On the Scent: A laugh out loud pet detective rom com!

Give her a reason to say yes.

What did those stupid Facebook memes always suggest cats and dogs were thinking? Food. Something about food would seem real.

“Your cat would like a treat.” He nodded toward the feline sitting on the floor behind her.

The cat perked up and shuffled its weight from paw to paw. As if Zach had said the magic word, the dog jumped to his feet and sat at attention.

Bingo.

Hannah uncrossed her arms. “You mentioned the T word. Doesn’t take a psychic to know that’ll get a reaction.”

Good point.

She turned and stretched up toward a cabinet. Zach used the opportunity to inspect his surroundings. Unopened boxes were strewn about the floor. Very few decorations were placed around the room. She wasn’t giving him much to work with here.

A phone book was open on the sofa. He recognized the full-page ad of one the agency’s biggest competitors. She was hiring someone else? Like hell.

What did he remember about her that he could use? His gaze landed on a familiar-looking DVD cover, half-buried beneath a few magazines on the coffee table behind him. He mentally snapped his fingers. When she faced him again, he gestured to the cat.

“He also wants to know when you’re going to watch the short little man with the funny-looking hat and mustache again.”

Her entire body froze as if he’d pressed a pause button on her. Slowly, she lifted her head and looked at him, wide-eyed. “What?”

“I’m feeling laughter and seeing —” He scrunched his eyebrows. “Is it Charlie Chaplin?”

The bag of treats fell from her fingers and hit the counter with a soft thud. She turned her attention to the cat, who was still staring at Zach—and swishing its tail like crazy.

“Okay, that’s kinda creepy.” She lifted the cat onto the island and gave it a few treats while she stroked its back. “I’ve got a new alarm. The police said they’d try to have a car patrol the area for a few days. I’m sorry, but my mind is made up.” She rounded the island and stuck her hand out to him. “Thank you for your services, Mr. Collins.”

A few minutes later, Zach stood on her doorstep, pissed at himself that he’d tried to con her with his psychic routine and angry at her because she hadn’t taken the bait. Had he weirded her out, the way he was looking at her or something? He found her attractive, but getting involved with a client was the ultimate no-no in his book.

No, he knew he’d been careful not to give himself away on that front.

So what had happened? How did he fix this?

He scanned the neighborhood as he walked to his car, remembering Brian’s words from the hospital.

“I didn’t tell Hannah, but there was someone following her today.”

He’d promised Brian he’d keep her safe.

And he’d blown it.

“What the hell do I do now?” Zach shook his head as he lifted his hand to start the ignition, but something—a gut feeling—gave him pause. The hair on the back of his neck tickled as it lifted. Goosebumps rose on his arms.

He felt like he was being watched.

Chapter Three (#u9e813188-5101-5b8c-b31f-ec03fcbc530f)

Why the blazes was there a SUV in her driveway?

Hannah hesitated on the doorstep when she spotted the unfamiliar vehicle. She instinctively jerked Costello’s leash to rein him in, but he pulled ahead with the strength of a freight train.

Never mind calling the cops, Costello. For all we know there’s a knife-wielding maniac waiting to jump out and grab us, but go on. Trudge ahead. I’m right behind you.

She stumbled along after him as Costello yanked over to the grass and hiked his leg. She kept her gaze on the car, trying to decipher the huddled figure slumped behind the steering wheel and leaning against the truck’s window.

Was that Zachary Collins?

Surely he hadn’t stayed here all night. Why would he have?

She led Costello closer. Yep, it was Zach alright. When she tapped on the driver’s side window, the man gave a start.

“Shit,” he muttered, loud enough for her to hear through the glass.

He blinked several times as he glanced around. He reached forward, toyed with the ignition and rolled the power window down.

“Everything okay?” she asked, wondering if he had some weird health problem that had caused him to pass out in her driveway.

“Fine.” He ran a hand over his face and nodded. “Good morning.”

Costello jerked forward and almost tugged her down. She caught herself with one foot braced in front of the other. “Good morning.”

“This probably seems kind of strange.” His lips curved up in a boyish grin. “I didn’t plan to fall asleep in your driveway. Sorry.” He took a look at his watch. “I must have nodded off a half hour ago.”

Only a half hour ago?

His eyes were blood-shot. Geez. Did the guy have a drinking problem? Drugs? Narcolepsy?

She said nothing, just played tug of war with Costello’s leash and waited for Zach to either explain himself or leave.

It had been hard enough sending him away last night. There was something about Zach that drew her to him the way Costello was drawn to human legs, and she’d been worried she was making the wrong decision again.

Zach oozed charisma. She was attracted to him in a way she didn’t want to be, and she didn’t trust him for that reason alone. Smooth-talking, handsome men—especially those who’d been on TV—had a reputation for inflated egos. Only cared about themselves. Been there. Done that. Once was a mistake. Twice was a choice, and she’d be darned if she made the same one again.

She took a deep breath and reminded herself she had a representative from another private security firm coming over this afternoon. Besides, she’d finally broken down and told Sarah everything, and her best friend was now hell-bent on coming over to assess the situation herself. And if Hannah knew Sarah, her friend would be bringing at least one of her very huge, very intimidating brothers with her as a precaution.

Zach pulled the key from his ignition and opened the door. “Mind if I use your restroom?”

She stepped back and shrugged. “Of course not.” She tilted her head toward the dog that was now munching on grass. She reached for the house key that was attached at her neck by a lanyard. “I’ve got to take him for our morning walk. Let yourself in. Please make sure Abbott doesn’t get out.”

He looked at her hand, but he didn’t take the key. “How about I walk with you first? There’s something I’d like to discuss.”

What the hell? Getting away from him obviously wasn’t going to be as easy as she’d hoped. And why did she feel so guilty about calling one of his competitors?

“Okay.” She sighed and allowed the forty-pound dog to lead the way. As soon as Costello realized she wasn’t holding him back, he stopped trying to drag her behind him like a ragdoll. Slowing her steps, Hannah spared a quick look at the disheveled man beside her.

A morning beard darkened his chin, and his hair was ruffled.