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

because I’m hoping JoAnn baked her cinnamon rolls.”
    Her assistant grinned and nodded. “We have everything set up in the break room. I even made you some to take home.”
    â€œThank you! I’m going to check on Mitch, then we’ll party.”
    â€œHe’s a trouper. He’s going home today.” Matt gave Lydia a hug. “And his partner, Officer Nichols, is getting better. We have a lot to celebrate.”
    Like Matt she’d become attached to the SAR dogs and the K-9s that were partnered with a police officer. She’d enjoyed having Brutus last night. He was so well trained that he even got along with Cheri, while Charlie remained hidden under her bed, one of his favorite places.
    â€œWho’s taking Mitch until Jake Nichols gets out of the hospital?” Lydia headed for the back where Mitch would be.
    â€œJesse Hunt is coming to pick him up this morning on his break. Brutus and Mitch have always gotten along.” Matt stepped to the side to allow Lydia into the large room with cages for the animals.
    â€œThis is the time I wish I had a fenced yard. I’d have taken Mitch.”
    â€œYou could walk him. He’ll need the exercise. And you can make sure he continues to progress.”
    Lydia opened the cage door as Mitch struggled to stand. Before he hobbled two steps, she was next to him, kneeling down and petting the tan-and-black German shepherd. As she checked him out, he nuzzled her. “You’re looking good, Mitch. Would you like to come home with me?”
    The dog barked.
    â€œThat’s your answer,” her partner said. “You should talk with Jesse about taking Mitch.”
    â€œI think I will. I saw his SUV at the bistro. If he hasn’t come by here, I’ll go see him when I leave.” Having Mitch at her house would make Kate feel better—and if she was honest with herself, she would, too.
    Matt glanced at his watch. “Let’s go eat. My first appointment will be here in fifteen minutes.”
    â€œHow’s Dr. Stutsman fitting in?”
    â€œHe’s not you. A bit set in his ways, but at least he could help us while you’re recuperating. He should be here soon.”
    â€œHe’s seventy and prefers camping and fishing now.”
    â€œYeah, I know. That’s all I hear about.”
    Closing the cage door, Lydia chuckled. “He reminds me of my father.”
    â€œYour dad was kind of set in his ways, too.”
    Lydia’s chuckle evolved into laughter. “You think?
Change
was not in Dad’s vocabulary.”
    â€œTrue. I guess you’ve spoiled me. I like going with the flow.”
    Lydia clasped Matt’s shoulder. “You’ve made this transition easier.”
    At the break room, he paused. “Still want to leave after Kate graduates?”
    She remembered telling him that when she’d met with him the first day. “I’m reconsidering.”
    â€œGood. I’m too old to go through breaking in another partner.”
    She studied the medium-sized man with salt-and-pepper hair and sharp eyes. “You’re not old. You can’t be a day over fifty.”
    â€œFifty-four, and thank you for saying that.” He indicated she go into the room first.
    Lydia ate a bite from every dish brought and spent some time with the staff she’d come to care about. Maybe she could return earlier than she’d planned.
    â€œI see the wheels turning in that mind of yours.” JoAnn presented her with the leftover cinnamon rolls wrapped in aluminum foil to take home with her.
    â€œI’ve only known you a year, and you think you can read my mind.”
    â€œI see the yearning on your face.”
    Lydia’s gaze fixed on Dr. Stutsman, who had come in a few minutes ago. She leaned close to JoAnn and whispered, “Are you two getting along okay?”
    Her assistant turned her back to the room full of staff. “Sure. I can get along with a