unnecessary protective instincts. She walked along the edge of the grass, waiting for Jiggs to do his business, and gazed out at Harley’s dock. The dock was built in a U shape around the covered slip where he kept his cabin cruiser. She and their friends had helped him build the slip when he’d first bought the place about a year after he’d moved back to Sweetwater. They’d had fun working with their friends that weekend, and swimming in the lake when they were done each day. She gazed past the slip at the moonlight glistening off the inky water, and her mind traveled back to the horrible night all those years ago when Marshall had broken her heart and Harley had found her at the end of the dock at the marina.
A chill ran down her spine with the painful memories she rarely allowed herself to think about. She’d felt Harley’s presence behind her on that cold, dark night before he’d made a sound. When she’d looked over her shoulder and he’d seen her tears, his face had gone from concern to rage. She was used to her older brother, Ben, protecting her and getting angry on her behalf, but not Harley. She’d been mortified that he’d seen her like that, and in the space of a second that mortification had brought the harsh realization that there were things in life nobody could protect her from. That realization had shocked and momentarily paralyzed her with fear. But the embarrassment of Marshall’s brother seeing how badly Marshall had broken her had propelled her to her feet, giving her the strength and determination to protect her heart at all costs, and she’d never looked back.
As she gazed out at the water, she wondered what Harley might have said to her then if she’d given him the chance. Would he have given her sage advice? Tried to make her feel better about herself and feel safe, as he did with his nieces? Or would he have just been like most college-aged guys and not known what to do?
Jiggs nudged her with his nose, and she realized she’d zoned out.
Irritated with herself, she said, “Sorry, Jiggs. Let’s get out of here.” The faster the better. She was obviously losing her mind, doing so much thinking about Harley. As they made their way up the steps to the deck and around to the front door, she told herself she was just out of sorts because of the way Harley was acting, and because he was hurt.
And maybe also a little bit because she was bothered by some of the things that Harley and the guys at work had said. Harley had said that not every person needed a soft touch, but Piper didn’t believe that. Maybe guys like Mike didn’t, because he’d be with a dude if he had a vagina. But guys like Harley definitely needed, or liked, a softer touch. Darren’s voice whispered through her mind as she climbed the porch steps. My girl is always hanging on my every word and giving me foot rubs. I just can’t see you doing those things.
“Neither can I,” she muttered as she walked inside. Harley was sacked out, head back, mouth wide open, one arm hanging off the sofa. The blanket was on the floor beside him. Her heart squeezed, and she told herself to ignore it as she crouched beside Jiggs and whispered, “Your daddy is sleeping.” She unhooked his leash but held on to his collar. “You need to be really gentle with him tonight, okay? No jumping.”
Jiggs cocked his head. She swore Harley must have taught him that look and exactly when to use it. She scratched Jiggs’s head the way Harley had and said, “How about if I make you a doggy bed beside the couch? Okay?”
She held on to his collar just in case he got the urge to snuggle his daddy as she pushed the coffee table closer to the end of the couch where Harley’s head was. Then she took the cushions from the armchairs and love seat and spread them out on the floor by the other end of the couch.
“I can’t believe a spoiled dog like you doesn’t have a doggy bed,” she whispered. Why would you? You probably sleep on his bed every night.
She led Jiggs up on the cushions and whispered, “Stay.” Then she picked up the blanket and spread it over Harley, tucking it between him and the back of the couch.