Page 70 of Rafe

“A wuss. Big wuss. This guy here.” He released Rafe’s hand and pointed at him. “Strong grip. Has a glass of wine ready by the time I’m done with the bags. Let’s just say I’m feeling good about this.” Her dad accepted the glass from Rafe, sipped and exhaled loudly. “Ahh. What a trip.”

“You guys didn’t have to cut your trip short just for me.”

“Your father was worried about the birds.”

“I thought you had a sitter.”

Rafe smiled and raised a questioning eyebrow at her as he handed her a glass of wine. “Birds?” he mouthed.

“Ravens. Crows.”

“That’s right. I’ve got a couple of ravens. Crows too. I put the mealworms out. Sometimes a few croissant pieces if your mom doesn’t catch me.”

“Dad’s always had a murder,” Skylar told him. “They have babies. Sometimes the juveniles stay.”

“We’d been out of the country for over a month. When you said you were back in Washington, of course we were coming home. It was fate.” He glanced out the window. “Did you see any whales today?”

“I haven’t been down there yet.” Skylar glanced at Rafe who shot her a devilish smile that wasn’t meant for her parents. But as always, her sharp-as-a-tack mom caught the brief interchange and raised a knowing eyebrow at her.

“Would you like this on the table?” Rafe pointed to a charcuterie tray.

“Thank you, Rafe. So polite, Sky. Where did you say you met?”

“It’s just one of those things…” Skylar smiled and looked to Rafe who’d made quick work of transferring the food as well as the bottles to the kitchen table. He held out a seat for her and she slid into it, acutely aware of the heat of his body as he pressed her chair gently into the table.

“I love crows,” Rafe commented. “They’re integral to the ecosystem.”

“Right on. See, Patty. I’m not the only one obsessed with my crows. Where did you say you met?”

“Well. We met in a bar.” Skylar bit her lip, hedging. “I dropped my credit card. Rafe found it for me.”

“We danced,” Rafe added. “A waltz.”

“So yeah. Later, we, uh, we ran into each other again. Just a neighbor meeting neighbor kind of thing.”

“Neighbors, huh? Were you raised in New Orleans?”

“I was born in New Orleans, but I’ve spent most of my time in Wyoming,” Rafe replied.

“Yellowstone is beautiful,” her dad said.

“I kept warning him to stay away from the bison.” Patty laughed and sipped her wine. She patted her husband’s arm. “Aw, honey. I’m glad to be home.”

“I think we might have another crow sitter to help us out,” he replied.

“Oh, now how do you know that?”

“I can tell another bird lover when I see one.” Her dad nodded at Rafe.

“Well it’s true I’m cool with the crows and ravens, but I’m afraid I’m going to be away myself for a little bit. Taking a trip. But I tell ya what, sir⁠—”

“Don’t sir me. Please call me Neil.”

Rafe winked at her, sending her pulse racing. Her daddy, who never liked any guy on a good day, had just told him to call him Neil. Ugh! What is happening?

“Neil,” Rafe broke eye contact with Skylar and addressed her dad. “I’ll give you my number and if I can make it work, I’d be happy to watch them for you. I can always use the fresh air of the Pacific Northwest. Who knows? Maybe I’ll bump into Skylar again. It does seem we’ve made a habit out if it.”

Skylar gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, the stabbing pains tightening around her heart. I don’t want to give him up.