Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
She paused, obviously unsure, but he couldn’t be sure whether it was of him or of them. Dare only knew that despite whatever reservations she had or barriers she wanted to erect, he intended to get past them.
Whatever it took.
“I’ll bring you home whenever you’re ready,” he promised. “Even if it’s in the middle of a killer dessert.” He raised his eyebrows and waited for her to reply.
Her sudden smile took him by surprise and lit up her face. “Well, if you put it like that, then you must really not mind.”
Did she really trust him so little? “I wouldn’t have offered if I did.”
While waiting in her family room, he made a quick call to Faith to let her know they’d be there soon. A few minutes later, Liza walked back into the room, wearing a pair of jeans and a loose T-shirt. She’d washed her face, which was now makeup free, and had pulled her hair into a loose ponytail. The casual look worked for her. In fact, he’d never seen any woman so effortlessly sexy in his entire life.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Just let me grab a bottle of wine. I can’t drink, but at least I won’t walk in empty-handed.”
He smiled at her thoughtfulness, knowing Faith and Ethan expected nothing more than her company, but she didn’t understand that yet.
They drove to the house on the hill in comfortable silence. He’d just pulled into the driveway when Liza turned to him. “Before we go in, I meant to thank you earlier.”
“Didn’t we go over this before I left last night? No thanks are necessary. I wanted to be there for you.” He’d wanted to spend the weekend with her.
He shut off the engine and turned to find confusion in her expression.
“I meant thank you for the flowers.”
“I didn’t send flowers.” Though now he wished he had.
“Oh!” Her eyes opened wide, a flush staining her cheeks. “I just thought…”
“You received flowers today?”
She nodded.
“Was there a card?”
“No, and I just assumed…” She glanced down and stared at her hands. “No wonder they say when you assume you make an ass out of you and me,” she muttered.
Dare fought back the tide of jealousy rising inside him. “I honestly wish I’d thought of it, but they weren’t from me. You have no idea who sent them?”
She spread her hands in front of her. “Not a clue. I guess I could call Millie’s tomorrow,” she said of the floral shop in town.
“Good idea. Could it have been your brother?” he asked, hoping for family and not competition.
“Not a chance.” She raised her head, her eyes dull as she answered. “We had it out today, and believe me, flowers for me are the last thing on his mind.”
“I’m sorry.” Reaching over, he placed his hand over hers. No wonder she’d left work early and needed something heavy for the pain. He had no desire to force her to revisit her argument with her brother. “How about we go inside?” he suggested.
“Sounds good.” She opened her door before he could get around to help her. “I didn’t realize you’d be here tonight,” she said as they walked up the path leading to the front door. She paused before they headed up the steps, turning to face him. “But I’m glad you are.”
His reservations eased, and he rang the bell. “Prepare yourself,” he said, looking at her from the corner of his eye.
“What do you mean?”
The front door swung open, and his half sister stood on the other side. Arms crossed over her chest, foot tapping in annoyance, Tess stared from Dare to Liza and back again. “It’s about time. I’m hungry, and because we’re having real company, nobody let me eat first.”
Liza raised an eyebrow at the hellion he called his sister. “You must be Tess. I’m Liza. I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said.
“Yeah? What’d you hear?” Tess asked. “Anything good?”
“How about it’s nice to meet you too?” Dare asked. He placed a hand on Liza’s back and led her inside.
“It is nice to meet her,” Tess muttered. “It’s hard to be polite when my stomach’s growling.”
Liza laughed. A real laugh, the sound actually light and carefree. “I know that feeling. I wasn’t feeling well and fell asleep. I missed lunch and almost slept through dinner, so I’m probably as hungry as you.”
Dare frowned at her admission. The woman was probably more hungry. Tess was a bottomless pit, but she was constantly snacking. “You need to eat if you’re going to keep up your strength.”
“Dare? Liza?” Faith walked into the hallway and straight over to Liza, pulling her into a hug. “I’ve been so worried about you!”
* * *
At the other woman’s sincerity and warmth, Liza nearly broke into tears. “Thank you. I’m okay, really.” She drew a deep breath, pulling herself together. “I’ve had a really good caretaker.”