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“Sorry, Carl, I can’t. Eric Kitsap is stopping by.”
“The veterinarian?”
“We’re driving into Chicago this afternoon.”
“What for?” he demanded. What Carl knew about Eric Kitsap he didn’t like. Mainly that he was a young buck who looked as if he had plenty of wild oats yet to sow. Carl wanted it understood, right now, that he wasn’t about to let Candy anywhere within a hundred feet of the new veterinarian.
She glared down at him. “That’s none of your business, Carl Saks.”
“I’m making it my business.”
She sighed heavily. “As it happens, we’re attending a dinner.”
“Over my dead body.” He clenched his teeth, ready to do battle right then and there if necessary.
The friendliness had left Candy’s eyes, replaced by a chill that would have caused a lesser man’s blood to run cold.
Then it dawned on him that he was doing it again, playing right into her hands. Candy had set him up on purpose, just to make him jealous. He nearly fell for it. The woman was crafty—he’d say that for her. Well, he wasn’t a dummy. He’d let her stew in her own juices.
“You’re absolutely right,” he said, backing away. “It isn’t any of my business. You could date a different man every night of the week if you wanted.”
Candy moved down two rungs on the ladder so that they were eye level. It demanded every ounce of self-control Carl possessed not to bring her into his arms. His knees felt weak for need of her.
“Is that what you want, Carl?” The question was so softly asked that for a moment he thought he imagined it. “Do you want me dating other men?”
She was about to set him in another trap. He couldn’t very well confess that it did plague him for her to see another man. Nor could he lie and not have her know it was a bold-faced fabrication.
She stared at him intently, awaiting his reply.
He frowned, and then growled out the truth. “It bothers the hell out of me, but if the price of having you exclusively means a ring through my nose, then I say you can date every man in town, because I’m not willing to sacrifice my freedom for you or any other woman.”
He thought he saw moisture form in her eyes, but then was sure he was mistaken. The woman was nothing if not proud.
“That answers that,” she said and turned away from him.
With nothing more to say, Carl wandered outside. He didn’t experience a sense of triumph the way he should. Instead, the loneliness he’d experienced in the past week seemed to yawn even wider.
* * *
Lesley hummed softly to herself as she washed the few dishes they’d dirtied over breakfast. Soon they would head back to Sleepy Valley, and the following day she was scheduled to return to the office.
Her time with Zane had been idyllic and she hated it to end. These few days in the cabin would be all the honeymoon they would have.
Between the renovation project, Mrs. Applegate and Carl, the house would hum with activity. Her own work schedule was hectic. It was unlikely Lesley would be able to share much uninterrupted time with Zane again for a number of weeks. Especially since she would be making the ninety-minute drive to and from the office every day.
Zane moved behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. He turned her in his arms for a slow, warm kiss. After the past few days and nights of lovemaking, they were familiar with each other’s bodies. There was no reason to be reticent, no reason for either of them to be shy.
“The car’s packed.”
“I’ll be finished here in a few minutes.” Pressing her head to his shoulder, she whispered, “I don’t want to go back, Zane. I want to stay here forever with you.”
“I feel the same.” He glanced longingly at the faux bear rug where they’d first made love.
“Zane,” she whispered, reading her husband’s mind. “What are you thinking?”
“Do you need to ask?” His grin was sexy enough to curl her toes.
“Now?”
