Page 22 of Puppy Love & Snowflake Kisses
“You’re welcome. Should I just lock up when I leave?”
She nodded. “Yes.” And then her gaze met his. “Will you call me as soon as you learn anything about Odie?”
“I will. I have calls out to neighboring towns.”
She didn’t want to think about the fact that Odie could be anywhere by now. Why would someone take him? She didn’t understand. It wasn’t like he was a purebred or anything.
She continued to mull over the different scenarios as she put on her coat and boots. She opened the front door and gasped.
Immediately, Parker was by her side. “What’s wrong?”
She pointed to a piece of paper taped to the door.
As she reached out for it, Parker pulled her arm away from it. “Don’t touch it. It could have prints or something that will lead us to Odie.”
She continued to stare at the note. Her gaze took in the block letters:
We have your dog. Don’t do anything stupid. We’re watching you. If you want your dog back, go to the Christmas party tonight. More instructions to follow.
Belle was grateful she hadn’t taken time to eat that morning because suddenly, the coffee in her stomach took a nauseous lurch. She turned on her heel and raced up the stairs to the bathroom.
“Belle?” Concern rang out in his voice.
Thankfully, he had the decency not to follow her. When she returned, Parker was just finishing up a phone call. He turned to her. His eyes shone with worry. “Are you okay?”
She was embarrassed that she’d gotten so worked up it had made her sick. “Do you think the note will help you find Odie?”
“I don’t know. But it bothers me that whoever did this is was so bold that they came to the front door while I was here.”
She didn’t like it either. Just the thought sent goosebumps cascading down her arms. “Do you think they’re out there?” She moved to the window. “Watching us?”
It made her angry that some deranged person was out there with her dog and disrupting not only her life but Parker’s life too. She was intent on stopping them, but she wasn’t sure how to do it yet.
“I have to go,” she said.
When she moved to walk out the door, Parker stepped in her way. “You aren’t going anywhere alone.”
She sighed. “What? You aren’t going to follow me around. Don’t you have things you should be doing?”
He stepped closer to her and stared deep into her eyes. “Belle, you can’t take any chances with this person. You have no idea what they want with you or what they’re capable of.”
“Well, if their intent was to scare me, they’re doing a good job.” She quickly pressed her lips together.
She couldn’t believe she’d admitted that to him. It was just the shock of learning the dognapper had been back to her house that had her speaking without filtering her words.
“You don’t have to be scared as long as I’m around. This is what I’ve trained for.”
She shook her head. Hoping to smooth things out, she said, “I can take care of myself. Besides, what’s going to happen? I’m going into town in broad daylight. There will be plenty of people around. I’ll be safe.”
He arched a brow as he frowned at her. “Has anyone told you that you’re stubborn?”
She smiled and nodded. “My mother. Many times.”
She turned and opened the front door. She heard some shuffling behind her, but she didn’t glance back.
“Okay. Let’s go.” Parker’s voice came from right behind her.
When she stopped, he ran into her. She spun around. “What are you doing?”
