Free Beauty and the Chief by Alysia S Knight Page B

Mark.
    “It’s fine with me,” he said.
    “All right, if she’s not, come straight back.”
    They followed the sidewalk around the corner of the clubhouse which sat in front of her building. Jillian’s condo was on the end. A small, enclosed patio to the side of the walk was given privacy by a tree and a couple of bushes.
    “She seems to be walking fine.” Mark looked down at the dog as they approached her condo.
    Jillian followed his gaze. “Yes, Dr. Jones said she was fortunate. Though she had lots of stitches, the cuts were fairly shallow. It’s a good thing Abby has a nice thick coat. There wasn’t too much muscle damage. Eliza said she’ll heal fast, probably be back to normal in a couple of weeks. The only thing is, she’ll likely have a lighter streak of fur where the cuts were. I can handle that, considering I feel lucky to still have her.” She leaned over slightly to run her hand over the dog’s head.
    The man popped up from behind the bushes by her patio.
    Surprised, Jillian shrieked. Abby crouched and growled, and Mark stepped in front of them as a shield − all at the same time.
    The figure cried out and fell back over a flower pot. Mark sprang forward, grabbed the man by his shirt front, and pulled him up. A second later, Mark had one arm pinned behind the struggling man’s back.
    It happened so fast, it took Jillian’s brain a second to catch up and recognize the man. “Mark, let him go.” She dropped the leash and rushed up, catching Mark’s arm. “Let him go.” She eased his hand away. “It’s all right. Toby, are you all right?” She helped the man straighten.
    The man-boy looked past her. “Who is he?” Toby glared at Mark.
    “He’s a friend.”
    “Why did he jump on me?”
    “You startled me. When I yelled, Mark went to protect me. I’m sorry.” She tried to explain.
    “I would never hurt you, Jillian.”
    “I know. I’m sorry.” She patted his hand. “Are you okay?”
    He nodded and sent another glare at Mark.
    “What are you doing here Toby?”
    “I brought Abby a bone. The butcher said I could have it. I asked.”
    “That was very nice of you.”
    “Did Abby get hurt?” He knelt down by the dog, obviously nervous to touch her because of the bandages.
    “Yes. I’m just bringing her home from the vet. It’s okay to pet her, just be careful.”
    “Did he hurt her?” There was no mistaking the hostility as Toby glared at Mark.
    “No, he’s a friend,” Jillian said soothingly. “He was helping me bring her home. His name is Mark. Mark, this is Toby.”
    “Hello, Toby. I’m sorry I handled you so roughly. I thought you were going to hurt Jillian.”
    “I would never hurt her.”
    “I can see that now. I was just trying to protect her.”
    “I can protect Jillian. She doesn’t need you to protect her.”
    “That’s nice of you, but it’s what I do. I protect people. I’m a police officer.”
    The look in Toby’s eyes changed to one of excitement. “A real policeman? Do you carry a gun?”
    “Yes, but it’s in its lockbox right now. I’m off duty. I was at a soccer game with my son.”
    The look that came over Toby was one of relief. “Is he on Jillian’s soccer team?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m going to be Jillian’s special helper sometimes. If I listen to what Jillian says,” the man announced importantly.
    “That’s good of you.”
    The boys came running up. “Mom’s home,” Sam announced. “She said we could play a video game if it was okay with his Dad.”
    “Is it okay Dad? Just for a minute.”
    Mark looked to Jillian. “Do you mind the company? All in the name of the boys’ new friendship,” he added for extra pull.
    “The boys’ friendship?” Her lips twitched. She eyed him speculatively.
    “Well, maybe for ours, too.” The glint in his grin was unmistakable.
    Jillian felt her heart leap in recognition. “All right.”
    “Okay.” Mark turned his son. “Go play for a while, but not too long. You don’t want to