Her eyes went wide and her cheeks pinked with nervousness. He’d seen it a million times. The woman was starstruck and needed some direction. Or in about three seconds, she was going to squeal and draw the attention of everyone in the area.
“A swift kick to the nuts sounds more my speed,” she said, and wow, she wasn’t giving him fuck-me eyes—she was sending him a clear fuck-off-and-die glare.
“Do I know you?”
“No, but that you had to ask reconfirms everything I’ve read about you.” Hunter got the distinct feeling that she hadn’t meant it as a compliment.
The dog barked several times, and that’s when Hunter noticed his red “Dog in Training” vest. Combat Boots shushed him and then faced Hunter. “This is Puddles. He’s trying to figure out playtime from work time still, so if you can ignore him when he asks for attention, that would be great.”
“Is he yours?” he asked, wondering if she was in Mackenzie’s support group.
“I’m training him,” she said. “Now turn around.”
When he didn’t move, she gestured for him to get turning, and the dog went ballistic. With a gentle shush, the dog was staring up at his mistress, completely silent. Taking a cue from the dog, Hunter got out of the car and did a slow circle.
When he was done, she rolled her eyes. “Not bad, but I still think the best-buns title should have gone to that Captain America guy.”
“Okay, show’s over.” He crossed his arms over his chest. He’d dealt with enough paparazzi to be wary of Santa himself. “Who are you?”
“Someone who cares for Mackenzie,” she said, then hesitantly stuck out her hand. “Tia Flynn. I’m Mackenzie’s sponsor. More important, I’m her friend.”
He took her hand, noticing how fragile it was when compared to the big chip on her shoulder. “Sounds like we have something in common, then.”
“That’s what I’m counting on.” She looked more hopeful than convinced. “She mentioned you guys were working on a project, and that you’d taken her to the store a few times.”
“I’ve gone with her, yes,” he said vaguely, and Puddles started barking so fiercely each lowyapvibrated his little body.
Tia looked from the dog back to Hunter and gave the pup a good-job ruffle of the ears. “Puddles is an alert dog, trained to detect changes in body chemistry to signal an anxiety attack. He’s also excellent at detecting bullshitters.”
“Not bullshit, just cautious.” Sponsor or not, Mackenzie was a private person, and it wasn’t his place to share what she’d confided in him. If Mackenzie wanted Tia to know she was working on being more independent, Mackenzie could tell her.
“Huh,” was all she said. “And did you drive her here?”
“Yup.”
Tia studied him for a long moment, trying to get a read on him. Good thing for Hunter, he was used to people sniffing around in his business. So he upped that grin wattage and waited. Unlike most people, silence didn’t bother him.
It didn’t appear to bother Tia either, because instead of filling it, she used it to her advantage, taking the time to study him further, decide just how much she was willing to share. “Did she tell you why she needed the ride?”
“Yup. Did she tellyou?”
“Yup.”
It was clear the woman was as suspicious as he was and protective of Mackenzie. The way Hunter saw it, they could stand there all day and get nowhere, or they could help each other out and maybe gain deeperinsight into what Mackenzie had gone through. She could fill in the gaps he’d missed out on.
“She said her usual ride was on vacation,” he offered. See, he could be forthcoming.
“Arthur is on a fishing trip,” Tia said. “Leaving Mackenzie to fend for herself.”
“Not as long as I’m around.”
“Great, a superhero complex as well.” She rolled her eyes, then glared at him. Hard. “Did you know you’re one of six visitors she’s had since she left the hospital?”
“One of six?” Was she serious? Brody told him she’d lost her sight not long after he and Hadley had married.
She ticked off a finger. “Me. Her agent’s family.” She ticked off three more. “Arthur. And here’s you.” She wiggled the pointer finger on her free hand.
Hunter had a finger he wanted to wiggle at the universe. “I thought she got out of rehab a year ago.”
