High Country Homecoming by Roxanne Rustand

Author:Roxanne Rustand
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-03-07T20:23:03+00:00

* * *

After running in the early morning hours and lifting weights, Devlin did the chores. He was headed to the main house, with Daisy at his side, when he saw Chloe coming down the trail from her cabin. She no longer favored her left ankle, he realized. And she was bearing something oblong in a plastic bag that just might be delicious. He sure hoped so.

“I was hoping I would catch you in time. Maybe you’d like this with your supper or breakfast tomorrow.” She handed him the package. “This is Grandma Lydia’s almond, cranberry and white-chocolate quick bread, with an orange glaze.”

The citrus aroma wafting into the air was amazing.

“One little slice is missing,” she added, shooting him a quick, tentative smile. “I had to do a taste test. I wasn’t too sure about the orange glaze with the white chocolate, but I actually think Grandma hit this one out of the park. You’ll let me know what you think, right? I...um...enclosed a little questionnaire this time. To make it easier.”

“Thanks.” He thought about sitting alone at the big oak table in that big, empty house, with just two dogs for company. “Do you want to join me for supper? Nothing fancy—I’m just nuking a frozen meal and there are plenty more in the freezer.”

“Thanks, but...I should probably get home.” A faint pink blush slipped into her cheeks. “I’ve been thinking, though. And I need to apologize.”

He raised an eyebrow, mystified. “For what?”

“From our first meeting here, I said I was going to mind my own business and stay out of your way.”

That prospect no longer seemed as appealing as it had at first. “I don’t know that it’s imperative, Chloe.”

She gave a firm shake of her head. “You saved me from those despicable Dooleys and came to my rescue again yesterday evening, because you were concerned. And for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But...I haven’t been so kind in return, constantly lecturing you about taking care of yourself better. So I promise to stop.” She bit her lower lip. “Though honestly, you really do need to listen, because...”

Her voice trailed off and a faint, rueful smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Sorry.”

“How are you feeling today? Is everything all right?”

“Yes. Of course. Perfectly fine.”

He studied her more closely. There were fine lines of tension bracketing her mouth. “Really? No headaches at all? They can last for months after a concussion.”

She hitched a shoulder. “Well...maybe a little.”

“Then why not just admit it?”

“Because I don’t want to. In your teens and twenties, you feel young and invincible. Then a little health problem crops up and you realize that you’re not.”

“I know,” he said quietly.

Her eyes widened with instant regret. “Of course you do. Sorry. I can be so utterly tactless sometimes.”

Her gaze fell on Daisy, and a look of pure longing crossed her face that she quickly hid. “How is she doing?”

As usual, Daisy was at his side, pressed against his leg. He looked down at her and ruffled the thick fur at her neck.

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