There had been a connection between the two officers ever since they met several years before—and not only due to them both being military veterans—but it wasn’t until the events of a recent case that they admitted their attraction for one another. It took John almost dying to make Katie really see him and realize she wanted to be with him.
Katie opened the front door. “C’mon, there’s time for breakfast,” she said.
Cisco rushed past, heading for the kitchen and was soon heard lapping up water.
“Sounds good.” John followed Katie into the kitchen, slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. “I could get used to this.”
Katie turned and kissed him. “Me too.” She felt his heart beating and his warm skin next to hers.
It was the first time in a long while that Katie felt relaxed and happy. She was enjoying learning more about John and slowly building a relationship with him. She had been worried that working together and having a relationship might be a problem, but they were both professional at work. The cases they investigated were the priority and that made their bond that much more special.
Cisco interrupted, sticking in his wet muzzle between them.
“Oh, Cisco. Really?” said Katie. “He’s a typical German shepherd.”
“I don’t think so,” John said. “He’s a hero and has proven himself even after his military service.”
Katie smiled. Having someone new in her life had been a bit scary at first, but watching John playing with Cisco had helped her fears subside. He knew what Katie and Cisco had been through together and that made her feel at ease.
“I’ll fix us some eggs and bacon,” she said.
“Need help?”
“I got this—I think Cisco wants you to go outside and throw the ball for him.”
“Even after that run?” he said. “Cisco, where do you get all the energy?” They went out in the backyard.
Katie watched them for a few moments. She sometimes still couldn’t help remembering her past with Chad, her fiancé who had been her childhood sweetheart, and how important he had been in her life. But things change. Their sudden breakup came close to destroying her, but she wouldn’t let it. It used to make her sad being alone without him, but after finally moving forward it stung less. And now she was excited for her future.
Katie and John enjoyed their breakfast as they chatted about places they wanted to visit on vacation one day and places they had already seen. They didn’t mention work, wanting to learn more about each other instead.
Katie glanced at the clock on the stove. “We need to get ready for work.”
She got up and John stood too, taking her hand and pulling her to him. His intense, sexy eyes watched her. She smiled.
Minutes later, the hot steaming water ran over John as he showered before work. Katie stepped in with him. John kissed her passionately as steam filled the bathroom.
TWO
Monday 0815 hours
“Okay, Jimmy,” said the supervisor, looking at the grading plans. He adjusted his hard hat while balancing the paperwork. “This way.”
He guided the backhoe driver to run along the property to where a long tree line once stood. Markers showed the exact area that was going to be part of the drainage system. An excavator was already working the middle area, clearing remnants of overgrown branches and bushes. The backhoe driver gave his supervisor the thumbs-up and continued in the correct direction. The machine roared, digging through the ground.
The city council project had been in the works for almost five years. The property had been purchased because of its location at the intersection of Old Mill and Pine Roads, on the edge of town and leading to other areas of the county. It was the perfect place to house the new police and fire training areas, allowing the two services’ training facilities to be joined.
A larger space for emergency services was overdue, butthere proved to be some stumbling blocks. Pine Valley seemed to be divided over the project: many didn’t want the original rural property to be desecrated by large buildings and fenced-in training areas, while others supported the project to better train and protect the community.
The supervisor walked to the side and rolled out the plans on top of a truck hood. He studied them carefully. He had managed several projects this size and it would be a breeze once they had the foundation in place.
The weather had been overcast, but spring began showing its signs. Buds of new growth were among the trees and there were more birds and forest animals moving about. The heavy morning fog had burned away, but everything appeared wet, waiting for the sun to break through the clouds.
For a moment the light became darker as if nighttime were imminent, and the surrounds became quiet. The supervisor looked up and saw that the backhoe had turned off and a half-dozen workers were standing next to it and the excavator. No one moved. It seemed they were frozen in time.
“Get back to work!” he yelled. He walked toward the group, grumbling. “What are you doing?”
He stood in front of the backhoe, where a pile of dirt had been scooped up and dropped to the side. It only took a moment to realize what they were looking at.
