Chapter 11 #2
He’d act his age and ask her out to dinner.
He’d take her somewhere outside of Middlemarch.
Maybe to Naseby for dinner and a visit to the curling rink.
Or they could tramp part of the Rail Trail and have a picnic lunch.
These thoughts flashed through his mind while he waited for Maia to open the door.
His brows rose. “Are you going to make us stand out here all night?”
“Us?”
The door cracked open, and Juno went on alert.
“Yes,” Henry said, his mouth twitching.
“Gah!” she muttered. “Why didn’t you tell me instead of letting me behave like a moron?” The door flew open, and a frown dug into her cheeks until she spotted Juno.
“A dog?” Her gaze shot to his, her entire expression a question.
“Juno is one of my dogs. I thought you might like her company while you’re at home. You can drop her back with me when you need to spend time away from Middlemarch.”
Maia’s face lit up. “Really?”
“Yes.” Henry held himself stiffly, frightened to move because the impulse to embrace her almost overwhelmed him.
Then it was too late. Maia hugged him. He breathed in her decadent scent of soap and floral shampoo and felt her muscles press against him.
Without volition, his arms wrapped her body, tugging her closer.
He buried his face in her hair, immense satisfaction filling him with a sense of lightness.
Happiness he hadn’t experienced since Jenny.
She stepped back, beaming, and Henry’s arms fell to his sides. “What commands should I use? I presume you’re training her as a security dog?”
“Juno is my star pupil. I’ve brought food, a leash, and a bed for her to use. I’ll grab them now. We’ve already walked around your house, so she’s familiar with her surroundings.”
“I didn’t hear you.”
“We were quiet in case you were asleep.”
“Can I help you carry her supplies inside?”
“I’ve got it,” Henry said before running through the commands he used. “I use hand signals because dogs are visual learners, and a security dog is often in a situation where it’s impossible to give verbal commands.”
“Should I show Juno around inside?”
“Do you intend to let her have the run of the house?”
“Yes,” Maia said without hesitation.
“Then that’s a good idea.”
Henry had a spring in his step as he went outside to retrieve Juno’s supplies. Maia had hugged him, and he’d managed not to embarrass himself. Things were looking up.
Maia waited until Henry’s footsteps faded before signaling the massive, shaggy black and brown dog. To her delight, Juno followed without hesitation. She entered each room and let the dog sniff to her heart’s content before moving on to the next.
In her bedroom, she stroked Juno’s silky ears. “He’s letting you stay. I hope you’re okay with that. We’ll have fun together. You can train with me. I’d love the company.”
“What about my company?” Henry asked from the doorway.
“You want to run with me?”
A strange expression flickered across his features before he replied. “Yes, not that you’ll be running for a few days. Your head is aching again. I can tell.”
“Smartarse,” she said without heat. “I took a painkiller half an hour ago. I need to write and powered up my computer, but my eyesight seemed blurry.”
“Let me see your eyes.” Henry peered into them until she felt uncomfortable. “They look all right, but you should head to bed. Have you eaten?”
“I had soup and toast. Tomato,” she added, giving him a little attitude because she wasn’t a kid. “How old are you?”
“Thirty-six.” He paused, that strange expression flickering over his face. “You?”
“Almost twenty-two.”
“Older than I thought.”
“Are you trying to insult me?”
“No,” he drawled. “I thought the gap was larger.”
Maia tried to decipher the man’s thoughts. He remained deadpan, so she asked the question. “Meaning what?”
“Once you’re feeling better, can I take you to dinner? We could visit Naseby or one of the other nearby towns.”
Maia gaped, still unsure of what he was thinking. But he wasn’t running away, which was unusual. He’d left every time they’d met. What had changed? While she puzzled, Juno ambled over to Henry and nudged him. He ran his hand over her head and spine, and the dog leaned into him with total trust.
“I’d like that,” she said, not giving herself a chance to overthink.
“I never had a chance to explore Middlemarch when I was here as a child.” Besides, having Henry along would help her stop glancing over her shoulder, searching for possible attackers.
And on that note, the back of her thigh had started to ache, and if she didn’t sit soon, she’d fall.
Henry smiled wide and bright, stealing her breath. Before she could comment on how good a smile looked on him, he said, “No more computer work. You need to follow the doctor’s instructions.”
She sighed, thinking of her next deadline. She could make up for the time lost, but it would mean late nights. “I will. The sooner I get better, the sooner I can train and aim for a place on the starting team.”
“You’ll get there. You don’t want to push too hard.”
But she did because she needed to prove they hadn’t made a mistake signing her. This injury was annoying, and she wished a horrid fate on the person who’d conked her over the head.
She drank a glass of water and prepared for bed. Henry had left Juno’s bed in Maia’s bedroom, and she heard Juno settle in with a doggy sigh as she slipped into sleep.
A shout woke her, and she lay in bed, every sense screeching at her to run.
Maia leaned over and pressed the base of her lamp to switch it on and nullify the scary shadows.
Juno sat in her basket, but she’d heard the noise, her ears pricked toward the door, muscles quivering.
She released a tiny whine, the sound almost covered by another shout. Had that been Henry?
Maia slid her legs off the bed. The last time she’d heard a sound like this, someone had struck her over the head. Was she gonna be that stupid heroine who crept down into the cellar?
Why, yes. Yes, she was.
A snicker escaped, the burst of humor giving her a bravery boost. She grabbed her dressing gown and belted it before she grasped Juno’s collar and crept out to face her fears.