Free A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe by CATHY GILLEN THACKER

he went up to bed himself.
    Her gentle smile beautiful to behold, she cuddled the tiny pup to her chest. “I think I’ll hold her just a little while longer,” she murmured, without looking up.
    And Hank knew for certain what he’d only guessed before. Ally was in love. With the puppy whose life he had saved…
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    â€œJ UST A LITTLE WHILE LONGER” turned out to be most of the night. Hank knew that, because Ally was still up, albeit nodding off, when he rose again at five-thirty. “You’ve really got to get to some sleep,” he told her, as he put another pot of coffee on the stove.
    Ally yawned and stretched. “You’re up.”
    Hank took the puppies and placed them at Duchess’s side, one by one, and made sure they all latched on. “I’m used to staying up all night to nurse sick animals.”
    Ally shrugged and began preparing another bottle of puppy formula. “Financial analysts pull all-nighters, too.”
    Hank didn’t doubt that she gave her all to whatever shedid. Tenacity was something he and Ally seemed to have in common. However, he still thought she needed a break. He closed the distance between them, wishing he could kiss her again. He put his hands over hers, stilling the movements of her fingers. “Seriously, I can handle all the dogs for the next two hours if you want to catch a little shut-eye.”
    Ally pulled away. “I can’t hit the sheets just yet. Gracie is due for another feeding.” Her kissable lips assumed a stubborn pout.
    Hank pushed away the forbidden image her sweet, soft lips had evoked.
    With effort, he concentrated on the problem at hand. “Gracie?”
    Reluctant pleasure tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I thought she should have a name, other than ‘the littlest one.’”
    Their eyes met. Once again, Hank felt a mutual purpose, a bond. The same sort of connection he figured parents of a newborn baby felt. But then she lowered her gaze, and it was gone. He studied the newborn pup’s velvety golden coat and scrunched up face. “Gracie is good. It suits her.”
    â€œYou’re not going to argue with me?” Ally joked, only half-humorously. “Tell me that I shouldn’t name a pup I’m only going to have to give away?” She snapped her mouth shut, as if worried she’d reveal even more of her runaway emotions.
    Hank shrugged. “I figure you probably already know that. Besides,” he said slowly, “Gracie is the runt of the litter.”
    â€œWhat does that have to do with anything?” she demanded, narrowing her eyes.
    â€œSomeone willing to pay top dollar for a show qualityretriever may not want anything less than perfection. Cute as Gracie is, her size could be a deterrent.”
    Ally fumed. “Not to me!”
    No kidding. Her intense reaction worried him a bit. Ally was becoming personally involved in the situation and was bound to get her heart broken if and when Duchess’s owner showed up to claim the litter and their mama. She almost would have been better off if she had continued to loathe the canine species as much as she had when Duchess first showed up.
    The sound of a truck motor in the driveway broke the silence. Ally wrinkled her nose and continued cradling the puppy like a newborn baby. “Are you expecting anyone?”
    Hank shook his head. “You?”
    She furrowed her brow. “At dawn?”
    A knock sounded on the back door, and Hank went to open it.
    His father was standing there, foil-covered plate in hand.
    Hank figured he knew what this was about.
    The blessing was, Ally didn’t. And if he could help it, she would never have any idea.

Chapter Six
    â€œMight as well get it over with,” Hank told his father short minutes later. As the sun rose over the horizon, the two of them emerged from Hank’s pickup truck and strode toward the back. Hank opened the tailgate so they could get