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A hard knock at the door startled me. I shook my head and laughed as I pulled it open. “What did you for— Silver.” Did my face light up as much as my heart did when I saw my handsome guy standing on my porch? “I thought you were Jay.”

“He just left.” He wiped his feet on the mat before coming inside. “He’s a character.”

“Oh, so you met?” Did I even want to know all the ways Jay might have embarrassed me? “How did that go?”

“He made it a point to tell me how much he loves you and that he knew people in New York who could make me disappear if I hurt you.”

“He didn’t.”

“He said he was joking, but I thought there might be a ring of truth to it.”

I sighed. “I’m going to kill him.”

“He’s looking out for you.” Huxley tugged me to him and kissed my forehead. “I can respect that.”

“It’s not his job.”

“You’re right.” He gently cupped my chin and kissed me so softly that my toes curled right in my fuzzy socks. “It’s my job.”

“Ah…” I held onto his biceps for support. “I was going to say it was my job, but after that kiss, you can do whatever you want.”

“Good to know.”

“What brings you by?” I asked. “I thought I was coming to your house.”

“You are, but I wanted to check in on you.”

“How come?” I slipped his jacket from his shoulders and brought it to my nose, inhaling his woodsy scent before draping it over the sofa. “Not that I’m complaining that you’re here. I was just going to pack an overnight bag.”

“Are things going well today?”

“Why wouldn’t they be?” I smiled. “You’re here.”

“That’s sweet of you to say.” He stroked my cheek. “But if they aren’t going okay, you can tell me.”

“I appreciate that, but I’m good.” I motioned toward the hall. “I can get my stuff together and we can go over to your house.”

He followed me down the hall, but when we reached the kitchen, he stopped.

“Ivy, let’s approach this from another angle,” he said. “Is there something you want to discuss with me?”

“Like what?” Did he know about Travis’ offer? How could he? Should I tell him? What good would that do when I didn’t even know what decision I would come to? “I just saw you this morning. What could be wrong?” I fidgeted with my hands because his scrutinizing gaze frightened me. “I… ah…”

“I got a call from someone in the tax office letting me know that you were sent a letter.”

“Why would someone tell you that?” Is he spying on me? “Why would they tell you something about my property?”

“I have eyes and ears everywhere, especially when it comes to this project.” He continued to stare at me as if he was about to scold me. “I already knew you didn’t pay your taxes. It’s public record, and now that you’ve been informed, other people interested in your property will find out.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were behind on the taxes?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I didn’t realize I was until Travis said something the other day.”

“Travis knows?”

I nodded.