the support of his cousin. Anyone could figure out a way to make money. Carrie made the world more beautiful with her paintings. Hell, just with her presence.
He didn’t care about her holiday festival, but he couldn’t stand to see her continuously putting herself on the back burner in life to take care of others. She’d done it for years with her dad and now this town she loved so much seemed to be her new excuse for not pursuing her dreams.
“I didn’t come here to discuss my life,” she said, twin spots of color flaming on her cheeks. Yep, he’d struck a nerve.
“Where’s Daisy?” Sam asked as he padded into the kitchen. “Hey, Carrie.”
A low bark sounded from the living room.
“Hi, Sam.” Dylan watched Carrie work to settle her emotions. He had a real talent for bothering her, but part of him didn’t feel bad. Someone needed to push her out of her comfort zone.
He shook his head, thinking of all the ways he wanted to force Carrie to go after what she truly wanted. Obviously, no chance of that happening since her teeth seemed to be perpetually grinding every time they were together.
The dog appeared at the doorway to the kitchen. She glanced at Sam with a whine but didn’t move farther into the room.
“Hey, girl.”
Dylan’s breath hitched at the love in the boy’s tone. Sam moved forward then dropped to the ground next to her. One weekend with the quirky pup and Sam was smitten.
“I don’t think she likes me infringing on her territory,” Carrie said quietly. “Sam, I’m looking forward to seeing you after school tomorrow to begin work on the festival backdrops.”
“Okay,” the boy answered without hesitation. “I’ve been looking online for ideas, so I’ll bring my sketchbook with me.”
Carrie’s grin seemed to light up the room. Plus, between the dog and his excitement over being involved in Carrie’s silly holiday project, Sam seemed happier than Dylan had seen him since the accident. It was almost too much for Dylan’s stony heart to handle.
“You don’t have to leave,” Dylan told her, not wanting the moment to end. “Daisy will get used to you. I’m going to make some breakfast and—”
“I need to go,” she interrupted, her smile fading.
“Can I take Daisy in the backyard?” Sam asked.
“Sure,” Dylan murmured absently, studying Carrie, whose gaze had lowered to the floor.
“Come on, Daisy,” Sam coaxed, beckoning the dog to him. “Your ball is on the patio.”
The dog flicked a glance toward Carrie and, deeming her not a threat, followed Sam through the kitchen to the door that led to the backyard.
As soon as the duo had disappeared, Carrie started for the front of the house like she had an urgent need to put some distance between herself and Dylan.
No doubt she had a lot of smart reasons, but he wasn’t having them. He caught up to her in the hall, whispering her name but forcing himself not to reach for her. The choice to stay had to be hers.
Suddenly, she whirled and stepped toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck like he was a lifeline.
A million questions swam through his mind, but he didn’t ask a single one. Instead, he fused his mouth to hers, savoring the taste of her and the heat radiating between them. She kissed him like she was trying to make up for years apart, and although he didn’t understand the reason for it, Dylan was smart enough to go with the moment.
He hated the weakness it showed in him, but he knew deep in his soul that he’d take whatever this woman was willing to give him.
But as abruptly as the kiss had started, she pulled away.
“Sorry,” she said, her breath coming out in tiny gasps. “I shouldn’t have—”
“Never apologize for that,” he told her, tracing his thumb across the seam of her lips.
Her eyes drifted closed for a moment as if she was rebuilding her defenses. “I need to go,” she repeated, then turned and walked out of his house.
As the door clicked shut behind her, Dylan knew that nothing about returning to Magnolia was going to be as straightforward as he’d imagined.
CHAPTER TEN
WEDNESDAY MORNING DYLAN walked by Sunnyside Bakery on his way to the makeshift office he’d set up in one of the empty storefronts he owned in downtown.
The scent of cinnamon and sugary dough wafted from the cheery shop. He considered taking a risk and walking in for a sticky bun and a coffee. Maybe he’d get lucky and