one walked more than a few feet within Nick’s property without Elvis baring his teeth.
Why Emily was the exception was beyond understanding. His one thought was that he’d unconsciously transmitted his own attraction to her onto the dog. Which sounded crazy, and he wondered if that was even possible.
Sure as the sun rose, Nick was awake at about six, despite the fact that he’d had less than three hours of sleep. More by instinct than certainty, he walked over to the bedroom window that offered a view of the orchard. Predictably, Elvis was there, patiently waiting for Emily.
She didn’t disappoint.
Nick watched as Emily slowed her pace when she saw Elvis. She braced her hands on her knees and drew in several breaths while she spoke to the dog. Then she got down on one knee and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. Seeing her tenderness with Elvis, Nick stepped away from the window, angry and frustrated.
It wasn’t until he brewed a cup of coffee and was ready to start his day that he realized he was jealous. Yes, jealous of a dog. A man couldn’t go much lower than that.
—
By noon, Nick had worked up a sweat. He had sawhorses set up on the stripped kitchen floor. The installation of the new cabinets was almost finished. The next step would be the countertops and then the floor. He wanted marble for the countertops but couldn’t justify the expense, even with his contractor’s discount.
He was about to stop for lunch when Elvis let out a loud bark. It wasn’t one of warning or protection. It was a happy, welcoming bark. Nick set aside the measuring tape and left the kitchen to investigate.
It was Emily. Right away his pulse accelerated. He met her on the porch.
“Hey,” he said, fighting to disguise how pleased he was to see her.
“Hey.” She seemed nervous and abruptly thrust out the plate in her hands. “I baked cookies this morning.”
She appeared to be offering them to him. He blinked and looked at the plate, which was piled high with what looked like oatmeal-raisin.
“They’re for you,” she insisted, gesturing for him to take them.
“Why?” He tucked his hands in his back pockets in an effort to resist touching her.
She moistened her bottom lip, something he’d noticed she did when nervous. After their early-morning discussion he was surprised by the awkwardness between them. He could sense her hesitation and could feel his own, although he couldn’t explain it.
“It’s my way of thanking you for letting me run on the property again. I love the orchard, and running under the trees offers me shade.”
“No need to thank me.”
“I know I didn’t need to, but I wanted to. Now, are you going to accept the cookies or are you going to leave me standing here holding this plate, feeling foolish?”
He grinned and took the cookies, which he had to admit looked damn good.
“I hope you like oatmeal-raisin.”
“I’m not picky when it comes to homemade cookies.” He stared down at the plate, breathing in the warm scent of oatmeal and raisins. “Like I said, you didn’t need to do this. It isn’t hurting me any to let you run through the orchard, and Elvis seems to have taken a liking to you.”
“I like him, too. He’s a wonderful dog.”
Anyone else who dared to cross his land wasn’t likely to agree, but he didn’t mention that.
“I missed seeing Elvis.”
“He missed you, too.” As Nick had. The view he had of her each morning, her body slim and perfect, with her arms and legs tan and athletic, got to him. She stirred his blood, reminding him he was alive. He hadn’t thought that was possible after last year, after the death of his brother.
“Would you like one?” he asked, setting the plate down on the folding table he’d placed on the porch.
“No thanks. What I would like is to see what you’re doing in the house…that is, if you don’t mind showing me.” Her beautiful dark eyes were wide and hopeful.
“It’s pretty much a mess right now.”
“That’s fine. I’ll be careful and watch my step.”
How eager she sounded. “All right, but I have a long way to go to make this place presentable.”
“I consider myself warned.” Her eyes flashed with excitement as he led her into the house.
Nick held open the kitchen door for her to precede him and then followed her inside. Halfway into the room, she paused, looking around, seeming to take in every detail.