The sun peeked over the treetops as Maddie drove to the field survey site. She tried to focus on anything other than Scott.
She’d made an absolute fool of herself last night. He had to think she was desperate after she’d mouthed off about how she wanted to get wild in bed and hadn’t had sex in two years. He’d always pushed her buttons so badly she lost all sense and said things she normally wouldn’t.
The worst part was how incredible the kiss had been. Every nerve in her body had sparked when he’d kissed her back. And that hadn’t been his gun pressed hard against her belly. He could push her away, but he wanted her, for whatever good that did.
Now, she’d have to face him when he brought Lucky to her new apartment. Heat burned her cheeks. She had her pride and didn’t throw herself at men, Scott being the obvious exception.
She parked in the dirt by the proposed development and hopped out of the car. A cool breeze blew across the lake and rustled the trees. Specs of yellow pollen swirled in the air, tickling her nose. A group of ducks flew across the water and skidded to a landing. They quacked and tipped their butts up as they ate plants in the shallows.
Maddie smiled and took in a deep breath. She never expected to fall in love with the Finger Lakes. Once winter released its grip on the world and the trees turned green, sprouting new life, songbirds migrated to the area. She had joined some of the tourists who flocked to the lake with binoculars to view them in quiet amazement.
Sure, the winters were brutal, but the town grew quiet with the absence of fair-weather visitors. The locals stuck together when blankets of snow buried their world. Neighbors brewed coffee and blew out the driveways of those who only had shovels, or for the elderly with no family to help them. They took care of one another and had accepted Maddie into the fold.
Yeah. She’d found a little bit of heaven in the small township and even bonded with the folks. But she’d have to move on. People raised their families here, willed their land and homes to their children. Maddie had a rental apartment and no ties. The complex plowed her parking lot, so no sharing coffee and laughing as the snow accumulation reached the top of yardsticks.
She didn’t belong. Maybe Scott would fit in and become a beloved member of the community like Tom and Kaitlyn. Marry someone and raise a family. Images filled her head of Scott flipping burgers on a grill while his kids chased a puppy around the yard. A loving, perfect wife bringing him a beer and planting a kiss on his lips. A fist squeezed her empty heart, and she shut her eyes. She couldn’t stay and watch that happen. Best she focus on her career and follow where it took her.
After walking the area for a visual survey, she fetched her tool kit, camera, and composition book from the trunk. From her research, she picked an area with the highest probability of containing artifacts and measured it. For the next three hours, she staked it out and set up strings to prep for the dig.
Her phone rang.
“It’s Gina. I’m checking to see if you made it to the site this morning.”
“Yes. I’m setting things up.”
“Excellent. I’ll inform Mr. Mole. How long do you expect this to take?”
Until Victor’s balls turned blue and fell off. “Hard to say until I get started. There’s a lot of prep work involved, and I can only work half the day.”
Gina’s voice turned firm. “I don’t need to remind you time is of the essence.”
“I got that. Loud and clear.”
“Excuse me?”
Maybe Gina didn’t know about Victor’s threats. “Nothing.”
“I’ll check in later for an update.”
The line went dead. Maddie tucked the phone into her coat pocket. Of course, Victor didn’t expect her to do things by the book. Probably figured she’d dig a couple of holes and lie her ass off on paper. Even if that had been her plan, to make it look right, she’d still have to follow procedure. A proper excavation required considerable setup to keep track of the depths and exact location of the finds. Which she would uncover.
As she sketched a site map on graph paper, the wind gusted, carrying with it the scent of cigarette smoke. She stilled. The small hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She glanced around the tree-lined shore in the direction of where the breeze had come from. A figure lurked along the edge. She held a hand up to shade her eyes and peer into the forest.
If size were any judge, the person was a man, but too small to be Victor. Dressed in black, the guy blended in with the dark woods. He stepped deeper into the shadows and out of sight. Victor might have hired someone to spy on her. A shiver climbed her spine. She shook it off and went back to work.
The sooner she finished her survey, the quicker Victor would leave. If she found and reported significant cultural artifacts, his construction would be tied up for so long he’d have to find another place to build. Not like he could use his scare tactics on the Army Corps and Seneca Nation tribes to get his way. He’d be done.
She wiped her brow and rocked back on her heels. If all went well, tomorrow she should have a chance to actually dig and get her hands dirty. She checked the time. Better get back to the apartment complex. Tom only had an hour to help move the heavy stuff, and then Kaitlyn had offered to pitch in after her shift ended.
Maddie glared at the ground. If Victor did anything to hurt either of them, or any of the others, she’d make sure he got what he deserved—a jail cell and a prison full of boyfriends.
After packing up, she drove to the complex and waved to Tom, who stood beside a small rental moving truck in the lot. She hopped out of the car. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“Nope. Just got here.” He opened the back doors of the truck. For the next hour, they moved furniture up three flights of steps to her new apartment. She took a side of a headboard. Her arms burned from exertion when they reached the top landing. Tom set his end down, and she let hers clunk to the ground.
She mopped her brow and gazed at the engraved flowers in the wood. More than once that headboard had knocked against the wall while Scott had made love to her. Damn. Why did he have to jump into her brain all the time?
Below them, he rounded the corner of the building carrying a box.
God. He would show up when she had the headboard in her hands. The one he’d tied her to and ravaged her body, driving her wild.
Dressed in a suit, with mirrored shades on, he made her insides quiver.
“I brought Lucky’s stuff.” He glanced up.
Her heart skipped a beat. She shouldn’t be nervous. He was the one who had run out after their kiss.
He climbed the steps to where she and Tom stood.
“You okay, Maddie? Your face is red,” Tom said.
“I’m good. We’re almost done, and I know you have to get back to work.”
Scott took off his sunglasses and tucked them in his pocket. “Let me help with the headboard. You take the box.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t need your help.”
Tom made no move to pick his side back up. “You’re flushed. Why don’t you let Scott handle this one? It’s heavy.”
“I said I’m fine.” Great. That came out bitchy. She blew out a breath. “Sorry, guys. I just want to get this done.”
Scott thrust the box at her and lifted her side of the headboard.
She frowned. As usual, he figured he could waltz on over and bark out orders. She didn’t need or want his help with moving or with anything else. “I told you I had it.”
“Just bring the box in,” he said over his shoulder as he and Tom carried the piece into the bedroom.
She stomped in behind them and placed the box on the kitchen counter. Tom came out of the bedroom with Scott and gestured to the open front door. “I’ll get the last chair.”
“Thanks, Tom,” Maddie said.
Scott fixed his gaze on her.
She had to look a mess. Sweaty, in a ratty T-shirt and her oldest, worn jeans. She shouldn’t care, except her stomach flipped from one look into his green eyes.
She glanced at the box. “I can pop over to get Lucky. Save you the trip.”
“Maddie,” Scott said quietly.
She rifled through the box. “Hmm?”
“I’m sorry about last night.”
Holding a bottle of pills, she stared at the label as though reading all the drug facts thoroughly. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Well, I owe you an apology. I wish I could explain—”
“There’s no point. Believe me, it won’t happen again.” She tapped the bottle in her hand. “What are these?”
“Maddie, please.” He touched her arm. “At least look at me.”
She’d rather skin a snake, but she had her pride. When she raised her gaze to his, the clear regret on his face gave her pause. Only she didn’t know if he was sorry he’d left or sorry he’d kissed her back. Either way, it didn’t matter. She was done.
He sighed. “My life is complicated right now.”
“You know, I’m pretty busy myself. So, forget about it. Nothing happened as far as I’m concerned. Let’s move on.” She brushed his hand off and held up the bottle. “Now, what are these pills?”
He stared down at her for a long moment.
She broke eye contact and shook the bottle. Anything to stop the torture of his intense scrutiny. “Are you going to tell me or what?”
He exhaled. “Omega oil supplements. The vet said it would help keep Lucky’s coat shiny.” He dug around in the box to retrieve a can of spray cheese. “You have to cover the pill with this. Lucky can eat all around the med, even lick the bowl clean, and leave it in the middle.”
Clever. Both the dog and Scott.
“Also, he sometimes gobbles his food so fast he chokes and then pukes it all back up. Mix a little water in and give the kibbles to him in two servings.”
She nodded. Lucky had been in good hands.
Scott placed the cheese back in the box. “And if you take him to the park by the lake, don’t let him go near the big bush by the restrooms. He tried to nose around in there and got thorns in his face. Took me forever to get them out, poor guy.”
A lump formed in Maddie’s throat. Obviously, he’d felt bad for the dog’s injury, maybe even responsible.
Tom carried a kitchen chair through the door and set it by the table. “Truck’s empty.”
“I can’t thank you enough.” Maddie patted his back.
“This where the party is?” Kaitlyn stepped into the room. “Oh, hi, Scott. Didn’t expect to see you.”
He tapped the box. “Dropping off some dog stuff.”
Kaitlyn smoothed her hair back. “Umm, well, since we’re all here I might as well tell you the news.”
Maddie glanced at Tom, who raised his eyebrows and shrugged. His gaze shifted to Kaitlyn.
“I got a new job. Looks like they’ll need to hire someone to replace me.”
“What job? What are you talking about?” Tom stepped closer to her.
“I applied for a position in Shamong.”
“Wait. You what?” Tom stared at her, his mouth open.
Kaitlyn squared her shoulders. “I probably won’t even move, since it’s so close. Time for me to branch out.”
“But their force isn’t any bigger than ours. I don’t get it. You never said anything to me about this.” Tom shook his head.
“Did you accept the offer?” Maddie asked. Tom might lose his chance with Kaitlyn if she wasn’t working with him or ended up moving after all.
“Not yet, but I probably will.”
Scott headed to the door. “I gotta go get Lucky. Great news for you, Kaitlyn.” He stopped and turned around. “Oh, and you might want to tell your cousin to lighten up his lead foot. I let him go when I realized he was related to you. That new BMW is a lot of car to handle.”
Maddie blinked. Cousin?
Tom’s jaw dropped even further. He glanced at the open doorway, but Scott had left.
Kaitlyn blushed and waved a hand around the room. “So, what needs to get done?”
Tom covered his eyes for a second. He took in a deep breath and blew it out. “Hold on. The guy you went to dinner with the other night was your cousin?”
Maddie stifled a smile. Holy crap. Scott sure dropped a bomb with that one. She had to give him credit. Tom was beyond flustered between the news of Kaitlyn’s job and the “date” with her cousin.
Kaitlyn rubbed her neck. “Yeah. He works here now, so I was showing him around. What’s the big deal?”
Tom placed his hands on his hips. “But you never said he was your cousin. Why?”
“I—”
“Can you step outside with me for a minute?” Tom puffed his chest out and pointed to the door.
Maddie lowered her gaze to the box so she could hide the grin on her face. What she wouldn’t give to hear what Tom had to say. He looked ready to explode. Very un-Tom-like.
After they left, Maddie rummaged around in the box. Tug toys, balls, biscuits, a spare collar; Scott had spared no expense.
The clitter-clatter of claws on the steps came from the stairwell, and then Lucky bounced into the room with Scott close behind. The dog raced over to Maddie and licked her sweaty arm.
Scott unclipped the leash and shut the door. He glanced around. “Where did Tom and Kaitlyn go?”
“They weren’t out there?” Maddie knelt down and bent her head to the side so Lucky could slobber doggie kisses up her neck.
“No.” The corners of his mouth turned up. “Guess they went somewhere to have a little chat?”
“You can wipe the shit-eating grin off your face. I know you did that on purpose.”
“Did what?” He dropped the leash into the box.
She stood. “Casually mentioned Kaitlyn’s cousin in front of Tom.”
“Did it work?” He arched an eyebrow. His eyes twinkled, and Maddie’s chest fluttered.
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
Lucky barked, and Scott bent to pet him. “I gotta get going, guy. You be a good boy. Don’t eat the furniture or puke on the carpet. You’re living with a lady, now. Behave yourself.”
Lucky licked Scott’s face, tail wagging hard.
When he stood and took a step toward the door, Lucky followed. Maddie swallowed. Damn it. She might as well wear a black gown and ride on a broom for taking the dog back. Lucky adored Scott. But he was her dog. Technically, anyway.
Scott bent again by the door. He hugged Lucky and patted his side. “I’ll see you around, mug-face.”
“Wait.” Maddie’s eyes misted. She couldn’t do this. “If you want to keep him—”
“No.” Scott shook his head and straightened. “He’s yours. I’m going to be busy. He needs to live with you.”
“Well, he clearly likes you better.”
“Only because he hasn’t spent much time with you.” He patted the puppy’s head. “You’re going to be one lucky dog.”
Scott left and shut the door.
Lucky whined and sniffed at the crack.
Maddie swiped at an overflowing tear. Scott kept wrenching her heart out. She couldn’t take any more.
At the swift knock on the door, Maddie opened it, and Kaitlyn bustled in.
Maddie grabbed Lucky’s collar. “I got him.”
Kaitlyn shut the door behind her and then rubbed her hands together. Pink-cheeked and breathless, she bubbled with what appeared to be nervous energy. “Tom’s taking the truck back on his way to work. We can fit the smaller stuff in our cars.”
Maddie picked up Lucky’s bowl and filled it with water. “Sure. Is everything okay with you and Tom?”
When Kaitlyn didn’t answer, Maddie turned from the sink. Kaitlyn’s hand was over her mouth, but a giggle escaped. She never giggled.
Maddie placed the bowl on the floor and hurried across the room. “What are you trying so hard not to laugh at?”
Kaitlyn let her hand drop, and a huge grin spread across her face. “He asked me out.”
“Hallelujah, girl!” Maddie high-fived her.
“Oh God, but he was so pissed. I’ve never seen him like that.” Kaitlyn shook with laughter. “He tried so hard to hold it in, but he was on fire.”
“What did he say?” Maddie pulled out a chair and patted the seat.
“I’m too wired to sit.” Kaitlyn waved a hand in the air. “He read me the riot act. First for keeping the job a secret, and second for misleading him. But I didn’t lie.”
Maddie narrowed her eyes. “Maybe not to him, but you did to me. You said you were seeing someone.”
“Well, I knew you wouldn’t move in with Tom if I didn’t come up with something. It sorta just came out.” She rubbed Maddie’s shoulder. “Can you forgive me?”
“Of course. It was worth it to see the look on Tom’s face when you showed up in that skirt. He couldn’t form words.” Maddie smiled.
“I have to admit that was kinda fun. I mean, the guy never looked at me like I was a woman, you know?”
“He did that night. Anyway, are you really going to take this other job?”
“Eh.” Kaitlyn shrugged. “It’s only twenty minutes from here. If things do work out with Tom, it would be better for us not to be on the job together.”
“Yeah. Could be a bit much.”
Kaitlyn nodded. “I honestly applied there to get away from Tom. I mean, when you like someone so much it hurts, after a while, you can’t take being around them anymore. You know?”
“I can imagine.” No matter how hard Maddie tried to shut down her feelings for Scott, every time she ran into him her heart ached. When all she wanted was to move on, he did something to remind her of how caring he could be. He’d plucked thorns from Lucky’s face, pushed Tom to make a move on Kaitlyn, and given back the dog he obviously cared so much about.
She glanced at Lucky, who had fallen asleep in front of the door. Nose to the crack. No doubt waiting for Scott, the one he loved, to return. She squeezed her eyes shut.
Been there. Done that.