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Which zinged into her heart, reminding her how she’d thought Burke had forgotten her—that she wasn’t important enough to remember.
Rissa shoved those thoughts away. They’d resolved that this morning, and she wasn’t going there again.
The sound of an ATV arriving diverted her thoughts and the conversation. A huge Newfoundland dog bounded along beside the ATV, which held two helmeted people.
Burke scooped up Frizzle. “Has she seen an ATV before?”
“No, and she’s sometimes too curious for her own good. Thanks for keeping her safe.”
Burke’s eyes warmed. “My pleasure.”
Her heart warmed again—this man.
The couple on the ATV climbed off and set their helmets on the ATV. Dani and Lawson.
The dog bounded toward her and Burke, tongue lolling in joy. Lawson laughed. “Brace yourself. Bibi’s friendly and enthusiastic.”
Rissa had met the humans, but Bibi had stayed back earlier. The dog romped up to Burke and bounced up to see what he held in his hands.
Burke held tightly to Frizzle, who leaned forward to check out the dog, whose head was far larger than Frizzle’s entire body.
The Yorkie’s tail wagged like a hummingbird's wing, and Burke held her close to Bibi. When he squatted down, Frizzle wiggled out of his arms and raced around her new friend, sniffing every part she could reach. Bibi flopped down to give her more access, following the Yorkie’s movements with a happy smile.
Rissa knelt in the snow and offered her hand for Bibi to sniff. “Hi there, Bibi. You’re a beauty, aren’t you?” The large Newfoundland dog licked her, panting after her run through the orchard. Typical of her breed, she was a lovebug and enjoyed pats and scratches.
When Rissa started to rise, Burke put his hand on her elbow to help her up. Manners, it was just manners.
Tell that to the shivers zipping up and down her skin.
A bell rang and Lawson grabbed Dani’s hand. “The dinner bell demands our presence. Please do not upset the pregnant woman by ignoring her call. Let’s go.”
They moved as a group, Frizzle darting along beside Bibi.
Burke grinned at Rissa. “Frizzle’s not afraid of anything, is she?”
“Not that I’ve seen. She’s always a hit during my lessons. She adores the kids, and they love her, too.”
Burke nodded. “I bet. If you ever need a volunteer, I’d love to see you both in action.”
Rissa’s heart stuttered. Maybe she wasn’t the only one reliving their teenage feelings.
Or maybe she was wishing again.
Burke didn’t have to manipulate the seating arrangements because his siblings did it for him. The fact that everyone else around the table was part of a couple or family probably helped, but he and Rissa were seated side by side at the enormous table.
Apparently, Seth made a couple of main dish options nightly for the guests and the family. Once the guests had eaten, the rest was set up family style for them all.
Before the chef arrived at the farm, everyone had taken turns cooking nightly. Now, Seth and Mara were in charge of food, and everyone gathered at least once a day, but often for all three meals.
Just like a regular family.
What would Fox think about all the kids living on his brother’s farm? Burke assumed he’d be happy they were together, but the brothers had drifted apart for a reason. Maybe Fox would be pissed off that Jay had left them the property. The only way to find out was to dig into the papers Jay had left in his room. So far, his siblings had found photographs in a couple of places in the farmhouse and Lawson’s barn.
It was time to dig into Jay’s room and solve the mystery. But not now, not while he had a chance to spend time with Rissa. Maybe he could convince her to stay.
He knew nothing of her schedule because he hadn’t asked those questions yet and hadn’t wanted to be pushy.
He’d spent the afternoon setting up a work area in the farmhouse’s library. There were a couple of couches and chairs, but he’d also found two desks that suited his purposes. He’d pulled them together, set up his desktop and second monitor. He’d organized the cords and the space so he could integrate his laptop on the days he needed the extra screen.
