dear. Did you do this? All by yourself? Boy, are you in trouble, young lady. And a bag of flour too. You’ve been busy.” Harriet eyed the snow-like substance covering everything in sight. She dropped her bag, dragged off her hat and her coat and tried to work out where to start. Take the dog out first? Clear up?
She decided that Madi had to be her priority. She’d never known the animal to behave badly before, which had to mean she was distressed. Clearing up could wait. “Poor Madi. What happened? Were you bored? Scared? Is this a very strange place?” She stooped to make a fuss over the dog. She pulled her onto her lap and removed pieces of pasta from her fur. “Don’t worry. I’m here now and everything is going to be fine.”
“I don’t think so. In fact I’d say everything is far from fine.” An icy voice came from the doorway and Harriet turned her head quickly. She hadn’t heard anyone else enter the apartment, and neither had Madi, who wriggled off her lap and bolted for safety, scattering pasta and rice.
The man in the doorway topped six foot, the collar of his long coat turned up against the bitter winter chill, his eyes a steely blue.
Blue eyes. Ice-blue, to go with the icy voice.
She recognized those eyes, and the handsome face, and her heart skipped a beat. It made her feel a little dizzy, but she was comforted by the fact that if she collapsed in front of him he’d know what to do about it.
Why hadn’t it occurred to her that Debra’s brother might be the doctor who had treated her?
Dr. E. Black.
Not Edward, but Ethan.
Broad shoulders hunched, he scanned the wreckage of his kitchen and his living room with incredulity. “What the hell happened here?”
It was a fair question but she wished he’d asked it in a less threatening tone.
Harriet dragged herself back from the land of dreams to uncomfortable reality.
“I’m guessing Madi didn’t appreciate being left alone all day in a strange environment. The poor thing was scared.”
“The ‘poor thing’? What about my poor apartment?”
He strode into the apartment, slamming the door behind him. The noise echoed around them and was the final straw for Madi, who fled behind the kitchen island.
Harriet was about to go to her when there was a knock on his door. Cursing under his breath, Ethan went back to it and dragged it open.
A woman stood there. Harriet guessed she was in her seventies. Her hair was the color of the bag of flour Madi had just exploded over the floor and walls. She was slightly bent and barely reached Ethan’s chest, but the look she gave him was fierce.
“Dr. Black.” She peered at him over the top of her glasses. “We appreciate how hard you work and your contribution to society. I’d even go so far as to say you’re something of a hero around here, but that doesn’t change the fact that your dog has been howling all day. I’m sorry, but we cannot tolerate it.”
“Howling?” His bemused response made it clear he had no idea how a dog might respond if left alone in a strange apartment all day.
Harriet knew.
She looked questioningly at Madi, who looked back with sorrowful eyes.
“Howling. It has driven us all crazy. As you know, well-mannered dogs are allowed in this building, but—” She broke off, her attention caught by something over his shoulder. “Oh my—whatever has happened?”
“I have yet to work that out, Mrs. Crouch. When I find out, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Have you had a break-in? An intruder? Because—”
“No break-in. My intruder has four legs. He’s my sister’s dog. She had to fly to San Francisco because my niece has been in a serious accident. I’m helping her out.”
Harriet frowned.
Did he not realize Madi was a girl?
Mrs. Crouch seemed to soften a fraction. “I’m sorry to hear that. I know how close you are to your family. How is she doing?”
“I haven’t called the hospital yet. I’m going to do that in a moment.” He raked his fingers through his hair, still damp from the snow. “I apologize for the howling, it won’t happen again. I understand your frustration and I share it. I’d be grateful for your patience while I fix this, and you have my word that I will fix it.”
Mrs. Crouch melted. She patted him on the arm. “Don’t you worry, Dr. Black. We can cope with a little howling if that’s what it takes. Call your sister. You must be worrying to death. I’m sorry to have bothered you at such a difficult time.”
Harriet blinked. He’d turned her from attack to apology with a few sentences.
He probably had a wealth of experience dealing with difficult situations in the emergency room, but still that was a particularly smooth performance. He’d been kind, polite and caring.
The man was wasted as a doctor. He should be a hostage negotiator.
Which was a relief, because for a moment there he’d made her a little nervous.
By the time he finally closed the door again, Harriet had relaxed a little. That feeling lasted until he turned back to her and she saw that the dangerous glint in his eyes was back.
Whatever restraint had prevailed when he’d talked to his neighbor appeared to have abandoned him. And she knew why. Mrs. Crouch wasn’t the focus of his anger.
That seemed to be reserved for Harriet, although she had no idea why he should be holding her responsible. She wasn’t the one who had burst the bag of flour and thrown pasta and toilet paper around his apartment.
Whatever the reason, he was angry, and she wasn’t good with angry men.
Part of her wanted to follow Madi and hide behind the sofa but she stood her ground and reminded herself that he had reason to be a little annoyed, but he shouldn’t be angry with her.
“You’re the dog sitter my sister talked about?” His words were clipped and she swallowed.
“I’m not a sitter. I’m a dog walker, and yes, I’m—”
“So if you’re a dog walker, why didn’t you walk the damn dog?”
It felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room.
Harriet had to force herself to inhale. “Excuse me?”
“If your job was to walk the dog, why didn’t you do it?” The anger in his voice rattled her composure so badly it took her a moment to respond.
“I arrived five minutes before you did. My plan was to take Madi out and then clear up.”
“Two walks.” He spoke between his teeth, as if he didn’t dare move his lips in case a torrent of heated words flowed out and scalded them both. “Debra said she’d arranged for you to walk the dog twice a day.”
“That’s true, but she told me not to come this morning because she’d make sure Madi was walked and settled before leaving her.”
He scanned the rooms, his expression one of naked incredulity. “Does she look settled to you?”
Madi whined.
“Could you lower your voice? You’re making her nervous.” Not only Madi. Ignoring the fact that her heart was thumping and her palms were sweaty, she stood up and crossed the room to Madi. “It’s okay, baby. Don’t be scared. There’s nothing to be scared of.” She was talking to herself as much as the dog.
“It most certainly is not ‘okay.’ What did you say your name was again?”
It felt a little better with Madi in her arms. She could