‘Leave it. I’m no domestic goddess but I can manage the leftovers and a few dishes.’
Hunter didn’t press the point. He would honour his promise to Polly and then leave Laura to the peace she clearly preferred.
Chapter Three
‘I’m on my way over.’ Polly giggled. ‘I can’t stay long because I’ve got a hair appointment but I’m dying to meet our hunky Yank.’
She should have expected her curious sister wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation to check out her houseguest.
‘For God’s sake tell me you’ve got a pot of decent coffee brewing. I know y’all are a nation of tea drinkers but that won’t hack it today.’ Hunter sloped into the kitchen in the middle of tugging a thick grey jumper over his head. It only reached its final destination after giving Laura an eyeful of rock-hard stomach and a shadow of fine dark hair disappearing into the baggy sweatpants hanging low on his hips. She mentally begged for an Arctic breeze to settle around her neck like an invisibility cape.
‘Is this your version of not as grouchy?’
‘Before a heavy caffeine fix it’s the best I can manage.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘I promise I’ll soon be back to my normal sparkling self if I’m treated right.’
‘Polly’s stopping by here for a few minutes to meet you.’
Did a trickle of anxiety sneak into his expression or was she reading too much into things as usual?
‘Cool.’
‘Here you go.’ She filled her largest mug and passed it over. ‘I’m not much of a cook but my coffee is legendary.’
‘You’re a lifesaver.’
‘Cream and sugar?’ His thick eyebrows shot up. ‘Thought not.’
She winced as he gulped down the scalding liquid. ‘Do you have an asbestos mouth?’
‘Did the famed British trait of unfailing politeness skip a generation with you?’
‘Sorry.’
‘I’m only teasing.’ Hunter gave a lopsided grin. ‘I guess I need to wave a sign over my head before I crack any jokes.’
‘Breakfast?’ She ignored his flippant remark. ‘I can do toast, or there’s muesli in the cupboard?’
‘Don’t fret. I rarely eat before noon and if jet lag messes me around there’s always the leftover Chinese.’
‘How do you know I haven’t polished it off myself?’
‘Your horror last night gave you away.’
‘Cooee, I’m here.’ Her sister flung open the door and breezed in.
* * *
‘You must be Johnny’s beautiful bride.’ Hunter jumped up and stuck out his hand, remembering Laura’s aversion to the hug he dished out when they met. Clearly, his old friend’s taste in women hadn’t changed. This woman fitted what he remembered of Johnny’s preferences to a tee. A heart-shaped face with all the features in perfect proportion, clear blue eyes and tumbling blonde curls. They combined with a figure out of the ‘perfect’ section of the human catalogue, if such a thing existed, to make one flat-out beautiful woman.
Hunter caught Laura’s wry smile. She must have watched many men skim over her and turn their attention on her younger sister over the years.
‘Thanks, you’re a flatterer but I’ll take the compliment. If you aren’t too tired I think Laura was planning to take you to Dartmoor this afternoon. Blow away the cobwebs from your journey.’ Polly smiled. ‘The weather isn’t too awful and it’ll give you a chance to sample a Devon cream tea as well.’
He supposed the light grey sky and soft drizzle were an improvement on the grim torrential rain when he arrived. ‘Sounds great, but don’t you need her to hang around and help with wedding stuff?’
‘Good grief, no. Wedding arrangements aren’t Laura’s thing and anyway I’ve got everything under control. I do need you to share a few stories from Johnny’s past so I can embarrass him when necessary but there isn’t time now so think about it and I’ll catch up with you later.’
Hunter nodded while wondering what stories he could safely use. ‘It’d be my pleasure.’
