dog wasn’t simply a pet. Dealing with him was something she and Carter needed to discuss as they moved forward in their relationship. But not today.

She found her shoes and sat down to put them on as he emerged from the hall. He’d added a belt to his jeans and attached a holstered pistol and his badge. A plain, black long-sleeved t-shirt stretched over his chest. Disappearing into the kitchen, he came back a moment later with his boots and sat down next to her to put them on. His fingers flew as he laced them up and tied them.

“Get your coat and purse. We’re taking my cruiser, because I’m bringing Mav.”

Mara nodded and dashed to the kitchen to get her things. Swinging her arms into the sleeves of her coat, she heard Maverick’s nails tapping against the floor as he and Carter walked in.

“Ready?” Carter took his jacket off the hook by the door and put it on.

“Yes.” She opened the garage door and stepped inside.

Carter slapped a hand on the wall, raising the garage door. The interior light came on as the door rolled up. He led them to the SUV backed into the far bay. It beeped as he unlocked it. Mara rounded the hood and climbed into the passenger seat. She was glad she parked behind his truck and not the cruiser.

The dog whined and let out a sharp bark as Carter loaded him into the kennel behind the front seats. She could hear him turn a circle. The driver’s door opened and Carter got in, starting the vehicle. As they pulled out of the garage, he got on the radio and asked for information on the alarm. Mara held her breath as they waited for the dispatcher to contact responding units.

“Unit five-zero-nine, be advised responding unit reports open rear door. They are awaiting backup to make entry.”

Carter raised the radio mic. “Acknowledged. Unit five-zero-nine en route.”

Mara’s heart kicked into overdrive. It wasn’t a false alarm. She prayed the horses were all right.