The Pregnant Colton Witness. Geri Krotow

you a cup of tea, coffee? There’s hot chocolate in the break room, too, if you’d prefer.”

      His face went blank before his steely determination returned. “Uh, no, thanks. Yes, we do need to talk. Not here, though. I have to escort you to the police station so that you can file a report.”

      Her heart sank at how professional he sounded. And for good reason. The sooner she gave her report, the more accurate it would be. The better chance of providing a tidbit of information that might aid in apprehending the suspect. She needed to tell Nash she was having his baby, but it would have to wait. Again.

      “I anticipated that. My standby is on duty now, for the duration. I’m free to give a statement.” And go home after and sleep in her bed, which sounded divine. “As soon as we get Greta dried off, we can go.”

      Nash nodded, and she sensed a tension in his body. It could be the adrenaline from such a demanding op. But when he looked up at her, she saw vulnerability.

      “Patience, I’m so sorry. I’ve been an ass. I should have contacted you before work put us together again. I’ve thought about you often since our night together.” His eyes shone with what could be longing, attraction. Nonsense—he was tired from the recovery op.

      “No worries, Nash. Why don’t you take Greta to the grooming station and use the power driers? The sooner she’s dry, the sooner we’ll all get to bed.”

      Her face immediately heated. If Nash noticed her self-consciousness over the unintended reminder of their night together, he didn’t reveal it. He had Greta by her leash and his hand on the door. “I just wanted to say that I’m really glad I got here when I did. Tonight.”

      Of course, that was what he was going to say. Patience swallowed, knowing in that instant that telling him he was tied to her forever as her baby daddy was something she had to do pronto. But not here, not in the midst of trying to find a murderer.

      “Thanks. Me, too. If you hadn’t shown up when you did, I know I’d have had to fire my weapon.” She couldn’t stop the shudder that ran through her. And she wasn’t the shaky type. Digging deep, she tried to find the woman she’d been just yesterday. The uncompromising K9 veterinarian who knew what she wanted. Instead of the emotional wreck she felt like, wondering how on earth she was going to raise a baby.

      Nash’s hand dropped from the door handle and he closed the few feet between them. His touch was firm, warm, reassuring as he squeezed her shoulder. It was meant as a collegial reassurance, so why did it send lightning bolts of awareness through her?

      “You didn’t have to use your firearm. And if you had, you’d have protected yourself. You’re a brilliant veterinarian, Patience, but you’re also a great shot. I was there on the firing range with you during our last weapons refresher, remember?”

      She nodded. “I do. Thanks, Nash.”

      He flashed his trademark sexy smile at her before he led Greta out of the room. Patience listened to their footsteps, walking in sync as they always did. Nash and Greta made a great team.

      And now they were going to have a baby to fit into their routine. If Nash wanted to participate as a father. She’d thought for certain he wouldn’t, but the man who’d protected her tonight wasn’t the kind who balked at a challenge. And helping to raise a baby while still the guardian for his four half siblings would be the challenge of a lifetime.

      Of course, he didn’t know about it yet. She wished she still had the clinic all to herself, because she needed to talk to labradoodle Fred and scarlet macaw Gabby most desperately now.

      She needed the words to tell Nash Maddox she was pregnant with his child. Yet the image of the woman going into the water, the terror that had sliced through Patience when she’d thought the killer would harm her and the baby, put a dreadful pall over such happy news. Now she understood how the would-be brides and grooms all over Red Ridge felt. The threat of being murdered trumped the desire to host even the most joyous occasion.

      Patience squared her shoulders. No one would harm her child or erase the thrill of anticipation at his or her existence. But even as she made the silent vow to herself, a shiver of knowing rushed over her.

      The Lake Killer wanted her dead.