CHAPTER SEVEN (#ulink_2ef64c66-9a29-526c-9cdc-16ebed21a9c0)
CLINT WAS BEMUSED. It was chaos here, but a comfortable kind of chaos. He enjoyed Stephanie’s discomfort, as well. He was attracted to her. No question about that. His body alerted him to the fact every time he saw her.
Instinctively, he knew she felt the attraction, too, and was fighting it with everything in her. He didn’t know why, but then, he had his own reasons to avoid any romantic entanglements. Last night’s headache reminded him of his limitations. No blackout, but it had been a near thing. A month from now, he might still have them. Maybe a year, or forever, and what kind of job can you get when you can’t drive or might pass out at any time?
For now, he would enjoy jousting with Stephanie and watching the fire in her pretty eyes.
She arrived with a bottle of ice-cold beer and handed it to him. “I’m helping Eve in the kitchen,” she said. “Why don’t you get acquainted with the dogs?”
He sat on the couch and three of the four dogs surrounded him. He suspected Stephanie thought it would unhinge him. He held out his hand to the dogs. The beagle came to him immediately, followed by the one called Fancy. In two more minutes, the Chihuahua hopped up into his lap. Only Braveheart sat at a distance, eyeing him as if he were an ax murderer. Maybe he channeled Stephanie.
The pit bull had scars, and one ear was half torn off. “Hey, Braveheart,” he said softly. He held out his hand again. Miss Marple, the beagle, licked it. The Mexican Hairless nibbled at it. Braveheart looked unmoved.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he said. “I’m a stranger, and strangers are scary. I must be scary, but I like you. We both have some scars.” Braveheart didn’t move. Neither did he. “It’s okay. Take your time.”
Miss Marple rolled onto her back, and he rubbed her stomach. Then, to his surprise, Braveheart took a step toward him. Then another. Hesitantly. Very hesitantly. He was close enough to touch. Clint reached out to him. Braveheart shied away, came back still obviously poised to escape. Clint slowly leaned toward him and as gently as he could, rubbed the dog’s ears. Braveheart inched closer. “Good boy,” Clint said in a low, reassuring voice.
“I don’t believe it,” Eve’s voice floated into the room.
He looked up and saw Eve and Stephanie, their mouths open, in the doorway to the kitchen.
Braveheart sat in front of him.
“Looks like you have the Braveheart seal of approval,” Eve said. “That’s a real distinction.”
“Wow,” said Nick, sliding in between them. “I just knew he would like you and you would like him.”
“Josh thought you might like to join him outside,” Eve said. “That’s if you can stand on that foot.”
“I can.” He stood. “Nick, lead the way.”
He took the beer and limped outside where Josh was putting steaks on the grill. Nick started to go with him, but Eve called him back.
Amos sat next to Josh, his eyes watching every movement he made.
“I like your wife,” Clint said.
Josh smiled. “It’s hard not to. Believe me, I know. I did my damnedest to chase her off, but nothing worked. She’s the most determined woman I’ve ever met. And the kindest. Just try to say no to that combination.”
“And Stephanie?”
“Like I said. She’s Eve’s best friend, which means she’s good people, but she doesn’t let many people get close to her. She’s great with animals. I understand Braveheart here was a basket case when Eve found him beaten and nearly dead. For a long time, only she and Stephanie could approach him. Stephanie has magic with animals, not so much with people. She doesn’t trust easily.”
“So it’s not just me?”
Josh chuckled. “It might be. Don’t know anyone else who got kicked by a cow when they were with her.”
“Stomped, not kicked.”
“A valid distinction.”
“I think so.” Clint cleared his throat. “She said she’s been here five years. Where was she before?”
“Back East. She doesn’t talk about it much.”
He was intruding. It was none of his business. He would be angry if Josh went around giving out information about him. “Sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
Josh raised an eyebrow. “Still interested in her?”
“I’m not in a position to be interested, and if I was, I don’t think she is.”
Josh didn’t comment.
“Anyway, thanks for use of the cabin. I’ve been studying plans for a dock. You want a floating or fixed dock?”
“Going stir-crazy, already?”
“Just like paying my way.”
“I got that.” Josh flipped the steaks and seared the other side.
“As for the dock, whatever you think. Just let me know what you need and I’ll have it delivered.”
“That’s a lot of trust.”
Josh shrugged. “You were a chopper pilot, right?”
Clint nodded.
“That’s a close bunch of guys. So were we Rangers. That was the worse part. Leaving my brothers behind.” He paused, then added, “But they’ll always be a part of me. I imagine it’s the same for you.”
He moved the steaks around, putting two farther from the hot coals. “Eve pulled me kicking and yelling back to life. There’s a lot of strength in this town. It certainly has its own personality. No one minds their own business, and it drove me nuts. Still does. But it’s because everyone—or most everyone—cares about everyone else. I’m proud to say that much of it is because of Eve. And Stephanie. Eve’s in front because she’s mayor, but Steph is right there with her. And that’s probably the longest speech you’ll ever hear from me.”
Clint didn’t reply. He didn’t have to. They understood each other.
Josh removed the four huge steaks from the grill and piled them onto a plate. They were still sizzling.
“I’ll take your beer inside,” Clint said. He was salivating now. “The steaks smell great.” He headed for the door and found that Nick had it wide open, waiting for them. “Good timing, Nick,” he said.
The boy grinned.
Clint dodged around the beagle and Fancy and took the bottles into the kitchen.
Eve was finishing a salad while Stephanie placed baked potatoes on a platter. Clint put the two empty beer bottles on the counter.
“Can you open a bottle of wine?” Eve asked him.
“Sure.”
