Last week was crazy, what with Iffy turning into a whirling dervish and the push to get MIDNIGHT CLEAR finished, revised, edited, proofed, formatted, uploaded, and published. Since the #ThursdayThreads prompt comes out each Thursday morning, and that was the day I had to have everything done, I glanced at the prompt between cups of coffee and went back to work. I did, however, make note of the prompt in case any of you want to use it. It is: **“Which service do you need?”** Since I don’t have new words to share, I’ll share some already written that at least have the word service in the snippet. This is a somewhat telling scene with Devlin and Kathleen, and her new…roommate. I hope you enjoy. And yes, I’m back at work on the Wolves.

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Kathleen didn’t immediately get out of the SUV. Puck stuck his head between the front seats and nosed her cheek. She automatically reached to pet the big Newfie, all while avoiding meeting Dev’s eyes as he stood holding the car door open for her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Kathleen…”

She huffed out a breath and glanced up at him. “Are you sure this is the right thing to do?”

She had him there. He wasn’t sure. The boys all knew what had happened to Tommy Gallagher. But he also knew that this woman was meant to be his and if he claimed her, she needed to feel comfortable around his mates. She hadn’t grown up in his world and they were a rough-and-tumble lot.

“If you’re uncomfortable around—”

“No!” she cut him off immediately. Her cheeks flushed a fetching pink. “I’m a cop’s widow. They might not be…comfortable around me.

Dev hadn’t considered that possibility. Brian, Ronan, Mick, and Sean knew what her bastard of a husband had done to her but the others didn’t. Those in the know understood his protectiveness but only Ronan guessed the true depths of his feelings for Kathleen Gallagher. Declan and Callum were a bit concerned about what they considered his obsession with her but the younger men were too busy with their own concerns to care much. He knew his mates would accept her because she was his. It was the women who made him a bit leery.

He started to close the door. “We’ll do this another time.”

She shook her head and stopped the door from closing all the way. “No. It’s time to live my life.” She glanced into the back seat. “Are you sure it’s okay to bring Puck inside? It’s not like he’s a service dog or anything.”

He grinned and opened the back door so the big dog could jump out. Nose down, he immediately began to explore the small utility area. “I’ve already cleared it with Finn. So long as he doesn’t go in the kitchen, behind the bar or pee on anyone, it’s all good.”

At that moment, Puck paused, lifted his leg and marked the tire of a silver Land Rover. Kathleen laughed and Dev had to lock his knees. Her laugh was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

“I’ll not be tellin’ Declan that the wee doggy claimed his Rover.” He wouldn’t have to. Deck would know the moment he came outside and started to get into his vehicle. Taking Kathleen’s hand, he whistled for Puck and led them to the back door of Clancy’s.
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There you have it. Just an interesting–hopefully–side scene that says a bit more about both Dev and Kathleen. And Puck. We can’t forget Puck! Also, how can it be almost Christmas? My shopping is done. Mostly. I still have a couple of stocking stuffers to pick up. And I need to make rolls. That’s on the list for tomorrow. Who else is almost ready Christmas? If you’ve got it all done and are just sitting back relaxing, shush! I don’t want to hear it. 😉