My eyes narrowed. “You’re evil.”
He grinned. “I’m persuasive.”
I stood frozen for a moment, debating between the bear and the dentist.
“Fine,” I said, deciding I was definitely more afraid of the bear. “But only because food is involved. And I’m freaking terrified of that bear coming back right now. Not because you’re persuasive.”
“Of course,” Jay said, fighting a smile. “Because of the food.”
CHAPTER 11
“How’s your tooth?” Jay asked as we drove to his place in his truck. I kept my eyes on the window, scrutinizing the trees like I might catch sight of the bear again.
“It’s fine,” I said. “Um… thank you for helping me check it,” I added at the end. Hedidjust chase a bear off for me, after all.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.”
“And thank you for helping me with the bear. I can call a repairman to come fix the stairs.”
“I really don’t mind helping you, Hope.”
My stomach did that annoying swoopy thing again, and I clutched the seatbelt like it could protect me from bad decisions. He’s a dentist, I reminded myself—a dentist.
The fluttering in my chest fizzled out like a bug hitting a zapper.
When we finally pulled up to the house, it was nearly dark, but I could still see the cabin thanks to the outdoor lights. It felt almost like a scene from a movie as we pulledinto the driveway. I looked up at his cabin-castle, and my breath hitched. It was even more beautiful up close.
He got out of the truck and came around to open my door. I couldn’t help gawking as I stepped out.
“This is unreal,” I murmured.
“This way,” he said, a faint smile playing on his lips.
We climbed the stairs leading to the front doors. The landscaping was gorgeous—bushes and idyllic flowers, rocks and trees placed so perfectly that the yard by itself looked like it belonged in a luxury magazine. Then the cabin’s front door greeted us, framed by dark rustic timbers and a giant outdoor chandelier, and my mouth fell open a little.
I’d grown up in a decent-sized home, so I wasn’t immune to nice things, but this? This was next-level.
The inside was just as stunning as the outside. Dark wood beams, gorgeous chandeliers with candles, and a giant fireplace in the middle of the living room with real flames softly licking several thick chunks of birchwood. Plush couches, carpet that looked more comfortable than the bed back at my cabin, a kitchen with black hardware and modern elements. Then there were the floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room that overlooked the private dock and lagoon just outside.
He must’ve really been cooking a homemade stew when I called because the place smelled like mouthwatering meat and vegetables. My stomach growled, and I couldn’t stop the blush from rising to my cheeks.
Brilliant,I thought. Hide from the dentist for a week then immediately end up at his house.
So much for avoiding the enemy.
“Have a seat; I’ll dish up the food,” Jay said, gesturing toward the grand dining table that could seat twelve. Mymind swirled with questions. Did he have a bunch of family nearby? Why was it just him in this house alone? Wasn’t this a little big for one person?
I took a seat in one of the gorgeous wood chairs that looked custom-made from some kind of expensive oak. As I admired the craftsmanship, something nudged my hand. I turned in surprise to find Luna right at my hip. The white Samoyed was bright-eyed and excited, tail wagging, mouth open, panting for pets.
“Well, hello again,” I said, scratching the little creature behind the ear. “It’s good to see you, Luna.”
After a few more scratches, Luna seemed to get bored and meandered over to her dog bed by the fireplace, curling up into a little white ball and closing her eyes.
Jay tinkered in the kitchen for a bit, then a few minutes later, he set a big bowl of steaming stew in front of me, along with a glass of water.
“Here you go,” he said, sitting across from me with his own bowl filled with chunks of meat and vegetables in the most incredible-smelling broth.
“This looks amazing,” I said, my stomach growling as I sat down. “What kind is it?”
