“The entire time we were in the coffeeshop, you kept casting furtive glances his way. I don’t think he noticed, because he was watching the street, but I did. Whether you did it consciously or not, you kept studying him.”
I did? “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe I was just trying to figure out what he could know about our little town and its people.”
Claire raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
I pressed my lips together and stared her down. There wasn’t a chance I would admit to liking the man. Because I didn’t.
So what if he looked good in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt?
And had hair a girl dreamed of running her fingers through?
My jaw worked, and I put a lid on that train of thought. That was enough of that.
The thud of a car door closing broke our stare-down. Claire’s face broke into a wide smile. “I guess we’re about to test the theory that you can’t keep your eyes off him.” She walked around me to answer the door.
A low growl escaped my throat. She could be so frustrating sometimes.
Pebbles, Claire’s Yorkie, barked when she noticed her mistress heading for the door. That brought Betty’s head up from her nap on the dog bed by the fireplace. I chuckled as the puppy flopped like a fish in her attempt to get up from the plush pad.
“Grab her, would you?” Claire pointed at Pebbles.
“Yep.” I scooped the Yorkie off the floor. She vibrated in my arms as she barked. “Oh, hush. He’s nice.”
Betty made a break for the door, but I was faster than the little fluffball. As she ran past my feet, I put a hand down on her back. With a quick shimmy of my fingers, I wrapped them around her plump belly and lifted her off the floor.
Immediately, she licked my chin. “Oh, mmm. Thank you, Betty.” My nose wrinkled as dog slobber coated the lower right side of my face.
Claire laughed and pulled the door open.
The smile froze on my face at the sight of Luke standing there with a hand raised, poised to knock.
Once more, I wondered how it was legal for a man to look so good in a pair of jeans. The worn denim looked buttery soft and clung to trim hips and muscular thighs. I knew if he turned around, I’d get a glimpse of a firm tush.
“Well, hi.” A crooked smile appeared on his face, and he lowered his hand. “I take it you saw me coming?”
Claire nodded. “Come in, please.”
Luke stepped inside. His flint-colored eyes roved over the space, taking a quick inventory.
“Thanks for coming.” Claire shut the door. “Having a local’s insight for this search will be quite useful.”
“I’m ready to get started.”
Betty squirmed in my grasp and yipped, wanting to greet the newcomer.
The polite smile on Luke’s face grew into something more affable and genuine. “Oh, you’re cute.” He strode closer, reaching out to pet the puppy. Betty instantly went floppy as he scratched her ears.
Pebbles whined and sniffed him, wanting attention as well. Under my arm, her little tail wagged fiercely.
“So are you.” He switched his attention to the Yorkie. “I like your bow.” With one finger, he nudged the hot-pink bow holding Pebbles’ bangs out of her face.
“Are they yours?” His gray eyes met mine.
“Mine?” I blinked, attempting to make my brain work. It had been too busy watching him fawn over a couple of cute animals. Could he be more adorable?
One golden brown eyebrow quirked, and I realized I was staring.
Heat climbed my neck. “Um, no. They’re Claire’s. I’m just playing gatekeeper. I have a cat.”
