She poured water out of a bottle into a plastic bowl, set it inside with Gizmo, and closed the crate.
Conrad shut the tailgate and drew Kenzie into his arms, the tension in her body easing as he held her. “You’re right. There is no justice in this.”
Not for the victim or her children or her parents or anyone who loved her. There was only loss and grief and heartbreak.
“I need to get back. I’ve got a class that starts in a half hour.”
“Can’t you cancel it?”
She shook her head. “I try very hard not to do that.”
He had to admire her dedication. “I promised you dinner afterward.”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever eat again.”
Conrad could understand that. He wasn’t sure how much of an appetite he’d have after seeing what she’d just seen. “How do you feel about ice cream?”
She tilted her head back to look up at him. “What flavor?”
“Any damned flavor you want.”
A little smile tugged at her lips. “Yes, please.”
* * *
Kenzie drove home,arriving at the kennel for the dog obedience class just in time. She did her best to be cheerful and professional and to focus on her clients. Still, she couldn’t get the brutality of the crime scene out of her mind.
After class, she walked home and took a long, hot shower, letting the tears come at last, her heart breaking for the victim, her kids, her family. By the time Harrison got there, she felt more in control of her emotions. She met him at the door wearing her most comfortable, but decidedly unsexy, leggings and sweatshirt.
“Hey.” He gave her a kiss and set the shopping bag down on the kitchen counter. “You’ve been crying.”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t have to play tough around me, Kenzie. You can always be honest about your feelings.”
“I should say the same thing to you.”
His brows drew together in a frown. “I’m fine.”
“Right.” She bent down to pet Gabby, who bounded over to her, tail wagging. “Hi, there, sweetie. Oh, I’ve missed you, too.”
Then she noticed that Harrison had dropped a duffel bag just inside the doorway.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“I’m staying here for the next few nights—if that’s okay. I don’t like the idea that the assholes from that webzine might know where you live.”
Her heart gave a little squish to think he was concerned about her and trying to protect her. “Of course, it’s okay—and thanks.”
He made a fire in the wood stove while she fed the dogs and dished out ice cream—cookie dough for her and rocky road for him. They ended up on the sofa, eating their dinner in front of the TV and watching back-to-back episodes ofThe Simpsons.
After the third episode, Kenzie reluctantly turned off the TV. “Bedtime. I have to be up at six.”
She stood, carried their bowls to the kitchen sink and was about to take the dogs outside when Harrison beat her to it.
“It’s cold out there. I’ll handle it.”
“Are you immune to cold or something?”
