Thinking is far easier than executing.
Patch dives into a pile of needles and leaves, scaring the shit out of a flock of birds in a neighboring tree. A chorus of flapping and squawking blasts through the woods. My dog circles the massive pine, barking and clawing at the trunk. The ruckus isn’t helping this fake-ass Zen I’m going for. I tug my hat down lower and try to think about peaceful things. A dull throb hammers into my temple with the waste of effort. It backfires much the same as everything else I’ve tried.
I’m about to raise a white flag on this entire venture when the crack of a twig snapping halts my retreat. The intrusive sound has me whipping around so fast that I nearly topple out of my chair in the process. With the next thudding beat of my heart, three figures move into the clearing I’ve been using for a hideout. Time slows until a single exhale drags on without ending. Shining blonde hair, the golden color of my fantasies, paints the bland surroundings with a vibrant glow.
With my sights tunneling on Keegan, I fail to notice the addition to their typical duo. A dog dutifully trots beside Millie. The neon pink collar clues me in that the pup is a girl. She appears to be a very well-mannered companion for the little girl. Patch doesn’t miss the new family member, of course, bounding over in graceful leaps. I jump from the chair with a bellow, knowing I can’t get there to stop what might happen. But once again, I’m proven idiotic for showing concern.
Patch greets the newcomer with a few meaningful sniffs, no sign of territorial defense or agitation in her bouncy gait. Millie kneels on the grass, petting both dogs with equal enthusiasm. The theory of girls sticking together has never been quite this clear. I continue to stand motionless with my jaw hanging in the wind. After the females complete their initial introductions, Millie is the one who knocks me out of my frozen trance. Her gaze lifts to mine, and she aims a brilliant smile at me.
“Hi, Ford!”
“Hey, Peep.”
She settles cross-legged onto the ground, making herself at home. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Her sunny mood is infectious, lifting the brick resting on my chest. “Is that so?”
“Uh-huh.” She nods, turning to her mom. “Mama, aren’t you glad we finally found him?”
“Just thrilled.” Keegan crosses her arms, slamming a wall down between us that’s meant to lock me out. Too bad that’s not happening, but I can appreciate her efforts.
“Well, this is definitely an interesting surprise. Wasn’t sure I’d see you two again. And who’s this?” I nod to the wiggling brown and white dog pressing against the little girl’s side. Patch is all too willing to play the fourth wheel, sprawling out in front of them.
“She’s our new dog. Her name is Elsa.” Millie’s blinding grin outshines her mother’s scowl by one hundred watts.
“That’s a pretty name.”
“She’s a princess.”
“I can, uh, see that.” I motion to the collection of sparkly, pink embellishments she has on. And are her nails painted? The mutt doesn’t seem to care one bit that she’s being subjected to dress-up. Patch barely lets me attach a leash on her most tolerant days.
“Are you like Prince Eric?”
“Who?”
Millie blinks at me. “From The Little Mermaid.”
Ah, she’s talking fairy tales. Those are the furthest thing from my wheelhouse. “I’ve always been more of a beast type.”
She giggles. “My mom doesn’t mind.”
I shift my gaze to the lady in question. “No?”
Keegan remains silent, fuming in the privacy of her own bubble. Shit, why does she have to look so fucking tempting? The surge of current sizzling against my skin is enough to set this entire forest on fire. This woman is a living, breathing centerfold sent to test my restraint. Those measly fibers are already threadbare. With her in reach, I’m ready to snap.
It doesn’t matter what clothes she has on. I’m intimately aware of every curve she’s not bothering to hide very well. My imagination gladly runs rampant and peels off every layer. The athletic shorts she’s wearing barely cover the globes of her ass. Her breasts and waist are somewhat concealed by a white tank top. I widen my stance to conceal just how hard she makes me. A dizzy spell is imminent if I don’t get a handle on this lack of blood flow to my brain. The pressure is enough to bring me to my knees. Will she always have this effect on me? She probably earns a great deal of satisfaction from torturing me.
I rip my ravenous gaze away from the mouthwatering display Keegan is serving. Focusing on safer sights is necessary to survive this standoff. I cut my eyes back to Millie and find her eyes bouncing between her mother and me. A smile I can only describe as sly curves her lips. The little girl leaps to her feet and tugs on Elsa’s leash.
“I’m gonna take the poochies for a walk. They’ll keep me safe, and we won’t go far. You two stay here.” She makes a pointing gesture from us to the ground.
Keegan’s lips part, probably to refuse being told what to do by a child. Her own daughter, for that matter. But in the end, she snaps her mouth shut. Millie skips away with Elsa and Patch flanking her. Her absence gives us privacy—alone in the middle of nowhere. How convenient.
I rock on my heels, taking a minute to figure out how to kick this off. “So, you got a dog.”
A groan almost wrenches out of me. Great job, moron. Way to state the obvious.
Keegan quirks a brow. “We did.”
“From where?”
She huffs. “Not sure why you care, but Rover & Meow in Gulligan Haven.”
I stroke a hand over my jaw. “That’s where I picked up Patch.”
“They have
