The Candy Cane Contract

Victoria Barker has no idea that she'd said anything wrong about her dogs at the coffee shop until she's arrested for child abuse.

Meet the culprit who turned her in—Dr. Connor Kelley, child psychiatrist. Connor's about to learn his fate, thanks to his boss.

Connor is forced to train Victoria's two 'children' dogs for two weeks, or he'll be sued and unemployed for Christmas. Can he handle Victoria and her demonic animals for that long or will he opt to risk his job and a lawsuit?

Excerpt

"Now you kids be good while I'm gone." Victoria Barker pulled on her coat, ready to meet her sister-in-law for coffee. "I'm just going to visit your auntie Jane, to tell her what wonderful animals you are."

She stared down at her two dogs. Sandy was a five-year-old yellow golden retriever and Max was a four-month-old standard Boston terrier. "I just hope and pray you don't wreck my house." She talked to Sandy, but pointed at Max. "Make sure he stays in line."

Sandy seemed to understand her, but Vicki contemplated putting Max in his cage. She hated doing it because an hour penned up like that was murder to a dog with that much energy. But she had to protect her house, Sandy, and even Max from himself. So, she lifted him and pushed him into what she liked to call the wire prison, even though the thing was huge. He whined, but she just sighed as she shut the gated door. "I know, buddy. I know. I won't be long. Promise." She grabbed her purse and headed toward the front door. "Be good kids." And off she went to visit her sister-in-law for a great gossip session about the family.


... Chapter 2 ...

"I told Max to stop it, or I'd smack his nose. He backed down, but I know it's just a matter of time until he bites Sandy again." The woman sighed. "Kids. What can you do with them? I don't think the pound would even take these children. I have to figure out what to do with them, if I ever want to entertain family. They're definitely not invited."

Dr. Connor Kelley sat behind two women at a coffee shop in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, appalled at what he heard. He shouldn't have been eavesdropping, but he couldn't stop himself. The woman wanted to put her kids in the pound? What kind of person did that?