Chapter 2 #2
His eyes flickered up to meet hers, and for a moment, the air between them felt heavier, neither one quite knowing what to say next.
Lyle’s lips parted as though he might respond, but the sound of an approaching vehicle broke the moment.
A sleek black truck with unfamiliar plates pulled into the small parking lot beside the training yard.
Heather frowned, brushing her hands on her jeans and stepping toward the fence. “Don’t recognize that one.”
Lyle straightened, his casual demeanor shifting into something more guarded as he followed her gaze. The driver’s door opened, and a man stepped out—a polished-looking guy in his mid-thirties with perfectly styled hair and a crisp shirt that screamed city slicker rather than small-town neighbor.
“Well, isn’t this interesting,” Lyle muttered, crossing his arms.
The man gave a quick, assessing glance around before striding toward them with a practiced confidence that grated on Heather’s nerves before he even spoke. “Heather Prescott?” he called, his voice smooth and businesslike.
“That’s me,” she said cautiously, stepping forward but keeping the fence between them. He didn’t have an animal with him, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t here to inquire about training.
The man smiled, all teeth. “Darren Richards. I’ve heard great things about your operation here. Mind if we chat?”
Lyle stepped up beside her, the protective tilt of his body unmistakable. “Is there something specific you’re needing, Mr. Richards?”
She had a thought to admonish him about his possessive tone, but held her peace.
Lyle suddenly looked like he was itching for a brawl, and she had no idea why he was behaving this way.
Did he know this man? Normally folks around here were known for their southern hospitality, but Lyle was definitely not following that script.
Darren glanced at Lyle briefly, dismissively, before returning his attention to Heather. “I’m in town scouting locations for an exciting new dog training facility, and I’d like to discuss a potential partnership. From what I’ve heard, you’ve got quite the reputation, Ms. Prescott.”
Heather blinked, caught off guard, but before she could answer, Lyle’s low drawl cut in.
“Funny, I haven’t heard anything about anyone else setting up shop in Bear Valley. Town’s not all that big. Seems odd since Prescott’s Pups is already established here.”
Darren chuckled, the sound entirely devoid of humor. “Exactly. So why not build on what’s already here? A collaboration could be mutually beneficial, don’t you think?”
Heather forced a polite smile, though her instincts were already prickling with unease. “I’m flattered by the offer, Mr. Richards, but I’m pretty independent when it comes to how I run things.”
Darren’s smile didn’t falter, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes.
Annoyance, maybe? “Of course. I understand that entirely. But I think you’ll want to hear me out.
We’re prepared to offer a very lucrative package.
Here’s my card.” He pulled a sleek business card from his pocket, holding it out.
Lyle reached for it before Heather could, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Darren’s. “We’ll take a look. Thanks for stopping by.”
The tension simmering between the two men was almost tangible now as Darren hesitated, then nodded once before turning back toward his truck. Heather sighed, narrowing her eyes at Lyle as soon as Darren was out of earshot.
“I can fight my own battles, Watkins.”
“I know,” Lyle said calmly, tucking the card into his back pocket. “But something about that guy doesn’t sit right. If he’s sniffing around, best to be ready.”
Heather crossed her arms, her irritation mingling with a tinge of amusement. “Ready for what? You, seem to be spoiling for a fight.”
He tipped his hat back slightly. “What can I say? I don’t like people messing with my neighbors. Especially since that neighbor happens to live on my land.”
Heather met his gaze, her lips curving despite herself. At least he hadn’t called her his best friend’s little sister. “Well, good to know you’ve got my back, cowboy.”
“Always,” he said, his voice softer now, sincere.
And for the briefest moment, Heather let herself believe it.
Before she could respond, the shrill sound of a bark broke the moment, and Heather turned instinctively toward the fence where Holly, her Golden Retriever trainee, was hopping on her hind legs, eager for attention.
Heather let out a soft laugh, crouching to ruffle Holly’s ears as if her heart hadn’t just done a strange, traitorous flip at Lyle’s simple word, ‘always’.
“You’re trouble,” she murmured to the dog, her voice low enough that Lyle probably wouldn’t hear. But when she glanced up, Lyle was still standing there, watching her with an unreadable expression. The way his his eyes softened, somewhere between longing and hesitation, made her pulse skip.
“I didn’t mean to butt in like that” Lyle said, shoving his hands into his pockets as if to anchor himself in the moment.
Heather laughed. “I think you did.”
“Well, I don’t know your situation, so I might have overstepped. Would you even consider selling or taking on a partner?”
She shook her head. “No to both those scenarios.”
“Well, that’s good.” He relaxed a bit. “I don’t know what it is, but something about that guy set me off.”
“Don’t worry about him,” Heather said, straightening and brushing invisible dirt off her jeans. “If he reaches out again,
I’ll handle it.”
He studied her for a long moment, as though deciding whether to push further, before finally nodding. “I don’t doubt you will. Just don’t let slick talk and fancy business cards make you forget what you’ve already got here.”
Heather tilted her head. “And what’s that?”
“Roots,” Lyle said simply, his gaze holding hers.
“My roots are planted pretty deep here, Lyle. You’re the one who seems to have one foot out the door.”