A Hero and His Dog by Carrie Nichols

Author:Carrie Nichols
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-10-05T16:14:33+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Mitch glanced up as he made his way toward the barn after a night of tossing and turning. One look toward the eastern sky had him stopping in his tracks. The predawn sky was awash in pink and orange.

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?”

At the sound of the hushed question, Mitch turned around. Rory was approaching the barn. He nodded and put his hands in his pockets. Not so much to warm them from the slight chill in the air but to avoid the temptation to reach for her.

Despite the early hour, she appeared to be dressed for work in faded, torn jeans and a plaid flannel shirt, her hair pulled back. She shouldn’t look sexy in that outfit but the muscles in his gut tightened at the sight. She came and stood next to him. All that gorgeous hair was secured in the back with one of those fancy rubber bands. Scrunchie. At least that’s what Cynthie used to call them. He frowned, not wanting the specter of his ex intruding in this moment with Rory. Or at any time, frankly. She was his past.

Does this mean you’re thinking of Rory in terms of your future? He frowned again at that thought, his mind going to yesterday’s kiss.

“Sorry,” Rory whispered. “I didn’t mean to disturb your enjoyment of the sunrise.”

“What?” He turned when she took a step back.

“I’ll just—” she made a vague motion toward the house with her hand “I’ll go back inside and—”

“Don’t go.” He pulled a hand from his pocket and reached for hers, his fingers curling around hers. They were cold and he urged her toward him, hoping to use his body heat to warm her.

“I thought maybe you wanted to be alone.”

He shook his head. “It would be a shame to not share this.”

“Thanks.” She smiled and scooted over.

He wanted to pull her into his arms and really warm her—and himself—but he contented himself with holding this small part of her when he ached to hold all of her. Who knew such a chaste action could bring so much satisfaction? He leaned closer, drawn by the scent of orange blossoms.

Glowing red and filling the sky with brilliant color, the sun rose above the hill becoming visible through the trees. Rory sighed and he lightly squeezed her hand.

“Red sky in morning...”

“Sailors take warning,” he finished and they both glanced at one another and grinned.

“But it was beautiful,” she said.

“Stunning,” he replied and met her dark-eyed gaze. “And I don’t mean just the sunrise.”

Her cheeks flushed pinker than normal. When was the last time he’d made a woman blush? He kinda liked the feeling it gave him. He’d lost more than the lower part of his leg with the amputation. It was as if the surgeon had taken more than damaged flesh and bone.

“Flatterer,” she said, shaking her head at him, but she grinned. “How about some coffee? I was going to make some when I saw you from the kitchen window. I hope you don’t mind I decided to join you.

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