Lone Star Legacy by Roxanne Rustand

there’s a threat, and believe me, any intruder would think twice about risking that kind of notice.” He picked up the dog and cuddled her against his chest. “She was raised around Kenny’s grandkids, so she should be fine with Sophie. You should probably keep her in the backyard when the café is open, though, in case she assumes your customers are trying to break in.”
    That didn’t sound good, but Walt had been right about the cat….
    “Then I guess we could give this a try,” Beth said faintly. She put Sophie down, and reached out to stroke the top of the dog’s head. Viper’s long, pink tongue swooped out to lick her hand. “You’re sure she’ll be good with us? Predictable?”
    He chuckled fondly as he placed the dog in Beth’s arms. “Give her a day or so to make herself at home, and I’ll guarantee it. I promise you, she’ll protect this place with her life.”

     
    J OEL PULLED TO A HALT in the alley behind Beth’s house and jogged to the backyard gate.
    He’d barely touched the latch when something small and black burst off the porch and flew down the walk like a supersonic bowling ball—barking loud enough to alert the entire county. It threw itself against the gate, needle sharp teeth snapping as it jumped higher and higher, apparently trying to gain enough altitude to make it over the gate and take him out.
    His ears ringing, he took a step back and looked up to find Beth out on the porch, hands on her hips. She shook her head in apparent amazement, then placed two fingers at her lips and whistled sharply. “C’mon, Viper. It’s okay.”
    The dog backed off growling, its eyes riveted on Joel’s. Daring him, in no uncertain terms, to make the next move.
    But when Beth whistled again, it turned and trotted up the walk to sit in front of her.
    “I still don’t think I’m coming in,” he said, trying to keep a straight face. “What is that thing, anyway?”
    Beth picked up the doglet and rubbed it behind the ears. “A gift from your uncle. I think it works.”
    He drew close to Beth and offered his open palm to the dog. It looked up at him, seemed to judge him a friend, then licked his hand. “What about Sophie?”
    “I’ve been watching them really close, but they seem fine together.” She put the dog down and watched as it bounded back into the yard to bark at a squirrel. “Darwin’s another story. He took one look at Viper, jumped from the top of the refrigerator and gave her a glare that could’ve melted steel. Now and then he comes down to parade in front of her nose, just to let her know who’s boss.”
    Beth wore a soft pink top that barely skimmed the waist of her matching shorts, and her long, strawberry blond hair was loose and curly today. From all appearances, someone might guess she was Sophie’s high school babysitter…too fresh and innocent to ever be involved in anything illegal.
    He caught her delicate scent—like sweet, lush peaches, this time—on a soft breeze.
    And just like that, his steely resolution to confront her started melting fast as ice under the hot Texas sun.
    Since the night of the dance he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the intense emotions he’d felt, just holding her in his arms. He hadn’t meant to kiss her, but it had been as natural as breathing to lower his mouth to hers.
    Just the moonlight, he’d told himself.
    The intimacy of holding a woman close.
    Any woman, after such a long time alone.
    But that brief, innocent kiss had totally blown him away. In an instant, the music and the moonlight and the crowd pressing against them had faded. His focus had narrowed down to Beth’s warmth. Her softness. Her sweet, inviting mouth, and the way she’d responded.
    She tempted him more than anyone had since the bitter end of his marriage, but he hadn’t been a cop for nearly fifteen years for nothing.
    He was going to find out what her secrets were…so he could help her, in case danger arrived at her door.

CHAPTER NINE

    A