No. I couldn't let myself think that way. Couldn't start making exceptions, finding reasons why this time would be different. That's how it always started.
My phone lit up on my nightstand. I grabbed it, grateful for the distraction.
Calendar reminder: Judge appointment Wed 2pm
My pulse kicked up despite everything I'd just told myself.
I was in so much trouble.
Chapter Two
Gage
Mack Stagg was waiting when I walked into the station.
"Judge got an appointment today?" My senior deputy leaned against my office doorframe, coffee in hand and that knowing smirk on his weathered face.
I hung my Stetson on the hook. "Two o'clock. Why?"
"Just wondering if you're gonna handle it yourself again." He took a long sip. "That's what, four months now you've been personally driving him instead of letting me or Dell take him?"
"He's my K9. My responsibility."
"Uh-huh." Mack's grin widened. "Funny how he's been your responsibility for five years, but you only started handling every single appointment yourself back in September."
I sat down at my desk, pulled incident reports toward me. "Don't you have patrol?"
"Dell's got morning. I'm on at three." He settled into the chair across from me like he planned to stay awhile. "You know, when Judge got hurt in that bust three weeks ago, I offered to take him to his rehab appointments. You nearly bit my head off."
"Because he's my partner."
"Right. Your partner. The one you've been hauling to the vet yourself for months now—since way before he got hurt." He studied me over his coffee cup. "Five years that dog's been yours, and suddenly last fall you won't let anyone else drive himto his checkups. What's so interesting about that clinic all of a sudden?"
"Get out of my office, Stagg."
His laugh echoed down the hallway. "Must be something real special over there."
I stared at the paperwork, not seeing it.
Mack was right. For the past four months, I'd been insisting on bringing Judge to every appointment myself. Routine checkups that Dell or Mack could've handled. Minor follow-ups that didn't need the sheriff personally driving across town.
But I'd made sure I was the one walking through that clinic door every single time.
The problem? Crosswell wasn't big enough for awkward. If I asked Lacey Bennett out and she turned me down, I'd still be walking through that clinic door for the next five years. She'd still be the one handling Judge's care. Small-town dynamics meant you didn't make things uncomfortable.
And I definitely didn't want to be another guy hitting on her while she was trying to do her job.
But damn, I wanted to ask.
***
When I walked into North Texas Animal Hospital at two, Lacey was behind the reception desk. She glanced up and smiled, and something in my chest went tight as a fist.
"Hey, Gage. Judge."
Judge moved toward her immediately. She knelt, scratching behind his ears, and he leaned into her like she was his favorite person in the world.
Smart dog.
