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Too bad Finley Craig wasn’t the amenable type. Because he definitely revved my engines.
Cinnamon went still, her hair standing on end. She growled low in her throat. Suddenly, a rodent of some sort darted out of the brush and scampered right in front of the dog’s nose.
The puppy went wild, almost wrenching my arm from its socket as she bounded after the tiny mammal. I hung on to the leash for dear life, wincing as my feet trod on tiny twigs and stones. “Enough!” I cried. “Stop!”
My commands fell on deaf ears. The dog was in full-on attack mode. She ran and ran, zigzagging back and forth between trees, making no real progress. At last she darted into the narrow road again. I knew this was my chance. I planted my bare feet, held the leash with two hands, and yelled, “Cinnamon. Enough.”
Unfortunately, my urgency got through. The puppy stopped dead in her tracks for a split second. I took a step forward. “Good girl. Let’s—”
Before I could corral her, she was off again. The unexpected movement caught me off guard. I stumbled and went down hard on both knees. “Ouch, you wretched dog. Stop this instant.”
At last she understood and acknowledged me. Circling back to where I sat in the road, she nosed my elbow and whined.
I scowled. “See what you made me do?”
Cinnamon groveled, penitent and pitiful.
My knees stung like the devil. Though it was dark, I was positive I had left a layer of skin on the pavement. When I touched my kneecap delicately, it was wet. Great. Just great.
Carefully, moving like an old lady, I got to my feet, wincing with every movement. I tugged on the leash. “Home, you rascal. Maybe we’ll come out again tomorrow night,” I said. “For now I’m done. Seriously. Play time is over.”
Our pace was almost sedate as we made our way back to the house. Once we were inside the kitchen, I had my first clear look at my injuries. My knees were a raw, bloody mess. If I were at home, this situation would call for hydrogen peroxide. I was in a stranger’s house, though, and I had no idea whether or not the Scots even used such a thing.
Cinnamon was suspiciously docile as I unfastened her leash and returned it to its allotted location. I put a finger to my lips. “Quiet,” I whispered. “We don’t want to wake the master of the house.”
Despite our tiptoeing about, the stairs were old and creaked accordingly. I had no idea what time it was, but it was late. We had almost made it to the safety of my room when Finley appeared from around a corner, scowling. “Where in the hell have you been, Duchess? I thought you’d absconded with my dog.”
It was clearly a joke. His tone annoyed me. “I’m sorry we woke you. I didn’t know there was a time limit on these things. It’s a beautiful night.”
“I thought you were tired.”
“I was. I am. Cinnamon wanted to play.”
“She always does.” He held out a hand. “I think she’d better sleep in my study. Puppies need a firm hand to learn discipline.”
“Puppies also need love,” I reminded him, indignant on Cinnamon’s behalf. My knees hurt, but I wasn’t going to whine about that.
“This mutt is a pro at getting what she wants, aren’t you, girl?”
As if sensing what side her bread was buttered on, Cinnamon betrayed me and went to her master. Rubbing her head against his leg, she gave me a soulful look as if to apologize for her defection. “Fine,” I muttered. “Good night.”
I had my hand on the bedroom door when Finley barked out another order. “Stop. Wait.” The man could give lessons to a drill sergeant.
Before I could respond, he was crouched in front of me, his fingers on the backs of my legs. “You’re hurt, Duchess.”
I shrugged. “It’s nothing.”
He looked up at me. “I told you she liked to run away.”
Cinnamon pleaded with me telepathically.
“It wasn’t her fault,” I said. “She took me by surprise.”
“Uh, huh.” Finley brushed his thumb across one raw knee.
“Ouch! That hurts.”
“We’ve got to get this cleaned up. You don’t want to ruin your trip with a bad infection.”
Before I could divine his intent, he scooped me up in his arms, bumped the door open with his hip, and laid me on the bed. “Don’t move,” he said. “I’ll get the first aid kit.”
