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Vi retrieved a small treat from her jacket pocket and offered it to Cyrus. “Good boy.”
They did another couple of rounds, and then Silas crossed the bridge to meet them. The wind whipped his shaggy blonde hair. “He knows what to do, Vi.”
Luis nodded. “You’ve got a great dog there, ma’am. Whoever trained him knew what they were doing. You have every right to feel safe when he’s with you. Feel free to call the next time he needs practice. Or Silas can borrow my gear—we’ll let him be the bite target next time.” Luis grinned, adjusting his baseball cap over a high-tight military cut. “I’ve got to get back.” He shucked off the heavy jacket and pivoted toward the house.
Cyrus uttered a low growl.
“That’s enough, Cyrus. Thanks, Luis.” Vi shaded her eyes as the man jogged to his green pickup in the parking area. Rory had promised to fix the crumbly concrete and weed patches into a smooth driveway the day they’d pored over spreadsheets and schematics. It seemed eons ago.
Silas was staring at her when she looked back. “You good?”
“Yeah. I feel better now. Cyrus’s teeth are nothing to mess with.” She ruffled the fur between the dog’s ears, then headed to the house.
Silas fell in step with her. Harry the goose honked but kept to the other side of the lake. Vi’s lips curved. Ever since Cyrus came on the scene, Harry had kept his distance.
Green turtles sunned on the bank in a cluster. An azure sky peeked between puffy white clouds. The splendid day, time with Cyrus, the massage project—if only she could concentrate on her blessings. Instead, thoughts of leaving Valiant bombarded her mind, stealing any measure of peace.
She spied Silas’s curious look at the house. “Do you want to see the inside? I think we can tiptoe around the painters.”
He nodded. “Been a while since I’ve seen a remodel.”
Vi opened the door and sniffed tentatively. Her nose and throat preferred the fresh paint smell over chalky sheetrock. “Come see. Rory designed a bigger kitchen with an island. It’s my favorite part.” She traipsed around the scaffolding. The painters were in the backyard, washing their equipment.
“You enjoy cooking?” Silas gazed around the new construction.
Her bottom lip stuck out. “At times. A beautiful kitchen helps.”
“Nice. I’m glad you have this place.”
Boots tromped on the porch. Cyrus dropped his toy, barking savagely. Rory stood in the doorway, a thunderstorm brewing on his face.
“Hey, Spence. Checking out your handiwork,” Silas said easily. An invisible charge zinged around the room.
Rory’s chin lifted. “Didn’t know you were interested—in kitchens.” Silas didn’t respond but wandered next to the sinks, peering at the newly installed granite.
Vi tamped down the baffling little dance her pulse did at the sight of Rory. He wouldn’t agree with her decision, but she simply had to get away from Valiant to sort out her feelings. This house used to be her happy place, only now everything reminded her of Rory. He said he loved her. She wasn’t convinced her heart could take the risk. Between the date with Melissa and his ex-girlfriend, Vi didn’t know where she fit. Despite all his talk about being a safe place, the man wouldn’t even commit to a simple massage.
Once Silas strolled down the hall, Rory turned to her. “What’s he doing here?”
“I invited him.” Vi’s temper started to rise. Why did it have to be this way? She could hang out all day long with Silas and feel nothing. Rory had her stirred up and aggravated in under five minutes.
His eyes sparked. “You’re avoiding me.”
Cyrus growled at the challenge in Rory’s voice.
“Down, Cyrus.” Rory didn’t pose a physical danger. Only to her heart. “I told you I needed space.” She shivered in the cold air.
“Three days ago.” He stepped closer, running his hands down her arms. Warmth flowed from his fingers. “Talk to me, Red.”
She dared not look at him until he lifted her chin with his thumb. One brief glimpse at those inviting lips, and she squeezed her eyes shut.
“Nothing wrong with wanting a kiss, Vi.” Rory’s breath puffed onto her cheeks.
She turned her head. The chilly air snaked around her, gripping her tight. “I’m, uh, going to Houston.”
He stood so close she felt him stiffen. “For how long? Why are you acting this way? Is it Stella?”
Vi looked back at him, unable to say a word. She hadn’t been kidding with her “not good at sharing” line to Melissa. The Stella encounter had whipped her into a lather of jealousy and distrust. From there, doubt had gained a stronghold. If Vi told him about her past, he’d freak for sure. She couldn’t bear being on the receiving end of the reaction Rory had to Stella.
