Page 125 of Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms

But Max had his head in my lap, exhausted from a park too small for him, and Rafe had noticed before I had to explain. He had asked what was wrong. He had listened. He had offered quiet and space instead of performance or pity.

My heart did a very stupid, very dangerous thing.

It trusted the offer.

“Okay,” I said.

Rafe’s brows lifted slightly, as if he had expected more resistance.

I pointed at him. “Don’t look so surprised. I can be spontaneous.”

“You can?”

“Within reason. And with snacks.”

“That seems less spontaneous.”

“I like being prepared.”

He took out his phone, and I tried not to enjoy how quickly he moved once a decision had been made. “Bring the van,” Rafe said into the phone.

A pause.

“Yes. The van.”

Another pause, longer this time.

Rafe looked at Max, who had closed his eyes against my skirt.

“Something suitable for a larger dog to lie down comfortably on a longer trip,” he said. “And bring water.”

He listened for a second, then added, “For the dog.”

I laughed before I could stop myself.

Rafe ended the call and looked at me. “What?”

I shook my head and bent to kiss the top of Max’s head. “Good news, Senator. Apparently, we’ve been invited to the countryside by a very serious man who has access to the van.”

Rafe stood and offered me his hand.

I looked at it for a little too long before I took it.

He helped me up, his palm warm around mine, his grip careful but sure. When I was standing, he released me at once. Because he was thoughtful and restrained. This man kept giving me reasons to like him and then stepping back before I could decide what to do with them.

It was maddening.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

His gaze moved from me to Max, then beyond the dog park’s fence to the slice of city sky overhead.

“There’s a place about an hour and a half north of the city,” he said. “Private acreage. Quiet trails. Open fields. I know the owner.”

I stared at him. “Of course, you know a man with spare fields.”

His mouth curved faintly. “I know several.”

“Naturally.”