When Love Matters Most. Kate James

before he injures himself and perhaps does permanent damage.”

      “That’s the plan. Can I see Zeke now?”

      Madison nodded and took him to the recovery area.

      Zeke looked good, considering everything he’d been through. Madison explained that he was coming along nicely and could go to Jeff’s family in a few days.

      When they’d finished with Zeke, Rick paused by the door. “I’ll pick you up at five on Sunday. Does that work for you?”

      She nodded. “Yes, that’s fine.”

      “All right.” He was about to exit when he saw her grin. “I guess I’d better get your home address, right?”

      “I guess.” She took a pen out of her pocket, scribbled an address and phone number on a sheet of paper and handed it to him. “See you Sunday.”

      He folded the paper and tucked it in his shirt pocket, then gave her a jaunty little salute. “Yeah. I’m looking forward to it. Grab your leash,” he instructed Sniff. Tapping the side of his thigh, he had Sniff heeling again as he walked through the reception area.

      “Everything okay?” Heather asked when he passed the reception counter.

      Rick raised his eyes to the ceiling, and his expression made Heather giggle.

      “Don’t worry about it. You’re not the first man and you certainly won’t be the last to come in here and react to Madison like that.”

      * * *

      MADISON CLEANED UP the exam room. Since there were no patients waiting for her, she walked over to Heather and leaned on the reception counter.

      “How’d it go with Enrique?” Heather asked with a smirk.

      “Fine. Why do you call him that?”

      “What? Enrique?”

      “Uh-huh.”

      Heather shrugged. “I think Enrique suits him better than Rick—too common. So does Pitbull.”

      “What kind of alias is Pitbull anyway? Why do they call him that?”

      “Logan told me it’s because he’s tenacious. About his work. About what matters to him.”

      Oh, yes, Madison could see that. She could see him being very determined and stubborn, depending on the circumstances.

      “You two met before?” Heather interrupted her thoughts. “And you didn’t remember him?”

      “Oh, I remembered, all right,” Madison said.

      “But you let me go on about him...”

      “First, I didn’t know he was the sergeant. I thought his dog was Zeke, not Sniff. Also, you called him Enrique. I was introduced to him by Angela as Rick. No last name.”

      Heather grinned. “Well, I really do think Enrique suits him better. He’s not keen on it... I like it, though. I think it actually amuses him when I call him that. The aka suits him, too, but in a different way. Pitbull fits his personality. Enrique... Well, he’s got that whole sexy Latino thing going for him, and that appeals to me!”

      Madison chuckled.

      “What can I say? I’m attracted to tall, dark, good-looking men.”

      Madison felt her eyes widen. It occurred to her that she might be treading on Heather’s territory by having accepted a date with Rick. “Are you...together?”

      Heather laughed, as well. “No! We’re not.” She got up and walked to the printer. Flicking her hair over her shoulder, she retorted, “But a girl can dream, can’t she?” She grabbed a printout and left the reception area, her laughter drifting over to Madison.

      Madison watched Heather walk away, but her thoughts were on a tall, dark and decidedly handsome cop. Yeah, a girl could dream.