by Zoe Dawson
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Callie had just dropped the keys on her hall table when she heard a noise from her kitchen. “Who’s there?” she called out. She glanced at Jack, but he didn’t growl.
The rest of the day with Owen had been fun, but strained. He hadn’t said anything during the drive home about the kiss, so Callie let it go. Callie simply couldn’t get involved with Owen. She was already much too interested in him personally, which was even more dangerous than sexually. She realized she couldn’t seem to disconnect the two, and that could only lead her to heartache.
“It’s your brother, and he’s hungry. Don’t you ever keep any food in this place?”
She smiled as she walked into the kitchen. “I haven’t had a chance to go shopping. I forget how grumpy you get when you don’t eat, Ian.”
The fridge door was open and her brother had his six-foot-four frame bent over, peering inside. “Yeah, and I’m sure your tummy is full of mom’s good food. Did you bring any cobbler home?” He absently stroked Jack as he searched.
The container she was carrying did have a serving of cobbler in it. Her brother’s eyes lit up, and he straightened and grabbed for it.
“Yes, I did.” She pulled it away from his grasp. “But it’s for Brooke.”
“Oh, damn. Then I’m out of luck. I swear you’re more loyal to those women then you are to your own brother.”
“If I had known you would be dropping by, I would have brought some home for you, too. Did your meeting end early?”
“A bit.” He eyed the container, but Callie gave him the stinkeye as she put it in the fridge and firmly closed the door.
“How about we order pizza?”
His eyes lit up. “That sounds good.”
Callie picked up the phone and put in the order. “So did you just show up for food?”
“Not exactly.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“There have been a few thefts in the building. The tenants think it’s someone who lives here. It’s not good for business, so keep your eyes open and be careful.”
“Yes, I heard some women talking the other day about a stolen pillow. I thought it was an isolated event.”
“No, there’s been more, a quilt, a hand-woven rug, and a dinosaur comforter off a kid’s bed.”
“Sounds like someone is opening up a soft goods store.”
“Well, I thought about hiring security. But it’s a thief of opportunity. One woman braced her door open to bring in groceries, and the other woman’s kid left his ajar when he went to a neighbor’s to play.”
“Do you think security is necessary? So far this person hasn’t been violent.”
“Maybe not. I don’t like my tenants to be uneasy.”
“Listen to you. Mr. Landlord.”
“Shut up,” he said good-naturedly, grabbing her around the neck into a headlock. “I have a vested interest in this property, sure, but when I first bought it, I also wanted to create a place where people feel safe, secure, and comfortable.”
“Your vision was a good one.”
“I actually thought about making this whole floor one big loft. In fact, I had plans of knocking out that wall over there and combining these two lofts, but decided the income would be better than the space.”
“Well, Owen McKay loves his loft, so no breaking out any walls while he’s living there.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. He’s a good tenant.”
“I should tell you. You’ll find out sooner or later, but his dog is pregnant and Jack got her that way.”
“What the hell? I thought they were waiting for Jack to mature.”
“I’d say he’s matured.”
Her brother chuckled. “So this was planned?”
“No, it was an accident, and Owen feels so bad.”
“Owen, is it? You know that guy is a major player.”
“I know, and don’t go all protective older brother on me. I have no intention of getting involved with him.”
“Hmm,” he eyed her. “The best laid plans…”
“Now it’s time for you to shut up.”
The doorbell rang and her brother reached for his wallet as he headed for the door, “Saved by the bell. Well, be careful is all I have to say in both situations.”