Read Online Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #1 by Alison Stone, Lisa Phillips, Margaret Daley - Free Book Online

reinforced.
“Let’s take it one day at a time,” was all Lydia could come up with, which really wasn’t a solution. But she didn’t have the energy to hash this out with Kate tonight. “I’ll ask him to stay...” an idea popped into her head “...or better yet, I’ll have him leave Brutus here if he’s willing to. I’ve treated Brutus, and he knows me. The dog could sleep in your room.”
    â€œI’m not the one the bomber would be after. You are.”
    â€œHow about Brutus sleeps in the hallway between our rooms?”
    Her sister’s frown melted. “Okay.”
    Lydia left Kate to talk with Jesse. She wasn’t sure he would agree, but all she could do was ask. When she entered the living room, Jesse knelt next to his Rottweiler and was rubbing his stomach and play wrestling.
    â€œYou’ve got a good dog. Well trained.”
    Jesse peered toward her and smiled. “Yeah. We work well together.”
    â€œKate is still scared even though I told her we didn’t think anything happened here. I believe it’s all leftover emotions from the day of the bombing. With our dad dying last year, she had her legs knocked out from under her. My death would have been a second big blow in a short time.”
    At the mention of her possible death, Jesse’s eyes widened slightly and his grin dissolved. “I can certainly understand that. I was a foster kid. You not only have to deal with your parents’ death but living with strangers.”
    As a teenager, Jesse rarely mentioned living with a foster family. In fact, he wouldn’t talk about his past, something that had frustrated her because she wanted to know everything about him. “Would it be possible to leave Brutus overnight with us? It might put Kate’s mind at peace.”
    â€œWhat about tomorrow night and the one after that?”
    She pushed her fingers through her hair. “I’m hoping when nothing happens she’ll begin to calm down. Right now I’m taking it one day at a time.” Because that was about all she could handle. “That way you can go home and get a good night’s sleep. The couch is okay but not as good as a bed. I know you’ve been working long hours...” Her voice faded as Jesse rose and cut the distance between them.
    â€œI’ll do what is needed. If you want me to stay, I’ll make do with the couch. I love to go camping, and the hard ground is way worse.”
    His very nearness robbed her of any reply. She moistened her lips and stepped back. “She was happy when I suggested Brutus sleep here. It’ll be easier to transition back to being just the two of us.” And easier on her. She hadn’t spent this much time with Jesse since they were dating.
    â€œThen we’ll do that. He doesn’t eat until the morning. I’ll bring his food over before I go to work. If there’s a problem, call.” He slipped his card into her hand, his fingers lingering a couple of seconds longer than necessary.
    His touch set off a myriad of buried emotions flowing through her. “I’ll take good care of Brutus.”
    â€œI know. I’ve seen you with the SAR dogs.” His gaze snagged hers and bound her to him as though with invisible ropes.
    Her heartbeat accelerated. She turned away and headed for the front door.
    Jesse called Brutus and put on his leash. “I’ll take him for a walk since you don’t have a fenced-in backyard. It won’t take long.”
    While Jesse and his K-9 descended the porch steps, Lydia made her way outside to stand and wait for them to return. In the darkness, she could study Jesse without him seeing. She always loved the fluid way he moved, usually as though he didn’t have a care in the world. But then she’d seen him in action, quick to do whatever was needed.
    When he ascended the steps with Brutus five minutes later, Lydia walked toward him and