Page 80 of Lost Trust

Makes sense.

“And Rowdy?”

That earns me a smile.

“He’ll be here soon.”

“Good.”

She opens the cabinet above the sink. Then she rises onto her toes. She’s trying to reach something on the top shelf.

I watch her stretch, fingers brushing the edge of a large colander.

I stand, walk up behind her. “I’ve got it.” I place one hand lightly against her hip.

Her body goes still as I lean into her. I can hear her sharp intake of breath as the warmth of her settles against my chest, and the sound makes my pulse kick.

I reach over her shoulder and grab the colander easily. “Here you go.” I set it on the counter in front of us.

She clears her throat as she slowly turns to face me. “Thank you.” Her voice comes out breathless.

I stay there, pressed into her, for another beat before stepping back.

She doesn’t look at me as she takes the colander and turns toward the sink to start washing a bunch of grapes.

I return to my stool.

The corner of my mouth pulls upward.

Yeah. That affected her too.

A minute later, Ryder comes barreling into the kitchen, hands freshly washed.

He climbs onto the stool beside me.

“Hi, Royce.”

“Hey, little man.”

Marina brings two plates over and sets one in front of him. A sandwich with the crusts neatly trimmed and a pile of grapes beside it.

“There you go.”

Ryder immediately grabs half the sandwich.

Marina looks at me.

“Do you need your crust removed too?”

I glance down at the sandwich on the other plate.

Then back at her.

“Nope.” I shake my head. “I’m a big boy.”

Her mouth curves. “Good to know.”

And the way she looks at me makes me wonder if she’s talking about more than sandwiches.