Page 37 of My Favorite Hero

I shook my head in disbelief. “No.”

She laughed. “Of course not. Instead, you resort to stealing her toys like you’re six, so she’d have to talk to you to get them back.”

“I, ah…”

Martha put a hand on her hip. “Man up, Thorne. I know you’re a loner and like to act like you’re aloof, but I see you. I saw the way you looked at her.”

“She’s my tenant.”

“Who cares?”

That stopped me.

“She’s younger than me.”

“Again, who cares? She’s an old soul.” She began to turn away then stopped. “And she looks at you the same way you look at her.”

“I hardly know her.”

“Then I suggest you change that.”

I headed home, grateful the shift was over. I was tired again. It had been a crazy seventy-two hours. Lots of calls. Not a great deal of sleep. The power naps helped, but I was looking forward to my downtime.

I pulled in the driveway, looking at the wind chimes in the box on the floor. I had to return them to Casey.

But first, I had to set down some rules.

I carried them inside, Miller following closely. He ran around sniffing and inspecting his territory, making sure nothing untoward had occurred while we were gone. I threw in some laundry and inspected the fridge for dinner ideas.

Frozen pizza would have to suffice for tonight.

Finally, unable to put it off any longer, I took the box and whistled for Miller, who bounded over, rushing ahead of me as I headed to Casey’s back door. I knocked and waited, bracing myself for her as the door swung open.

It didn’t do any good. Her prettiness still caught me off guard. The curve of her mouth as she smiled. The brilliance of her blue eyes.

She was captivating.

She opened the door enough that Miller slipped in. “Barney is upstairs,” she instructed him, and he took off looking for his friend.

We stared at each other.

“I like your T-shirt. I’m going to assume you like superheroes,” she said dryly.

“I like some. Batman is one of the top.”

“Why?”

I frowned. “He’s not gifted with powers. He uses his brain.” I paused with a grin. “And he has cool toys.”

She laughed, and then she looked at the box in my hand, opening the door and reaching for it, but I pulled it back. “Rules, Casey.”

She rolled her eyes but stepped back, allowing me in.

Her kitchen smelled like heaven. Rich, enticing. I inhaled deeply. “What are you cooking?”

“Dinner.”

I sniffed again. “Is that pot roast again? Please tell me yes.”