Chapter Nineteen
“C ome on, missy, do your business and stop sniffing everything in sight.” Anna shivered. The April evening had turned chilly, and she had forgotten to grab her jacket. She’d zipped inside, anxious to take Trixie out for a quick trip around the yard before heading back in to get a shower and text Sawyer. A few clouds had moved in over the river as the puppy scampered all over the yard but had yet to pee. Anna had gone with her to check out every bush and the fountain and the concrete benches. “Just do it, Trix,” she begged.
Suddenly, she had the weird feeling she was being watched. The area was lit with sodium vapor lights that cast a pale pink circle over the grass, but the tall boxwoods created shadows around the edges. Anna had never been afraid of anything in River’s Edge, but now she wondered if a coyote or an owl or hawk might be eyeing Trixie, thinking she’d make a nice midnight snack. Hadn’t Sam said that they’d had coyotes up by the vineyard recently? Would they wander into town? She scanned beneath the bushes and up in the trees, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
She was already jumpy because of the encounter on the River Walk earlier, but Rye had texted that Cutler was in a cell, awaiting arraignment on possession charges tomorrow. She had nothing to fear from him. Still, she was ready to go back in and settle down for the night.
“Go potty, Trixie.” Anna released more of the leash, and at last Trixie took care of business, turning in a circle twice before squatting down. “Good girl.” She reached in her pocket for a treat, stooped down and offered the biscuit to Trixie, who snapped at it. “No, be nice.” Anna pulled her hand back. “Sit.”
Trixie sat and Anna offered the treat again. This time Trixie took it cautiously in her tiny sharp teeth and sat down to munch. Those puppy teeth were like razors, and she was glad when Sawyer told her she would lose them soon for adult teeth. “Good girl.” She patted her head gently.
In all of her googling and online research, Anna had read that touching a dog while it was eating could be dangerous, but that you could teach them to accept your touch if you start when they’re young. Maybe everything was simply a matter of repetition and being kind and firm. Probably a lot like raising children.
There was that image in her head again—a baby, Sawyer, and herself, with Trixie gamboling at their feet. No amount of switching up her thoughts could get rid of it. Every detail—right down to the cushy wing chair in her living room, the soft blue knitted blanket swaddling the child, and Sawyer’s plaid flannel shirt—was crystal clear. If she closed her eyes, she could smell the sweet scent of the baby’s hair and feel the brush of Sawyer’s lips on her temple.
“Stop it,” she said aloud, and Trixie gave a sharp bark, almost as if to emphasize her words. “That’s right, Trix. I gotta get a grip and stop mooning like a lovesick teenager. Next thing you know, I’ll be writing Sawyer and Anna inside little hearts all over my blueprints.”
“I’d rather you wrote Daniel and Bella .”
Anna nearly jumped out of her skin as a too-familiar deep voice came from the shadows behind the fountain. She spun around and there he was. Daniel—tall and dark—watching her in that lazy-lidded way that always turned her inside out. She was too shocked to even speak.
He sauntered out into the dim light. “Not even a hello, Bella darling?”
She finally managed to splutter, “Wh-what are you doing here?”
“I’m here for you.” He moved closer, devouring her with his gaze, like a cat eyeing a particularly plump mouse.
Dazed, she stared at him. “What are you talking about?”
“I left Serena. I’m back in the States for good now.” He was only a few feet away, but he stopped as she held up one hand.
“Are you kidding me?” She gave a tug on Trixie’s leash and the puppy stepped over to stand right between her ankles. Great, can this evening get any worse? First the whole debacle with the wicked breeder and now this . Daniel turning up out of the blue. Truth was he was the last person on the planet Anna wanted to see right now.
Daniel smiled, the dangerous but sexy wolfish smile that had turned her on the first time she’d met him all those years ago. Now it left her cold. “I should never have gone back. I was miserable without you, Bella.”
“What about your child?”
He gave a short laugh and for the first time there was a gleam of real affection in his eyes. “Ah, Marco. Mio tesoruccio . My treasure. I’ll get him holidays and summers. You and I can go back to Sorrento, rent a villa, and have him with us. You’re going to love him.”
Anna couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry or punch his lights out. His gall was truly unbelievable. “So, you slither back into my life and expect me to just…I don’t know…fall at your feet?”
He assumed a contrite expression and raised his hands. “I was wrong to go—I’m sorry, Bella, I—”
“Don’t call me that.” Anna went cold at the nickname he’d given her when they’d moved to Italy—one of the ways she now understood he’d tried to manipulate her before. “Do you really think that I’d willingly go back into that toxic, miserable thing we had?”
He reached out a hand and she backed up. “Anna, it’ll be different this time, I promise. Having Marco has shown me what real love is. I’m different.”
Anna bent down and picked up Trixie, cuddling her close, allowing her to be a buffer as Daniel moved ever closer. “It’s never different, Daniel.”
“But I’m here now.” He took another step into her space, his expression wary, but confident.
He truly believes I’ll fall right back into his arms.
Anna stared at him—those dark sultry eyes that had always seemed so intimate, so romantic. The smile that used to melt all her resolve now left her emotionless and empty.
She stiffened her spine and set Trixie back down. “You can go right back where you came from, Daniel, because no more .” She stalked past him and led Trixie across to the edge of the parking lot but turned around. “Never again. Do you hear me?”
“Bella, wait!” He ran lightly after her, but before he could get even a few feet from them, Trixie barked at him. He stopped, then took another step, which set Trixie off again. She barked and barked, puffed out her little chest, showed him her teeth, and growled.
“What the hell?” Daniel demanded. “Whose damn mutt is that anyway?”
“She’s mine. Come another step closer, and I’ll let her bite you.”
He released a frustrated breath. “Anna…please…just listen…”
“Good-bye, Daniel.” Anna pointed in the direction of Cincinnati. “Don’t ever come near me again.”
“Bella, I—”
“I believe the lady asked you to go.” Sawyer ambled up from the parking lot, his hands in the pockets of his navy scrub pants, looking strong and solid and safe.
*
Sawyer had been on his way to the door of the Box Factory building to buzz Anna when he heard a sharp bark that sounded a lot like Trixie. Then he heard Anna say, Go right back where you came from, Daniel. That was all he needed to send him flying across the parking lot. He stopped behind a car, though, to listen. To make sure he wasn’t interrupting something that was none of his business.
Don’t ever come near me again.
That sounded pretty final. Slowly, forcing himself to appear casual, he walked toward the circle of light where she stood with a man he didn’t recognize and a growling, clearly upset puppy.
“I believe the lady asked you to go,” he said, assessing the taller, bigger man. No way he was going to be able to take him—the guy had at least three inches and thirty pounds on him. Best just to bluster his way through and stay far enough away that if Daniel swung at him, he could duck.
“Who the hell are you?”
“A friend.” Sawyer stopped beside Anna and put one arm around her shoulder. She was trembling, so he pulled her closer into his body. “A close friend.” He peered down at her. “You done here?”
She smiled and nodded, but her eyes shimmered with tears. He didn’t have a moment’s doubt she could’ve handled this situation by herself, but it thrilled him to see her look of gratitude and relief. She turned her back on Daniel, who called out, “Bella, please,” but he didn’t follow them, and she ignored the plea.
Inside the door, Sawyer heard a car door slam and a few seconds later heard the sound of an engine revving. Probably drove the Alfa Romeo Giulia he’d noticed when he walked into the parking lot. He peered out the door while Anna tapped the elevator button. Tires screeching, the sports car tore out of the lot onto Second Street. Jerk.
He joined Anna and Trixie at the elevator. “You okay?” He tipped his head.
“Yeah. He surprised me, that’s all.” But she kept her eyes on Trixie as they stepped into the elevator and was quiet on the ride up and all through the ritual of removing the puppy’s harness and slipping her into the crate.
Sawyer leaned on the doorjamb, as she crooned soft comforts to Trixie, telling her it was time for bed and to sleep well. Her love of the dog was evident, and he wondered if she would be able to give her up. He’d already received an email from the rescue saying someone had asked for information about Trixie—no doubt she’d go fast, she was such a cute little critter. He hadn’t mentioned the interest to Anna. He didn’t want to back her into a corner, but a second email arrived from the rescue while he was eating dinner. He hadn’t opened it yet, certain it was a nudge since he hadn’t responded to the first one. He wanted Anna to tell him she was keeping Trixie.
She straightened and backed away on tiptoe, leading him down the hall to the kitchen. She got as far as the refrigerator door before she turned on her heel to face him. “We need to talk.”
His heart dropped to his socks. It wasn’t that he was concerned that she was considering going back to the smarmy guy in the Giulia—she’d made her feelings about him perfectly clear. No, Sawyer’s fear was that Daniel’s appearance made her realize that she didn’t want any commitment in her life. What if she was ready to let go of Trixie…and him? “Can we do it over a glass of wine or a beer?”
She hesitated, her hand on the fridge door. Then she smiled—that felt like a good sign. “Sure. It’s chilly in here, though. Do you mind turning on the fireplace while I get us something? Red or white?”
“Whatever’s open.” He wandered into the living room and flipped the switch next to the fireplace, debating about putting some music on his phone and connecting it to the Bluetooth speaker that sat on the table beside the sofa. Was this going to be a music kind of evening? He’d walked down from Mac’s, hoping to find her in those silky flowered pjs. The ones that were so cool and slick under his hands as he’d removed them a couple of nights ago. Those pajamas had haunted his imagination.
Rather than continuing to debate, he pulled his phone out of his pocket, found the Bluetooth speaker in the list of connections and tapped on his favorite easy jazz station on Pandora. No harm in setting up a romantic ambiance. If it turned out to be the wrong move, it would leave with him anyway. Quiet guitar and piano wafted into the room, loud enough to be heard, low enough to act as background to whatever conversation they ended up having.
Anna appeared with a tray containing squat round stemless wine glasses, a bottle of Four Irish Brothers pinot noir, a plate of sliced cheeses, and a basket of crackers. It raised Sawyer’s hopes even higher. If she was planning to dump him and Trixie, she wouldn’t be serving him wine and cheese. Would she?
She placed the tray on the table in front of the sofa. “Oh, crud, I forgot the plates and napkins. Hang on.” She hurried off, stopping in the archway between the eating area and the living room. “You can pour if you like.”
When she came back, he’d poured the rich red wine and set the glasses side by side on the tray in invitation to sit next to him on the sofa. She picked up a glass and settled into the wing chair nearest the fireplace.
Well, dammit.
“What are we drinking to tonight, Annabelle?” He figured he might as well give her an opening to lay whatever she wanted to say out on the table right up front. It was self-protection as well. He could always make a quick escape if she was going to drag this out.
He should’ve known better. Annabelle Walker was the right-up-frontest person he’d ever met.
She held up her glass. “To Trixie. I want to keep her, Sawyer. How do I make that happen? Are there some forms I have to fill out?”
His hand began to shake so badly he had to set his glass on the plate she’d placed in front of him. “You want to keep her?” He couldn’t keep the incredulity out of his voice.
“Don’t act so shocked.” A smile curved her lips, and she took a sip of wine.
He cleared his throat. “Um, excuse me, but… I don’t want a dog, Sawyer. How many times have I heard that in the past few weeks?”
“Fair enough.” She had the grace to look slightly abashed as she nabbed a couple of crackers and a slice of white cheese and made a sandwich of them. “But I think…” She munched for a moment. “I think we’re good together, she and I. She’s smart and sweet and learning so quick, and I’d hate to disrupt her life again now that’s she’s comfortable and happy here with me. Besides, I’ve got a story to tell you.” And she told him all about the breeder who’d stopped her on the River Walk trying to claim Trixie. How she’d toe-to-toed with him and how her friends and the police lieutenant had backed her up.
His brave Annabelle—facing down a cruel man and then handling her ex with ferocity and grace. It had been quite a night for her. He vacillated between wanting to take her in his arms and comfort her and jumping up and dancing with her, grabbing her hand, and kissing her stupid because maybe, just maybe, committing to Trixie would mean…
Chill out, Braxton.
So, he stayed on the sofa, because wanting Trixie and wanting him were two different matters entirely. “Okay. Well, there are some forms, actually, and the rescue will do a home visit.” He managed to keep his voice steady as he explained the adoption process.
Her eyes grew round. “A home visit? What do I have to do to get ready for that?”
He chuckled. “Nothing at all. You’ve already made a terrific home for Trixie, and they’ll see that the minute they walk in the door.” He heaved a huge sigh of relief and took a drink of the wine as his heart settled back up into his chest where it belonged. She hadn’t committed to him, but committing to Trixie was a start. He could wait. Forever, if necessary.
“What was that for?” A crease appeared between Anna’s brows.
“What?”
“That sigh and look of relief? Surely, you figured out I’ve fallen in love with the silly creature.” She leaned back, her expression suddenly wary. “Wait. You didn’t think I was going to tell you I wanted to go back with Daniel, did you? Because that would mean you have zero ability to read the situation you saw out there. I would be really worried about you—about us —if that were the case.”
He shook his head and set his glass down, groping for words because her us sent his heart into overdrive. “I didn’t think it was that, but I did wonder if seeing him again might make you think…well, I mean—” He paused, tried again. “I worried that you wouldn’t want to…you know…” God, he was making a mess of this. Just spit it out, Braxton. “That you wouldn’t want me… us .” At her bewildered expression, he hurried on, clenching and unclenching his hands where they rested on his knees. “I know what happened before with that guy made you cautious. You’re reluctant to trust again. I get that, Anna, I do, but if you’ll give me a chance—I mean, give us a chance, like you’re giving Trix—we can be—”
Anna rose, slipped around the low table to kneel on the rug between his thighs, and put one hand gently over his mouth, stopping his flow of words. “Sawyer Braxton, for a very highly educated guy, you are incredibly ignorant about women…about me .” She ran a thumb over his lower lip, and he damn near passed out from the ecstasy of that simple touch.
He gazed into her clear blue eyes, trying to read what was actually there instead of what he wanted to be there. What he longed to be there. “I’m not all that savvy, I confess. I don’t always know how to read a woman, something that’s caused relationships to end badly in the past.” His voice turned husky as her hands crept up his thighs, warming them through the cotton fabric of his scrub pants. “But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years of taking care of animals, it’s that I should never assume I know what’s going on until I’ve explored every possibility. Used science and facts to back up any diagnosis. I don’t know if that works with people—with women…with you, I mean.”
Anna ran her hands over his chest to his shoulders, where she stopped to outline the V of his scrub shirt with one finger, sending fire through his whole body with only that light touch. “What are you looking to diagnose here , Doc?”
He could barely breathe as she touched her lips to his jaw, his cheek, his temple. “H-hoping to discover if what I’m feeling for you is reciprocated.” Reciprocated? God, Braxton, what a stupid word!
Anna chuckled low and sexy. “Reciprocated, huh?”
He could only nod because now she’d stood up, slipped her arms around his neck, and settled onto his lap with a smile that promised more than he could even imagine. He put one arm around her shoulders and one around her waist and drew her closer.
She thrust her fingers in his hair, tipped his head back, and pressed her warm full lips to his. “Does this feel reciprocal enough for ya, Doc?”
He gazed at her. “Maybe. Why don’t you try that again?”
She kissed him again—a long tender kiss. And then another and another as heat sparked and shimmered between them. “How about now?” she whispered.
He shifted them, pressing her back on the sofa and rising over her, kissing down her neck and slipping his hands under her shirt to find soft skin and round curves. “Just in the interest of, you know”—he nuzzled her neck, loving the little moan that escaped from her kiss-swollen lips—“getting my diagnosis correct, does this mean there might be an us , Annabelle?”
She laughed, throaty and full of joy. “Only if that us includes one fluffy Papillon who’s taken over my heart almost as much as her veterinarian has.”
Sawyer’s own heart sang. “Absolutely.”