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“Did you ever have a dog?”

“Years ago, sure.”

The expression on his face softened. For a split second he looked lost. Vulnerable. Then he asked, “Want one?”

Loran hesitated. She didn’t want anyone or anything to take care of beyond herself. If she had to pack up and leave in the middle of the night, as she had so many times, it was easier if there was no one important to leave behind. Not a man, not a pet. She didn’t even dare buy a goldfish!

“No, thanks. Is someone giving away puppies? I do love a puppy, but I don’t have the time or the right setup. My rental house agreement says no pets.”

“Colt and I are friends. I could take care of that, if you wanted.”

Friends with a man who talked to ghosts… She couldn’t imagine it. “I really don’t.”

He moved closer to the counter. Loran was glad to have the block of wood and a small cash register between them. If he got too close she’d feel it. This man stirred her up, and she couldn’t afford to get distracted. Not by him. Not by anyone.

“Just as well,” he grumbled. “Bubbles is no puppy. He’s a fully grown mutt that’s currently camped out on my back porch.”

Loran couldn’t help herself. She smiled. “Bubbles?”

“I didn’t name him,” Mac growled.

She should tell him she had a lot of work to do and send him on his way, but she didn’t. “Why are you trying to give me your dog?”

“He’s only been mine for a few hours, and I’m already wondering if I bit off more than I can chew.” The big guy looked a little lost. “I need help.”

Mac admitting he needed help touched her in a way she didn’t need or want. He made her want to be touched in other ways. She didn’t need that, either.

“Have plans for dinner?” he asked.

Loran shook her head.

“I was going to grab a burger at The Magnolia. If you want to join me.”

“Thanks, but I’m really not hungry.” As the lie ended, her stomach growled.

Instead of being insulted, Mac grinned. “Caught.”

“Sorry, I…” There were so many reasons to refuse his offer. Most of them she didn’t dare say aloud. “The last thing we need is Tuck thinking we’re willingly spending time together.”

“There would be no stopping Olive if she got wind of it,” Mac said.

Loran nodded.

“How about this. I pick up a couple of burgers and we have dinner at my house. I’ll introduce you to Bubbles. Maybe you’ll change your mind about wanting a dog. If not, I could use some help planning how to set things up at my place for a pet.”

Take care of your own dog. I don’t need you, or a dog. Those were words she couldn’t say aloud. And maybe she didn’t want to. Could she be part of a couple forever? No. Could she stay in Seawolf Beach, settle down, and grow old with Mac and Bubbles, or anyone else? Again, no.

Did that mean she had to stop living?

“I should say no, but I want to meet Bubbles.” That’s not all she wanted, but it was all she could have.

“Give me an hour,” Mac said, and then he gave her his address and simple directions. He didn’t live all that far from her, but then again nothing in Seawolf Beach was very far from anything else. Unless it was across the highway, like The Magnolia, it was walkable.

Loran watched the door long after Mac was gone. She’d just made a mistake, hadn’t she? One man couldn’t make her toss aside all caution. It was that caution that kept her sane and safe.

She liked it here. She had a decent business, a couple of friends, and a rental house that was nicer than many of the places she’d lived over the years. If she was very careful she might stay here for a long while. There could be a life for her here, if she was careful. Damn, she was tired of being careful.

No matter how much she liked it here, it was possible she’d have to pack up and leave Seawolf Beach sooner than she’d like. Nothing was guaranteed. Tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed.