Free A Little Christmas Jingle by Michele Dunaway Page A

tossed her the satin ornament, and she caught it one-handed and set it in a bowl on the dining room table.
    â€œIt’s a game. Pippa knocks everything off the low branches, so cloth ornaments only for the first four feet. The breakable things are up at the top where she can’t get them. She also tries to pull the tinsel off, but she won’t eat it, so it’s safe. It just drapes badly at the floor.”
    He lifted a fallen strand of silver and looped it back over a low branch. “I can see that. You ready?”
    Pippa launched a few more balls, before flying out of the tree to scramble after one. Her tiny paws flew out from under her, and she went sliding sideways on the hardwood before she tackled her prey. Then she jumped a foot skyward.
    Jack and Kat looked at each other and laughed. “I’m ready. Food and water are filled.” She gave Ty a scratch on the head. “You’ll see me in the morning, won’t you sweetie?” Ty flicked his tail and headed for the kitchen. He crunched on kibble as Kat locked up.
    â€œPizza okay?” Jack asked. “I was thinking Louie’s, as it’s close to the clinic.”
    â€œLove that place. Another good choice. You know your restaurants.”
    â€œI like good food,” Jack said.
    He patted his stomach and her mouth watered. No extra pounds there. When she’d been in his arms, she’d touched solid muscle, with not an ounce of flab. Against his chest during their hugs, she’d heard the powerful
thump thump
beneath his shirt. Her hands itched to touch his chest, feel the texture of his smooth skin. He was heavenly. Divine. Her body remained on high alert as they walked downstairs.
    He assisted her both into and out of the SUV, his touch lingering as they reached Louie’s. The place wasn’t much to look at from the outside, but the plate glass window revealed a line of people waiting for carryout orders. They sat toward the back at the last empty table, and their waitress came for their drink order.
    â€œAfter today, a glass of wine is in order,” Kat said, ordering a Riesling. Jack opted for a Budweiser. The waitress wrote it down on her green pad and disappeared, but not before giving Jack an odd look.
    â€œDo you think she recognizes you?”
    â€œMy family is pretty big. We know everyone it seems. It’s like a very small world. You?”
    â€œOnly child,” Kat admitted. “My parents were always busy with their medical professions, and I actually had a nanny. My dad traveled a lot and my mother worked long hours.”
    He arched a sexy blond brow. “Really?”
    She nodded.
    â€œWow. My mother was always home and in everyone’s business. Still is.” He tapped his fingers on the table, then stilled the nervous habit. The waitress returned with their drinks, and he wrapped his fingers around the cold bottle and lifted it.
    â€œCheers,” he said.
    Kat’s forehead creased quizzically. “To what? It’s not been that good of a day. Rather lousy actually.”
    â€œThen how about we toast to Jingle, who’s made it this far. That’s reason to cheer.”
    â€œFair enough.” She perked up and clinked her wineglass to his bottle. Each took a sip.
    â€œSpeaking of Jingle, I watched the new story. Anthony did a nice job. You were portrayed in a positive light, so that should help with your legal troubles.”
    Kat unrolled her flatware. “I saw it, and I hope so. My lawyer called. She wasn’t too pleased with the interview.”
    â€œLawyers are a pain. Necessary evil.”
    â€œSo you said you’re brother is a lawyer.”
    â€œYeah, when we were little I said I’d catch them and he’d put them away. One of the few times we agreed. But he went into corporate litigation. Pays better.”
    Kat sensed there was more, but didn’t want to press. “What made you want to be a police officer?”
    â€œI