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When they were teens, she’d thought he was cute and sweet. It was a simple, innocent crush. Nothing about the way her body reacted when they touched now was innocent, though and she had no idea what to do about this insane attraction to him. Because, as much as she fought it, the feelings weren’t going away.
At least he wasn’t pressing her to figure out what she wanted to do about their chemistry yet, because she had no clue how to answer him.
“How big does your aunt want the tree to be?”
Anna Beth picked up her pace to match his, but the minute she sped up, so did Rip. “Ack, slow down, or Imma face plant, Rip.”
“You can go ahead and drop the leash,” Jared said. “I just didn’t want anyone to see him off it and complain. A police officer breaking a leash law. Wouldn’t be right.”
Anna Beth chuckled, dropping the leash to the ground. “Something tells me you’re a rebel with a badge.”
“That may be the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” In a deep, commanding voice, he called, “Rip, heal.”
Rip ran to his master’s side, keeping pace with him.
“That’s impressive.”
“Not really. If you spend time working with a dog, they’ll respond to your attention.” He stopped, letting her catch up. “Now, you were going to tell me how big you want your conquest to be.”
Anna Beth stumbled, catching herself before she fell. “What?”
“The tree?”
“Oh, right. We're putting it in the living room. With the vaulted ceiling, she thinks seven feet would be perfect.”
“Mmmm, we’ll have to hike a little farther in then.” He turned around and kept moving as though the steady incline in the snow didn’t bother him a bit.
Anna Beth sucked in a breath and followed, keeping her breathing as even as possible so he wouldn’t realize how out of shape she was.
“Fine by me. You’re the one who needs his beauty rest.”
Jared smiled over his shoulder. “You think I’m pretty, huh?”
Her face warmed, but she didn’t let him completely fluster her. “Actually, I insinuated you need more sleep to be pretty.”
“Tsk, tsk, so mean to the guy helping you cut down a tree.”
“I was kidding and you know it, drama llama.”
“I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.” Jared yawned and Anna Beth laughed. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I know you should be sleeping right now, and I appreciate you staying up for me.”
Jared stopped, letting her catch up. “Isn’t that what friends do?”
“Of course.” She stopped next to him, taking a deep breath. “Hang on a second.”
Jared made a guilty face. “Sorry, I have a long stride. My mom is always griping at me when I get ten steps ahead.”
“No it’s fine, I just need to catch my breath. I don’t do a lot of hiking. My work is pretty sedentary, and I have a walking desk for my treadmill, but both are packed away in my storage unit.” Taking one last deep breath, she straightened up, “Speaking of work, do you like working nights?”
“Yeah. I can get things done in the morning after I get off work and then crash.”
“Yeah, I’m not much of a night owl. I prefer getting up with the morning sun.”
“You mean bedtime?”
“Not for everyone,” Anna Beth laughed.
