Page 98 of Falling for Brody

"You will, Rhea. I know you will."

She smiled and he felt his heart swell in his chest. "I just hope I don't disappoint you. And Chip."

He shook his head. "You could never disappoint me, Rhea. Unless you give up on yourself. And I know that Chip would never be disappointed with you."

"I hope not."

He managed to lift one of her hands and brought it over to his mouth, kissing the tips of her fingers. "I know you won't, Rhea. You're going to be fine. Both of you. And I'm going to be there to help."

CHAPTER17

He meant it.

He'd do what it took and that meant calling in the big guns. Which included going to Gabriel's boss. Police Chief Simon Hill.

And that was why they had the Chief sitting in Beatrice Hardy's backyard having some sweet tea and cookies.

"Well, this looks like a party." Gabriel walked in through the back gate with Roland on his leash. And as soon as Roland saw Chip playing in the grass, the Police K-9 looked up at his handler and almost comically looked back and forth from Chip to Gabriel and back again.

"Chief?"

Simon looked up as he wiped cookie crumbs from his mouth and waved his free hand. "We're somewhat off the clock here, Armstrong. Let him play."

Gabriel reached down and unhooked the leash from Roland's harness and pointed at the yard. "Frei."

Immediately, Roland's tongue lolled out of his mouth, and he pranced over to Chip and dropped down to roll in the grass with the little boy.

Brody, from his place on the steps, laughed out loud.

Gabriel shook his head. "If he wasn't working for us, I think he'd prefer staying here with Chip."

Brody leaned in toward Rhea who bumped her shoulder against his. "Probably."

He leaned in closer, hiding the kiss he placed on her neck. "Maybe we should get him a dog after this has been resolved."

He got a look from Rhea that told him to pump the brakes on that and he shrugged.

"Just a thought. And I did say after this is all resolved."

Rhea leaned in and kissed him on his cheek.

It was quick.

Almost a millisecond, but it felt damn good.

Chip giggled from the grass and looked up at the big dog who was about to take another playful tumble in the grass.

"Uncle Angel!"

Brody sat back, blinking at his brother.

Gabriel shrugged at Brody and turned to Chip. "Yeah?"

"I was looking at the library when we went for school."

"That's cool."

Chip gave Gabriel two thumbs up. "Super cool." Then, giggling, he looked at Roland. "Kuss!"

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