by Lori Foster
Not exactly high style.
It wasn’t a great first impression, but he hadn’t had time for more than the barest necessities for comfort.
When Joy headed toward him, he said, “Sorry it’s so barren. I have a lot I need to do yet. Tables, stuff for the windows, rugs... It’s just that—”
“You’ve been busy with the drive-in. It’s understandable, Royce. We all have to prioritize.” As she walked, she took in the crown molding, the original hardwood floors, the glass doorknobs and the telephone nook. “Besides, your house is really nice. It has a lot of character.”
Exactly what he’d thought before making an offer and buying it.
“It’s way bigger than our apartment.” Jack spotted his picture on the refrigerator and darted forward. “This is mine!”
The pup didn’t stir. Royce hoped the poor little thing wouldn’t be sick when he woke up. He set the box in the corner, to the side of the refrigerator, before turning to Jack. “I plan to frame it in my office, but haven’t had a chance yet.”
“You have your own office, too?” Joy smiled. “Now I’m jealous.”
“The office is a converted third bedroom, that’s all. The second bedroom is empty and I only have a bed in the master.” Realizing Joy still held two bags, he took a big step forward and relieved her of them. “Sorry.”
“Please, stop apologizing.” Tipping her head, she studied him as he put them on the counter. “I’m glad we could help. After all, you’ve taken on the hardest part of things.”
Right. A dog. Definitely not what he’d intended, but what else could he do? Jack had nearly cried when the vet explained the wound on the pup’s leg. Somehow, probably on an old fence, the dog had been cut deep enough to cause a lot of pain. Untended, he might have lost the leg—and eventually died.
Joy had looked devastated at the news. Clearly her small apartment couldn’t accommodate a puppy that would grow into a large dog.
After assuring Jack that the vet would make it okay, the boy had looked at him like he was Superman. With glassy eyes, Jack had said, “Good thing you got him, huh?”
Yeah. Good thing.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Royce looked at the dog, then at his kitchen. The vet claimed the pup would probably be groggy through the night.
So what would he do with him in the morning? There’d be follow-up appointments, and Royce had entire days where he’d planned to be at the drive-in working.
They were able to buy dog dishes, food, a collar and leash from the hospital, but tomorrow he’d get a real carrier and probably do some repairs to the fence around the backyard.
“What is it?” Joy asked. “Anything I can do?”
He shook his head. “The backyard... I was going to tear down the old chain-link fence, but now, I suppose I should keep it. That is, if it can be made safe.” The fence was another thing he hadn’t yet tackled.
On his knees next to the dog, Jack whispered, “He sure is pretty.” Very lightly, he stroked the dog’s ear. “He’ll need a name.”
Shit. Royce loved animals, but a dog was the very last thing he’d planned—right up there with a kid who tugged at his heart, and a woman who made him forget he had plans.
Joy touched his arm. In fact, she touched him often. Recently in commiseration when he explained about his mother, and now, to draw his attention.
Both times that he’d kissed her, she’d clutched at his shoulders as if she felt the same, hotly sexual things he did.
He wanted her. Goddamn, he wanted her bad.
Yet today, much of his attention had gone to Jack. Such an engaging kid. Joy thought her son reminded him of his mother.
Actually, Jack reminded him too much of himself when he was a kid—minus the talent.
Quietly, so her son wouldn’t overhear, Joy said, “If you need me to help with the puppy, just let me know.” She stared up at him, green eyes tired but still beautiful. “The park is pet-friendly, and once Jack is in school, my mornings are flexible.”
The urge to kiss her pulsed inside him. Her upturned face, the sincerity in her eyes, the sweetness in her offer, all drew him. Hell, everything about her drew him, including her dedication to her son.
Of course, accepting her help would only complicate things more and Royce knew he was already in too deep. Enjoying her company was one thing, but the rest of it...
He shook his head, but then heard himself say, “Appreciate it. I’ll let you know.” Damn it, not a good idea.
Withdrawing, she laced her fingers together and glanced around. “You’ll put him here, in the kitchen?”
“Just until I get you and Jack home. Then I’ll probably bring him into the bedroom with me. If he wakes up and needs anything, I want to know.”
A heart-wrenching softness entered Joy’s gaze. “You’re a very nice man, Royce Nakirk.”
“The nicest,” Jack echoed, proving he’d been listening to them.
Hiding a smile, Joy went to the counter and began unloading the bags. “I’ll wash the dog dishes for you. Why don’t you take the tags off the leash and collar?”
That would make more sense than wallowing in indecision.
It was a unique experience, stepping around a kid in his own kitchen, working together with a sexy woman. He finished before Joy, so he located a few unpacked boxes to block the kitchen in case the dog woke while he drove them home. He wouldn’t be more than a few minutes, but still, he didn’t want to take any chances.
Once he was done, Royce caught Jack eyeing fruit in the bowl. “You getting hungry again, bud?”
Jack’s eyebrows went up and he said candidly, “That apple looks really good.”
Grinning, Royce checked with Joy first and got her nod.
By the time they had everything ready to go, including food and water in the dog dishes on the floor, Jack had finished an apple and a banana and was starting to yawn.
“I’ve kept you too long.”
“Actually, I’ve enjoyed it.” She smiled as Jack leaned on the box, watching the dog with that same intent expression he usually reserved for art. “And so has he. Thank you for such a nice day.”
“And for the art stuff,” Jack added. “I’ll paint you another picture when I get home.”
“It’s your bedtime, Jack. But you can paint him something tomorrow, okay?”
“Mo-om,” he complained, making the word into two syllables.
“We need to go, now. Get your jacket and shoes back on, please. And no complaining.”
Like a boy sent to the gallows, Jack slowly rose and dragged across the kitchen to the living room.
It was all Royce could do not to laugh—until he realized he had her alone again.
He drew her against him. “Today didn’t go quite as planned.”
“Fair warning, Royce. Things that involve kids never do.”
Her hair, light brown, long and silky, always drew his fingers. “Today was nice, but will I ever get to see you alone?” They had arrangements to make, and sooner would be preferable to later. He cupped his hand around her neck, using his thumb to tip up her chin. “I want to do more than sneak a kiss or two.”
She drew in a shuddering breath and nodded. “Me, too.” Her tongue licked over her lips; she took a peek at her son, then went on tiptoes to kiss him firm and quick. “Text me your upcoming schedule. We’ll work it out.”
Before he could register that heated promise, she slipped away. When he came out of the kitchen, he saw why. Jack was slumped on the couch, all but asleep, one shoe on and the other in his hand.
While she tended to Jack, Royce finished blocking the kitchen doorway. Tomorrow they’d compare schedules.
After sealing away his feelings for so long, there were now many things he wanted, many things he craved—all with her.
Only her.
With any luck,
they’d finally be able to make it happen.
* * *
“Nothing has worked out.”
At that sorrowful voice, Daron looked up from his phone to where Maris and Joy were whispering at the counter.
Sitting toward the back of the camp store, Daron gave the women their privacy. Or at least he’d tried to. Joy sat with an elbow on the counter, her head propped on one hand. Maris, as usual, bustled around. Busy. Always busy.
The woman never slowed down—not for anyone or anything.
Although...she did pause now and then to whisper with Joy.
He studied her high ponytail and sun-kissed cheekbones, those soft, full lips that always flattened when he got too close. Her long-sleeved T-shirt and well-worn jeans shouldn’t have been sexy, yet the way they fit kept his gaze glued to her, imagining the body underneath.
That is, until Maris slanted suspicious brown eyes his way.
Quickly, Daron pretended to text, even smiled as if he’d read something amusing.
Truthfully, he had zero amusement right now. None.
Instead, he had frustration, with a capital F.
Aware of Maris, always aware of her, he knew when she shifted closer to Joy. “What does that mean? Haven’t you two...sealed the deal yet?”
“Not even close,” Joy lamented.
Sealed the deal? Knowing that had to be a euphemism for sex, Daron went still, his gaze blindly on his phone screen.
“You’ve been over to see Royce a lot this week.”
“It’s that puppy,” Joy said.
“Uh-huh. So a big gorgeous guy has nothing to do with it?”
Joy laughed. “Well, that’s a bonus, sure. But I’m worried that Jack is getting too attached.”
“To Royce or the dog?”
“Both,” Joy lamented.
“And you, hon? Are you getting a little attached, too?”
Daron blinked. Maris had never used such a sweet, understanding voice with him.
“Don’t be silly.” And even to him, Joy sounded defensive. “I’ve only been seeing him a little more than a week.”
“That’s long enough,” Maris argued. “Definitely long enough to get better acquainted. Like naked acquainted.”
It was all Daron could do not to frown at her. Far as he knew, Maris didn’t have sex, most especially not with him. He was pretty sure...not with anyone.
He’d have noticed something like that, right? Another guy hanging around, making moves? Or Maris wearing that look—the look of a woman satisfied?
No, Maris worked from sunup to sundown, leaving no time for naked acquaintances.
If she’d let him, Daron could work around her schedule. Instead, she was pushing Joy to have all the fun?
Maris continued, saying, “I thought the whole plan here was to enjoy Royce.”
Laughing, Joy replied, “So you could live vicariously, yes, I remember.”
Scowling, Daron wondered why Maris wouldn’t just sign on for the real deal. Give him a sign, any encouragement at all, and he’d be there in a heartbeat.
“It’s just that things haven’t worked out. Royce has to be at the drive-in every Friday and Saturday, and I need to be here doing crafts. During the week would be better, but then Jack missed school two days for his cold, and Royce had one catastrophe after another with the pup. Did I tell you he named that sweet little dog Chaos?”
With a grin, Maris asked, “Should I ask why?”
“You can probably guess. After surviving outside, the dog is used to going anywhere he wants. Royce is trying to house-train him, but Chaos isn’t catching on too quickly to the concept. Worse, he likes eating shoes. Royce thought he had it covered by closing the closet, but while he was in the shower the dog figured out how to slide it open. Royce lost a favorite pair of sneakers.”
Maris’s husky laugh made Daron draw a shaky breath. Before he accidentally sent a gibberish text to some unsuspecting contact, he deleted the meaningless letters he’d put on the screen and opened Facebook instead.
“Sounds to me like you both deserve to get laid,” Maris stated. “Sort of as a reward for surviving all that.”
Daron stared blindly at his newsfeed. Ha! Like Maris was a proponent of sexual activity? Not likely, not when she happily said no to his every suggestion. Every damn time he tried to get closer, she pushed him farther away.
He’d tried just spending time with her, being helpful, chatting as she did now with Joy—but she rejected that, too. Hell, she rejected that more, as if letting him close would be worse than casual sex.
And yet, he couldn’t stop trying. Sure, he covered it now by joking more about sex, but if she’d only give him a little leeway, he felt sure they’d be a good fit.
In more ways than one.
Really, he’d turned into a masochist, trying to sweet-talk her even as she insulted him with a scathing look. Other women didn’t disdain him.
But unfortunately, he didn’t want other women. Not anymore.
Not for a while now.
“Tell you what,” Maris said. “Sundays are my slower days, and those work for you and Royce, right? Let me watch Jack for you then. He likes hanging out here and he’s never any trouble—”
“Maris.” Joy touched her forearm, momentarily keeping her in place. “I couldn’t do that. If you get any time to relax, you should take it for yourself.”
“Pfft.” Maris slipped away to remove cookies from the oven.
The woman was forever baking.
Speaking louder from the kitchen, she said, “Jack can visit while I do a few chores. He has a favorite coloring spot, you know, right by a window so he can see the lake. I’ll even print out some neat coloring pages for him.” She came back around the corner, a slight frown in place. “That is...unless you’re uncomfortable leaving him with me?”
“Of course not!” Joy protested. “You’re always terrific with Jack.”
“Well, I know you’re protective,” Maris said, without her usual conviction, “so I’ll understand if you’d rather find someone else.”
“It’s not that, I promise.” Joy drew a finger around the top of her coffee cup. “You and I have gotten closer lately.” She hesitated. “We’re better friends now, right?”
“Good friends, definitely. I wouldn’t live vicariously through just anyone.”
When Joy laughed, Maris glanced at Daron again, almost like a dare.
Daron didn’t look away. He held her gaze until she frowned.
Teasing her, he slowly smiled...and got to his feet.
“So,” Maris said quickly. “I’ll watch Jack on Sunday.”
“But I don’t want to take advantage of our new friendship, and what would we do with the dog? If Royce leaves him alone, he might destroy the whole house.”
Before Maris could speak, Daron plopped down next to Joy and said, “How about I contribute to the cause?”
As if she’d just remembered him, Joy jumped. She looked at him with caution, maybe trying to decide how much he’d heard. “How would you do that?”
“I’ll stick around Sunday, too, and keep an eye on Chaos. I’m good with animals,” he added, before Maris could refuse him. “Better than good actually. My uncle used to train dogs, and when I was a kid, I sometimes helped.”
“That sounds like fun,” Joy said. “I love animals, but my family never had pets when I was growing up, and then I had Jack and, considering where I live, up a flight of stairs, a dog never seemed like a good idea. Jack adores that puppy, though, so I’m sure he’d enjoy visiting with you both.” She turned back to Maris. “If you’re positive you don’t mind?”
Put on the spot, Maris said, somewhat through her teeth, “I’m already looking forward to it.”
“Me, too.” Daron couldn’t quite remove the triumph from his tone. For once, he’d managed to out
maneuver her, and it was for a good cause. “I’ll check out the dog’s temperament and then teach Jack some simple commands to practice with him.”
“I think Royce would appreciate the pointers, too. Right now, he can’t leave Chaos alone for a minute. The dog goes with him everywhere, even the grocery store.”
“Then that’s decided.” To keep from pushing his luck, Daron stood again. “In fact, I was heading out to see Royce. I’ll talk to him about the dog.”
Maris folded her arms and gave him a look. “Why are you seeing him?”
“What’s that?” Damn it, he hadn’t expected her to ask.
“You and Royce. What’s up with that?” After a meaningful glance at the clock, she tucked in her chin to make her expression stern. “It’s Friday. You’re usually finishing up work so you can be on your way to a hot date.”
Not as true as she might think, but then, he’d allowed her to go on believing it rather than have her know that he spent most of his free nights thinking about her.
After a second of mental scrambling, Daron came up with a truth. “With the campers thinning out, I have less to do so I already finished.” And like a glutton for punishment, he’d gravitated to Maris, though he hadn’t realized that she and Joy would have such a fascinating conversation.
It struck him funny then.
He’d known Joy as long as he’d known Maris. Both women had been off-limits, in part because he worked with them, but mostly because they both made it clear they weren’t interested.
No problem with Joy. He’d been more than happy to go the platonic route with her.
But Maris? Everything she did and said sizzled with underlying emotions and he wanted her. Maris wanted him, too—he felt it in his bones—but for whatever reason she did refuse him.
And he would never pressure any woman, so he’d turned his attention to joking instead—and annoyed her in the process.
Getting back to her question, Daron rolled a shoulder. “Royce had asked about a few tools to borrow. I’ll go through the maintenance building to see what I can find, then take the stuff over to him.”