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get into this conversation?”
She waved a hand. “I was reading a historical romance last night.”
“My mom loves those books.” Colt scooped Snowdrop up into his arms and scratched her behind her ears, then stood. “So, are you about ready to head back? I’m getting hungry. The Trading Post had some excellent-looking steaks and Alton Davis swore by the bottle of cabernet I bought from him. It’s a new-to-me label, but I told him I’d be back to hound him if he led me wrong. Besides, I can’t be too late because I promised Beth Myers I’d pick up Shadow by eight o’clock.”
“Your Lab. I forgot about your dog. You left him with the Myerses?”
“Yes. Beth and her dog were out in their yard when Shadow and I walked by on our way to the store earlier. Shadow and her mutt had a great time playing together, so Beth begged her mom to let her puppysit.”
“You know what, Rafferty? I think it’s time you learn what the word no really means. I’m not having dinner with you. I’m not letting you into my house. In fact, I don’t think I’m going to let you hold my dog anymore.” She stood and plucked Snowdrop out of his arms. “Go home, Colt. Wherever that is, just go.”
“You have to eat.”
“Yes, but I don’t have to eat with you.”
“Tell me why you won’t.”
“Won’t what? Eat dinner with you? Date you? Sleep with you?”
“All of the above.”
“No. N-O. No.”
He grinned and those damned dimples winked. “I’ll change your mind.”
Aargh! “Why would you even want to? I’m a mess. You know that.”
In that knee-bending, toe-curling, sexy low rumble of his he said, “I want you. I’m here and I’m staying and I’m not giving up. Hide behind your walls if you want, Princess, but I’m giving you official notice. You are under siege.”
She couldn’t help but be a little secretly thrilled. “Go away, Rafferty.”
“You need to relax. Drink a glass of wine.”
“Maybe so, but I’ll do it by myself.” Then she drew a deep breath and exhaled with a sigh. “Please, Colt? I still need to deal with my sister, and frankly, I don’t have the energy to argue with you anymore right now.”
She got to him with the sister argument. There was a story there, but she wasn’t in any mood to tell it. And the sister had run off like she was being chased by a hellhound, so yeah, there was definitely drama there. Fine. At some point Sage would spill and he’d be there ready to listen. For now, he figured he’d given her enough to think about. “C’mon, I’ll walk you back.”
“You go on. I think I’m going to sit out on the public pier and think for a little bit.”
“All right. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, then.” He bent down and kissed her cheek, then started back the way they’d come.
He distinctly heard her murmur, “Not if I can help it.”
He winced and kept on walking. All in all, that hadn’t gone so terribly. It hadn’t gone so great, but he had time. He’d given her his terms. He wanted her and he’d get her. Eventually.
He was now a permanent resident of Eternity Springs.
FOURTEEN
Sage gave him a ten-minute head start. The talk about wanting to sit on the public fishing pier and think about her sister was bunk. First, if she wanted to sit on a pier, she’d do it on the one she shared with the Landrys. It was one of her favorite places to think. Second, she couldn’t think about Dr. Rose Anderson even if she wanted to because her mind was filled with Dr. Colt Rafferty of Eternity Springs.
I think I might be falling in love with you.
Her knees felt a little shaky as she began the walk home. She’d made this same trek often, so she didn’t need to pay attention as she went along, which was a good thing since she was so busy looking inward.
What was wrong with her? Colt Rafferty was a great guy. Intelligent, dedicated, swoon-worthy handsome, and a master in bed. He was kind, creative, and generous. Because of Colt, she had Snowdrop.
I think I might be falling in love with you.
Why did he frighten her so much? Because he was intelligent and dedicated. Perceptive. Persistent. He’d push and poke and prod without ceasing until he rooted out all of her secrets.
Would she even realize it? How was it that he managed to get her to tell him more than she’d even