Whistling, she got the dogs to follow her back to the house. Once inside the warmth and comfort in her own home, she smiled. She loved the home she’d made for herself. Its furniture was worn and used, but it was hers. Her large, open living room had a fireplace that she and the dogs loved to sit in front of. She’d turned the dining room into an office with book shelves and a computer desk. Looking around, she was happy and content. At least with this part of her life.

The ringing telephone drew her away from her thoughts.

“Hello.”

“ Madison!” Angie’s excited voice came over the phone.

Madison looked at her watch. It was only eight in the morning-the store didn’t open for another two hours. “Hey, Angie.”

“The store was broken into!”

“What?”

“Mike next door just called and said the front door was busted. I told him to call the sheriff, and I’d call you. I’m headed over there, but I stayed at Chad ’s last night.” Which meant she was farther away than Madison.

Taking the cordless phone with her, Madison scrambled into the bedroom. She tore off her pyjama bottoms and yanked on a pair of jeans.

“I’ll meet you there,” Madison told her friend before hanging up quickly and yanking an old Denver Broncos sweatshirt from her closet.

With both dogs loaded in the front seat next to her, Madison drove carefully into town. Biting her bottom lip, she worried over the inventory that could be lost. She had insurance, so that would take care of most of her books, but Angie handmade all the candles they sold there, and they had a computer in the back with all their business information on it.

Pulling onto Main Street, Madison could see Tom’s SUV parked in front of the store. Two deputies were outside the store when she parked. She left the truck running as she hurried towards the store to get a look at the damage.

Deputies Kyle and Greg looked at her as she approached. They sent her small smiles, which she tried to return.

Madison took a deep breath before walking through the door that had all the glass broken out. The lights inside were on and Tom knelt in front of a display case that had been smashed.

He turned when he heard her walk inside. “ Madison.”

She took in the mess. Books were knocked off the shelves. The snow had ruined the ones by the door. Glass was everywhere, and it looked like every candle in the place had been smashed. All the display cases had been either opened or broken.

Tears pricked at the back of her eyelids as she had the overwhelming feeling of being violated.

Tom stood and walked towards her with long strides. His expression was fierce as he reached her and held her arm. “I’m sorry.”

She nodded, still studying all the damage.

“Maybe you should wait in your truck,” he offered.

“No. No. I want to see.” Her voice was thick with unshed tears.

Placing his arm around her shoulders, Tom gave her what comfort he could. “Can you tell if anything is missing?”

Madison shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Okay. It’s okay. We’ll find out.”

“What about the office?” she asked, turning her face up to him.

“Fared better than up here. It’s trashed, but I didn’t see anything broken.”

“Okay. Okay,” Madison repeated in a low voice as she tried to convince herself that the store looked worse than it was. No one had been inside when the break in had happened. That was the most important thing. No one had gotten hurt.

A sharp intake of breath brought their attention to the door where Angie stood. Madison watched her friend’s eyes take in all the broken glass and ruined work. She knew she would have to be strong to get them both through this.

After getting the glass cleaned up, Madison let the dogs into the store. Angie sat on the floor, making a list of everything that was broken or ruined. After a couple of tears and choice words, Angie had rolled up her sleeves and declared that they’d make the store even better.

Madison placed the ruined books in one box and the books that could be saved in another. The coffeepot had been smashed, but Tom had brought one over from Fred’s Grocery so they had hot coffee.

The owner from the local hardware store had rushed over to help them also. Sam and his son were fixing the broken glass on the front door as Tom finished taking pictures.

Madison felt an arm wrap around her from behind and leaned against the solid chest of support. “Who would do something like this?”

“I don’t know, honey, but I’ll find out. I promise,” Tom assured her, placing a kiss against her temple.

Madison sighed. “This is a mess.”

“I know, but at least no one got hurt.” He kissed her cheek and pulled away.

Taz and Belle both got up from their favourite spot and walked over to him, wanting some attention. Tom bent down and gave them both good rubbings before patting their heads. They wagged their tails at him.

“Just keep these two with you when you can. They won’t let anything happen to you.”

Madison smiled down at her dogs and remembered. “I almost forgot. I saw footprints in the woods in front of my house. I was wondering if you could send someone to check them out. If we have another illegal hunter out there setting traps, I might just shoot him.”

Tom gave her a strange look before nodding. “I’ll send someone out. When did you see them?”

“This morning. I was going to call you and then all of this happened.”

He nodded again. “They seem fresh?”

“Yeah, pretty fresh, I’d say.”

“Okay. I’ll take care of it.” He leaned over and kissed her quickly on the lips. “Be careful. I’ll be in touch.”

Madison watched him walk away, enjoying the view of him in his khaki uniform. After he’d gone through the door, she looked back at Angie sitting on the floor and smiling at her.

“Shut up,” Madison mumbled walking towards the back.

Angie’s soft laughter followed her.

Madison was tired, and her back hurt from lifting boxes. She drove up to her house, grateful that, in her hurry this morning, she’d left the lights on. Getting out of the truck, she held the door open for the dogs.

They bounced down and ran for the house. They stopped at the foot of the stairs growling. Madison looked up and watched Dante walk out of the shadows.

“Dante.” She whispered it but was sure he heard as his gaze met hers.

Taz snapped towards him, and Belle hunched down, giving a furious growl.

“Taz. Belle. Down. Friend.” She gave the command automatically and without thought.

Walking up the stairs, Madison took in the sight in front of her. As exhausted as she was, nothing could curb the thrill of seeing him here at her house.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to check on you. Chad called me and told me about your store.” He cupped her cheek in a loving gesture.

Madison laid her hand over his before taking his colder one in her grasp. “Come inside. You’re cold.”

Dante followed her inside, taking his coat off as he stepped inside. The dogs, now sure he was a friend, walked past him to the fireplace. Taking the time to calm herself, Madison lit a fire, aware Dante’s eyes never left her.

“There’s nothing to be nervous about,” Dante said from behind her.

Madison turned and faced him. “I think there is.”

Closing the distance between them, Dante moved to her and cupped her face in his hands. “I would never hurt you.”

Madison sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. “I don’t play games, Dante. I never have. I respond to you, hell, I’ll admit I want you.”

The last statement brought a smile to his face. One that was rarely seen.

“But…there is someone else.”

Dante nodded, but before he could respond, he lifted his head.