What else had she forgotten?
Mustard. Salt! God, yes, salt.
She made her way through the aisles, tossing things into her shopping cart, aware that she needed to get home. Gabby, her eight-week-old golden retriever puppy, was at home in her crate and would need to go potty soon.
Kenzie had gotten the puppy just yesterday from the same breeder who’d sold her Gizmo. This breeder was the only one in Colorado who bred dogs specifically with SAR skills in mind, selecting dogs for their health, curiosity, and fearlessness. Though Gizmo probably had a few good working years left, it usually took a couple of years to get a dog fully trained and certified. Kenzie was doing her best to be prepared so there wouldn’t be any break in the availability of an SAR dog here in Scarlet.
That’s what she told herself.
The truth was that she’d gotten one look at little Gabby, with her fluffy, cream-colored fur and big brown eyes, and hadn’t been able to walk away without her.
If only puppies weren’t so damned cute.
She set a box of salt in her cart, added a bag of chocolate chips for eating in front of the TV, then rounded the aisle, nearly running into someone. “Oh, sorry.”
She glanced up—and froze, her pulse tripping. “Harrison?”
Without thinking, she left her cart and jumped up to wrap her arms around him. “Oh, my God! It’ssogood to see you!”
He hugged her back. “It’s good to see you, too.”
She stepped away, embarrassed, and took a good look at him. His brown hair now hung down to his shoulders and had a little wave to it. But he had the same ridiculously handsome face—square jaw, firm mouth, proud nose, dark brows, gorgeous gray eyes. But something was different, something in his eyes …
She cleared her throat. “When did you get back?”
“Yesterday.”
“You must be jet lagged. That’s a long trip.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I’ll be turned around for a while.”
“I’ve been really worried about you.”
“You have?”
Was he surprised?
“Of course. We all have. We were all there in the Ops Room listening when it happened. I don’t think I’ve ever been more afraid for anyone in my life.” The tension on his face told Kenzie not to say more—or to ask questions about that terrible day. “Where are you staying?”
“Remember the old English teacher?”
“Mrs. Beech? Yes. She passed on in January.”
“Her son is trying to sell her old place. I’m renting it while I sort things out.”
“Oh. Good. You’re here in town, then?”
“For now.” He changed the subject. “How’s Gizmo?”
“He’s great. He’s still healthy and working. You should stop by and see him sometime. I’m sure he’ll remember you.” When Harrison gave no sign that the idea appealed to him, she added, “You’ll run into us at The Cave sooner or later.”
He shook his head. “I left the Team. I’m done climbing.”
That news made her stare. “Truly?”
“Yeah. I’m looking for a job. If you hear of something…”
She started to object, to remind him that he lived to climb, but stopped herself. The tragedy on Everest had changed him.
