To Catch a Treat by Linda O. Johnston Page B

underlying all this. Assuming that Go really is Janelle’s dog, how did he get here? Would she have brought him here herself for some reason? If so, why? And if not, who did—and, also, why?”
    Reed’s laugh was brief, and the look he leveled on me seemed caring—which warmed me more than the evening air. “I know you well enough, Carrie Kennersly, to believe that figuring out the mystery surrounding that dog is even more important to you than getting the murder solved, as long as your brother’s protected.”
    I smiled back. “Am I that obvious?”
    â€œYou’re that much of a dog lover.”
    Takes one to know one , I thought, but kept it to myself.
    We tacitly decided to change the subject then. Or at least we didn’t talk more about the apparent murder or who the suspects might be or even about my brother.
    Our dinners were soon served. Sure enough, despite getting some of my appetite back, I didn’t feel hungry enough to finish my food—which made the two dogs beneath our table very happy. The steak was delicious enough for me to feel comfortable feeding them table scraps, and I gave Reed a couple of healthy bites, too.
    That meant everyone was happy. We two humans were even smiling at each other—a lot—for the rest of the meal and as we left.
    In the parking lot, we first walked the dogs just a little to make sure they’d be okay on the ride back to Knobcone Heights. Then Reed opened the back door of his car for them to jump in.
    I’d reached for the handle of the passenger door in the front but he rushed around me, beating me to it—and using the opportunity to pull me closer so we could have one great kiss—the sexiest we’d ever indulged in.
    â€œI don’t suppose that you’d want to stop at my place for a while,” he said against my mouth. “Another drink, some music, some discussion about dogs … or whatever.”
    It was finally time.
    After all that had been going on, and to help bolster my wavering state of mind, I thought that dessert, or whatever, would be a great idea.
    â€œI suppose that I do,” I said with a smile.

ten
    Biscuit and I returned home in the wee hours of the morning. I didn’t see Neal but figured he was in bed.
    Good. I didn’t really want to talk about my evening—even though I was having a hard time thinking about anything else. Although with the exercise I’d gotten, I assumed I’d sleep well.
    I was right. But even so, I had no trouble waking on time to head to the shops. And despite my mind being focused on Reed, I realized that, in some ways, nothing had changed. We were definitely physically closer, and in the beginning of a relationship, but that was all. For now, at least. No discussions about the future, except looking forward to seeing each other more in the clinic … and elsewhere.
    Good thing Janelle had been scheduled to come in at six a.m. that morning to learn more about how to bake for both shops. She would be a great diversion—assuming she showed up. With all that had been happening in her life, I anticipated a phone call to tell me she was going to be late, if she was coming in at all.
    She might be under suspicion. Maybe even under arrest, although surely word would have gotten out about that if it was the case. But in any event, she might not want to be anywhere in public till the situation played out.
    To my surprise, though, she arrived a few minutes early, opening the rear door from the parking lot with her new key. “Good morning, Carrie,” she called. “Can you let me into the Barkery? I have Go with me again today and I’ll want to leave him there with Biscuit while I work.”
    I was glad she’d remembere d our no-dogs-in-the-kitchen rule. “Sure,” I said. “Head toward the front and I’ll meet you there.”
    When I opened the door, Go first came over to me and sniffed my outstretched