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I laugh. “Do you have any idea how much those cost?” I have looked into it. “Plus, then I’d need somewhere to park it.”
“You could park it here.”
“What? No. I’m not parking a clinic here.”
“Why not? Look at all the land I’ve got, Marie. And I have a third bedroom we don’t use. You’re always welcome to it.”
I don’t know where these offers are coming from, but I assume they’re empty. “I saw enough this morning about how you guys live around here to pass on that, but thanks, anyway.”
He chuckles. “Didn’t appreciate that one, huh?”
“I didn’t say that.” I’m sure I’ll be dwelling on it late into the night.
“Haw,” he calls out, directing the dogs to the left. I brace for the turn as they propel us forward.
“So, you did? Is that what you’re saying?” There’s a hint of something in his voice, and I sense him leaning closer into me, that familiar and intoxicating scent of cedar and citrus teasing my nostrils.
We’re falling back into dangerous territory where he flirts, and I flirt back, and we both forget that he’s going to hurt me. “I’ll make sure to meet you in the barn from now on,” I say in a more even tone, adding, “With more puppies, if you ever ask me to do this again.”
He snorts. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“He needed a home, and really? You don’t know me very well, then. I have no boundaries when it comes to dogs, remember?”
“I may not know everything about you, but I know you, Marie.” His breath skates across my cheek. “And I miss you.”
The longing in his voice tugs at my heart. “I miss you, too,” I admit in a whisper before I can talk myself out of it.
His arms tighten around me, and he leans in to press his bristly cheek against mine, the corners of our mouths lined up perfectly. Just the tiniest turn from me, and our lips would find each other.
I shouldn’t allow any of this, and yet I can’t pull away, my eyes closing as I absorb this feeling, wishing this moment could last forever.
We slide home in silence.
* * *
“Happy birthday again!” I holler over my shoulder.
Mabel waves, and without hesitation, Reed waves back, his furry gift tucked beneath his arm as they disappear inside the barn.
Tyler is jogging from the house on a path toward us, and I instinctively slow my pace, allowing him to meet us just as we reach my truck.
“So, Mabel, what do you think? You interested in a part-time job here?” He holds her door open for her.
“Yeah, I think so.” She matches her words with a nod. “This was fun.” She holds up her torn gloves—one, care of Tank, and the other, Airi. “Except for this.”
Tyler chuckles. “Yeah, I have a box full just like those in the house. Okay, come next Saturday at the same time?” With Mabel seated inside, he rounds the front of my truck to meet me on my side. “I think that’s going to work out well.”
“Yeah, they seemed to get along.” Reed taught her how to unharness the dogs and water them when we returned. She took to the tasks naturally.
“Hey, I heard there was something going on at the Ale House tonight.” His voice has shifted a notch to a softer, more inquisitive tone. “I’m going to take Reed. If he wants to get serious about competitive mushing next year, he needs to get out of this place and start meeting people.”
“Those nights are usually fun.”
“I’m sure he’d love it if you came.” He hesitates. “So would I.”
Thoughts of the last time Tyler and I met at the Ale House burn in my mind.
Why is he inviting me out again? Why is he saying these things to me? Is this still his attempt at friendship or has something changed? Has …
No, Marie, you can’t go down this road again. “I’m sorry, I have plans tonight.”
He bites his bottom lip, shifting his focus to nudging at the snow with his boot. “Are they legit plans? Or ‘I’m being polite but drop dead, Tyler’ plans?” His face cracks with a sexy, crooked smile. “Just for my own understanding.”
There’s humor in his tone, but I sense him holding his breath for my answer.
“Legit.” I hesitate. “I’m seeing someone, and we’re doing something tonight.” Taking a trip up to Talkeetna to meet his friend at the brew house.
Tyler’s brow furrows and I instantly regret being so truthful. “Right. Well, have a good night, then.” With a gentle pat on my hood, he backs up. “And thanks again for coming out.”
Nausea roils in my stomach as I climb into my truck and crank the engine.
Mabel frowns. “What’s wrong?”
I force a smile. “Nothing.”
And everything.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The faint, sweet scent of tobacco is in the air when I climb into Steve’s truck. Lingering, I assume, from the package of cigars near the heat vent. I don’t mind those as much as I mind cigarettes. Besides, he said he only smokes them occasionally.
