by Wendy Vella
“Sure, and you can leave with some.”
“Buzz is outside,” she tried, looking for any angle to get this blindfold off. “He walked me here after we spent the morning with Mr. Goldhirsh helping out with the seniors.”
Shock had been the only word Piper could come up with when she’d watched Dylan Trainer walk into that room at the hospital. She hadn’t expected him to join in, but the seniors could be persuasive when required.
He’d handled himself well. Sure, he was pretty hopeless at the exercises, but for all that he’d been polite and kind to the seniors, and as they were important to Piper, that had gone a long way toward her forgiving him for being an asshole—which actually hadn’t been strictly his fault, she had to admit. A hot, sexy asshole who knew how to kiss the thoughts from her head and leave her hot and flustered.
“Aww, is he?” Miss Sarah said.
Piper heard the click of heels again, and then the door opened, and a deep, soft woof was heard.
“Hello, pup, would you like a biscuit?”
“Miss Sarah, you know Joe’s got him on a diet.”
“Pffft, a big boy like Buzz, he doesn’t need to lose any weight, he’s just perfect.”
Piper sighed as she heard a crunch.
“Hey, Buzz.”
Her entire body jerked at the sound of that deep voice. Ryker didn’t have a huge population, but it swelled by hundreds due to tourists at any given time, so why the hell was she bumping into him again today?
Last night he’d kissed her senseless, not something that happened often to Piper. The kissing, or the senseless part. For all her cousins thought she dated a lot, she didn’t; mainly she just kept company with her male friends. Anything more usually became too complicated.
“Miss Marla, Miss Sarah, you remember Dylan Howard,” Piper said as she heard the heavy thud of his feet entering the shop. “Mary’s boy?”
“More silence,” she heard him mutter. “My mother’s name seems to have the effect on people.”
“Oh, well now,” Miss Marla said, rushing to speak. “You need to understand that important women can be intimidating sometimes. It’s just their way, dear. Now let me look at you. I have to say you’ve grown into a fine young man since I would find you in the back of my class drawing on the furniture. You come in and take a seat, we won’t be but a minute.”
“Hi, Piper.” The deep words were whispered in her ear, and his breath brushed the sensitive skin beneath, making her shiver. “You smell nice.”
“Hello, Dylan,” she managed to get out. “You got a thing for Buzz? Because this is the second time today you’ve run into him.”
“He and Mr. Goldhirsh took a ride in my car this morning to the hospital, then we did exercise together, as you know. It’s a guy thing we like to call bonding.”
“Why would Mr. Goldhirsh want to get in your car when he runs everywhere always?”
“My guess is the lecture that followed.”
“That’ll be it, he’s good at that. Nearly as good as these two.”
“Wisdom comes with age,” Piper heard Miss Marla say. “Therefore it is our job to impart that wisdom to you young people who have yet to achieve any.”
“I think we were just insulted,” Dylan said. “What is she doing?”
“Tea testing. You can be next if you want, Dylan. You go on and take a seat, and Mandy will bring you a scone,” Miss Sarah said.
“I’d be grateful because I have to admit that since someone told me Tea Total served the best scones in Colorado, I’ve been dying to taste one.”
Piper rolled her eyes, which wasn’t easy behind a blindfold.
“Oh now, aren’t you sweet,” Miss Marla cooed. “It seems that boy who covered my car in Christmas paper has grown up.”
“He did that?” Piper turned, but of course couldn’t see anything.
“Me and your cousin actually, so I’m not taking the rap for all of it.”
“And they stole my favorite lipstick out of my top desk drawer and wrote ‘A’s for everyone’ all over the windows in the classroom,” Miss Sarah added.
“Wow, I was so tame in school,” Piper said.
“We could go on, but as he’s already squirming we’ll leave him be.”
“If I say sorry, will that help?”
“Dylan, we had a lot worse, believe me.”
“Thanks, Miss Marla.”
Piper listened to Mandy arriving. She knew it was her because there were no heels clicking.
“Mandy, this is Dylan Howard. I’m not sure you remember him from school, dear.”
“Hello.” Mandy spoke softly. Unlike her aunts, she was gentle and usually didn’t offer up conversation unless she was ready. The sisters were incredibly protective of their niece; Piper had never gotten to the bottom of why.
“We still on for the movies, Mandy?” Pip, Bailey, and Maggs often included the woman in their outings. Usually she didn’t come, but they kept trying.
“Sure, thanks, Piper.”
“Here’s your tea now. Careful, it’s hot.”
She took the cup between her hands and inhaled the scent wafting up into her nostrils.
“Is she any good?” Dylan asked.
“No, but her big cousin is the best in town.”
“Really... we’ll just have to see if he still has the crown after I’m done.”
Piper tried to shut out the deep voice and concentrate. Surely it couldn’t be that hard if Joe could do it. She took a small sip.
“I taste lemon and berry, and maybe ginger?”
“Not bad, dear.”
“You’re being nice, which means I got it wrong. Plus I can hear the crowing in your voice, Miss Marla,” Piper said, handing her the cup.
“Lime blossom, cinnamon, and verbena.”
“What is verbena?” she said, taking off her blindfold.
“A plant. It’s good for sore throats and respiratory disorders.”
As he’d supplied the information, she had to look at him.
“Not sure how you know that, but thanks.”
He sat at one of the tables. The morning sun was streaming in the window surrounding him, but somehow he still managed to look large and dangerous. He was dressed in jeans, and on his feet were lace-up tan boots. His navy long sleeved T-shirt had FBI across the front. He was giving her a look out of those ice-blue eyes that made her toes curl inside her boots.
“So you’re not good at this tea tasting is my guess?”
“Nope,” she said around the dryness in her throat. This man was a lethal combination, of hot, smart, and downright dangerous. Plus, he had the smoldering “I don’t give a shit what you think of me,” hotness that had always appealed to Piper.
“I didn’t get a chance to ask earlier, how’s your dad today?” Friendly, she reminded herself. Play nice, Piper, it’s not his fault he ticks all the boxes. Piper had run as soon as the class was done this morning, claiming another appointment. Okay, so it had been a lie, but the less time she spent in this man’s company the better it would be for both of them.
“Healing, thank you for asking. Before you tried to emasculate me I spent some time with him, and he’s in pain, but nothing that won’t heal.”
Piper could see he was worried but trying to hide it. She knew men. Joe, Jack, and Luke were good at trying to hide their emotions too.
“It’s hard to see a parent laid low when we always expect them to be the strong ones, and FYI I did not try and emasculate you, your lack of coordination did that all by yourself.”
His smile was small. “I like my exercise hot and sweaty and involving physical contact.”
And just like that her body started to simmer.
“Basketball, marital arts, that kind of thing,” he said, giving her a slow smile that told Piper he knew where her mind had gone.
“How’s Charlie?” Piper was determined not to show him how his words had affected her. “We were friends before she left for Dallas.”
“She’s good,
thank you.”
His face was now expressionless. He didn’t want to talk about his family, and Piper guessed that was because he didn’t know them. Joe had told her last night he’d been gone for sixteen years and never returned until now.
“Send her into the café. I’d like to catch up before she leaves town.”
“Café?”
“Phil’s Place.”
“You work there?”
“We own it.”
“We being?”
“The Trainer family.”
She watched him take a bite of the scone that had just been placed before him, then close his eyes.
“They were right,” he said, looking at Miss Sarah, who was sorting stuff on shelves behind the counter. “This is the best scone I’ve ever tasted.”
“Now you are a sweet boy for saying so.”
Piper rolled her eyes again.
“What?”
“You and my cousins. Always flattering the ladies.”
“After a day I don’t think you know that about me. Besides, it’s the truth, this scone is good.”
She watched as he devoured the rest.
“I need to get back, so see you round, Dylan. Bye, Miss Marla, Miss Sarah, and Mandy.”
Everyone added their goodbyes, and Piper lifted a hand and left. Taking a deep breath of cool mountain air, she dug her hands into the pockets of her jacket. Winter was coming, and the temperatures were already dropping. Clicking her fingers at the large shaggy black dog leaning on the side of Tea Total, Piper started to cross the road.
“Let’s go, Buzz.”
He gave a woof and fell in beside her.
“You’re the only handsome boy I need in my life, aren’t you?” She dug her fingers into his fur, and his body wiggled.
“Now that’s a shame.”
Piper clenched her eyes shut. Double damn. He’d heard.
“What?” She bought herself some time as Dylan fell in beside her.
“You, saying you didn’t want any more handsome men in your life.”
“I wasn’t referring to you.”
“Never said you were, and it’d be just plain wrong to call myself handsome.”
She didn’t look at him, instead keeping her fingers in Buzz’s fur and her eyes straight ahead. He talked in a deep tone that seemed to roll up her spine, which was ridiculous. The man was as cool and emotionless as the snow that topped Phil and Roxy.
“So I guess you guys own the bar too?”
“Joe owns that.”
“So what else you got in your portfolio?”
“Places.”
“Which places?”
“Why do you need to know?” She shot him a look, but his eyes were on her so she turned away.
“Just being polite.”
“We own a few industrial sites, and the ranch, plus some rental properties.”
He whistled. “The Trainers have done good.”
“We earned it.” Piper hadn’t meant to sound defensive, but it came out that way. She was very proud of the fact her cousins had turned their lives around, considering the feral boys they’d been when she first met them. Not that she was much better.
“It wasn’t an insult, and considering what those boys went through I’m pleased things worked out for them.”
“Thanks.”
“Buzz is a nice dog. I’ve never been big on pets, but I can see how he grows on you. I now have his hair all over the back seat of my car, so I’m thinking that makes me a part owner.”
Piper sighed. “That hair gets everywhere. You’ll be finding it for weeks. He’s Joe and Bailey’s, but the town has pretty much adopted him too. They kind of gave him the key, so he has a free run.”
“Good work, buddy.”
Dylan leaned down and played with Buzz’s ears, which the dog happened to love above all things. When he straightened, he stopped walking. Following his gaze, she saw Ava entering Phil’s.
“She works for us part-time.”
“Really,” he said softly. “You met that boyfriend of hers?”
“I have.”
“And?”
“They date.”
“And?”
Piper exhaled slowly.
“He’s okay, and most of the time I like him, but sometimes he’s a bit of a loser.”
“I’ve always wondered how someone can be a bit of a loser. They either are or they aren’t. Only met the guy once, and he struck me as harmless enough.”
“He is. I guess I just struggle with someone who’s known me four months now, and ignores me unless I say hello first.”
“Manners are important,” Dylan said with his eyes still on the café. “I met him over oatmeal this morning. He has a good handshake.”
“Nice that you and your family are spending time together.”
Piper looked at his clenched jaw and fierce expression. She didn’t think he’d answer her, and why should he, she’d only met him yesterday, and they both knew he wasn’t exactly one for talking. Besides, they also both knew she was blatantly prying.
“Not so much. Firstly, there’s my hatred of oatmeal, a Howard staple. Plus it’s fair to say Ava hates me, and Charlie’s just disinterested.”
“I’m sorry for that, but it’s going to happen if you lose contact, which I’m guessing is the case?”
“Sure, and I deserve it. Ava was a little girl when I left, and we’d been close. I was her big brother, the man who should have slayed her dragons and frightened off the losers. I didn’t. And Charlie, who wants me to call her Charlotte, is wrapped up in herself and work.... actually, she’s just like me.”
“You didn’t see them often?”
“No.”
“Why didn’t you come back until now?” Another personal question Piper had no right to ask but did anyway.
He looked down at her and the pain in his eyes almost made her wince.
“Because I hated this place.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Dylan swallowed the lump in his throat. He’d never talked about his reasons for not coming back to Ryker, and he’d definitely never had a lump in his throat. What the hell was the matter with him? For some reason this place was starting to get to him, and it was only two days in to his return.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said I hated Ryker. That wasn’t very nice, considering you live here.”
“We’re strangers. If you’re gonna spill your innards, I always find strangers are the best for that, because, a: you’re never likely to see them again, and b: they don’t know your friends, so word doesn’t spread... although there is social media.”
Dylan snorted. “I just said I hated the place, not a major confession.”
“So was it hard?”
“What?”
“Being Mary Howard’s son?”
“I’m sure that question is way too personal seeing as we’ve only known each other two days.”
“Probably.” Piper shrugged. “But then you’ve already told me plenty, so there’s really no going back now.”
“It had its moments, but I wouldn’t be doing my duty as her son if I said anything else.”
“She’s sure a peach.”
They were standing looking at Phil’s café, where his sister worked. For some reason he felt calmer with this woman at his side. Calm even though he was talking about something that usually he avoided even thinking about.
“My dad was pretty cool, though.”
“I like him, always have.”
“He’s a good man, just too soft.”
She laughed. It was a husky sound that rolled up and down his spine. Sweet, he thought, very, very sweet.
“There is nothing wrong with being soft.”
“Yes there is, because people tend to walk all over you in heavy boots,” Dylan added.
“Not always.”
“I spoke with her.”
“Who?”
“Mom.”
“About what?”
“Her persecution of
the Trainer family for supposed wrongdoings... that were actually my wrongdoings.”
“I bet that went down well.”
They started walking again, toward the café.
“Not so much, but I’ll keep working on it.”
She took the step up when they reached it, and then turned to face him. The day was cool, and she wore a fitted deep green sweater under her wool jacket, and it hugged her lovely curves, dipping to a V at the neck. Her scarf was a lighter green that made those Trainer eyes pop. Tight black jeans added to one hell of a package, Dylan conceded, but then she could wear a sack and look hot.
“You do that. And now I have a café to run.”
“As it turns out, I need a coffee.”
“You just had a scone, why didn’t you drink tea with it?”
“I’m a big boy. I need constant nutrition, and I do not drink tea. No good, self-respecting FBI agent would.”
“You drank tea with the seniors.”
“I was being polite, plus it got me Pearl’s meatballs and sauce recipe.”
She had to laugh then.
“Do you love your work, Dylan?”
“Mostly.”
“But some parts of it must leave a really nasty stain on your soul,” she said softly.
Her words couldn’t have been more accurate.
“Sure. It’s not all like the TV shows and movies. And there’s a lot of paperwork.”
Her smile did strange things inside Dylan, which sent a warning shot through him.
“I’m sure it’s not. I mean let’s face it, no way in hell could there be that many sexy men and women in one place, all working together in perfect harmony.”
“Yes, it’s hard being the only one.”
Piper’s laugh was loud and full, and his own lips twitched to respond. She turned to head inside. Dylan followed.
The café was busy, the white chairs and tables mostly full. One wall was covered completely in plants, all hanging from pots, and the others held modern artwork.
Dylan found a seat at the counter while Piper disappeared behind it and through a door. Ava hadn’t seen him, so he took the time to watch her unobserved. She was working the coffee machine like a pro. She turned to smile at someone who brought her another order. It was real, and he wanted that smile for him, which of course he had no right to.