.

the knife, or he’ll attack.”

      The man hesitated, and the dog took a step forward. The knife clattered to the ground, along with the shoes, and the man took two rapid steps backward. Then he spun around and ran.

      Cole took in the medium-size dog that was now wagging its tail, obviously feeling proud of himself.

      “Good job,” he told the mutt, patting its head, finding sticky, matted fur.

      He looked closer and realized the animal was painfully thin. It had a wiry, mottled coat, mostly tan, but black on the ears and muzzle. Its brown eyes looked world-weary and exhausted.

      “You a stray?” Cole found himself asking.

      He moved to pick up the shoes. When he straightened, the dog was watching him patiently.

      “You probably want a reward for all that.”

      The dog blinked.

      “I don’t blame you.” Cole blew out a breath. He supposed the least he could do was buy the animal a burger.

      “Come on, then.” He started down the alley toward the brightly lit street. The dog trotted at his heels.

      At the front of the hotel, Cole reported the incident to one of the doormen, who sent someone to retrieve the knife. Cole learned that they’d had previous trouble with a thief impersonating a waiter at large events. If the knife had fingerprints on it, they might be able to catch the guy. It seemed likely he’d stolen more than just the shoes tonight.

      Duty done, Cole and the dog then made their way down the street until they came to a fast-food restaurant.

      Thinking it was a fifty-fifty shot the mutt would wait, Cole left it outside while he purchased two deluxe hamburgers. He was hungry after the fancy little portions at the pilots association event, and a burger didn’t seem like the worst idea in the world.

      When he returned to the street, the dog jumped to attention. It wolfed down the burger in two bites, so Cole gave it the second one, as well.

      His phone chimed, and a text message told him Luca was sending back the empty car. Luca and Destiny were stopping for a nightcap.

      Cole smiled at his friend’s luck, tossed the wrappers in the trash and headed back toward the hotel. Predictably, the dog followed along. It was sure to be disappointed when a meal didn’t appear at their next stop.

      Cole took the animal back to the alley at the edge of the hotel property and pointed. “Go on, now,” he told it.

      It looked up at him uncomprehendingly.

      “Go home,” Cole commanded.

      It didn’t move.

      He made his voice sterner. “Go on.”

      The dog ducked its head, eyes going sad.

      Cole felt a shot to his chest.

      He tried to steel himself against the guilt, but the effort didn’t pay off. He crouched down in front of the dog, scratching its matted neck and meeting its eyes. “I don’t know what you expect here.”

      It pushed forward, nuzzling its nose against Cole’s thigh.

      “Those are rented pants,” said Cole.

      It pushed farther forward.

      “I live in Alaska.”

      Its tail began to wag.

      “Crap.”

      “Mr. Parker?” The driver appeared in Cole’s peripheral vision. “Are you ready to go, sir?”

      Cole stood, drawing a deep sigh. “We’re ready.”

      “We?”

      “The dog’s coming, too.”

      The driver glanced down at the scruffy animal. He hesitated, but then said, “Of course, sir.”

      “Do you have a blanket or something to protect the seat?”

      “I’ll get a newspaper from the doorman.”

      “That’ll work,” said Cole. He looked to the dog. “You want to go for a car ride?”

      Its head lifted. Its brow went up. And its tail wagged harder.

      “I’ll take that as a yes.” Cole knew he was making a stupid, emotional decision, one he’d likely regret very quickly. But he couldn’t bring himself to leave the animal behind.

      He closed his eyes for a long moment. All this for a pair of shoes.

       Three

      The next morning, Cole headed for the Hendersons’ penthouse apartment to return Amber’s shoes. He took the dog with him, thinking maybe he’d stop by the shelter on his way back and drop it off. He told himself they were in the business of finding stray animals good homes.

      The dog looked much more appealing since Cole had given him a bath in the hotel’s carwash bay. He smelled better, too, considerably better. And he’d probably put on five pounds between the room-service steak last night and the bacon and sausage breakfast.

      The animal had been meticulously well behaved, and now stood quietly by Cole’s side while Cole rang the bell.

      A minute later, Amber answered the door. She was dressed in faded blue jeans, bare feet poking out at the bottom. A stained T-shirt stretched across her chest, and she had what looked like oatmeal smeared in her hair. Zachary was bawling in her arms.

      “The doorman said it was a delivery,” she told Cole over Zachary’s cries.

      Cole held up the shoes. “It is a delivery.”

      She focused on the shiny creations while struggling to hold the wiggling, howling Zachary. “Honestly, I’d hoped somebody might steal them.”

      “You have got to be kidding.” Cole didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

      “Only partially kidding,” she admitted. “They cost a lot of money, but I don’t ever want to have to wear them again.” She glanced down. “You have a dog?”

      “I have one now,” he said.

      “Okay.” She seemed to digest that while Zachary continued to wriggle. It was clear she had her hands full. “Could you maybe just bring them in and toss them down?” She glanced around the foyer.

      “Sure.” Cole moved through the doorway, spying a closet door. He opened it and placed them inside.

      The baby’s cries faded to whimpers behind him.

      He turned back. “I’ll have you know I practically risked my life to rescue these.”

      Zachary suddenly stiffened. He twisted his head to stare at Cole in what looked like amazement.

      “The party got that wild?” Amber asked.

      Zachary’s silver-gray eyes focused on Cole like lasers. He went silent and stared unblinking, seeming to drink in Cole’s appearance.

      Then, suddenly, he lunged for Cole.

      “Hey.” Amber grappled to keep hold of him.

      Zachary’s own arms were outstretched, reaching almost desperately for Cole. He started to howl again, hands clasping the air.

      “This is weird,” said Amber.

      Cole didn’t have a clue how to respond.

      “Do you mind?” She moved closer, glancing meaningfully at the baby.

      “I guess not.” Who would say no?

      Taking Zachary from her arms, he cautiously brought him into his chest. Zachary instantly wrapped his arms around Cole’s