Author: Christine DePetrillo
Date: 2021-12-09 00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Vermont woods; small town; healing; General; Contemporary; Romance; Contemporary Romance; kindness; Fiction; starting over
Description: Invincible. It was one thing to say that word. It was another thing entirely to actually feel it. Landon Henley is content to do his radio show from his basement despite his family's attempts to get him to leave his home and rejoin society. Face-to-face encounters are too risky. They might lead to meeting people. To possibly falling in love with people. To potentially losing people in horrible accidents caused by irresponsible drivers. He wouldn't survive that. Not a second time. Landon's best option is to hide away and limit his contact with the outside world. That includes getting rid of a p

ONE KIND WALK

One Kind Deed Series

Book Nine

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by Christine DePetrillo

Copyright 2021 Christine DePetrillo

All Rights Reserved

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Cover design by Dar Albert of

Wicked Smart Designs
www.wickedsmartdesigns.com

Edited by Janet Hitchcock
www.theproofisinthereading.wordpress.com

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This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the copyright owners except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Dedication

To finding your Zen...

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Check out the rest of the One Kind Deed Series!

Sneak Peek One Kind Dance

Check out the Warrior Wolves Series!

Check out the Maple Leaf Series!

About the Author

Chapter One

Landon Henley could barely hold the leash as the white and brown puppy dragged him down Juniper Street. She wasn’t much bigger than a large cat, but she had some power in that little body. Power and determination.

Well, I’m just as determined.

He was dropping the pooch off at Maplehaven Animal Shelter so Violet who worked there could find her a proper home. Just because the dog had shown up howling in his backyard—uninvited—didn’t mean Landon had to keep her.

No way.

He had absolutely no desire to oversee the upbringing of what appeared to be a rambunctious beagle-spaniel mix. She was cute. He’d give her that much, but he did not want a dog right now. Probably didn’t want one ever. Landon had done that once and that had only ended in heartbreak.

Multiplied by three.

He shook his head. Nope. Not going there today. Instead, he was going to the shelter to make this pup someone else’s problem. Landon was perfectly happy with his pet boa constrictor, Cala, who slithered around her massive tank and hung out around his shoulders while he worked. That was the pet for him. He and Cala had a good thing going and he wasn’t going to mess that up by bringing a puppy into the mix.

The dog’s nose pressed to the sidewalk, sniffing every random leaf in her path, every pebble on the sidewalk, every ant trying to do its day’s work. Her curiosity made the walk twice as long and Landon needed to get back home. He should have driven to the shelter, but he’d hoped the walk would get the dog to expend some energy. Her energy, however, was apparently limitless.

Crisp October air sifted over him as he followed behind the dog, fallen leaves crunching under his boots. Pumpkins lined porch steps while scarecrow decorations dotted front lawns. Anyone else would have enjoyed such a walk through Vermont’s finest season, but autumn was lost on Landon. He couldn’t stop feeling... exposed.

Out in the open.

Vulnerable on the sidewalk.

Man, he hated walks.

Cars sped past him on the street, drivers no doubt distracted as they buzzed to their destinations. At least at ten o’clock in the morning the chances any of those drivers were drunk was slim.

But one never knew for sure.

Huddling deeper into his green cargo jacket and begging his stomach to settle, Landon edged the dog closer to the lawn edge of the sidewalk. Just in case. He listened to the sounds of cars whizzing by, a couple of crows squawking over cornhusk decorations tied to the street’s lampposts, and people conversing as they walked past him, but he kept his head down. He just wanted to get this dog settled and hurry back to his lair.

A tug on the leash made him turn around. How had the pooch gotten behind him?

“C’mon, pup. This way.” He pulled at the leash a bit, trying to propel the dog into motion, but she sat firmly on her furry butt on a small pile of leaves. “What are you doing?”

Landon stepped up to the dog and crouched in front of her. The pup angled her white head at him, her light brown ears flapping by her cheeks.

“Look, the shelter is only another few minutes away.” He arrowed a thumb over his shoulder. “You’ll like Violet. She’ll take care of you until someone really special adopts you.” He pointed to himself. “I’m not someone really special.”

“She’s adorable,” a girl jogging by shouted too loudly because she had earbuds wedged in her ears.

Landon gave her a half-hearted wave as she ran past them. “See, people think you’re adorable. You’ll get snatched up in no time, probably by some nice little family with two kids who desperately want a dog to play with. Won’t that be nice?” He straightened to his full height and tugged on the leash again. “C’mon. Let’s go.”

The critter wouldn’t budge.

Huffing, Landon bent and scooped up the dog, whereupon said pooch licked his bearded chin repeatedly.

“Knock it off.” Landon swiped at the slimy drool and shifted the creature so he carried her under his arm like a package.

He marched toward the animal shelter, hearing a few more people remark on how sweet she was. Her tail kept smacking into the back of his jacket as she wagged it.

Why is she so happy?

Landon was about to dump her off at the shelter, but one would have thought they were headed to the dog park for a vigorous game of fetch. He supposed she wouldn’t know the difference though, would she?

That made Landon feel a little bad, but he shook those thoughts from his head. He could not take on a dog right now. Especially a puppy. He didn’t have the patience, the time, or the inclination. Puppies needed affection and he had none of that to give.

Not anymore.

Hastening his step lest he waste the entire morning out and about in town where he most definitely did not want to be, Landon toted the dog past an outdoor yoga class. He’d never understood working out in a big group like that. Sure, everyone appeared to be into the exercise, but some of them were watching other members of the class, judging them, comparing. Not Landon’s scene. He much preferred a solo rock climb at his favorite spot on the quiet side of Brenton Mountain. To date, no one else had discovered the private wall of rock perfect for climbing. He’d spent many an afternoon tackling the mountain face, pushing his body to its limits and clearing his head of... of memories.

Landon spent a moment now watching the yoga group swan dive their arms down and move into another pose. They did look peaceful.

Or playful as the dog apparently thought because she wiggled so fiercely in Landon’s hold that he lost his grip on her. After leaping from his grasp, she took off toward the yoga class, the leash ripping right out of Landon’s hand.

“Stop!” he yelled. “Get back here!”

Grumbling, Landon broke into a run after the dog, but the puppy was fast, zipping right into the middle of the yoga class and barking happily at her accomplishment. Fortunately, the attendees found her absolutely hilarious, and within seconds, everyone was laughing and petting the pooch.

“What a cutie!”

“She’s so precious!”

“This class needed some puppies!”

Landon stopped at the fringe of the group. “I’m so sorry.” His cheeks heated. Ninety-five percent of the class was female and they were all looking at him now that he’d spoken. He liked it better when their attention was solidly on the dog.

“No worries,” a slim woman with chestnut hair said as she picked up the puppy.

Chestnut? Since when did he categorize women’s hair with words like chestnut? But it wasn’t really brown. Brown was flat, muted even. This woman’s long locks had reddish highlights that glinted in the October sun, similar to the fiery color of the maple trees ringing Brenton Park.

Glinted? Fiery? What the hell was happening to him right now?

“Yoga is about stress release.” She weaved through the attendees with the dog in her arms. When she got within a few feet of Landon, she dropped a kiss on the puppy’s white head, right between the dog’s brown ears. “I’d say a puppy is the greatest stress release around.”

Agreement arose from the group behind her as the class members smiled at the dog.

“I’ll take your word for it.” Landon held out his arms to take the dog, but the woman didn’t relinquish the critter.

In fact, she hugged it closer to her chest—a chest Landon couldn’t help noticing filled out her workout clothes nicely.

“What does that mean?” Her left eyebrow rose over a grass green eye. “You don’t find puppies are good for your soul?”

“No. No, I don’t.”

Her mouth dropped open, forming an O-shape that caught his attention. The gasp that accompanied the expression, however, screamed disapproval. “And what could you possibly find wrong with puppies?”

Landon scratched at the back of his head. “Umm, nothing is wrong with puppies. I just don’t want one right now.”

“Then you shouldn’t have gotten one.” The woman squeezed the puppy a little closer to her chest as if protecting it from the monster in front of her.

“I didn’t get one.” Landon thrust out a hand toward the dog. “She wandered into my yard and wouldn’t leave. I searched for her owner locally, but no one in my neighborhood lost a dog. I’m on my way to the shelter so she can either be reunited with her family or find a new one.”

The woman peered down at the puppy currently chewing on the strings of her hooded sweatshirt. “Oh, you poor baby. Are you lost? You must be lost. Who would dump a beautiful furbaby like you?” At that question, the woman eyed Landon. “I guess you would.”

“To do what’s best for her, not to be mean.” He wasn’t sure why he was defending himself, but for some reason he didn’t want this woman to think poorly of him.

She looked over her shoulder at her students. “Henrietta, can you lead everyone in the cooldown?”

An older woman gave the puppy a little pat. “Sure can, Aliza.” She turned to the class. “C’mon, people, let’s finish this so we can eat doughnuts from Cups Café.”

“Henrietta!” the yoga teacher said. “No doughnuts after yoga.”

The older woman waved a dismissive hand as the yoga teacher turned back to Landon.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“Mine or the dog’s?” Landon jammed his hands into the pockets of his jacket, realizing he wasn’t getting that puppy back unless he did the small talk thing. He didn’t actually want the dog back, but shouldn’t he see it all the way to the shelter?

“Both,” the teacher said.

“I’m Landon and as far as I know, the dog doesn’t have a name.”

The woman held the puppy out to get a good look at her. After a few moments of contemplation, she said, “Well, Landon, I’m Aliza, and this dog looks like a Delilah to me.”

“Okay. Delilah. Sure.” Landon held out his arms again. “May I have Delilah back now?”

Aliza chewed on her bottom lip as she studied the pup. Landon studied Aliza. She had a nice face. Not a ton of makeup. Just a natural, healthy glow to her skin. Between the reddish highlights in her hair and the true green of her eyes, Aliza gave off this Irish vibe that reminded Landon of visiting his parents in Ireland where they currently lived.

He hadn’t noticed women in general since he’d given his heart so completely to one only to have that particular organ sliced and diced. It’d be pretty hard not to notice Aliza though. Like a man would have to be unconscious or something.

“Why don’t you want her?” Aliza jiggled the dog in her arms and touched her nose to the pup’s. “She seems as if she’d be a wonderful walking buddy.”

Landon couldn’t stop the full body shudder that rippled through him. “I... I can’t.”

Aliza considered him for a quiet moment. “Okay. I’ll take her then.”

“What?”

“The dog. I’ll take her. I’ve been thinking about getting a dog and she’s a little lovey. She’ll make an excellent roommate for me and my cat, Sirius.”

A part of Landon wanted to say, Great, thanks. Have a nice life together. Then he could race the hell home and stop all this being-out-in-the-world nonsense he hated. But the other part of him wanted to make sure the pup got to the shelter. “What if she already belongs to someone?”

“Oh, I’ll check in at the shelter on my way home from this class.” Aliza waved a hand to the class that was in the process of dispersing behind her. “Violet who works at the shelter is a pal of mine. She’ll probably let me foster Delilah at my house while she checks into any active lost dog calls.”

“You know Violet?” That made him feel a little better about relinquishing the dog to Aliza.

“Sure.” Aliza’s brows furrowed. “Doesn’t everyone know Violet?” She squinted at Landon. “Oh, are you new to Maplehaven?”

Landon actually let out a chuckle. “New to Maplehaven? No. I’ve lived here for thirty-five years, my entire life.”

“I’ve never seen you before.” And with that statement, she brazenly gave him a slow once-over he physically felt. Everywhere. “Where have you been hiding?”

“Hiding? I haven’t been hiding.” But yes, he had. “Where have you been hiding? I’ve never seen you before.”

She returned that with a small smile that could prove to be problematic if Landon stared at it for too long. “Fair question. I hid in Boston for a few years, but now I’m back where I belong.”

“Welcome back then.” Where did that come from? He had to get out of here before he did something he wasn’t prepared to do.

“Thanks.” Another smile came his way and Landon backed up a few steps.

“Okay, so I guess you’re keeping the dog,” he said.

“Delilah. Yes, I’m keeping her. If an owner is found, I’ll hand her over, but if not, she’s going to be my new best friend.” Aliza dropped a kiss on the dog’s muzzle and the puppy actually sighed as it cuddled closer to her. “If you’re sure you don’t want her.”

Landon squeezed his eyes shut for a moment then took a giant step away from both woman and pooch. “No. I don’t want her.” He took another step back. “Okay, then. Enjoy.”

He jogged to the sidewalk and power-walked away, risking a single glance back to find Aliza and Delilah still standing where he’d left them. Both of them watched him with big eyes and he knew he’d have trouble scrubbing the image out of his mind later.

But that was what he’d do. He didn’t need any walking buddies. None with four legs and certainly none with two, long, incredibly toned legs.

****

Aliza Danahy nuzzled the top of Delilah’s head as Landon walked down the sidewalk. She caught the quick look-back he’d given them and had half-expected him to change his mind about the puppy. He didn’t though. He kept walking away and that was sad because he was fun to look at. Tall. Obviously in good shape though he apparently didn’t like to walk with dogs. He definitely engaged in some other form of robust workout. His brown hair was tousled enough to make him look as if he didn’t spend too much time on trivial things like appearance, but the beard circling his mouth had been well trimmed.

A man of contradictions perhaps?

One thing was for sure—he had an ass that wouldn’t quit in those jeans he wore.

“See something you like there, Aliza?”

She jumped at Henrietta’s question, forgetting she had been conducting her bi-weekly outdoor yoga class at Brenton Park before a puppy hijacked it.

Aliza held up the dog who had been burrowing its rather wet nose into her hair. “Yes. A puppy.”

Henrietta rolled her eyes. “Oh, honey, you can’t fool me. That boy was fine.”

Heat washed over Aliza’s cheeks. “Maybe so, but I’m into puppies more than men right now.”

“A safer bet no doubt.” Henrietta reached out a hand and scratched under Delilah’s chin.

That was the truest thing Aliza had ever heard. Her experiences with Troy Pryce, her ex-husband—a convicted drug dealer who had abused her—were more than enough evidence she didn’t need a man in her life right now. She had her friends and her dear cousin, Miller, for support and that was all she needed.

Well, them and this poochie.

“So how come he left the dog with you?” Henrietta asked as she tightened the roll of her yoga mat.

“The dog wasn’t his to begin with. It wandered into his yard and he was on his way to Violet with her. I said I’d check at the shelter and keep her if she doesn’t belong to anyone.” Aliza was growing accustomed to the warm wiggle of Delilah’s body against her chest.

“So maybe we’ll see more of this cutie in class?” Henrietta asked.

“Definitely. She obviously loves the outdoors and I’ll set her up with a nice spot at my studio. She can be our mascot.” Aliza loved this plan. A puppy would bring some noise to both her new house off Juniper Street and her new yoga studio next door to her cousin’s medical practice. Both locations were way too quiet when Aliza was alone. So quiet she almost couldn’t stand it. Her cat, Sirius, was good company, but he didn’t make much of a racket. She needed some noise to drown out the noise in her head.

“Great,” Henrietta said. “I look forward to more petting opportunities and I’m pretty sure I have a recipe for pumpkin and peanut butter dog treats somewhere. I’ll have to dig it up.”

“Delilah would love that.” Aliza waved the puppy’s white paw at Henrietta. “Thanks for running the cooldown for me.”

“No problem. I’ll see you on Thursday?” Henrietta zipped her jacket.

“You know where to find me.” Aliza waved to her student then said goodbye to a few others still milling about. Looping the leash around her wrist, she set Delilah down and gathered her own mat, letting out a chuckle when the puppy pounced on a leaf stirred up by the fall breeze. “Oh, you have some energy to burn, don’t you, little one? That’s fine. I usually do too. We’re going to get along famously.”

Assuming I get to keep you. Time to hustle to the animal shelter and see if anyone was missing this little beauty.

Delilah kept pace beside Aliza which was no easy feat. Aliza had often been accused of being a fast walker to the dismay of some of her slower walking friends. She’d reduced her speed for them, but she always ended up at least a few steps ahead. She couldn’t help it. Every walk was an opportunity to work her body and working her body kept her mind off other things. Things she couldn’t control. Things she didn’t want to remember. Things that couldn’t catch her if she was always moving.

The shelter soon came into view and Aliza pulled open the front door. Delilah scurried right in and immediately let out a happy yip at the Dalmatian puppy milling about. She strained on the leash, showing a surprising strength for such a tiny critter.

“No wonder Landon couldn’t keep you from invading my yoga class.” Aliza liked the sound of Landon’s name when she said it aloud. She’d never known a Landon and could admit to being curious about the one she’d just met.

“I’ll be right out!” Violet called from somewhere behind the shelter’s front desk. “A bit of a poop scenario back here.”

“I can smell it!” Aliza shouted back as Delilah and the loose puppy sniffed their greetings to each other.

“You can? Jeez!” Violet appeared a few moments later, wiping her wet hands with a paper towel. “Oh, hey, Aliza.” She waved a hand in front of her nose. “You can smell it out here. Yikes.” She reached below the desk and produced a can of air freshener. Reading the can, she sprayed and said, “Does Apple Blossom Breeze cover it up?”

Aliza turned up her nose and sniffed. “Somewhat, but it now smells like Crappy Apple Blossom Breeze.”

“Ugh.” Violet walked over to a window and shoved it open. “I’ll let the natural breeze take care of things.” She looked down at Delilah, jumping around with the other pup. “Oh, who do we have here?”

Aliza got Violet up to speed on the morning’s events and how she’d come to be in possession of Delilah.

“Hmm...” Violet hopped behind the desk again and tapped away on the laptop there. “I don’t recall any calls for a lost beagle-spaniel puppy, but let me double check.”

“Thanks. And who’s this guy?” Aliza pointed to the Dalmatian pup still entertaining Delilah by rolling all over her.

Violet craned her neck to check out the black-and-white pooch. “Oh, him? He’s the pooper, Felix. Don’t worry, I cleaned him off first before I tackled the mess on the floor. He’s a little slow on learning where we poop and where we don’t, but he’ll figure it out.”

“Let’s hope sooner rather than later.” Which made Aliza wonder what skills Delilah possessed and which ones she... didn’t. She appeared to be a little older than Felix so hopefully she had some training.

“Okay,” Violet said. “I don’t see anything about a lost dog fitting Delilah’s description so you’re welcome to foster her. If no one asks about her in the next few weeks, you can keep her.”

“Great.”

“Now tell me more about this man who gifted this precious honey to you,” Violet said as she took Delilah and snuggled her close.

Aliza crouched to give Felix some attention... and to avoid answering Violet.

A purple sneaker tapped her knee. “Hey,” Violet said. “The man? The deets? Let’s go.”

Aliza stood, taking the Dalmatian with her who had turned out to be as cuddly as Delilah. “I wouldn’t say he gifted the puppy to me.More like I took her off his hands. He clearly didn’t want her. Appeared downright inconvenienced by her.” She frowned in disapproval.

“Okay,” Violet said, “but let’s not judge the man so hastily.” She freed a lock of her hair from Delilah’s mouth and tapped the pup on the nose. “He was doing the right thing by bringing her here if he didn’t want to take her on. He could have ignored her or taken her off to any number of remote Vermont locations to dump her.”

“True.” Aliza let that spiral around in her skull. Landon had some heart if he’d intended to find a good home for the puppy by bringing her to Violet.

“What was his name?” Violet asked as she set Delilah down and took Felix from Aliza.

“Landon,” Aliza said as she picked up Delilah. “I didn’t get his last name, but he said he knew you.”

Violet gave Felix a rub before setting him on the ground. She narrowed her eyes. “Landon...hmm...” Then she opened her eyes real wide and snapped her fingers. “Did he have unruly brown hair yet a tidy beard and woodsy green eyes?”

Woodsy?

“Ah... yeah, I guess so.” Maybe that was why Aliza had enjoyed looking at him so much during their brief exchange. The woods had always comforted her and his hazel eyes had indeed been woodsy.

“Aliza!” Violet clamped her hands on Aliza’s biceps, making her almost drop Delilah. “You were talking to Landon Henley!”

“Who?”

Violet rolled her eyes. “OMG, Landon Henley... from Henley Hears You!”

Now Aliza had to put Delilah down because the risk of dropping her was high. “I took a puppy from the Henley Hears You guy on WTRZ Music for the Mountains radio?”

“You totally did.” Violet laughed. “Oh, I wish I had my phone out here to video your reaction. It would go viral in seconds.”

“I didn’t know I was talking to that Landon!” She smacked her forehead. “I don’t think I knew Henley’s first name was Landon. He always goes by Henley on his show.”

“I guess Landon Hears You wasn’t approved by marketing.” Violet popped behind the desk again and let her fingers fly over the laptop’s keyboard. “Come over here.”

Aliza glanced at the puppies, but they were busy gnawing on a blue stuffed bunny toy together so she rounded the desk to stand beside Violet in front of the laptop. She stared at the screen where Violet had pulled up WTRZ’s website.

“I think they have bios and pics of all the deejays on here somewhere.” She clicked through a few screens then found the bios page. Sure enough the deejays were pictured.

All accept Landon.

“Well, that’s not surprising,” Aliza said. “He seemed... I don’t know... spooked to be out in public.”

Violet chewed on her bottom lip, opened her mouth as if to say something, then snapped her mouth closed.

“What? What do you know about him?” Aliza poked Violet in the arm. “Tell me.”

Her friend shook her head then faced Aliza. “Listen, would you want me to tell other people about your baggage?”

Aliza huffed out a defeated breath and glanced down to her sneakers. “No.”

“Right, so...” Violet took Aliza’s hands in hers. “I’m going to suggest if you’re curious about the man, you find a way to bump into him again.”

“Oh, I’m not curious.” Liar.

“Uh-huh. Okay.” Violet grinned. “And I didn’t want to know everything about Dawson after I tackled him and his cello to the ground so he wouldn’t get hit by an SUV either.”

Aliza slid her hands from Violet’s. “That was different. You... you were interested in him.”

“And you’re not interested in Mr. Henley Hears You?” Violet put her hands on her hips. “I know you like his show, the man gave you a puppy, and I remember what he looks like, Aliza. He’s hot in a shy, quiet way.”

“He’s not shy or quiet on his radio show.” Aliza squeezed her eyes shut when Violet arched a brow in victory. “Okay, okay. Maybe I’m a little curious about him.”

“Honesty is the best policy,” Violet sang.

“Well, I’m not going to actively pursue a man right now.” Aliza went back to the other side of the desk and grabbed Delilah’s leash. “I’m nowhere near ready for that. Not after my previous mistakes with Troy.”

Violet came to her side and rubbed her arm. “But someday you will be.”

Nodding, Aliza drew in a deep breath. “Okay, I’m going to take this beastie home with me. You’ll let me know if some asks about her?”

“Of course, but I have the sense you and Delilah are going to be family.”

“I hope so. She’s such a cutie.”

Giving her friend a wave and Felix a little pat on the head, Aliza left the animal shelter with her yoga mat under her arm. A few Maplehaven citizens stopped her as she walked down Juniper Street with Delilah to remark about the adorable puppy.

“You’re going to make a ton of friends on our walks, Delilah,” Aliza said. “You’re irresistible. Sirius is going to love you too.”

This morning did not unfold as she’d expected. A yoga class in Brenton Park had turned into meeting a radio personality and scoring a furry pal. What else would the day bring?

Humming to herself, she took a left down a side street and, in no time at all, she was in front of her home. The small cape-style house had two dormers that resembled two sleepy eyes with the window blinds half lowered. Gray with white trim, the home had a cozy, cottage feel she liked. She hadn’t been too choosy when Violet had helped her search for a place, but the house had chosen her as if it knew they’d be good company for each other.

So far that had been the case, but the nights were quiet and every creak the older house made had Aliza fearing Troy was coming for her.

But that couldn’t be. He was in prison. In another state. For a wicked long time.

Still, that didn’t stop her mind from being paranoid about another encounter with him. One where he used his fists to converse as he had in the past.

Shuddering now as she stood on her front walkway, she let out a growl that made Delilah bark back.

“Sorry, kid.” She squared her shoulders. “You’re right. We’re okay. We’ll be okay.”

Step one in the healing process was to get a pet. Check. Step two was to stop replaying her past like a horror show in her mind.

She was still working on that part.

Chapter Two

Landon rolled his desk chair up to what he fondly called his Command Post in the basement of his raised ranch home. His boa constrictor was draped over his shoulders, Cala’s brown and black face lazily perusing the two computer monitors Landon had in front of them.

“What do you think, girl?” Landon stroked Cala’s smooth scales. Her tail end coiled around his left bicep in her version of a hug. “Yeah, I definitely agree we should slip a few acoustic cuts into tonight’s playlist for the show.”

Every night, Mondays through Fridays, Landon hosted Henley Hears You, a show on the North Kingdom’s radio station, WTRZ. The station’s catch phrase was “Music for the Mountains” and while Landon’s show was more talk than music, he’d always liked the music for the mountains notion. In fact, mountains had their own music. The melodies graced his ears every time he went climbing at Brenton Mountain. A tribal rhythm, akin to a heartbeat. Sure, it could have been Landon’s own heart thudding away as he exerted himself in a climb.

But he was pretty sure it was more than that.

He felt a closeness to the jagged stone of Brenton Mountain. As if the hulking mass had been through some shit—just like Landon—but had remained standing.

Invincible. It was one thing to say that word. It was another thing entirely to actually feel it.

Sighing now, Landon adjusted Cala’s weight more comfortably on his shoulders, earning him a flick of the boa’s forked black tongue. “Sorry to disturb you, Miss, but I’m in charge here.”

Cala rested her head on his right arm, signaling she’d behave. For now.

“Good girl.” He gave her another stroke along her narrow body then logged into the station. He went live in about ten minutes, but he liked to run a mic and headphone check prior to starting to get his volumes all set.

While he fiddled with adjustments and queued up songs to play between taking callers, he thought about that puppy.

Well, no. That wasn’t true. He didn’t think so much about the puppy as he did about the hot yoga teacher he’d given her to. All day he’d grappled with picturing Aliza—shit, even her name was sexy—in her stretchy, form-fitting yoga pants and matching workout sweatshirt. He’d read yoga was good for the body, but damn, was it that good? Aliza had probably had some exceptional DNA to begin with because exercise alone couldn’t have possibly created all that perfection. He may not have scoped out any babes recently, but he hadn’t lost his ability to recognize a female masterpiece.

How was Aliza faring with the puppy? With Delilah? Had Violet let her foster the pooch? Landon hoped so. Aliza had seemed set on taking in the dog. Although he hadn’t wanted the pup, the critter deserved someone who did and clearly Aliza wanted Delilah.

Who names a dog Delilah? He let out a short chuckle as he repositioned his headphones and mic. It seemed like a... big name for such a small bundle of fur like that puppy, but perhaps the dog would grow into the name. None of it was his concern now.

And yet, he couldn’t quite scrub the image of the dog or the woman from his memory. Remnants... remained. Remnants concerned him.

Generally, he did his radio show, strummed his guitar and wrote some lyrics now and then, rock climbed, and chilled at home, his sanctuary. That was enough for him. It had to be enough. To wish for more opened up places inside him that were best left locked down.

He’d learned that lesson. The hard way. No, the completely tragic way. He needed no refresher courses on the matter.

“Landon, you there?” came a voice through his headphones.

“Yeah, Jeremy,” Landon said to his producer. “I’m here and ready to go.”

“Cool. I’m sending you the sponsor commercials for tonight right now. As usual, work them into the night.”

“Will do.”

“What are you up to this weekend?” Jeremy asked.

“The usual.” Landon opened his work email to see the sponsor commercials had arrived. He clicked on the attachment and had that up on one of the computer monitors. On the second screen, he had his playlist ready.

“The usual,” Jeremy repeated. “So you, Cala, and some light reading on the art of being an introvert?”

Landon chuckled. “Basically. I’ll probably work out and eat some things too. Just for kicks.” He could practically hear Jeremy rolling his eyes back at the radio station.

“You could come out with me and some of the other deejays this Saturday. We’re going canoeing along Brenton Lake with Dakota. You know his expeditions are always a big hit.”

Dakota Brenton’s Birch Peak Adventures company was one of the radio station’s sponsors along with his family’s sawmill that was the foundation of Maplehaven’s history. The dude did run great trips, and Landon had been on some.

Before.

But not After.

“Thanks, but I’ll catch the highlights when Steve does his wake-up show on Monday morning.” The morning guy on WTRZ was a hoot. He played mostly metal bands in an attempt to “wake up Maplehaven’s badasses” as Steve liked to say, but people tuned in to hear him spin tales of his weekend escapades in New England.

“Oh, you know how Steve embellishes,” Jeremy said.

“I do and it’s what I enjoy most.”

“Dude can tell a story, but it’s no substitute for being there with us, man. We miss you.” When Landon didn’t reply right away, Jeremy sighed. “Okay, Henley doesn’t hear me. I’m going to keep asking you to come out in hopes that one day you will.”

“I will.” But even Landon didn’t believe that.

Jeremy made a noise that let Landon know he didn’t believe it either. “You go live in five, four, three...”

Landon waited for the one and clicked on his intro theme music. While it played, he allowed himself to think about going out with the guys. Something he used to do all the time, but hadn’t done in ages now. He probably should go hang with them. Get out of his own head for a while.

The mere thought of doing so, however, made his stomach twist.

Not ready yet. How long was he going to tell himself that? When would he be ready? Soon? Never? When?

The theme music ended and Landon pushed aside all other thoughts. He’d save them for tonight when he was lying in bed.

Alone.

“Hey, everyone. I hope you’re doing well on this Thursday night,” Landon said into his mic.“I’ve got some acoustic sets for you during this show and as always I’ve got advice to give too. You know the number and you know Henley hears you.”

He played his first song and rocked back in his chair, swiveling a little to the left then a little to the right as a tight guitar riff sounded. Cala rippled her body along his shoulders—her signal that she’d enjoy this music better if she were sunning herself under the heat lamp in her tank.

Landon pulled off his headphones and walked over to the boa constrictor’s habitat. A pretty sweet habitat, if he did say so himself. The tank was sizable with more than enough room for one seven-foot snake. She had several large branches to slither over and hang on in scaly loops, which she did frequently. A flat, dark stone provided a nice, warm surface for dozing in a tight coil under a heat lamp.

Hell, Landon wanted to live in there too.

“Okay, lady. In you go.” He lifted the snake from his shoulders using both of his hands and basically pressing her up like a barbell. After lowering her, he set her into the tank where she slinked over to the stone—as Landon would have predicted—and wrapped herself into a bundle to take a snooze.

Landon ran a finger along her smooth head then went back to the Command Post in time to take his first caller of the night.

“Hi,” he said into his microphone after answering the call. “Henley hears you. What’s your beef tonight?”

“I’ll tell you my beef,” an ornery-sounding male voice said. “Shopping carts.”

“Shopping carts?” Part of the beauty of this job was that Landon never knew what was going to get people riled up enough to call in to the show and talk about what peeved them. “Did you get one that didn’t wheel properly?”

“No, sir, I did not. What I got was one rammed into the side of my brand new truck while I was inside shopping.” The man’s voice had gotten louder by the time he’d reached the end of his sentence.

“A rogue cart went for a joyride or was your truck an intentional target?” Landon enjoyed asking questions and feeling like a detective as he drew people’s stories out of them.

“I suppose it was rogue, but I could also consider it intentional because some idiot didn’t put the cart in the corral thingamajig. That left the cart free to zoom toward my unsuspecting, totally innocent, brand new... did I mention the truck was brand new?”

“You did.”

“Makes it all the worse, doesn’t it? I’ve barely had the truck for two days and now I need to take it to the shop to get the dent worked out and the paint touched up. Makes me want to scream.”

“Henley hears you, sir. What is your name?”

“Jack.”

“Well, Jack, I recently read a story about a store chain out in Arizona, I think it was, that was running a test on an idea to put rubber bumpers around the outside edges of their shopping carts. That way if one of them did go rogue—accidentally or intentionally—it wouldn’t do any damage on impact.” One advantage to staying at home and not socializing all that much was that Landon had a ton of time to read. He often spent much of the morning combing the internet for stuff to read that might help him when he talked to callers on his show. That activity had proven useful yet again tonight.

“I guess I’m moving to Arizona then,” Jack said, but he said it with a small chuckle which Landon took as a sign that calling in to the show had turned the man’s mood around.

“Where are you from, Jack?”

“Portland, Maine.”

“Lived there all your life?”

“Yes.”

“Then we both know you aren’t moving to Arizona.”

That pulled a deep belly laugh from Jack. “Too true, kid. Too true. Arizona wouldn’t know what to do with a born-and-bred Maine fellow like me, now would they?”

“And you’d miss shoveling snow,” Landon added.

“The hell I would.” Another laugh filled Landon’s headphones.

“On a serious note though,” Landon said, “I’ve read if you park right next to the corral thingamajig as you called it, you’re less likely to get a ding from a shopping cart because people who park near those tend to put their carts into the corral. Then you won’t be near carts that are loose and...plotting against brand new trucks.”

“Now that’s not something I would have considered,” Jack said. “I’ve always avoided parking near those thingamajigs, thinking I’d be more likely to get hit, but what you’ve said makes damn sense.”

“I’m going to change the name of this show to Henley Makes Damn Sense. It has a better ring to it.”

Jack let out a raspy laugh as if he couldn’t catch his breath. “I’ll try parking near the corral thingamajig next time I go.”

“And then call in to the show again to let us know how it went.”

“Will do,” Jack said. “I’ll let you get on with the music and other callers now. Nice chatting with you, son.”

“Likewise. Thanks for calling tonight. Do you feel you’ve been heard?”

“I do and I feel better.” Jack paused. “But I’ll probably feel like crap again when I see my dented truck in the morning.”

Landon said goodbye to Jack before slipping in a back-to-back set of songs. He did well with callers like Jack. Good, salt-of-the-earth people who wanted someone to vent to, some connection, some chance to be heard and acknowledged. Landon no longer had the capacity to do that in person for people, but he had a knack for doing it on air each night. Hopefully that would continue for a long time because he was well suited for the solitude this job allowed him to enjoy.

His screen lit up again with the next caller Jeremy had deemed worthy to put on the air.

“Hi. Henley hears you. What’s your beef tonight?” he asked into the microphone.

A quiet moment made him think the caller had hung up, which happened every now and again when people lost their nerve to talk on the radio.

But no, someone was there now. A presence on the other end of this call.

“Hello?” he prompted.

“My beef is guys who interrupt yoga classes by letting a puppy storm into the middle of them.”

Landon froze, his hands gripping the edge of his desk as the smooth, female voice washed over him. With his headphones on, it was as if she’d whispered right into his ears.

And he liked that.

Aliza...

He knew the next lines of dialogue were his. The radio show didn’t work if he didn’t respond to people’s beefs.

He just hadn’t expected to be the beef.

****

Aliza bit her lip as she waited for Landon to reply to her statement. She was amazed at herself for calling in to his show. She’d listened to him almost every night since she’d moved back to Maplehaven and now that she’d heard him again tonight, she couldn’t believe she hadn’t recognized his voice. He hadn’t sounded so... confident in person though.

Confidence was waning for her as more seconds ticked by and he didn’t say anything. Maybe this had been a stupid thing to do, but after talking to Violet, Aliza had to admit she wanted to connect with Landon again somehow. Calling in to his show seemed like the best way. She’d half expected not to get through and would have considered that a sign to leave things alone. But when the producer, Jeremy, listened to her beef, he was almost giddy to patch her through to Landon.

“Oh, this ought to be good,” he’d said.

“Do you think it’ll ruin his radio mojo?” she’d asked.

“Definitely,” Jeremy had replied. “And I can’t wait to see that happen.” He’d said that with a chuckle in his voice so Aliza figured it was all in good fun. Surely Landon’s producer didn’t want him to fail epically while Henley Hears You fans listened in.

“Did you catch my beef, Henley?” she finally asked when Landon still didn’t say anything.

“Uh... yeah, I caught it.” He cleared his throat. “Perhaps the dog in that scenario had a mind of her own and the guy should share no part in the blame. Sounds as if the dog interrupted the yoga class and not the guy.”

“I believe the guy and the dog were in cahoots to sabotage the class. As if maybe they have something against yoga.” Aliza was flying without a net here. She hadn’t planned out her entire beef, but maybe merely following the natural flow of conversation with Landon would work.

“Maybe yoga classes don’t belong in the middle of public parks,” Landon volleyed back.

“I’m pretty sure that phenomenal yoga teacher has a permit to teach those classes in that park.”

“Well, perhaps if that phenomenal yoga teacher wasn’t so phenomenal, dogs wouldn’t be so intrigued by her and wouldn’t want to join her classes.”

Was Landon agreeing she was phenomenal? Aliza could work with that.

“The dog and her... escort for the day could have asked to join the class. Yoga is good for everyone’s body—man and beast.”

“I’m guessing the man prefers rock climbing, but I imagine the beast can do all the yoga she wants now.”

So he likes rock climbing? And did he slip in that tidbit about himself for a reason? As if he wanted Aliza to know something personal about him.

“That puppy has mastered downward-facing dog. Nailed it on her first try.”

Landon’s laugh came through the phone, causing goosebumps to appear on Aliza’s skin. If his laugh could do that, what else was he capable of? Aliza had peeked at his hands while they’d talked at the park. Rough and weathered man hands with a few healing scrapes on the knuckles of his left hand, perhaps from rock climbing. She’d bet her paycheck those hands were strong and warm and skilled.

More goosebumps followed the first wave.

“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that guy barging into your park classes again, but I can’t say the same for the dog,” Landon said.

“Well, the dog’s been invited to the classes now. The man is welcome to join too,” she ventured. The call couldn’t last much longer. He probably only had so many minutes to spend with each person and, unfortunately, she may have already sucked up too much of his time.

Aliza hadn’t decided what she wanted the end result of this little encounter to be, but something inside her urged her to find a way to see him again. Despite coming home with Delilah and doing her best to talk herself into forgetting all about Landon, she hadn’t been able to do that. Even when she recalled her bad luck with Troy and her speeches to Henrietta and Violet that she wasn’t looking for a man, she still felt this pull toward Landon.

How could she not? The man had handed her a puppy and he was the star of her favorite radio show.

“The man is welcome as long as he doesn’t barge into the class?” Landon asked, as if he was making sure she’d invited him.

“Indeed he is. The class is at 9:00 every Tuesday and Thursday morning in the park until it gets too cold.” There, now he’d know exactly where to find her two times every week.

“I...” Landon began, but stopped abruptly. “If the man is a listener, I’m sure he heard that class schedule.”

“I hope he did. Everyone needs some Zen and Brenton Park is the perfect setting to do a little good for the mind and body.” And heart?

“Henley hears you,” Landon said in agreement. “Do you feel as if you’ve been heard?”

“I do, and maybe I wasn’t as peeved at the intrusion as I thought. You’ve helped me see the man was at the mercy of the dog.” Aliza scanned her living room where she was sitting to find Delilah.

Who was chewing on the leg of an end table by the couch.

“Delilah!” she shouted, causing Sirius to stir on the back of the couch where he was perched by Aliza’s shoulders. “Stop that!”

Landon’s laugh sprinkled over her again. “Why do I get the feeling you’re going to be saying, ‘Delilah, stop that,’ quite a bit over the next few weeks?”

“I’ve said it a million times today, but that’s okay. I’m a patient woman, Henley.” As in she could be patient with a shy man like Landon if necessary. “Okay, I’ll let you tend to other beefs, but I do want to tell you that I’m a fan and listen to your show every night.”

Too gushy? Aliza hoped not. She was just being honest. And maybe trying to soften up the deejay to get him to come to a yoga class in the park.

“I love to hear you’re a fan,” Landon said. “Is there something I can play for you tonight?”

Aliza froze on her couch. In all the times she’d listened to Henley Hears You, not once had Landon taken song requests. What did this mean? Was it a signal?

Or was he just being cordial and doing his job?

Ugh. She hated being this unsure.

“Yeah,” she finally said. “Can you play How Much is that Doggie in the Window?”

Another low chuckle rasped from Landon. “The doggie is free. Caring for her might cost some coin though.”

“Right. Good night, Henley,” Aliza said.

“Namaste, Yogi.”

It was Aliza’s turn to laugh as she lowered the phone from her ear to disconnect.

A song started up on the radio, but then Landon said, “Aliza?”

She whipped the phone back up to her ear at the sound of his voice. “Yeah?”

“Oh, good. I thought you left,” he said.

“I nearly did. We’re not still on the air, are we?”

“No. I switched to music. Not the song you requested though.” The smile in his voice was loud and clear.

“Don’t have that one in the database?” she teased.

“Nope. Not the 1952 Patti Page edition anyway, which is clearly the only one that should ever be played.”

“Wow, the deejay’s up on his music history,” Aliza said. “Nice.”

“Hey, I’m not just a sexy voice on the airwaves, you know?”

No. He wasn’t. He was sexy in person too. But Aliza didn’t mention that.

“I seriously had no idea I was talking to Henley of Henley Hears You today in the park. I probably wouldn’t have been such a bitch about the dog if I’d known.”

“You weren’t a bitch. Delilah did plow right into your class.”

“Yeah, but I could have cut you a break.”

“You did. You took the dog off my hands,” Landon said. “How is she?”

“Oh, she’s great. Thinks she owns my house. Every single corner of it, though my cat has schooled her on what’s hers and what’s his.”

“Violet didn’t find owners looking for her?”

“There weren’t any cases matching Delilah’s description so I’m going to foster her for a few a weeks and see what happens.” She pulled her feet up onto the couch, sinking into the cushions and totally enjoying that Landon wanted to keep talking to her. “Is it wrong that I hope no one turns up for her?”

“Not at all. I highly doubt anyone will. She’d been hanging around my yard for a few days, which was fine, but then she started yowling like a baby wolf. I had to do something. I guess she was lonely.”

Aliza pictured Landon going out to his yard and taking the pup inside, maybe giving her a bite to eat, before marching her toward the animal shelter. “She won’t be lonely with me. I took her to my yoga studio over on Heron Ave.” God, she hoped he was taking notes on her locations. “She explored that whole scene then fell asleep on a yoga mat in a rectangle of sun in the main workout room.”

“That sounds as if she’s adjusting nicely to being with you. Do you have experience with dogs?”

“I had dogs growing up in Maplehaven, but when I moved to Boston, we didn’t have the room. That’s how I ended up with my cat, Sirius. He fit nicely into our brownstone apartment.” She squeezed her eyes shut as she thought about the home she’d shared with Troy. The home that was built on lies and violence. “I’m back in a house now, though, so I have plenty of room for Delilah.”

“So... it’s you, Delilah, Sirius, and...” Landon’s voice dropped off.

Hmm. Asking about the residents of her household had to be a sign of interest, no? “That is the entire attendance list,” she said. “Just the three of us. Do you have any... pets?” She almost said women, but she went with the safer question.

“I do. I have a female boa constrictor named Cala.”

“Oh my God! I love snakes!” Aliza squealed. “When I was in high school, I worked at the Cheshire Zoo part-time after school. I got lucky and was assigned to the reptile room.” She sighed, living in the happy memory for a moment. “I had so much fun there.”

Again, Landon was quiet for too long. Had they been disconnected?

“Landon?”

“Yeah, I’m still here. It’s... well... no one has ever reacted like that when I tell them I have a pet boa constrictor.”

“Oh,” Aliza said. “How do they react?”

“They freak out mostly.”

“What’s to freak out about?” she asked.

“Many people are not fans of snakes.”

“I’ve met humans far more dangerous than snakes.” Hell, she’d married one.

“You got that right, Yogi.” Landon puffed out a breath. “Shit, hang on a minute. I need to play the next song.”

Aliza was happy to hang on if it meant he’d continue this conversation. When he came back, she said, “Hey, how come you weren’t this chatty in person?”

“In person isn’t my best format,” he said slowly, as if he were choosing his words carefully. “I get... I don’t know... anxious when I’m right in front of people.”

“I see,” Aliza said. “I have the opposite problem. I get anxious when I’m alone.”

“Hence the packed and public yoga classes at nine on Tuesdays and Thursdays?”

“Yup. And don’t forget the daily classes at my studio on Heron Ave.” No reason she shouldn’t throw that in there again. He’d remembered the park schedule so he’d definitely been listening to everything she’d said both on the air and off.

“How long have you been teaching yoga?” he asked.

“About eight years now. Classes in the park and starting my own studio are new though. That all happened when I moved back to Maplehaven.”

“From Boston, did you say?”

“Yeah.”

“Didn’t like Boston?” Landon asked.

“Not particularly. Growing up in a place like Maplehaven doesn’t make it easy for other places to live up to the expectations, you know?”

“I do know. This is a great town.” He paused. “For the most part.” The solemn tone of his voice told Aliza he’d suffered something here in Maplehaven, which Violet had indicated as well.

Everyone had a past that weighed them down in some form.

The song on the radio was nearing its conclusion so Aliza said, “I should let you get back to your show so Henley can hear other people. Thanks again for Delilah.”

“Don’t thank me. She wasn’t mine to give.”

“Maybe not, but because you were doing the right thing by taking her to the shelter, I ended up with a puppy today, Delilah scored a home and a cat brother, and you got a dog off your hands. I call that a win for everyone.”

“That’s a nice way to look at it.”

A new song started, which told Aliza he wasn’t in a rush to get off the phone with her. She figured normally he would have taken another caller by now. His producer was probably wondering what the hell was keeping Landon from doing his job.

But she loved that he wanted to keep talking. Loved it enough to dig up a little more bravery.

“I’m sure people are waiting for Henley to hear them,” she said, “so I’ll hang up, but I was serious about the yoga class invite. You may have noticed some male students in my class this morning and there always are. I’d love to—” She stopped herself before saying, I’d love to see you again. Instead she said, “I’d love to help you find your Zen.”

“You’ll need a team of military-grade experts to find my Zen,” Landon said, that serious tone back again, but this time with a side order of defeat. “Thanks for calling in, Yogi.”

“Thanks for chatting,” she said.

“It’s what Henley Hears You is all about.” He ended the call before she could say anything else.

Aliza was certain Henley Hears You was about much more than chatting. That man had a story and she was determined to read every page.

Chapter Three

Landon kept his head down over the equipment the radio station had set up under their WTRZ tent at Maplehaven’s Annual Fall Festival. This event occurred on the Saturday of every Columbus Day weekend and people—both locals and tourists—absolutely loved it.

He, on the other hand, absolutely hated it. So many people milling about, talking in groups and visiting booths and generally being social. And the traffic it created on Maplehaven’s roads was abominable. This festival marked the longest four hours of his life every year. He started trying to get out of manning the station’s tent in early August, but he was never successful. Jeremy always pointed out that Henley Hears You was WTRZ’s most popular segment.

“The people love you, dude. Some folks only go to that festival to see you,” his producer had told him on numerous occasions.

“Great.” Landon didn’t love the pressure that came with that. He always worried his fans would see he wasn’t the same guy they loved on the radio.

Aliza had brought that very thing up when he’d talked to her on the show two nights ago. It hadn’t stopped her from continuing their chat when she’d pointed out he was way more cordial on air than in real life. She’d also invited him to her yoga classes. Repeatedly. That indicated she maybe wanted more in-person time with him.

Landon wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Did he find her intriguing? Hell, yes. Chatting with her on Thursday night had been enjoyable. The conversation came easy, even when they weren’t on air anymore. Was he ready to get into... something with a woman?

Hell, no. The mere notion rattled his skeleton. If they started something, that something could easily be taken away. Landon wasn’t fond of that prospect. He had a couple of days until Aliza’s next Brenton Park class on Tuesday to think more about her invitation.

And he would. Think about it. Of that he was certain. Aliza had taken up a sizable portion of his thoughts since he’d met her and more so after he’d talked to her on air. She had this playful ambiance about her that woke something up in him. Something that had been asleep for a long time. It was safer to keep that part of him in the dark, but Aliza was like this bright flashlight shining into the shadows, and Landon didn’t necessarily mind that.

Still, showing up for her yoga class on Tuesday morning was a scary idea. He’d have to weigh the pros and cons of that over the weekend.

Right after he finished today’s torture at this damn festival.

A hand on his shoulder made him nearly jump through the canvas on the top of the twelve-foot by twelve-foot tent he was under.

“Whoa, man.” Jeremy took his hand off Landon’s shoulder and put both of his hands up. “Easy, guy. You’re twitchier than usual.”

“Sorry. You know how this festival gets to me.”

“Yeah, and I keep thinking each year is going to be the year you are cured of your loathing of the festival.” Jeremy arced an arm out to the people entering the grounds. “These are your neighbors and fans. They’re not out to get you.”

“I know.” Landon never could get his friend to understand that it wasn’t the particular people he was afraid of, but the randomness of the universe instead—the fact that a disaster could befall them when they were out in the world, minding their own business.

Taking a walk with one’s family, down a street in Maplehaven for example...

Landon clamped his eyes shut to block out that stroll into the past. Now was not the time to come unglued.

Well, more unglued than he was already.

Jeremy gave Landon’s shoulder a squeeze, his face sympathetic. “The chances of what happened to you happening again are so slim, Landon.”

“I know that,” he said quickly. “I’d rather be in my basement studio is all.”

Jeremy slid his hand off Landon’s shoulder. “Well, in four hours you can head back to your Snake Cave.” His friend shivered. “You’d think having a seven-foot boa constrictor in your house would be far scarier than being out among these people.”

“I’ll take Cala over this,” he said, waving a hand at their surroundings, “any day of the week.”

“And you do pick her. All the time.” Jeremy sighed and repositioned their microphones. “One of these days, you’ll choose civilization. I know it.” He started the station’s pre-recorded intro then gave a shout out to the listeners as he reported where they were and that the next four hours would be live from the festival.

Landon listened to his buddy, a pang of guilt ringing in his gut. Jeremy Woodhill had been a close friend for years now and every time Landon turned down an invitation, it hurt the guy. They used to have fun times together. Before. The fact that Jeremy kept trying to get him to come out let Landon know the dude still valued their friendship.

Maybe he could try harder. For Jeremy. Small steps. Ones that could lead to bigger steps. Like, say, a yoga class taught by a hot teacher.

Landon rubbed his temple, attempting to ease the headache forming there. He needed to survive today at the festival and deal with other things later.

The first hour ticked by slowly, but Landon managed to take callers, give away prizes, play tunes, and fake his way through interactions with actual people who visited the station’s tent. Though he couldn’t say he enjoyed himself, the experience didn’t seem as horrid as it usually did.

Progress. Though he didn’t know the reason.

Not until a white blur jumped into his lap while he was on the phone with a caller.

“Yikes!” he blurted as a wet dog tongue sloshed across his bearded chin.

As happy barking sounded, Jeremy burst into laughter and angled his phone toward Landon and Delilah. “Oh, listeners, run over and follow WTRZ’s social media accounts if you want to see Henley Hears You, the doggie edition. Not to be missed!” He tapped on his phone a few times.

“Are you seriously sharing that?” Landon asked as he held Delilah in his arms and stood.

Because where Delilah was, Aliza had to be.

He turned around and sure enough Aliza was jogging over to the tent. If his hands weren’t full of dog right now, they definitely would have been a sweaty mess.

God, she looks amazing when she runs.

Landon shook his head clear as Aliza reached him.

“Guess it’s my turn to apologize for busting into your work.” Her voice was a little husky from her running. “She’s a fast one.”

“And strong, right?”

“Yeah. It was as if she saw you and that was it. She had to get to you.”

“Aww,” Jeremy said. “The puppy missed you, Landon.”

Landon shot his pal a look.

“Right. Okay.” Jeremy snuck a peek at Aliza. “You’re the caller from Thursday night, yeah?”

“I am.” Aliza extended her hand to Jeremy. “Aliza Danahy and that’s Delilah.”

Jeremy shook her hand. “Jeremy Woodhill. I’m a producer at WTRZ.” He elbowed Landon. “And I think I’m friends with this guy. Sometimes.”

Aliza narrowed her eyes at Landon then looked back at Jeremy. “Did he try to give you away to a yoga teacher too?”

“No, but I wouldn’t mind if he did.” His gaze lingered on Aliza and Landon quickly decided he did not like that.

“Why don’t you go get more T-shirts from the van?” He nudged Jeremy away from the tent.

“Sure.” Jeremy tipped an imaginary hat at Aliza. “Nice meeting you, Aliza.” He gave Delilah a little pat on the head. “You too, pup.”

After his friend left, Landon said, “Sorry about him.”

“No worries.” Aliza waved a hand. “He seems nice. He also seemed happy to patch me through to you on Thursday night.”

“I’ll bet he did.” Landon scratched the underside of Delilah’s chin and the dog stretched out her neck so he could reach more of her. He hadn’t wanted to keep the pup, but she didn’t seem as much of a nuisance now that she was in someone else’s care.

“Do you always come to this festival?” Aliza asked, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles on the bright green hoodie she wore with a pair of skinny jeans that molded to her yoga-worked legs. Was casual wear supposed to look that erotic?

Landon tried to focus on what Aliza had asked. “Oh, yeah. WTRZ always has a tent and Jeremy and I usually end up manning it.”

“But you don’t like to, do you?”

He met her gaze. “I prefer to be a voice.” He motioned to the radio equipment behind him. “Not a face.”

Aliza angled her head at him. “It’s a good face.” She held up her hands and shrugged a little. “Just an observation.”

Landon’s cheeks heated and he shot his gaze down to the dog. “Thanks.” By the time he looked back up, he was shocked to find a small crowd had gathered behind Aliza.

“Delilah found another friend?” a blond guy standing closest to Aliza asked.

Aliza turned to face him. “No. She had this friend before me. This is Landon Henley who had Delilah to begin with.” She pointed to the guy beside her as Landon wondered if he was her boyfriend. “This is my cousin, Dr. Miller Danahy.”

Cousin. Why did that make the tension in Landon’s shoulders release a little?

“Hey, man,” Miller said. “I’d shake your hand, but you seem to be full of dog at the moment.”

Landon jiggled Delilah. “Oh, she’s a handful all right.”

“But she’s super cute,” Violet said. “Nice to see you again, Landon. It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, we probably haven’t seen you since last year at this festival,” Dakota said.

As Landon’s gaze surveyed the people around Aliza more carefully, he realized he knew almost all of them. A few new folks populated the group, but he recognized Violet, Dakota, Dakota’s twin sisters, Jacy and Dena, Noah, Krista, and Violet’s brother, Jorden. He assumed the ones he didn’t know were significant others perhaps. Every face had a happy expression. As if being out didn’t bother them in the least. Why couldn’t he be like them?

Or can I?

He wasn’t totally losing it right now. The Landon from a few days ago would have been stressed with this large of a group in front of him. Maybe it was holding Delilah like a shield that made this instance different.

Maybe it was the way Aliza was looking at him. As if she enjoyed bumping into him again.

“Mom’s waving us over,” Dena said to the group.

“Of course she is,” Jacy said. “You know how she and dad like to act like Mr. and Mrs. Mayor at this festival.”

That earned a laugh from the group as they started off toward Chennie and William Brenton standing at the gazebo in the center of Brenton Park. When the park was named after your family, Landon assumed you had the right to act like mayor.

He set Delilah down on the ground and held out the leash, predicting Aliza would move along with her friends.

She took the leash, but she didn’t budge from her spot in front of him. “Is being here difficult?” she asked in a... compassionate voice.

While he didn’t want to appear unmanly and admit his fears, he also had this burning need to be honest with her. “Yes.”

She puckered out her lips. Nice lips. Really nice lips.

Stop noticing her lips, man. What was wrong with him?

“So a yoga class, full of students, probably isn’t your thing either, right?” She squinted a green eye at him.

“Not really.”

Aliza untangled Delilah’s leash after the dog chased a bug and twisted the leash around her legs. “You’re more of a one-on-one guy then? You know, like on your radio show. One caller at a time?”

Landon glanced back at the equipment again. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Nodding slightly, Aliza said, “I’d like to thank you properly for connecting me with Delilah here.” She wiggled the leash and gestured to the puppy currently pouncing on his left work boot. “I know she wasn’t yours to give, but because of you, she and I are together now.”

Swallowing loudly, Landon jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Suddenly he was overheated in the WTRZ hooded sweatshirt he wore. He was without a parachute here, but he couldn’t deny the curiosity.

“What did you have in mind as a thank you?”

Aliza’s right eyebrow arched ever so slightly. If Landon hadn’t been so focused on her beautiful face, he wouldn’t have seen the little twitch of... victory?

“I’m a decent cook,” she said. “I could make us dinner. You could meet me at my yoga studio. That way you wouldn’t have to be out in a crowded restaurant nor would you have to commit to coming to my home.” She motioned toward her friends with her chin. “I could get them to come back and verify that I’m not a psycho fan girl.”

Landon let out a little chuckle. “That won’t be necessary. I think if you were a psycho, Delilah would growl at you. Dogs know that kind of shit, don’t they?”

“I agree. Animals are in tune with that stuff.” She leveled her green gaze on him full force now. “So what do you say?”

Past experience screamed at him to say no.

“Okay,” he said instead. “When?”

Aliza’s eyes widened as if she hadn’t expected him to agree.

Welcome to the club, lady. He hadn’t seen this turn of events coming either.

“Tomorrow? You don’t work on Sundays, do you?”

“No.”

“Okay. Tomorrow then. Five o’clock?”

“Sure. Heron Avenue, right?”

A small smile turned up the left side of her mouth. “You remembered.”

“I’m a good listener.” He arrowed a thumb at the call letters on his sweatshirt. “It’s part of the job.” Landon reached back to the table, grabbed a station T-shirt, and held it out to her. “Because you’re a fan, Yogi.”

Aliza took the shirt as she backed away from the tent. “Thanks. I really only like your show though.” She beamed a full smile at him now. “See you tomorrow.” With a wave, she and Delilah joined her friends at the gazebo.

Landon spent a few minutes watching her interact with her circle of people. People he already knew himself. Did he want access to that circle again? Aliza was clearly offering it.

All he had to do was accept.

****

“Keep walking, Delilah,” Aliza whispered. “Whatever you do, do not turn around to see if he’s still watching us. That would be a rookie mistake.” She might not have a ton of experience having dated only a few guys before marrying—and then divorcing—Troy, but she knew looking back at Landon right now would destroy the confident vibe she’d left him with. She also didn’t want to push him too much. She was surprised he’d accepted her dinner invite.

Hell, she was surprised she’d issued the dinner invite, never mind that Landon had agreed to come to the yoga studio and let her feed him. Consequently, she had from now to tomorrow at 4:59 p.m. to totally stress about this upcoming encounter with Landon.

What should she cook?

Did he eat dessert?

Did he have any allergies?

What if he didn’t come?

What if he did come?

By the time she reached her gang of friends, Aliza doubted the intelligence of inviting Landon anywhere.

“Hey.” Heather tapped her arm. “You look freaked. What happened?”

Aliza met Miller’s fiancée’s concerned stare. “Umm... I may have asked Landon on a date. I’m not sure.”

Heather’s brown eyes widened as she clapped. “Yay! Good for you, Aliza!”

“Shh.” Aliza grabbed Heather’s hands and lowered them before the rest of the crew noticed Heather’s celebrating. “Everyone does not need to know about this. I’m not sure I did the right thing.”

“Why?” Heather’s brows furrowed. “Are you unsure if you like Landon? He seems nice.”

“No. I definitely like him. He’s interesting,” Aliza said softly. “But my timing might be wrong. I mean, I only divorced Troy a few months ago.”

“True, but your relationship with your jerk ex-husband had been crumbling long before that, no?”

“Yeah, but maybe I should spend more time alone. To make sure my meters are working.” Troy had left physical and emotional scars that weren’t easy to leave behind. Aliza risked a quick glance back to the WTRZ tent where Landon and Jeremy were bent over their equipment, no doubt managing the air waves. “What if I’m getting involved with another jerk?”

Heather squinted in Landon’s direction. “I haven’t been in Maplehaven long, but while you were over there with Landon, Violet and some of the others were saying nice things about him. If they think he’s okay, what better meter is there?”

Aliza scanned the friends around her. She’d never met more genuine people. She’d been away in Boston, but the moment she returned to Maplehaven, each of them reached out to her, ready to renew their friendship. And the new members of the group hadn’t hesitated to accept her as one of them. Heather, who was among the new friendships, was right. These people were good judges of character because they were the purest humans she knew.

“Okay, say he’s not anything like Troy,” Aliza started. “What if I’m too broken to do the relationship thing? What if I spaz when Landon tries to kiss me or something?”

“That might happen,” Heather said. “Letting another man get close to you might trigger some things. I’m not going to lie to you, but you don’t know what will happen until you put yourself in the situation. My understanding is Landon’s been through some things too. Maybe he’s just as nervous as you are.”

That was possible. The man clearly didn’t like crowds. Maybe other things were challenges for him too.

And yet, here he was at this festival, facing his fears to please fans and the radio station. That said something about his character as well. Perhaps Landon accepting her dinner invite was another example of him dealing with his dragons.

“Look,” Heather said, “keep the date casual. No pressure on him. No pressure on you and see what happens.”

That sounded like good advice.

Aliza followed her friends as they made their way from tent to tent at the festival. The hustle and bustle of Maplehaven citizens soothed her. With all of these people nearby, she didn’t have to be alone with her past. She could laugh, listen to stories, buy some handmade items from local vendors, eat doughboys and kettle corn, and generally enjoy the small town vibe.

“Delilah needs this!” Violet shouted from a tent selling crocheted doggie sweaters. “Look, it’s a turtleneck!” She held up a small, bright pink sweater that instantly made Aliza laugh.

She jiggled Delilah’s leash. “What do you think, girl? Are you up for being the best-dressed pup in town?”

“Hey, now,” Dakota cut in. “My dog, Ginger, looks amazing in a Birch Peak Adventures T-shirt.”

“She really does,” Leah, Dakota’s wife, agreed. “She’s as proud as a peacock to wear it too.”

“I like the free advertising she gives me when she’s roaming around town,” Dakota added.

“I couldn’t get Titan to wear clothes,” Krista said about Noah’s huge silver Labrador.

“That’s because he has some respect for himself,” Noah said.

Krista rolled her eyes. “I only wanted to put a bowtie on him.”

“Titan doesn’t do formal,” Noah said. “Neither do I, for that matter.”

Aliza’s mind wandered to whether or not Landon did formal. Probably not, but that didn’t stop her brain from picturing him in a tuxedo, her lower regions rejoicing over the image.

“So, are we getting this?” Violet waved the bright pink sweater in front of Aliza’s face. “Please say yes!”

“Sure.” Aliza made the purchase, thanking the woman overseeing the tent, and Violet bent to put the sweater on Delilah.

A collective aww sounded from the group, men included, and Aliza had to agree with that assessment. The puppy didn’t protest. In fact, if a dog could have a traveling-down-a-fashion-show-runway look on its face, Delilah was definitely sporting one now.

“She knows she’s all that, doesn’t she?” Miller crouched in front of the pooch and rubbed one of her floppy brown ears. “You should take her to play with Hansel and Gretel this week.”

“I will.” Aliza had planned to do that. Miller’s border collies would show Delilah how to be the best dog she could be.

And maybe she’d show them how to rock a sweater.

After exhausting the festival activities, Aliza followed her friends to William and Chennie Brenton’s home where a huge Octoberfest barbecue ensued. She ate until her jeans nearly split, laughed until her stomach muscles ached, and drank Miller’s home-brewed beer until her vision blurred. The day had been a wonderful kickoff to the autumn season in Maplehaven and Aliza was so glad she’d moved back to a place that truly felt like home.

But now it was time to actually go home. To her own home. Alone. That prospect didn’t entice her much, so after saying her goodbyes, she walked Delilah around her neighborhood a few times before actually entering her house. When the pup lagged behind Aliza, she knew it was time to call it a night.

A night where she wouldn’t have Landon to listen to because he wasn’t on air on Saturday or Sunday evenings. At least she’d get to be in the man’s actual presence tomorrow night.

Assuming he shows...

He could definitely not show. Maybe he’d only said yes to get her to leave the station’s tent this morning. Perhaps he had no intention of going to the yoga studio for dinner tomorrow. Maybe the idea of meeting her terrified him.

Perhaps it terrified her.

Ugh. She hated ruminating. Why had she asked him out? She’d been possessed by someone else when she’d been in his orbit. Was it a good thing she’d been nudged out of her comfort zone?

Or was it the beginning of a disaster?

Delilah sat by the mudroom closet and let out a little whine that cut into Aliza’s small panic attack.

“So you’ve committed the location of the food and treats to memory, haven’t you, Delilah?”

At her name, the pooch wagged her tail, the length of it smacking against the tiled floor.

“You’re as smart as you are gorgeous.” Aliza crouched to remove the pink sweater and give the pup a good rubbing before opening the closet door and filling a ceramic bowl with kibble.

Delilah immediately attacked the bowl as Aliza grabbed the water bowl to fill at the kitchen sink.

“Wow. Take it easy there, kid. No one is going to steal your food.” Aliza whistled and Sirius came bolting out of wherever he’d been hiding. The cat jumped up on the kitchen counter by the sink and rubbed his cheek along Aliza’s arm. “See, Delilah. He doesn’t want your kibble. He wants his mommy’s full attention.” She dropped a light kiss on Sirius’s nose then set the water bowl next to Delilah’s food bowl. When she returned to the kitchen, Sirius was still on the counter, sitting pretty with his black and white tail wrapped around his front legs.

Laughing, Aliza opened the refrigerator and took out the cat food. “Your turn, Prince Sirius?”

The cat hopped off the counter and weaved around her ankles as Aliza grabbed a spoon and doled out some turkey pâté onto a small plate.

“Here you go, Your Highness.” She lowered it to the kitchen floor and Sirius circled the plate a few times, his black nose sniffing the food from all angles before deeming it edible. “You two are easy to feed, but what am I supposed to feed Landon?” She’d need something portable but impressive to take to the studio.

Aliza wandered into her living room and fired up her laptop after sitting on the couch. If ever a time for online searching existed, now was it. She typed easy recipes to impress a man into the search box and hit enter. She scrolled down the limitless list of offerings and finally clicked on one that said creamy potato soup. Looked easy enough and simple to transport. She could serve it with sandwiches. The autumn air had a little chill so soup might be a good idea. Something not too fussy that would foster a cozy, homey atmosphere. While her yoga studio had one main workout area, she had several smaller spaces for meditation and relaxation. She could totally transform one of them into a date-worthy nook for the two of them.

But nothing too romantic.

She didn’t want to come on too strong. For both of their sakes. Aliza didn’t know about Landon’s past, but hers came with a hefty side of don’t-jump-in-with-both-feet-too-quickly. A slow pace, an easy tone, and a let’s-get-to-know-each-other vibe had to be the theme.

Because she absolutely wasn’t going to make the same mistakes she’d made with Troy. She’d rushed there and it had cost her. Miller had known—had been able to see—that Troy wasn’t right for her. Aliza needed to channel her cousin’s analytical doctor brain if she had any hope of future successful relationships.

Her phone rang and she dug it out of the back pocket of her jeans. Speak of the devil.

“Hey, Mills,” she said after swiping to answer.

“Hey, Al. Wondering if you want me to get a buddy over at the police station to run a background check on this Henley Hears You dude,” her cousin said.

Aliza rubbed her forehead. “Heather spilled the beans, did she?”

“Yes, I have her trained to tell me everything.” Miller grunted.

“She hit you, didn’t she?”

“A love tap.”

Aliza chuckled. “No, I don’t need a background check. Not yet, anyway. I just invited him for dinner and I’ve learned my lesson about not rushing into things.”

“For what it’s worth,” Miller said, “when I met Landon today, I didn’t get anything Troyesque from him. He didn’t seem like total scum.”

“That actually comforts me more than you know, Mills. Thanks.”

“I’m glad you’re taking brave steps forward,” he said. “You can do this. I want you to have what Heather and I have.”

“She’s not love-tapping you now, is she?”

“No,” Miller said. “She’s actually giving me sexy eyes now.”

“You’d better go then. Don’t want to miss out on that.”

“No, I do not, but if you need anything before or after your date with Henley, you say the word. I can hang out next door to your studio in my office tomorrow if you want. Just in case.”

“That’s sweet of you to offer, Mills, but I got this.” Somehow saying that out loud to her cousin filled her with confidence. She’d been bold enough to ask Landon out and she’d be bold enough to see it through.

“Okey dokey. You know how to find me if you need me though.”

Miller was the best person in her family and she was glad she’d been smart enough to move back to be closer to him. “I do. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

She ended the call and set her phone on the coffee table in front of her. Staring at the potato soup recipe still up on her laptop screen, she considered doing a little search on Landon. Maybe she could find out what Violet and some of the others knew about his past.

Her fingers hovered over the keys, but she couldn’t make them type his name. What if she found out something she didn’t like? She’d have to take back her invitation.

She didn’t want to do that.

Closing her laptop and setting it on the coffee table next to her phone, she got up from the couch. She’d let Landon reveal his secrets when he wanted to—if he wanted to—and pray the universe didn’t punch her in the teeth.

Again.

Chapter Four

Landon somehow had survived another Maplehaven Fall Festival on Saturday. He was pretty sure it had something to do with seeing Aliza. Every other year attending the event had been sheer torture and by the time he’d crawled back to his house, he had been completely and totally spent.

Not this year.

He’d finished the day with a contest where a rather large group of listeners had gathered around the radio station’s tent to take shots with a foam basketball into a small net. People won T-shirts for making a basket and were then entered into a raffle for concert tickets. Normally he let Jeremy run that because it involved people crowding the area, but this time, Landon had volunteered.

He’d even had some... fun.

“Where is Landon Henley?” Jeremy had asked as he’d pretended to search the vicinity. “Did some alien being decide to inhabit your body for the day?”

Landon had shrugged as the crowd had dispersed and they’d packed up their equipment. He’d only been able to come up with a single reason for his change in mood and general personality. One hot yogi reason. He hadn’t been about to reveal that to his friend though.

“Either you’ve suddenly been prescribed some medication,” Jeremy had said, “or... that chick with the dog has something to do with the metamorphosis I’ve witnessed here today.”

That was the trouble with Jeremy. The dude was perceptive.

Landon had picked up some equipment and had planned to schlep it over to the station van to avoid commenting on Jeremy’s hypotheses. His friend had stepped in his path, however.

“Dude, c’mon. If it’s medication, great. I’m glad you’ve found something that takes the edge off.” Jeremy had wiggled his eyebrows. “If it’s the chick, even greater. I’m glad you might get laid.”

Landon had nearly dropped the equipment. “I’m not getting laid. I accepted a dinner invite. That’s it.” But did Aliza expect to get laid? That had left his heart beating erratically in his chest.

Is it too late to cancel?

And his thoughts had revolved around cancelling through Saturday night into Sunday morning. He didn’t have Aliza’s phone number though. He supposed he could search her online and maybe find the name of her yoga studio because he did have an address. It’d be easy to get contact info there and leave a message cancelling. He probably could call Dakota or any one of the others he’d seen hanging with Aliza yesterday at the festival to get her number too.

But deep down Landon didn’t want to cancel. Accepting Aliza’s invite was a stepping stone to setting himself free. He’d been imprisoned by past events. Only he could hit the release and carry on into the future—a future that didn’t involve him dying alone with no one but a pet snake and maybe Jeremy to mourn his passing.

His doorbell rang and he cringed at the sound. It didn’t ring often so when it did, it was cause for anxiety. A quick peek out the window, however, revealed one of his three brothers.

They might mourn me too.

He opened his front door to his oldest brother, Donovan. “Hey.”

Donovan pushed past him and entered the house like Donovan always did. Where Landon lacked assertiveness, Donovan exuded it from his every pore. He did, however, try to take it easy on Landon.

Most of the time.

“So I listened to your show from the Fall Festival yesterday.” Donovan peeked into Landon’s kitchen and dining room before standing in front of Landon in the living room. He always had to survey the space as if he expected to discover Landon had been making meth or something. A detective with Maplehaven police, Donovan Henley took inquisitive to a whole new level. “You didn’t sound like you.”

“Who did I sound like?” Landon closed his front door then lowered to the couch, hoping Donovan would do the same, but knowing it would take his brother at least five minutes of roaming around to settle.

“Like someone who actually enjoyed being out in the world.” Donovan leveled his blue gaze on Landon. “What would make you sound like that and where do I send my gratitude?”

Landon gave his brother a smile. Out of all his brothers, Donovan was definitely the protector. He checked in with Jackson, the youngest, Christian, the next in line, and Landon on a regular basis because their parents lived all the way across the Atlantic in Ireland. Mom and Dad called frequently, but Donovan was the in-person overseer of the Henley brothers in Vermont. Landon knew Donovan wasn’t worried about Jackson and Christian though. His older brother only worried about him.

“If I tell you,” Landon began, “do you promise not to ask a million questions?”

“No. I don’t promise that. I’m a cop, Landon. Asking questions is what I do.”

“Yeah, but I’m not a suspect in a case. You don’t need to grill me.”

Donovan slumped into the recliner across from the couch where Landon was seated.

Four minutes? Record time for his brother to have a seat. Clearly he wanted to know the reason for Landon’s change on the radio.

“I... I have a date,” Landon said quickly, almost hoping Donovan wouldn’t hear him.

“A date?” His brother’s blond eyebrows shot up. “With a woman?”

“No, Donovan, with a trained monkey from Cheshire Zoo.” Landon rolled his eyes. “Yes, a woman.”

Donovan gaped at him for a solid five-count then he snapped his mouth shut and slapped his denim-clad knee. “I’ll be damned. You’re serious.”

“I’m always serious.”

His brother pointed a finger at him. “No. Sometimes you’re witty and clever like you were on the radio yesterday. I knew something had lit a flame under you. I didn’t expect it to be a woman though.” Donovan shot a quick look to the shelves framing Landon’s TV in the living room where a framed photograph stared back at them.

Without risking a glance to that picture himself, Landon said, “I didn’t expect a woman to catch my attention either.” He quickly filled Donovan in on his meeting of Aliza and about giving her Delilah.

“So you’ve had recent encounters with a dog and a woman. Wow.” Donovan scratched at his beard. “Last week was a busy time for you, bro. And now you’re starting this week with a date. This is good news.”

“Unless it goes horribly wrong tonight. Then it’s terrible news.” Landon had considered several ways this date could be a disaster and each of them made his stomach ache.

“Why would it go horribly wrong? She asked you out. That’s half the battle right there, man. With her asking, you know she’s interested. You don’t have to guess. It’s as if she waved a flag right in your face that says, ‘I like you.’”

“Maybe she’s just thanking me for the dog though. She did say that.”

“She could have sent you a gift card or something. Offering to cook for you—suggesting a quiet place and taking into account you don’t like to be out in public—says she wants to spend time with you.”

“She might regret that offer.” Landon hadn’t been on a date since Before.

“It’s up to you to see that she doesn’t.” Donovan propped one of his feet on the edge of Landon’s coffee table—a sturdy chest with wrought iron trim that reminded Landon of a treasure chest. He hadn’t opened it in years, not wanting to deal with what was stored inside.

“Tell me you have some tips for me. You are the older, wiser brother,” Landon said.

Donovan puffed out a breath, slid his leg off the chest, and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “I’d love to have sage dating advice, but my social life consists of eating hamburgers in my car during a stakeout with my partner. I keep telling myself I’ll get around to dating, but there’s always something more important to do.”

“There’s always something less scary to do,” Landon said. “I don’t know what possessed me to accept Aliza’s invite.”

“Did it have something to do with her being hot?”

“Yeah, I think so. My logical brain had gotten clouded in her presence.” Landon rubbed his forehead, hoping that would clear away the fog. “I hadn’t expected to see her yesterday at the festival, which is dumb. Of course she’d go. Everyone goes. Now that I see she’s friends with Dakota, Jacy, and Dena, it only makes sense she’d support the town and its founding family.”

“And she took advantage of you being off-center. Went in for the sneak invite.”

“Before my mind could register what was happening, I was agreeing to see her tonight.” Landon flopped his head back onto the couch cushion behind him and stared up at the ceiling fan spinning slowly. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”

“Only one way to find out, bro.”

Landon raised his head to look at Donovan. “I should bring something to the dinner, right?”

“Definitely. That would be true even if it wasn’t a date. You know Mom would have your ass if you showed up to a social event empty-handed.”

The words social event made Landon wince. “What do I bring?” This was making his brain hurt. He had become accustomed to only worrying about himself and Cala. How was he supposed to know what Aliza might want?

Donovan got to his feet and paced the length of the living room, deep in thought. Landon had seen his brother connect the dots on extremely complicated cases by pacing a room like that.

“Well, she’s a yoga teacher so health and wellness are important to her.” He stopped and pointed at Landon. “She is in a good shape, right?”

“The best from what I can see.” Landon’s face heated as he thought about Aliza’s toned body. She’d made both yoga pants and skinny jeans look wonderful.

“Okay, so she probably doesn’t overdo it on sweets and shit.” Donovan’s pace increased.

“But maybe she does overdo it on sweets and that’s why she works out so much,” Landon countered. “You and I both like to chow down on dessert, but we also move a lot.”

Donovan pointed a finger at him. “That is a true statement.” He tapped that finger on his chin. “Okay, then, how about a dessert that doesn’t bust a gut. Like something with organic ingredients or with fruit.”

“What if she’s got a whole menu planned?” Landon asked. “I don’t want to ruin her food agenda. Maybe I should take flowers?”

“Boring.” Donovan pretended to yawn. “If she’s as hot as you think she is, she’s probably had tons of blokes give her flowers. You don’t want to be just another bloke, do you?”

Landon shook his head. He wasn’t sure what a bloke was, but his brother didn’t make it sound like a good thing. Huffing out a breath, he raked his hand through his hair, his gaze landing on that photo on the shelf. Specifically on the crazy mutt in the picture—the one that had been his best friend. Though something in Landon’s chest ached every time he thought about that dog, today it sparked something in his brain too.

“I’ve got it,” he snapped his fingers. “I’ll get something for Delilah.”

“The pooch?” Donovan arched an eyebrow. “Wow, Landon. That’s actually brilliant.”

Smiling, Landon patted himself on the back. “Maybe I’m not as rusty as I thought.”

“Maybe not.” Donovan stood in front of him as Landon got up from the couch to turn his back on the photo on the shelf. He couldn’t look at it for too long.

But he also couldn’t put it away.

“Isn’t there an organic pet bakery over on Hillcrest Street?” Donovan made his way to the front door, Landon following him.

“Yeah, I think so. Next to the pet store.”

“The universe is making it convenient for you, man.” His brother clamped a hand on his shoulder and gave Landon a little shake. “I’m glad you’re taking this step. I know it’s hard, but I’m proud of you.”

That was the thing about Donovan. He could be a pain in the ass with his routine interrogations, but everything he did came from a place of genuine love.

“Thanks,” Landon said. “Hopefully I don’t make a mess of things.”

Donovan motioned back to the living room with his chin. Back to the photo. “Hey, you did it right once, Landon. It wasn’t fair how things went down, but people get second chances all the time. Why shouldn’t you?”

Landon’s throat grew a little tight so he merely nodded at his brother’s words.

“All right.” Donovan sailed his fist toward Landon’s gut, but he stopped shy of making impact. “I’m calling you tomorrow for the play-by-play on this date.”

Landon saluted his brother. “Yes, sir.” He stood in the open doorway, watching Donovan hop down the front steps and jog to his truck. “Thanks,” he called.

Donovan gave him a wave without looking back. A few moments later, the truck backed out of the driveway and his brother drove off.

Landon closed his front door and checked the time on the clock in the kitchen. 1:00 p.m. He had several hours before The Date, but he had to get his ass into gear if he wanted to have time to get something for Delilah. Something that would delight the pup and impress Aliza. He also needed time to shower and get ready.

What did one wear to a dinner date at a yoga studio?

****

Aliza surveyed the meditation room at her studio that she’d converted to a primo date space. At least she thought it was a primo date space. What the hell did she know? She’d spent the last six years in her Boston apartment, living like a yuppie wife.

With a drug dealer.

The brownstone she’d shared with Troy had been decorated as if they were two executives with their fingers on the pulse of city life. When she thought about that now, it all seemed so damn ridiculous. Neither of them had been executives. She certainly hadn’t craved the bustle of the city. She didn’t like conservative wall paint colors like eggshell and vanilla.

That was why she’d chosen colors like tranquil waters, moss green, and lilac love for the walls of her yoga studio. This space was way more her than that Boston apartment had ever been.

Maybe Landon will be more me than Troy was too...

God, she hoped she wasn’t making a colossal mistake in attempting to date right now. She’d spent much of the day prepping the room around her and getting the food organized. She’d tested the soup on Miller and Heather and it had proven to be a winner. The small finger sandwiches she’d picked up from Cups Café had been assembled on a platter in an appetizing array. She had a nice selection of fruit ready and a plate of good, old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies.

Everyone liked chocolate chip cookies. Right?

Aliza didn’t want any of the food or the space to come off as fussy or suffocating. Casual food in a comfy setting was what she was going for, hoping with all she was that Landon would like the vibe. She sensed something... unsettled in the man. For some reason, Aliza wanted to be the one to ease that unrest for him.

A high-pitched bark drew Aliza to the main workout area of the studio where she found Delilah dancing around the front desk. Sirius was perched atop that desk, cleaning his paws and taunting the puppy with his aloofness.

“Sirius,” Aliza said, walking over to the desk. “You could be nice and at least pretend to give Delilah some attention.”

The cat shot her a look, his big yellow eyes full of you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me-Mom. He went back to licking his paw then dragged it over his ear, initiating what promised to be a lengthy bathing session.

Aliza bent and picked up a panting Delilah. “Give up, sweetie. He’s all about the grooming. We don’t exist right now.” She nuzzled the top of the pup’s head with her chin, laughing when Delilah wiggled and licked her cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you attention.”

Until Landon came. Then she’d be all about him. She wouldn’t come on too strong. But she wouldn’t be too passive either.

Shit. What was she going to do? She had no idea what he wanted. Aside from probably being left alone altogether. Ugh. She prayed that wasn’t the case. The last thing she wanted was for Landon to be uncomfortable tonight. She promised herself if he appeared as if it was taking all his energy to be on the date, she’d put the guy out of his misery. She’d thank him for Delilah and let him make his escape.

She’d be disappointed though. Immensely.

Still carrying Delilah, Aliza walked back to the meditation room and leaned in the doorway. Landon would have to feel serene here, wouldn’t he? She’d chosen the moss green room, figuring the walls hinted at the outdoors, wide open spaces, and that healing energy only nature could provide. A low table made from rough-edged pine sat in the middle of the room. Wicker placemats were at each end with plates, silverware, linen napkins, and glasses. In the center of the table she’d adorned a square copper tray with a series of chunky, cream-colored candles. Smooth river pebbles filled the tray at the base of the candles. She’d lit them and the soft glow of candlelight washed over everything.

At either end of the table, oversized cushions covered in brown suede provided seating low to the ground. Landon had appeared fit enough to be able to sit on the wide-planked wood floor with little trouble, but Aliza did have standard chairs ready in one of the other meditation rooms should they be necessary. Iron artwork in the form of giant leaves she’d purchased from Violet’s husband, Dawson, embellished three of the walls. In front of the back wall of the room, a large fountain provided the natural music of flowing water.

The room was one of Aliza’s favorites and with any luck, it would meet Landon’s approval as well.

She pulled her phone from her pocket as Delilah wiggled to get loose. Setting the pooch down to investigate the cushions on the floor, Aliza noted the time on her phone. If Landon was a punctual guy—and if he actually followed through and came—he would arrive in a few minutes. Aliza’s heart began to speed up and a nervous energy zipped through her.

“Don’t be an idiot,” she told herself, squaring her shoulders. She didn’t have anything to be nervous about. They were two adults about to enjoy a dinner and potentially some nice conversation. Basic date stuff. Nothing fancy. No reason to overcomplicate things.

A soft knock sounded out front and her little pep talk went to hell as Aliza’s insides jumped around like popcorn kernels in the microwave. Delilah let out a happy yip and bolted out of the room.

Aliza followed, her breath skipping a bit at Landon standing on the other side of the glass door, illuminated by the exterior light. He had on blue jeans, a flannel shirt in hues of green, and a denim jacket. He belonged in an advertisement for Vermont, and Aliza was surprised how much she liked that.

Here we go.

Rubbing her palms along the sides of her leggings, she straightened her spine and smoothed the wrinkles in her shirt. She dug deep, searching for an air of confidence, feeling anything but that. After pasting on a smile, she unlocked the door.

“Hi,” she said cheerfully. Too cheerfully? Wow, her stomach was a fluttery mess right now. It would be super-embarrassing if she puked on him, wouldn’t it? Calm down. She was a yoga teacher for shit’s sake. She should be better at finding her Zen.

“Hi,” Landon said. He wasn’t exactly smiling.

Aliza stepped aside to make room for him to enter, but he stayed out on the sidewalk, glancing behind her as if he expected a velociraptor to come screaming out of the shadows to tear him to pieces. She actually glanced over her shoulder, half wondering if something was behind her.

“Would you like to come in?” she finally asked, her Zen coming back when she realized he was nervous too. They’d get nowhere tonight if they were both paralyzed by fear.

And really, what was there to fear? If tonight went well, maybe it would lead to other nice nights together.

If it didn’t? Well, they could go back to being strangers.

“I...” he began, clearing his throat when his voice came out scratchy. “I would love to come in, but my feet are having trouble taking the steps.” He gazed down at his work boots. “I’m telling them to move, I swear.” Glancing back up at her, his cheeks were tinged with pink. “I’m sorry this is so hard for me.”

“Hey, no apologies. I’m sorry I forced you out of your comfort zone.” But she was definitely not sorry he was here. She enjoyed the way the exterior light played off the golden highlights in his brown hair, and his... vulnerable aura was endearing. “You came though, so a part of you wants to be here. I assure you it’s perfectly safe inside.”

Delilah took that moment to bark and pounce on his boot laces.

“Well, except for my killer bocker here.” Aliza motioned down to the dog with her hand.

“Bocker?” Landon angled his head at her, some of the creases on his tense face softening.

“Yeah, some online research today informed me that a mix of beagle and cocker spaniel is called a bocker.” She shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong, I am totally not going to parade around announcing that because it’s a silly word, but you should know exactly what it is that you gave me.”

“A bocker. I gave you a bocker.” Landon shifted a gift bag he was holding from one hand to the other then reached his free hand down to pet Delilah.

The pooch hopped around in front of him, happy ruff-ruffs sounding as she grew more excited.

“She appears to be a barker as well,” Aliza said.

“I told you she yowled in my yard. That’s how I knew I had to do something with her.”

“So you’re saying I’ve been warned that she’s going to be a noisy roommate?”

That pulled a small chuckle out of Landon and he straightened from petting Delilah. “I could have taken her to the shelter.”

Aliza held up her hands. “I know. I know.” Then she scooped up Delilah and kissed the dog on the nose, earning herself a lick basically right on the lips. “But I probably would have gone directly to the shelter after my yoga class to get her anyway.”

Delilah proceeded to nuzzle Aliza’s neck and cheek and anything else within reach. The happy snuffling noises that accompanied the doggie kisses were precious.

“Sorry you have to witness this public display of affection,” she said.

Landon laughed fully now. “Yeah, get a room.”

Aliza arrowed a thumb behind her. “I have a room. In here. All set up and ready for dinner.” She paused for a moment. “It is set up for two though so what do you say?” Again, she stepped aside, making room for him to enter.

Drawing in a breath, Landon held up the gift bag. As he managed to get one foot in front of the other and step across the threshold, he said, “I brought something for Delilah.”

“You did?” Aliza took the bag, further charmed by this unique man. Locking the studio door behind them—so he couldn’t run out on her—she navigated over to the front desk and thankfully Landon followed.

“And who is this fellow?” Landon pointed to Sirius who was still deep into his hygiene routine.

“That’s Sirius. He’s tolerating Delilah, but I don’t know that he’s overly excited to have a sister.”

“It’s got to be better than having three brothers.” Landon reached out a tentative hand then let that hand smooth the cat’s black and white fur. That action earned him an instant purr from Sirius.

“You have three brothers?” Aliza considered Landon openly sharing that little tidbit to be a good sign he was warming up to being in the studio.

With her.

“Yeah, two younger and one older. They’re all great, but there were times my mother wanted to sell all four of us.”

Aliza chuckled. “I don’t have any actual siblings, but you met my cousin Miller at the festival. He’s always been like a brother to me. A savior really.” She turned her attention to the gift bag before Landon could ask why she’d needed saving.

That’s a conversation for another date.

She rifled past the tissue paper in the gift bag to find a cellophane package of paw-shaped peanut butter treats, a bright orange ball, and a stuffed canary that squeaked when squeezed.

Delilah immediately barked at the sound of the canary and got to her hind legs, her front paws reaching up toward the top of the desk as her tail wagged fast enough to create an actual breeze.

Aliza lowered the canary and the puppy snatched it up. A second later Delilah raced to the other end of the studio, squeaking that canary on the whole journey.

“Don’t hate me when you can’t take that sound anymore,” Landon said, but he was grinning now.

“How could I hate you?” Aliza motioned to Delilah as the puppy took four more laps around the studio before settling down on a throw rug with the canary. “Look at how happy she is. Thank you, from both of us.”

“I thought about bringing food, but didn’t want to mess up your menu.”

“You didn’t have to bring anything.”

“You didn’t have to cook me dinner.” He turned in a small circle. “And invite me to your studio. It’s a nice space. Now that I’m actually in here, I can see that it is perfectly safe as you said.”

“My students seem to like it. I had always dreamed of having my own studio,” Aliza said, figuring the chatter was helping to further relax Landon. Besides he’d shared about having brothers. She could share too. “What’s great about this one is that Miller has his medical practice right next door. We share a ton of clients on this health-and-wellness thing we have going on here.”

“Nice. And do you take your classes to any other locations besides here and the park?”

“Actually, yes, I do. I run classes at Moose Hill Meadows and I do an after school class for kids at Maplehaven Elementary.”

“Like to stay busy, do you?”

“I like to help people feel their best. I like to bring them peace.”

Landon studied her for a few silent seconds before closing his eyes. “Bringing people peace sounds like a great way to spend your life.”

“You bring people peace too, through Henley Hears You,” she said.

He rolled his eyes. “My show is more about being silly.”

“And isn’t laughter the best medicine?” Aliza countered. “Peace comes from exercise, from laughter, from puppies, from too many outlets to name, but most of all, I think peace comes from connections with people.”

Again, Landon considered her, as if he was weighing each of her words, studying them carefully.

“The question is,” he finally said, “does peace come from dining in a yoga studio?”

Aliza waved a hand toward the room she’d set up. “I guess we’ll find out.”

Chapter Five

Landon’s gaze turned toward the room Aliza had indicated at one end of the main studio space. Light flickered within, creating ripples of gold on the floor outside the room.

What am I getting into here?

He could hardly believe he’d actually stepped into the studio. When Aliza had opened the door, he’d seriously considered throwing the gift bag at her and bolting back to the safety of his truck in the parking lot. What magic had she used to get him to enter?

And what was waiting for him inside that room? He’d never get the answer to that question, however, if he didn’t get his feet in motion again. Aliza headed in the direction of the room, Delilah scrambling to follow with the canary in her jaws. Even Sirius jumped down from the front desk to join the parade behind Aliza.

All he had to do was follow. Take one step. Then another. And another. As Aliza had said, the studio wasn’t dangerous. Nothing bad was going to happen here. In fact, something good could happen.

If he played along.

Aliza paused at the doorway of the room and glanced back at him. “You’re hungry, aren’t you, Landon?”

He liked the sound of his name coming from her. She’d called him Henley a few times as most people who associated him with the radio show did. Having her use his first name, however, made it feel as if they were... friends somehow.

“That depends.” He took a small step away from the security of the front desk.

“On?” She arched an eyebrow at him as Sirius slinked around her ankles and Delilah sat on her foot. Her bare foot. Man, even her feet were gorgeous.

“On what’s for dinner.” Landon took several more steps and before he knew it, he stood right in front of her. Another step and he’d be close enough to touch her. That should have freaked him out, but instead he found himself imagining what it would be like to touch her, kiss her.

“Creamy potato soup I made with finger sandwiches from Cups Café, followed by a selection of fruit and topped off with dessert... chocolate chip cookies. Does that meet your approval?” She folded her arms across her chest, giving Landon a moment to get distracted by her plumped-up breasts under the flowing green shirt she wore over a black tank top and leggings. Her chestnut hair was loose around her face, long coils falling about her shoulders. She had a little makeup on, but her sharp green eyes didn’t need it. A sheen of something pink graced her lips, highlighting her lovely mouth.

“Well, does it?” she asked.

Landon blinked a few times, recognizing he’d been checking her out for too long. “That menu sounds great. I’ve never had potato soup, but chocolate chip cookies are my favorite.”

“If you’re a good boy and eat all your soup, you can have as many cookies as you’d like.” She backed into the room, not taking her gaze off him, and curled a finger at him. “Come in.”

He peeked into the room from its doorway, noting the soft green walls, the nature-inspired décor, and the table and cushions set up in the center. “Wow. This looks great.” And he actually meant that.

Aliza beamed a smile at him that confirmed he’d said the right thing. Okay, maybe he didn’t suck at this dating thing. If he could make her smile like that he had to be doing all right.

“I figured we could go the relaxed route tonight. No need to make it all formal and stuffy.”

“I hate formal and stuffy.”

“Me too. I wear yoga pants for a living,” she said. “That should tell you how much comfort means to me.” She gestured to the cushion closest to him as she approached the second cushion. “Sit. Make yourself comfortable.” She lowered to her cushion. “And if you aren’t comfortable on the cushion, I have chairs in the next room.”

“This is fine.” He sat on his side of the table, crossing his legs, pretzel-style, in front of him.

Aliza reached over to a smaller table she had nearby and took the lid off a soup pot. She held her hand out to him and wiggled her fingers. “Let’s get the eating going, shall we? Give me your bowl.”

Landon did as instructed and Aliza ladled soup into his bowl, curls of steam rising from the surface.

“Careful,” she said when she passed the bowl back to him. “This stuff is piping hot, but it’s the only way I’ll eat soup. If it’s lukewarm, no thanks.

“Temperature is key,” Landon agreed. “I’m like that with beer. I like it ice cold or not at all.”

“So you’re a beer guy?” Aliza asked as she filled her own bowl with soup.

“I am.”

“Excellent.” She rose from her seat and went to a small cooler in the corner of the room. “I wasn’t sure so I have wine too, but I brought beer my cousin brews himself. It’s amazing.” She handed him a bottle. “Try it. Let me know what you think.”

Landon opened the beer and poured it into the tall pilsner glass at his place setting. He brought the glass up to his nose and took a big whiff. “Wow, that smells great.” Tossing a sip back, he was surprised to taste a rich, almost smoky flavor reminiscent of a summer barbecue.

“Tastes even better than it smells, doesn’t it?”

“Definitely.” Landon held up the glass to regard the deep amber liquid. “This is unlike anything I’ve tasted before.”

“See, I make it worth the effort to come out into the world, don’t I?” Another smile shot his way and man, he liked when that happened.

“So far, yes. I’m glad I came here.”

“And you haven’t tried the soup yet.” She grabbed her spoon and dug into her own bowl. “Bon appétit, Landon.”

“Likewise.”

Aliza was right. The potato soup was fantastic—something to warm the soul. Landon chowed down on the finger sandwiches too, remembering a time when he used to frequent Cups Café for lunch. He should stop in there again and see Marco. The man had been a buddy back in the day. The fruit was refreshing and by the time they got to the chocolate chip cookies Aliza had made, Landon was on his second beer and the tension that normally inhabited his shoulders was nowhere to be found.

He hadn’t been this... relaxed in such a long time.

“Milk, tea, or coffee with these cookies?” Aliza asked after clearing away their soup bowls.

“Do I come off as a little kid if I say milk?”

“If you do, so do I.” She poured glasses of milk and set the plate of cookies in the center of the table. “I made half the platter chewy and half crunchy. I didn’t know how you liked your cookies.”

Landon took one cookie from each side. “I like chocolate chip cookies any way I can get them.”

Aliza pantomimed writing that down. “Good to know. I happen to agree with that statement as well.”

They enjoyed dessert then Delilah came sniffing around so Aliza jogged out to the front desk and came back with the peanut butter treats Landon had brought.

“Look, baby, your own cookies.” She opened the package and pulled out a treat, looking at Landon. “We’re going to make this treat work for us though.” She focused back on the dog. “Delilah, sit.” Holding the treat aloft, Aliza pushed on the puppy’s rump, making her sit.

A second later Delilah popped up, yipping for the treat.

“Nope. You have to sit.” Aliza ran through the process again. By the third time, the pup had caught on and sat for a solid five count before earning the treat.

“She’s learning,” Landon said.

“I think the training goes both ways, you know?” Aliza pointed to Delilah. “I need to get her to do what I want, but she also needs to let me know what she wants.”

At that moment, having finished her treats, Delilah climbed into Landon’s lap.

“I think she wants to sleep in my lap.” Landon stroked the dog’s back.

“I can go get her bed,” Aliza said, starting to get up.

“No.” Landon waved a hand for her to sit. “She’s okay here.” He scratched between her ears and rubbed her cheeks until the puppy’s eyes closed. She wiggled her body, settling deeper into his lap.

“For a no-dog guy, you’re good with her,” Aliza said.

“I never said I was a no-dog guy,” Landon said. “I just didn’t want one right now.”

“I see.” Aliza smiled when Delilah rolled to her side and snuggled against Landon’s stomach. “I think she’s trying to change your mind about that.”

“She’s yours now.”

“Unless someone shows up for her.”

Landon looked around the room. “I don’t think she’d want to go back to wherever she came from. Not when she can be living like this.”

“Ah, you’re on to my devious plan to suck Delilah in to this lifestyle.”

“I may be sucked in too.” He focused on Aliza, loving how pleased she looked.

“You’ve enjoyed yourself so far then?” A hopeful eyebrow rose over a stunning green eye.

Landon picked up a cookie and held it up. “I always enjoy myself when there are chocolate chip cookies involved.” He took a bite and closed his eyes. “Yum.”

“So besides your radio show and eating chocolate chip cookies,” Aliza began, “what do you like to do?”

They’d apparently reached the interview portion of the night. Landon knew it would come. He had to decide what he would share and what he would... not.

“I like playing guitar, reading, rock climbing...”

Aliza held up a hand. “Rock climbing. I’ve always wanted to do that.”

Landon immediately liked the idea of showing her how to rock climb, which was crazy. He almost always climbed alone. It was how he reset himself when he was feeling anxious. Which was all the time.

Except for right now.

This space, this food, this puppy in his lap, and most of all, this woman seated across from him were doing wonders to keep him relaxed and calm while being out in public. They were doing so much that the next words flowed out of him.

“If you’re free next weekend, I’m planning to go climbing.” He held his breath and risked a glance up to Aliza.

“Thank you, Landon. I’d love to go as long as it won’t ruin your plans.”

“It won’t.” He had a feeling it would make his plans ten times better.

“Okay.” Aliza clapped. “I like when I can cross things off my bucket list. Thanks for helping with that.”

“You helped me cross something off mine tonight.”

Aliza straightened in her seat as if she hadn’t expected him to say that. “Oh, yeah? What?”

“I’d been meaning to get my ass back out into the world.” He angled his hands at himself. “And here I am. Because of you.”

“And has it been too terrible?”

“Just awful, but—” He stopped abruptly when a balled up napkin sailed at him, hitting him in the chest. Delilah let out a little grumble in her sleep when the napkin ball bounced off her back. “Okay, okay. Maybe it’s been wonderful. Not awful.”

“Smart man to retract your earlier statement. Your isolation from the world has not damaged your ability to take a hint.”

He held up the crumpled napkin. “This was more than a hint.”

“You’re lucky it wasn’t a baseball.” Grinning, she offered him another cookie which he immediately accepted.

“What do you like to do when you’re not leading the masses in yoga?” He could use some of his questioning skills from Henley Hears You to get to know Aliza.

“Well, you know I like to hang out with Maplehaven’s finest. Dakota, Jacy, Dena, and the rest of the gang. They are great people and fun to be around.” She nibbled on her cookie. “I also like to play the handpan drum.”

“A handpan?” He scanned the room. “Do you have one here?”

“I do. Want to see it?”

“Absolutely. I’ve watched countless videos of people playing a steel handpan drum and have always wanted to try it.”

Aliza shifted Sirius out of her lap. “Right this way then, sir. Let’s cross something else off your bucket list.” She didn’t wait for him as she left the room, her cat slinking after her.

“C’mon, Delilah.” Landon nudged the pup who was out cold on his lap. “C’mon, girl. I’ve got a handpan to play.” And a gorgeous woman to follow. He couldn’t believe how well this night was going. Had he known it wouldn’t be that bad to be on a date, he would have gone on one a while back.

Although... maybe this was only going so well because it was Aliza. She knew how to keep him calm and his interest in her grew the more he was around her. That interest distracted him from the fact that he was outside of his home and on a date. In Aliza’s presence tonight, Landon had gotten a glimpse of the man he was Before. He was relieved to know that man was still around.

Now all he had to do was make that man stay.

****

Aliza had a good vibe about the night so far. Landon looked more relaxed than he had when he’d first arrived, but he still had an air about him that suggested skittish-critter. And he hadn’t taken his denim jacket off.

That was fine. She’d go slow, no sudden movements, no overly personal questions. Just cookies and handpan drums. She’d use whatever means necessary to distract him from his anxiety.

Though she did wonder what had caused him to be so socially anxious. It must have been something truly tragic. She’d never met anyone so locked up... both inside and out.

Luckily Landon had followed her when she mentioned the handpan drum and now they were in another small meditation room. These walls were a soft blue reminiscent of a summer sky and she had various chimes, drums, and bells displayed around the room for sound therapy.

“I’m in the process of designing a course around using all the stuff in this room,” she told Landon as she kneeled beside the large steel handpan drum in the center of the room. As usual, Sirius rubbed his head along the bottom of the drum, creating this tinny whisper. Delilah, on the other hand, busied herself by nosing around in a tall potted fern in the corner of the room.

“You have a lot of stuff in here.” Landon kneeled on the other side of the handpan drum, but his gaze surveyed the room. “This is more than a yoga studio.”

Aliza nodded. “I mentioned about Miller being next door. He and I are actively trying to promote mind-body-soul wellness. He combines holistic and traditional medicine to offer his patients treatment options. I provide additional measures people can take to get their health exactly where they want it through yoga, meditation, and eventually sound therapy.” She pointed out the door. “I have one more empty room I’d like to do aromatherapy in too.”

“You and your cousin are covering all the bases.” Landon scanned the contents of the room.

“We’re trying. There are so many health conditions that don’t only have a traditional medical solution. Much of the pain and discomfort we feel as humans can be alleviated with some simple lifestyle changes and a shift in mindset. Miller and I are attempting to help people see that. Ideally, we’d like to recruit a nutritionist to assist us too. That way we can reach people on an additional level.”

“Building a wellness empire,” Landon said, focusing on her now. “I like it.”

For some reason, his approval sent a zip of pride through her. Her friends were always high-fiving her and Miller on their efforts, but that was what their friends did. The support among that network was amazing and Aliza couldn’t believe she’d lived without it while in Boston.

Probably why things went to shit in Boston. She’d been cut off from the people—the place—that mattered most to her. Nothing would tear her away from Maplehaven again. She belonged here.

Aliza ran her finger along the rim of the handpan drum. “Now this baby here is one of my favorite things in this studio. She was a luxury item, but she’s been worth every single penny.”

“She?” Landon arched a brown brow over a hazel eye. “It has a gender?”

“Absolutely.” Aliza smoothed her palm over the indentations along the drum which resembled a cross between a flying saucer and metal trashcan lid, but far more elegant. “I mean, look at her. All these curves. Definitely female.”

She let her thumb hit the top of the drum and a deep tone resonated through the room. She hit a few other sections, various notes vibrating.

“Wow, I can feel that sound in here.” Landon put a hand to his chest, a mystified look on his face.

“Cool, right?” She launched into a sequence that always reminded her of being deep in an enchanted forest—a place where magic and fairies and dragons were summoned. Each note reverberated throughout her body, and as she played, her shoulders relaxed and her hands simply took charge. She could lose herself when playing that drum. No matter what she played on it, the tune always sounded ethereal. She enjoyed being transported by the instrument’s songs.

After a few minutes, Aliza ended with a dramatic series of gongs akin to church bells ringing, one note chasing the next then fading away.

A heartbeat of silence hung in the air.

“That was...” Landon’s voice was barely audible. “That was fantastic.”

“Thanks. Playing the handpan drum is more intuition than skill though.” She put her hands in her lap. “You want to give it a whirl?”

Landon’s face lit up. “I really do. Would you mind?”

“Not at all. Have at it. There are no rules. Just go for it.”

Nodding, he rose to his knees and shuffled closer to the instrument. He considered the drum from all angles before smoothing his hand over its cold, steel surface. His thumb banged an exploratory note, and Aliza could tell it sent a thrill through the man.

In the next moment, Landon had both hands on the drum and he made the most beautiful music. Aliza rarely got the opportunity to hear someone else play that drum. When it had first arrived at the studio, Miller and Heather had taken a few turns playing it, but they hadn’t been serious about exploring what the instrument could do.

Landon, on the other hand, was clearly interested in seeing what sounds he could produce, what notes sounded nice together, where the optimal striking zones were. His brows were lowered over those beautiful woodsy eyes of his as he concentrated on the drum and his playing.

Watching him was like... damn good foreplay.

Aliza shifted her position on the floor, Sirius fully in her lap and Delilah draped over one thigh. Her legs were definitely going to fall asleep, but Landon captivated her. She smoothed Sirius’s fur and rested a hand on Delilah’s back as she listened to this man make wonderful sounds. When he was finished, she clapped and he bowed.

“Clearly you’re a musician,” Aliza said.“You said you like to play the guitar, right?”

“Yes. I dabble on other instruments when the opportunity presents itself.” He motioned to the drum between them. “But I own guitars and play them regularly.”

“Ever been in a band?” she asked.

“A band, no. I’m more of a soloist.”

“I’ll bet guitar would accompany this handpan drum nicely.” She could almost hear the two instruments combining in an otherworldly composition.

“Yeah, this is a truly beautiful instrument.” He fingered the rim with admiration on his face. “I might need to get one now that I’ve had a taste.”

“You’re welcome to play this one whenever you want.”

“I might take you up on that.”

Aliza mentally patted herself on the back and reminded herself not to pump a fist in the air to celebrate this small victory. She was not above dangling that drum like a carrot in front of Landon if it meant she could get him to come back to her studio again.

Delilah stretched out then whined, causing Aliza to peel her gaze off Landon as he examined the handpan drum.

“Someone has to go out,” she said. “Want to go for a walk with us, Landon?”

He immediately stiffened, a shadow moving over his face like a rain cloud. “Uh, actually...” He got to his feet. “I ought to be going. It’s getting late.” He wrung his hands. “Thank you for dinner and for letting me play your drum.”

Aliza stood as well and Delilah raced for the door. “Are you sure you have to go? It’s not that late yet.”

He raked his hand through his hair, disturbing the strands and giving himself a stressed-out look. “Yeah. I’ve got a lot to do tomorrow and I’ve taken up much of your evening.”

“I didn’t have anywhere else to be.” She hadn’t wanted to be anywhere else and she didn’t want him to go. A peek at the clock on the wall told her it wasn’t even eight o’clock yet. What kind of a date ended before eight o’clock?

“Well, we’re even now,” Landon said. “I passed a dog to you and you fed me. Everything’s square.”

Aliza followed him as he practically sprinted to the front door. She grabbed Delilah’s leash on the way then hooked it to the pup’s collar. “Is that your way of saying you don’t want to see me again?” Things had been going well. Hadn’t they? How could the suggestion of a mere dog walk turn everything upside down? And hadn’t he invited her to rock climb with him next weekend?

“I’m sure we’ll see each other again,” he said, opening the door. “It’s a small town.”

But he apparently didn’t want to follow through on those rock climbing plans to see her again. Aliza reminded herself that she’d asked the man to move beyond what was comfortable for him. She should be grateful he’d stayed as long as he had.

“Okay,” she said reluctantly, pushing her feet into her sneakers by the door. “You know where to find me.” God, she hoped that didn’t sound like begging. It sounded like begging in her head.

“Right.” He stepped outside then backed up when she followed with Delilah. “Thanks again. Good night.” He gave her an awkward wave and speedwalked to his truck without looking back.

Aliza stood there while Delilah sniffed around for the right spot to do her business. She cringed when Landon’s truck actually squealed out of the parking lot.

“Mental note, Delilah. Don’t ask Landon to go on a dog walk.” Frowning, Aliza waited for Delilah to finish up then she guided the puppy back into the studio. While they’d been outside, Sirius had knocked the empty gift bag to the floor and had taken up residence inside the bag. Aliza crouched and peeked inside at the cat. “Got any room in there for me to hide too?”

Sirius meowed, clearly stating he wasn’t about to share the bag with her.

“Wonderful. I’ll stick my head in the sand then.” She unclipped Delilah’s leash and the pup trotted toward the room where a lovely dinner had happened, only to end in Landon peeling out of her parking lot as if he couldn’t get away fast enough.

Sighing, Aliza tidied the meditation room, basically piling all the dinner crap she’d toted over from her house into a box and putting it by the front door. She gave everything a wipe down and reorganized the furniture before snuffing out the candles. In the meditation room with the handpan drum, she didn’t have to clean anything, but she took a moment to picture Landon as he’d played the drum.

He’d been enjoying himself. She was certain of that. Too bad she had to ruin everything by asking him to go for a walk.

Who knew? It had seemed like a simple suggestion. One not filled with danger or ill-intent, but Landon had definitely been scared of something. Maybe he’d reached his threshold for being around people. Aliza was trying not to take it personally, but when he hadn’t wanted to talk more about the rock climbing date, she couldn’t help but feel a little hurt.

This was all new territory for her too. She hadn’t dated in years and the last guy she dated—and married—had turned out to be a murderous douchebag. If anyone should be skittish about relationships, it was her.

And yet... she wasn’t skittish. Spending time with Landon tonight had been great. Despite his initial nervousness, he’d warmed up to her and they’d had lovely conversation over potato soup. He’d appeared truly fascinated with her handpan drum.

“But not fascinated with me,” she mumbled, making Delilah bark. “Sorry, pup. Wasn’t talking to you.”

Delilah wagged her tail, her entire back end swaying from left to right. She let out a few more yips then bounced over to the box of dinner supplies Aliza had set by the door.

“You want to bolt out of here too?” She sifted out a slow breath of defeat. “Fine. Let’s go home.”

At least she wouldn’t be going home alone. Sirius and Delilah would keep her company. Not the same as enjoying the company of an interesting man like Landon Henley, but she’d have to take what she could get.

Sneaking out with the box first, Aliza dumped it into her trunk then came back to the studio for Sirius and Delilah. About five minutes later, she pulled into her driveway and waited for the garage door to lift. It only took a few moments to unpack supplies and pets then she stood in the middle of her living room, wondering what to do with the rest of her Sunday evening.

The abrupt ending to her date left her restless. Everything felt... unfinished. And she didn’t think she’d get a chance to finish if the way Landon had left was any indication. As the night had progressed, she’d gotten her hopes up for a goodnight kiss at least.

Hard to kiss when one partner is running for the mountains at full tilt.

Aliza took Delilah out one final time then headed for her bathroom. A nice soak in her tub would bring her balance back. Sirius watched her prepare the bath from his perch on top of the toilet seat while Delilah curled up on the fluffy rug by the shower stall.

This was all a gal needed. Her pets. Some suds. A long, quiet night all to herself.

Yeah. That last bit was the part Aliza hated.

Chapter Six

Monday night brought a continuous stream of calls into Henley Hears You and thank God for that. Landon had been tormented by his date with Aliza all Sunday night into Monday. He’d sailed out of that yoga studio like an arrow being shot from a bow. When Aliza had asked him to go for a dog walk, his lungs had immediately seized, no air getting in or out. A hot flash had zipped through his body and a full-blown panic attack had been en route.

He’d had to get out of there.

Aliza probably thought he was weak, not able to spend long periods of time out in public. If she’d seen him go down to his knees and crumple into a sweating ball of anxiety, she’d be doubly unimpressed. It had been better to bolt than subject either of them to that scenario.

Once he’d gotten home, however, he’d felt like such a goddamn coward. Where were the balls his creator had endowed him with? Why the hell couldn’t he man up and get over this... this condition? He’d actually seen a doctor about it who had referred him to a counselor, but it hadn’t done him any good. He didn’t like going out to see the counselor and when phone consultations were offered, Landon had declined. What was a counselor going to say that would suddenly lift this weight he carried with him? No magic remedy existed.

He was broken. He always would be.

“Henley hears you,” he said after Jeremy patched through the next call. “What’s your beef tonight?”

“Hi. My beef is people letting their dogs piss on my lawn,” a cranky male voice said. “I mean, I know this is the wilds of Vermont and the idea of a pristine lawn is kinda silly up here, but I work hard on my landscaping. To have some mangy mutt whizz on my efforts—while its owner watches—riles me up something fierce.”

This wasn’t the first time Landon had heard this particular beef. “Watching our hard work get spoiled is tough,” he said. “Have you confronted the owner of the pisser?”

“Yeah, several times and if I’m out there, he won’t let his dog defile my property,” the guy said. “But if he doesn’t see me around, it’s open season. My front yard becomes Public Toilet Number One.”

“And you’ve tried signs?”

“Signs up the whazoo, Henley. I can only imagine this dog owner can’t read.”

Landon chuckled. “How about a decorative border around your front yard? To clearly mark what’s yours. Nothing as high as a fence, but something significant to distinguish it from the public road.”

A beat of silence on the air waves told him the man was digesting this advice.

“Hmm. That’s not a bad idea. I think I have some wrought iron pipes I could thread through some stout wooden beams to create an attractive dividing line. The wife probably wouldn’t be against it if it was pretty.”

“Always important to keep the wife happy.”

“Lesson number one in marriage, kid.” The man laughed. “You married, Henley?”

Landon swallowed around a dry throat. “No, sir.”

“Well, you keep that lesson about happy wives in your back pocket then until you need it, son.”

“Will do,” Landon managed though his breathing had become labored. “Do you feel as if you’ve been heard?” The question came out strained and rushed.

“Indeedy. Thanks, Henley. Have a good night.”

“You too.” Landon clicked to play the next song and swiped his headphones off his head. A second later his cell phone buzzed with a text from Jeremy.

You OK?

His friend knew the mention of a wife would be a trigger.

Yeah. Gonna play a block of songs though. So he could collect himself and continue pretending to be normal. At least on air anyway.

Cool. No callers lined up yet. Take the time you need.

Landon hated that Jeremy knew about his anxiety, but in times like these, having a friend who understood was handy. Of course, Jeremy didn’t always understand. Sometimes his pal pushed for Landon to get back out there. Jeremy had been disappointed to learn last night’s date had ended prematurely.

My fault. All Aliza had done was be an amazing hostess. The dinner she’d assembled had been fantastic, especially the cookies. The space she’d arranged for them had been lovely. Her conversation had been interesting and not too probing. Letting him play the handpan drum had been amazing. Why did she have to ask about a dog walk and shatter the safety he’d enjoyed in her presence up to that point?

He couldn’t blame her. Asking to go for a walk was a perfectly normal request. Too bad he wasn’t normal.

Landon ran up the stairs to his kitchen, careful to avoid that photo on the shelf by the TV in the living room for fear of dropping himself down an all-consuming pit of despair. He should really tuck that photo away somewhere, but he’d tried to do that. Several times.

He just... couldn’t.

He grabbed a drink of water and spent a few minutes at the sink, staring out the window into the dark woods behind his house. His breathing evened out the more he stood there and in a few minutes he was ready to head back to his Command Post to continue his show.

Passing by Cala’s tank, he lifted the snake out and draped her on his shoulders. Something about the weight of her there always comforted him. He ran a hand along her scales then slipped on his headphones. The last song in his block was starting so he had a few more minutes to regroup. A soft chime from his computer told him that Jeremy had the next caller lined up.

“Henley hears you,” he said when the song ended. “What’s your beef?”

“My beef is when a guy appears to be having a great time on a date, but then he doesn’t feel comfortable saying what’s on his mind, so he scampers off.”

Six ways to kill Jeremy spun into Landon’s mind. Why had his friend let Aliza through as a caller tonight? Not cool.

But he knew why. His friend was attempting to help him get past this shit. If only it were that easy.

Heart hammering in his chest and hands clammy beyond belief, Landon said, “It might be hard for some guys to say what’s on their minds.”

“True,” Aliza said. “And that’s totally understandable, but when a guy runs like that, it makes a girl feel... less.”

Crap. He didn’t want to be responsible for Aliza feeling like that. She was more. Not less.

“I’m sure that guy definitely didn’t mean to make the girl feel that way.” Landon rubbed Cala’s scales in an effort to keep himself calm. “Perhaps the guy was having such a great time that it freaked him out a bit.”

“Freaked him out?” Aliza asked.

“Yeah, possibly he hadn’t expected to be that comfortable around her and he let his defenses down, but then something happened to trigger his protective reflexes.”

“You mean he had to put the shields up unexpectedly?”

“Exactly.”

“But he didn’t want to?”

“No. He absolutely didn’t, but he doesn’t always have control of the shields, you know? Sometimes they go up automatically.”

“Okay,” Aliza said slowly. “That’s good information for me to consider.”

Landon liked that she hadn’t shot back with something harsh or judgmental. She actually appeared to be understanding. Regardless of how he’d scrammed from her studio yesterday, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. Even in his embarrassment and frustration over his reaction to her dog walk request, he’d enjoyed the time he had spent with her before that.

“Maybe...” he paused, not sure if he should say what he was thinking about saying.

“Yes?” The eagerness in Aliza’s voice fueled him.

“Maybe the girl should try again,” he said.

“Try again? Like ask the guy to go on another date?”

“Yeah. Some guys need to be asked more than once,” he said. “It gives them the kick in the butt they need to realize when they’ve stumbled upon something great.”

“Something great, huh?”

He heard the smile in her voice and his brain easily conjured up a picture of her. At this hour of night, she was most likely at her home, curled up somewhere cozy with Sirius and Delilah. He liked that image far too much.

What was crazier was he wanted to be a part of that image.

“Okay,” she said. “I’ll go ahead and give that a try if you think that’s what I should do, Henley.”

“I do think it’s the best course of action.”

“Would you go so far as to guarantee I’d meet success if I took your advice?”

“I’m 99.9% positive you’ll get the results you’re hoping for.”

“Well, that’s a powerful percentage,” Aliza said. “I’m going to pester you on your radio show though if that remaining 0.1% happens. You’ve been warned.”

“Noted. Do you feel as if you’ve been heard tonight, dear caller?” Talking to Aliza was fun and as their conversation on air progressed, Landon became less and less anxious. He really wanted her to ask him out again. He truly intended to say yes. He couldn’t promise he wouldn’t have a near meltdown in her presence again, but he wanted to try.

For Aliza. Maybe even for himself too.

“I do feel as if I’ve been heard,” Aliza replied. “The question is whether or not the guy in this situation heard our conversation.”

“Not sure if he’s a fan of Henley Hears You.”

“Come now,” Aliza said, around a chuckle. “Who in Vermont is not a fan of Henley Hears You? Don’t be silly.”

He loved her playful side. He used to have a playful side. Perhaps with a woman like Aliza around, he could find that part of himself again.

“If I don’t play some music, I won’t have any fans left,” he said, though he wanted to keep talking to her. He didn’t care that all of his listeners had heard their exchange. He liked being... connected to Aliza.

“Can I request Who Let the Dogs Out?” she asked.

“You can request it,” he said. “I’m not going to play it, but you can request it all you want.” He was rewarded with a full laugh now.

“Fine. Good night, Henley.”

“Good night—” He’d almost said Yogi. Luckily he’d stopped in time.

Landon started the next song and was about to address Aliza to see if she’d hung up, but she beat him to it.

“Yeah, I’m still here,” she said. “I hope you aren’t annoyed I called and begged your producer to let my call go through to you. I felt... unsettled about last night. I don’t have any other way to contact you aside from through the show and I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

Well, damn. That was sweet of her.

“I’m okay. And we should rectify that contact info situation.” He gave her his cell phone number and took hers. “I’m so sorry about last night. I didn’t mean for it to end like that. I honestly was having a great time with you, Aliza.”

“I apologize if asking you to go for a walk wasn’t something you were ready for,” she said. “I figured the night had unfolded so pleasantly that a walk wouldn’t be a big deal.”

“And it isn’t a big deal,” Landon said. “For most people.”

“What does that mean?”

God, he wanted to tell her. He did, but where was he going to dig up that courage? Unfortunately, they didn’t offer one-day shipping for bravery at online shopping sites.

“It means I’m a rare breed of male,” he said, sighing. “Probably one you don’t want to deal with.”

The line was quiet. Had Aliza hung up, deciding he wasn’t someone she wanted to deal with?

“Let’s say—for argument’s sake—I did want to deal with a breed of male like you,” she said. “Would asking you to go apple picking with me be something you’d agree to?”

“Apple picking?” He hadn’t done that since he was a child.

“Yeah. I know you mentioned rock climbing, but I don’t think we’re at that level yet. Apple picking might be more our speed for right now. I’ll even promise homemade apple crisp when we’re done,” she said. “What do you say, Landon?”

He drew in a deep breath as he stroked Cala’s scales, the boa’s head resting on his other hand. If he said no, that would be it. He would have blown this second chance Aliza was so graciously extending to him.

If he said yes, however...

Landon puffed out a breath. “Okay, yes to apple picking. You should know I like a ton of cinnamon in my apple crisp.”

“So do I,” Aliza said. “The cinnamon is—”

“The best part,” Landon finished.

“Yeah.” She was quiet for a moment then said, “I’m glad I called, Landon.”

“I’m glad you called too, Yogi.”

“So... apple picking and apple crisp on... Saturday?” The hope in her voice gave Landon some hope in his heart.

“Saturday sounds great.” He started the next song so they could continue talking. “Were you thinking Shepherd Orchard?”

“Of course,” Aliza said. “Best orchard in town.”

“My younger brother, Christian, will be happy to know you think that. He took over as general manager for Old Man Shepherd about a month ago.”

“Does your brother have shaggy black hair, a short beard, about your height, and can hoist a basket of apples as if it’s a basket of feathers?”

“Yeah, that’s Christian.” Why did it bug Landon that she’d noticed Christian’s strength?

“Well, I met him last week. He and I are buddies.”

Yep. That bugged him too. “That sounds like Christian. He’s the socially active one in the group.” If only some of that would rub off on me.

“Will it be weird to go on a date with your brother there to see us?”

“Nah, but thanks so much for being considerate,” Landon said. “Christian won’t spoil our fun.”

“So you do plan to have fun with me on this date?”

“I had fun with you on the last one. I’m sorry that wasn’t clear before I catapulted myself back to my house.”

“Make it up to me on Saturday, Landon.” And she hung up. A moment later, his cell buzzed on his desk in front of him. He picked it up and read the message from Aliza.

Saturday. Apple picking. Apple crisp making. 2:00?

His fingers flew over the screen. Perfect. See you then.

He stared at the words see you then, liking the look of them and knowing it would be Aliza he’d be seeing. He made a promise to himself right then he would end this second date far better than the first.

****

How could three little words—see you then—make Aliza downright giddy? She’d paced up and down the hallway at her house, cell phone in hand as she listened to Henley Hears You. The internal debate over whether or not to call Landon on his show again had raged on for a good thirty minutes before she’d sucked it up and dialed. When Landon’s producer, Jeremy, had answered, she’d almost chickened out, but where would that have gotten her? She’d still be thinking about Landon. Still wanting another shot at a date with him. Still hoping to peel away his layers and figure out the man.

“Hi,” she’d said to Jeremy. “I have a beef for Henley.”

“Your voice is familiar,” Jeremy had said. “Are you the yoga teacher?”

“That’s me. So much for anonymity.”

“I have an ear for voices,” Jeremy had said. “I never forget a voice and if I have been lucky enough to link it to a lovely face such as yours, it will be forever burned into my memory.”

“Wow, you’re pretty smooth.” Aliza had laughed. “Care to give your buddy, Henley, some pointers.”

“Oh, burn,” Jeremy had said, the cringe loud in his words. “If I patch you through to him, you’re not going to tear into him, are you? Because as his buddy, I have a duty to protect him.”

“As his producer, you have a duty to keep the ratings up, don’t you?” Aliza had asked.

“True story.” Jeremy sighed. “Okay, take it easy on him. But not too easy. Like medium easy, if you get me.”

“I get you. I just want to nudge him down a certain path that involves a second date,” Aliza had said, feeling oddly comfortable talking to Jeremy who she’d only met a grand total of one time in person.

“I’ve been nudging him for a while now,” Jeremy had said. “You might be more convincing than me though.”

With that, Landon’s producer had put her call through. Aliza had a moment where what she’d been about to do had seemed like an extremely bad idea, but it had been too late to turn back once Landon had taken the call.

Man, was she glad he’d taken the call.

She’d scored that coveted second date. Aliza wasn’t sure when she’d become so bold. It was totally not in her nature to be a... a pursuer. When she’d first met Troy, he’d done all the chasing. She’d been happy to let him, but she wasn’t going to be so passive this time. Passive had gotten her involved with a jerk—a jerk who had left scars on her. Physical and emotional ones. She wasn’t going there again.

Ever.

This time she’d pay attention. So far she hadn’t gotten a hidden evil vibe off Landon. Sure, the guy was easily spooked, but he didn’t come off as if he were concealing a dual personality with one of those personalities capable of drug dealing and abuse. Of course, anything was possible and she’d keep her eyes wide open for any reasons not to trust him.

In order to do that, however, she had to spend time with the guy. Which she was apparently doing this Saturday. The apple picking idea had come out of thin air. When she’d called the show, she hadn’t planned far enough ahead for an actual second date, but as the conversation had unfolded favorably, the vision of wandering around an orchard with him had felt right. She also figured such an activity would provide opportunities for Landon to not feel contained by literal walls like in her studio. He’d have the option to travel off to his own choice of trees to pick apples, but they’d still be at the orchard together.

The apple crisp plan was her attempt to get him to come back to her place where she would again offer the option of the outdoors to him. Standing at her sliding glass doors in the dining room now, she flicked on the floodlight and peeked outside. She had a week to spiffy up the patio in her backyard and make it apple crisp worthy.

Make it Landon worthy.

Her front door opened and closed. Only one person would walk in like that, especially at this time on a Monday night.

“Back here, Mills!” she yelled over Delilah’s insane barking.

Miller appeared with the pooch tucked under his arm. “Quite the watchdog you’ve got here, Al.” He jiggled Delilah and the puppy craned her head up, trying desperately to reach Miller’s face, happily yipping.

“She may be small, but she be fierce.” Aliza put her hands out to take the dog from her cousin’s hold, but he shook his head.

“I’ve got her.” He looked down at Delilah. “Is she proving to be a good buddy for you?”

Aliza knew Miller worried about her and she loved him for it. “The best.”

Sirius let out a yowl from his perch atop the dining room table where he’d been lounging.

“Not better than you, Sirius.” Aliza rolled her eyes. “Such a touchy cat.”

Miller set Delilah down. The dog bolted off and came back a moment later with the stuffed canary Landon had given her. She dropped it at Miller’s feet then yelped at him, her tail wagging madly.

“Listen, kid,” Miller started as he crouched to pick up the canary. “I didn’t come here to play with you.” But he totally tossed the canary down the hallway, sending Delilah skittering along hardwood floor to retrieve the toy.

Aliza motioned to the living room. “Why did you come here then?” She lowered to the couch and Miller did the same.

“I heard you on the radio,” Miller said.

“You did? I didn’t think you listened to Henley Hears You.” She checked the huge clock on the wall above the couch. “Aren’t you usually neck-deep in research or something similarly dorky at this hour?”

Miller swatted her foot that she’d rested on the couch cushion between them then he threw the canary again to send Delilah into overdrive. “The old Miller did that. The Miller who shares his house with a hot fashion designer realizes his time is better spent on other things.”

“And you’re wasting that time here with me on my couch.”

“Just for a few minutes.” He ran his hand along Sirius’s back after the cat slinked onto his lap. “It sounded as if you earned yourself a second date with Henley. Did you ask him after you got off the call?”

“I did.” She chewed on her lower lip. “Did I come off as desperate on the air?”

“Not at all,” Miller reassured. “Besides, he didn’t admit to being the guy you were talking about.”

That was true, but listeners could probably read between the lines.

“I just hope he actually wants to see me again,” Aliza said.

“He said it was 99.9% positive the guy would accept another date invite. He wouldn’t have said that if he didn’t want to see you, Al.”

“I suppose.” She let her head rest on the back of the couch. “I don’t want to mess this up. I need a guidebook or something.”

“I don’t think that’s a book you’re going to find. This is one of those situations where you have to go for it and see what happens.” He threw the canary again at Delilah’s impatient bark.

“I was afraid you’d say that.”

“Are you afraid? Seems to me you’re going for it. You asked him out once, then twice. He accepted both times.”

“Yeah, and that first time ended not so wonderfully.”

“He sounded truly sorry about that on air though, Al. I think he’s probably had some time to think it all over and he realizes leaving you last night like that was pretty dumb.” Miller nudged Sirius off his lap and stood. “If he makes another dumb move, you let me know and he and I will have ourselves a conversation.”

Aliza stood as well. “No conversations, Mills.”

He shook his head. “No guarantees. I let Troy treat you the way he did. That’s not ever going to happen again.” Miller’s fists clenched and released at his sides. Her cousin still had a faint scar above his eyebrow where Troy had made him bleed.

Not wanting to let that memory invade her brain, Aliza ran her hands up and down her own arms and shook away the past.

She opened her arms and folded her cousin into a hug. “Thanks.”

“We look out for each other.” He gave her a last squeeze before stepping back. “Always.”

Aliza followed him to the door. “See you tomorrow, Dr. Danahy.”

Miller saluted her.

“Oh, hey, Mills,” she said as he stepped outside. “Do you have some time this week to help me semi-beautify the backyard. If I can get Landon to accept an invite back here, I’d like to have a nice outdoor space to offer him.”

“Yeah, sure. We can probably get Heather, Shaina, and Marco to help too.”

“Great. Thanks.” She blew him a kiss which he pretended to dodge.

After Miller let himself out, Aliza locked the door, checking that it was secure. Multiple times.

Delilah barked as if she were upset Miller had left without her say so.

“He can’t stay all night to throw this silly canary around, Delilah.” Aliza picked up the stuffed toy and hummed it down the hallway. The dog would do this endlessly if given the chance and Aliza was beginning to understand how much energy a beagle-cocker spaniel mix could have. “We’re going to need chances for you to expend some of that energy on a regular basis, aren’t we, pup?”

Delilah, having retrieved the canary, dropped it at Aliza’s feet again. She bounced around the toy, anticipation vibrating in her every molecule while Sirius watched from his perch on the back of the couch. Aliza threw the canary one more time.

“Seems futile, doesn’t it, Sirius? To keep chasing after that dumb canary?” She wondered if chasing after a man such as Landon was also dumb. Was she a fool to start something with him?

The heat kicked on, the furnace growling from the basement and making Aliza jolt. It was a perfectly normal noise, but in the quiet of her house, a sound like that was ominous. So was the October breeze outside, rattling the windows occasionally, and the low hoot of a nearby owl.

Aliza walked deeper into the living room and flipped on the TV to have some noise. She’d showered after a day of yoga classes and had on her pajamas so she was well prepared for some couch time before attempting to sleep in her actual bed.

That was something that never went as scheduled. Her head would start bobbing forward while she chilled on the couch. She’d make the decision she was finally sleepy enough to move to her bed. Once she’d arrive in her bedroom, however, all she would do was lie awake, her gaze trained on the shadowy ceiling until the sun chased those shadows away. On really bad nights, nightmares plagued her.

Miraculously, she wasn’t dead tired at work. All that meditative and purposeful breathing she’d done over the years in her yoga practice kept her functional even though her body wasn’t getting its required hours of slumber.

Perhaps she’d moved out of Miller’s house too quickly. She could have stayed longer. Her cousin certainly wouldn’t have minded. Hell, he spent more time at her house, checking on her, than he did at his own house. She’d wanted to leave because it hadn’t taken a rocket scientist to see that Miller and Heather were in love. They deserved some privacy and didn’t need a third wheel under their roof.

Aliza hadn’t banked on being so freaked when she was home alone though. She knew Troy couldn’t come for her. He was locked up tightly in prison for a list of crimes she didn’t want to think about right now. Her ex-husband wouldn’t see freedom any time soon. He’d been marched from the courtroom in an orange jumpsuit and chains.

She’d never scrub that image from her head.

Thank God Miller had been with her during the sentencing. It hadn’t taken long. The evidence against Troy Pryce had been stacked a mile high. What blew Aliza’s mind was that she’d been under the same roof with the guy for years in their Boston apartment and hadn’t had any idea how deep into the wrong side of the law he was.

How could I have been so oblivious?

Thinking back on it now made her want to smack some sense into herself. But that was in the past. Time to move forward.

She channel-surfed for about thirty minutes but didn’t find anything worthwhile. Sirius had curled up on the couch cushion beside her atop a fleece blanket while Delilah had passed out in Aliza’s lap. Not wanting to disturb her furry pals, she grabbed her phone and navigated to WTRZ’s website where she could live stream the music.

Well, live stream Henley Hears You actually.

“I absolutely agree the bowling alley should provide wipes to sanitize the bowling balls,” Landon said to his current caller and Aliza could only imagine what had prompted that particular beef. She had to concur though. The thought of sticking her fingers into those holes that a bunch of other people had touched did make her a little squeamish. Hence she rarely went bowling.

“I mean, you should have seen that kid picking his nose,” the caller said, making Aliza cringe as she listened. “He was digging around up there and his mama didn’t stop him. He then wedged his snot-loaded fingertips into those bowling ball holes and I nearly puked in my own lane. Of course he was in the lane that shared balls with my lane. My husband said it was no big deal, but c’mon!”

Landon chuckled, the soft sound rippling over Aliza’s ears. He had a nice laugh—one that was doing wonders to keep her company right now.

“Have you thought of a petition perhaps?” he asked the caller.

Good idea.

“A petition?” The caller paused. “You mean like a notice? Something I ask other people to sign and support?”

“That is what a petition is,” Aliza said.

But Landon was way more polite. “Yeah. Something that states your concerns and proposes a possible solution. For example, you could suggest hand sanitizers or disinfecting wipes be available at each lane.”

Aliza thought she might take up bowling if that idea was put into effect.

“I knew calling in tonight was the right thing to do, Henley,” the woman said. “I’m going to get started on that petition tonight.”

“Wonderful,” Landon said. “Do you feel as if you’ve been heard?”

“Most definitely. Thanks for your wise advice, honey.”

A song started up and Aliza settled deeper into the couch cushions. Somehow listening to Landon on the radio made her feel less alone.

Chapter Seven

Another thirty minutes and Landon could call it a night. The time had gone by quickly. Perhaps because he’d had that call from Aliza. After talking with her—and accepting a second date invitation—his general mood had improved. Would he panic before getting ready to meet her at the orchard on Saturday? Absolutely. But he still wanted to go, which was weird. Normally he dreaded plans. Having them loom ahead like this huge, gaping mouth, waiting to eat him for lunch usually weighed on him. By the time the event came up, he was always exhausted from worrying.

He shook his head. Why in the hell did he worry? What had happened in the past... well, that was a one in a million type thing, wasn’t it? The chance he’d fall victim to the same tragedy was nearly non-existent. He’d have to again be in the wrong place at the wrong time for that to be repeated. Things were different now too. He was the only one who would be hurt. He didn’t have anyone else to save.

Or feel guilty about not saving. If he got involved with Aliza though...

Landon played the next song then rolled his shoulders. He’d had Cala around his neck for too long, but he’d needed the comfort that silly snake brought him. Swiveling his desk chair to look at his slithery friend at rest in her tank, he pictured showing off the boa to Aliza.

That vision caught him off guard. In order to show her, he’d have to allow her into his house. He hadn’t purposely invited anyone over in eons. Not since Before. The mere thought of deeming someone special enough to allow him or her into his lair should have made hives bust out on his skin.

But it didn’t.

Instead he allowed himself the luxury of playing out the scenario a little more. Aliza would come over. He’d offer her something to drink. She’d ask to see where he did his show. He’d lead her down into his basement and after explaining his equipment, he’d direct her attention to Cala’s tank.

Aliza had said she liked snakes so he imagined she’d go wild over seeing Cala up close. That snake was a truly beautiful creature with her smooth, black-and-brown scales, sleek body, triangular head, and intelligent eyes. When he offered to let Aliza wear the boa like... well, like a boa, she’d immediately jump at the opportunity. The image of Aliza with Cala draped around her shoulders made Landon groan.

He slapped a hand over his mouth as he glanced down to his lap. Was he... was he hard? Had thinking of Aliza with Cala literally caused an erection?

Landon bent his head a bit more and sure enough, his workout pants were tented at the crotch.

What the hell? He didn’t know whether to be disgusted or... impressed that his dick still worked.

He took two more callers then played more music, trying his best to erase Aliza from his brain, but that didn’t go successfully. And tonight was only Monday. He had a whole frigging week to wait to see her again.

Reminding himself to be patient, he finished his show with a call about wandering cows. It had been tough to give advice on that one. They were in Vermont after all. Wandering cows were a way of life there.

About five minutes after the show ended, his cell phone rang, which was odd. Henley Hears You ran from six o’clock in the evening to midnight every weeknight. Midnight was late for a phone call. He picked it up to see Jeremy’s contact information.

“Hey,” he said upon swiping to answer.

“Hey,” Jeremy replied. “Sorry to call now, but I wanted to talk about tonight’s show.”

“Something wrong?”

“On the contrary, my dear friend,” Jeremy said. “The ratings were through the roof due to a certain hot yoga teacher calling in again, and our social media is on fire.”

“What?”

“Your fans have theories that you know hot yoga teacher and they love the interaction between the two of you.”

“Oh, God,” Landon said. “That means they know I bolted from a date with her.” How humiliating. As if being a freak who didn’t like to leave his house wasn’t bad enough. Now his listeners knew he was a freak.

“That also means they know you wanted her to ask you out again,” Jeremy said. “Which brings me to the reason for my call.”

A sick feeling rolled around in Landon’s stomach. “What is the reason?” He was almost positive he didn’t want to know.

“Well,” his buddy began, “one of the station owners, Mara Jeffries, happened to be listening to Henley Hears You this evening and she checked in on the ratings and social media. You can imagine Mara was pleased beyond belief at the spike in listeners and she too enjoyed the interplay between you and the hot yoga teacher.”

“Aliza,” Landon said. “Her name is Aliza.” Why was he so touchy about Jeremy repeatedly referring to her as hot?

“Right. Sorry. Anyway, Mara had a bit of a brainstorm she wanted me to share with you.”

“A brainstorm?” Landon’s anxiety rose. Jeremy was usually a straight shooter. If he had something to say, he said it. The fact that his buddy was taking so long to lead up to his message was not a good sign.

“Okay, so listeners—female listeners in particular—found you... well... adorable and most of the social media posts and comments had to do with... umm...” Jeremy cleared his throat and made a few more unintelligible sounds.

Landon was about to crack. “Dude, spit it out, will you?”

“They want to date you.” Jeremy puffed out a breath of air that crackled over the phone.

“They what?” He couldn’t have heard that correctly.

“Date you. Yeah. So having seen the posts and comments, Mara came up with the ingenious idea—her words, not mine—to hold a contest for listeners in which they can win a date with you.” Jeremy spit that last part out rapidly.

Landon seriously thought he might be having a stroke. What were the signs again? He’d searched them online once, but that had only added more stress to his general panic-stricken personality. Now he needed that info and it was gone from his memory bank.

But no. He wasn’t having a stroke. He was merely shocked to the bone that Mara would suggest such a thing. She was the one who had given the okay for him to work from home. She’d orchestrated the delivery of all the necessary equipment so he could create his Command Post and do his show without having to leave the safety of his basement. She knew he wasn’t... right.

Why would she think this contest was a good idea?

“I told her I didn’t think you’d be into this,” Jeremy said. “I fought, man. Honest. But she insisted I talk to you.”

“She figured you’d get me to say yes because we’re friends.” Landon’s hands clamped onto the edge of his desk as he tried to keep from trembling over the idea of having female fans compete for a date with him. God, the thought of it! He couldn’t even allow his mind to travel down the path of actually going on a date with some random woman who had beat out other women for the prize.

For him. He was the prize.

Ugh.

“Oh, yeah, she’s totally using me. No doubt,” Jeremy said. “I’m not going to try to convince you though, Landon. I know this is so far out of your comfort zone it may as well be in outer space.”

At least his buddy understood. “I definitely can’t do this, Jeremy. I... can’t. I actually don’t know who would want to be a part of such a contest.”

“I would,” Jeremy said. “To have a bunch of rabid women vying for my attention? Umm, yes, please.”

“You’d be okay being forced to go on a date with a woman you’ve never met before?” The idea was insane as far as Landon was concerned.

“Sure. I’ve gone out with chicks from dating sites. That’s the same thing essentially. With this contest though, I would know the women were really interested in me.”

“Would you? They could just be looking for some excitement or a chance to be on the radio or something.”

“I guess. I don’t know. I think it would be fun, but I get your disinterest in the whole thing. I’ll tell Mara I tried.”

“Thanks.” Landon swiped his hand across his forehead, not at all surprised to find sweat there.

“No worries, man. I asked because my boss told me to... and on the off chance you might accept.”

“I accepted a second date invitation from Aliza. I think that’s enough for one night, don’t you?”

“True enough. I’m proud of you, dude. Plus, Aliza seems like a really nice... hot yoga teacher.” Jeremy laughed as he disconnected.

Landon didn’t mind his friend’s teasing, especially if that friend was willing to go back to his boss and admit to being unsuccessful in convincing Landon to do the stupid contest.

Why would he do a contest like that? He’d just caught the attention of a hot yoga teacher who wanted a second date with him even though he’d run out on the first one. Landon recognized this as an opportunity. Aliza was certainly attractive enough, smart enough, and fun enough to have any guy in the world, but she saw something in Landon for some reason. He’d be a fool to say yes to a contest that would bring large groups of women into his life now. He wasn’t even sure he wanted one woman in his life.

He’d had one. Five years ago. Then he didn’t have one and he was still suffering the consequences of losing her. What if he let this... thing with Aliza turn into an Official Thing and he lost her too?

Landon gave himself a shake. If he worried about losing Aliza before he really had her, he’d spoil the whole thing. He needed to take it date by date and so far he hadn’t actually had one completely successful date with her. He’d blown that by leaving at a marathon runner’s pace. She’d kindly offered him another shot and he intended not to blow it. If there was a third date, he’d try his hardest not to ruin that one. After a few dates, then he’d start worrying about losing her.

He powered down the radio equipment, gave Cala a goodnight knock on her tank, and headed upstairs to go to bed. While he was brushing his teeth, however, his cell phone buzzed on the vanity.

Two calls after midnight. He didn’t care for this pattern, but he spit out toothpaste and picked up the phone.

Mara’s name filled the screen. Shit. Landon knew right away she hadn’t liked the news Jeremy had delivered to her.

He tapped his toothbrush on the edge of the sink, hoping Mara would leave a message instead of waiting for him to answer. A few seconds later a message did pop up and he sifted out a breath.

Tapping the screen, he drew in a breath again and held it in his lungs as he read, I know you’re home, Landon. Where else would you be? Calling again in five minutes. Pick up.

“Dammit.” He rinsed his brush and his mouth then took his phone down to his bedroom. After peeling off his workout pants and his T-shirt, he slid between the cool sheets, resting his phone in his lap. He’d tell Mara a firm no. She couldn’t force him to do the contest. His contract with the radio station stated he had to do the Maplehaven Fall Festival and participate in one event around Christmas time. It said nothing about dating contests.

When the phone vibrated in his lap, he jumped. Better to get this over with. He tapped the screen and held the phone up to his ear. “Hello, Mara.”

“Landon, hi,” Mara said. “I know it’s late, but Jeremy said you’d probably still be up.”

Thanks, Jeremy.

“Yeah, I’m up.”

“Great show tonight. I mean, really great. Did you check our social media after that caller about the guy bolting from a date?”

“I didn’t, but Jeremy told me things got active over there.”

“Super active. Like never before that active for any of the other shows we run on WTRZ, Landon. Henley Hears You is hashtag-trending right now. Off the charts trending,” Mara said. “Trending so much I can’t overlook it as a station owner, you know?”

“Look, Mara, Jeremy explained your contest idea, but you know my... situation. I can’t commit to going out with a listener. I can barely go out with people I know.”

“So that caller is someone you’re going out with then? She was talking about you in her beef?”

Crap.

“Yes, I know her. She was talking about me and we do have another date scheduled. Yet another reason why doing a contest that requires me to go on a date is not a good idea right now.”

Mara was quiet for a few seconds and that made Landon nervous. He could almost hear the wheels turning in her mind. What madness would she come up with next?

“I’m glad to hear you’ve started dating. It’s time, Landon, but I have to capitalize on your popularity somehow. A dating contest is perfect. We have fans who want to get to know you better. I have an outline of how we could make it a month-long contest. Each week we could do a little You Hear Henley piece where listeners can call in to interview you. Get to know you on a more personal level. Then on the Friday of the final week, we’ll announce the winner of the date. I think it will draw in new listeners as well as entertain your existing listeners.”

“Mara...”

“Landon, you are the station’s biggest draw,” Mara said. “Henley Hears You is the most popular show on WTRZ. People love you. Now I know you don’t love people, but this is a chance for you to put WTRZ on the map. You know how we struggle with getting recognition and it’s hard for us to compete with the major stations that have way more funding and employees than we do.”

Great. Now he was feeling guilty and selfish for saying no. But he had to say no.

“Can’t I help you brainstorm another idea that would be as beneficial to the station? I’m sure we could put our heads together and come up with something that will work.” He wished he had a brilliant idea to share with her right now. Something to distract her from the contest idea.

“We could,” Mara said, giving Landon hope, “but frankly, Landon, we don’t have the time. The other bosses and I have been watching our stats and the outlook isn’t wonderful. Don’t say anything to Jeremy or any of the other deejays, but come December, we’re going to have to make a tough decision.”

What? He’d had no idea the station was in trouble.

“A dating contest isn’t going to solve these problems though, is it?” he asked.

“I think it will,” Mara said. “Looking at tonight’s response to your show tells me that you’re our secret weapon. Henley is a heartthrob.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”

“You don’t have to think it’s true. I see it’s true and so do all the female listeners tonight. Some male listeners too.”

Oh, boy.

“The winner would be grossly disappointed after a date with me. I mean, you heard that caller tonight, Mara. I couldn’t finish the first date with her and she’s wonderful.”

“But it sounds as if a second date is on the horizon. And don’t bother denying it because Jeremy gushed that a second date was scheduled.”

“Damn him.” Landon rubbed his forehead, a real winner of a stress headache gearing up behind his eyes.

“That caller wanting a second date after you jetted out on the first one tells me right there how likable you are. You got under this woman’s skin and she wants more.”

“Maybe, but...” Shit, he didn’t have anything to fight with.

“Listen, how about this?” Mara began. “We were planning to charge a small entry fee to the contest. With the number of people I’m expecting to enter, I think there will be plenty of money to save WTRZ and have money to donate.”

“You are way overestimating my popularity, Mara.”

“I am not. Let me finish,” Mara said. “The money to donate... that can go to that charity I know you support.”

Landon froze in his bed. “You... you would donate to...” He couldn’t finish because his throat was so tight.

“Yes, I would donate to SoberDrive,” Mara said softly. “It’s a great cause. We all need the streets to be safe from drunk drivers. Half the money you bring in from the contest could go a long way to that charity’s mission.”

Landon squeezed his eyes closed, knowing he’d regret his next words. “Fine. I’ll do the contest.”

****

Time was funny. Some days the minutes flew by and Aliza could hardly keep up. She’d scurry around all day and be utterly surprised when it was quitting time.

Other days, however, time stood completely still. She’d check the time on her phone, but the damn numbers never changed. Each hour had like a million minutes in it and she’d wonder if she’d been uploaded into an alternate reality where time worked differently.

This week was the latter, unfortunately. The time from when she’d made the second date arrangements with Landon on Monday night to the actual date day on Saturday had been goddamned eternal. Aliza had taught all her usual classes at the studio, in the park, at Maplehaven Elementary, and at Moose Hill Meadows. She’d worked with Miller on a few things in their health and wellness plans for their businesses. She’d hung out with Violet, Dena, Jacy, and Heather a few times within the course of the week, but even friend time didn’t speed up actual time. On Friday afternoon, she’d been ready to scream when she’d been sure it was near time to go home, but it had actually only been one o’clock in the afternoon. Did the universe need to mess with her like this?

Finally, the sun set and rose one more time, bringing Saturday with it. Never had Aliza been so happy to see a day come. She knew it was a big deal that Landon had agreed to the apple-picking date. Now she only hoped he didn’t decide to cancel or cut it short.

“Aliza!” Miller called.

She came out of the bathroom where she’d been primping. Still. She needed to look her best. “Hey, Mills. What can I do for you?”

“Oh, hey.” He met her in the hallway. “Heather said to give this to you.” He held up a silver chain with a beautiful, multi-colored stone pendant dangling from it.

Aliza held out her hand and Miller lowered the necklace into her palm. Touching the stone, she said, “Wow. This is gorgeous. The colors on the stone scream autumn.”

“My woman made that for you. She said it will bring you good luck on your date today.”

Aliza unraveled the chain and stepped back into the bathroom. She put on the necklace and admired it in the mirror. It perfectly complimented the harvest orange skirt and fitted flannel shirt she’d chosen to wear with a pair of knee-high brown boots.

“Heather is such a sweetheart.” Aliza fluffed her hair about her shoulders.

Miller leaned against the doorway. “She really is.”

“Why in the world does she hang out with you?” She laughed when Miller held up a fist. “Kidding. She’s lucky to have you. You’re lucky to have each other.”

“That we are, and maybe your luck is changing with dating this Landon guy,” Miller said. “He’d better show up at the orchard or I’m going to hunt him down.”

Aliza gave her new necklace a final glimpse before turning toward her cousin. Resting her hands on his shoulders, she said, “If he doesn’t show up, you are not going to hunt him down.”

“No one stands up my cousin.” Miller folded his arms across his chest.

“If Landon doesn’t show,” Aliza said, oddly calm, “then I’ll know to move on.” She backed Miller up into the living room. “I’m ready to find someone. Landon has caught my interest, but if he’s not into it, then I’ll find someone who is.”

Miller blinked at her for several silent seconds. “Wow. You are like the healthiest, most well-adjusted person I know.”

“It’s all the yoga. It resets a person.” Aliza tugged him to the front door. “Now scoot. I’ve got some apple picking to do, hopefully with a hot radio deejay.” She touched the necklace. “Tell Heather I said thank you.”

“Will do. Heather said I should take Delilah to my house so you don’t have to worry about the pup while you’re out.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.” Miller looked around. “Where is the mutt anyway? She usually goes crazy when I come over.”

“She’s in the lovely backyard you helped me spruce up. She had some energy to burn off. Not that it ever burns off.” Aliza led him to the sliding door that opened to the back patio. Sure enough, Delilah was back there with a stick twice her size clamped between her jaws as she ran in circles.

“I’ll remove her batteries if she doesn’t wind down,” Miller said.

“Maybe Hansel and Gretel will tire her out.”

“They’ll try their best.”

After corralling Delilah and leashing her up, Miller took the pup and stepped outside, but he looked back at Aliza. “You’ll let me know if I need to beat up Landon, right?”

“Go, Mills.” Aliza pointed down her walkway.

Miller held one hand up. “Okay, fine. I’ll call that radio show myself if he fucks you over, Al.”

“Don’t you dare, Mills!” she shouted as he walked to his car, Delilah barking over Aliza’s loud voice.

“I make no promises!” he yelled back, but he was smiling so Aliza assumed he was joking.

He’d better be joking. She meant what she’d said. If it wasn’t meant to be with Landon, at least she’d know she gave it a solid try with a second date. And she was ready to find someone. She hoped it would be Landon because he interested her beyond belief, but she could scout around and find someone else if need be. She was too young to live this life alone.

After giving herself a final assessing glance in the bathroom mirror, she applied some lip gloss and grabbed her purse. She checked her phone and when she didn’t see any texts from Landon saying he wasn’t coming, she filled Sirius’s food and water bowls to overflowing and gave the cat several pats before hopping in her car and driving to Shepherd Orchard.

She couldn’t put words to her delight when she saw Landon’s truck in the parking lot and the man sitting on the open tailgate. Once she got out of her car and realized he hadn’t seen her pull in, Aliza took a few moments to study him. He had on a green and black flannel shirt over a black T-shirt. His broad shoulders were hunched over a bit as he looked at his phone, but the posture didn’t make him any less... imposing. Honestly, Landon was formidable, sitting there with his long, denim-clad legs hanging and his feet covered by a pair of black work boots.

Man, she was a sucker for work boots. In her mind, that particular footwear defined a man who did things. Hopefully, this man did legal things, unlike Troy who occasionally had worn work boots, but apparently had engaged in illegal things while sporting them.

The October breeze ruffled Landon’s hair, making the golden highlights shimmer in the sunlight. He almost didn’t look real sitting there. All gorgeous and perfect and stuff. When he glanced up, sunglasses perched on his nose, and saw her, a smile creased his handsome face, making Aliza’s legs turn to jelly.

Wow. That was some powerful shit right there.

Somehow she managed to get her legs to work and carry her over to him. He leaned to the side and stashed his phone into his back pocket then slid off the tailgate. His work boots stirred up some dirt when they hit the ground, the cloud making it seem as if he’d appeared magically.

“Hey,” he said as soon as she came to stand right in front of him.

“Hey. Have you been here long?” she asked in lieu of saying, “Can I kiss you right now?”

“Only five minutes.”

“You were early.”

“I didn’t want to be late and I owe you extra minutes for leaving early on the first date.” He looked down to his boots. “I’m sorry about that.”

Aliza waved a hand. “You apologized. Today is about moving forward.” She gestured to the trees. “And who can pick the most apples.”

“Oh, competitive, are we?” He turned around and shut the tailgate.

She headed for the orchard entrance. “Try to keep up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Landon followed her and Aliza had a good feeling about today. A very good feeling.

After paying their entrance fee and garnering bags to collect their apples, Aliza led them over to a grove of trees. “What kind of apples are your favorite?”

“Macoun,” Landon answered quickly. “When I get a good Macoun, I’m in heaven.”

“Those are my favorite too,” Aliza said, warmed that they had the same favorite apple, “but we’ll need some less wet varieties for the apple crisp.”

“True.” Landon surveyed the trees. “Where do you want to start?”

“You choose. I’ll follow you.” Aliza figured that might give him the chance to be the man in charge to make up for coming unglued during their first date. It also gave Landon the opportunity to go in less populated areas of the orchard if he wanted.

“Okay,” he said, choosing to head for the Macoun section first. “Let’s make sure we get enough of our favorites before other people pick them first.”

“A solid plan.” She stepped up beside him. “Am I okay here?” She motioned at the distance between them.

Landon immediately stopped walking and faced her. “You don’t have to be worried about being in my bubble.” He adjusted his sunglasses. “I’m sorry if I made you feel as if I didn’t want to be near you. That is not the case, Yogi. I promise.” His words, issued to her among the apple trees, touched her. “I don’t have a thing about germs or anything.” He looked away for a moment then sighed as he gestured around them. “I have a thing about being out.”

“Okay.” She appreciated the explanation. “Let me know if it gets to be too much and we can go.” She wanted him to have an out if he needed one. Making it to the apple crisp round was key to the date’s success, but she didn’t want him to feel crowded.

Slowly Landon raised his arm, his hand extended out to her. He wiggled his fingers and Aliza gaped at them. Was he... asking to hold her hand?

“C’mon,” he said. “I want to show you that I won’t lose my shit if you touch me.”

With her gaze firmly on his, Aliza interlaced her fingers with his. The moment their flesh touched, they both let out a little gasp. She almost let go, but Landon’s fingers tightened around her knuckles.

“No,” he said. “That was a good gasp.”

“I was hoping.”

“Yeah. We’re good, see?” He held up their hands then tugged her toward the first Macoun tree.

“Are you sure?” Because his face was a little pinched.

“I’m sure. I’m just... out of practice, I guess.”

“You can practice with me,” she said. “I love holding hands. I also love skipping so if you want to do that later, say the word.”

His hearty bark of laugh filled her heart with joy. A nice deep laugh that let her know she’d truly entertained him with the skipping suggestion. Being silly was the best way Aliza knew to keep things light and unscary for Landon today.

“I haven’t skipped since I was like in fifth grade,” he said, shifting his bag to their joined hands so his other hand was free to pick apples.

“We should definitely fit in some skipping today then. Great exercise and an instant mood lifter.”

“Is that your official yogi stance on the matter?” Landon picked some apples, but he didn’t let go of her hand so she had to pick in the same vicinity.

Which she didn’t mind at all.

“Yes, skipping is a permanent part of my yoga practice.”

Landon let his gaze comb over her. “Skipping appears to be good for the body.” With a small smile and a little blush on his cheeks, he tugged her to the other side of the Macoun tree in front of them.

God, she loved this version of the guy. He was more like his Henley Hears You persona today, but was it sapping all his reserves of energy to be this social and come off as being comfortable out in the world?

“You’d tell me if you needed to leave, right?” she blurted. “You wouldn’t try to tough it out if you weren’t okay, would you? I’d feel—” She stopped abruptly when Landon tossed an apple to her and she had to react quickly to catch it, letting go of his hand in the process.

“I’m not going to leave.” He said each word slowly, purposefully, as if making a pledge to her and maybe to himself. “We’re going to have a nice afternoon, Yogi.”

“Okay.” She reached for some apples in front of her on a branch higher than eye level. She wanted to hold Landon’s hand again, but doing so reduced her to only one hand. She had too many apples to collect to slow herself down with hand-holding, but maybe there would be time for hand-holding—or more—later.

“Landon!”

Aliza turned in time to see Christian jogging over to them. An instant smile bloomed on his lips.

“Hey,” he said, stopping right in front of her. “It’s my yoga friend.”

“Hi, my orchard friend,” Aliza said, giving him a wave.

Landon came around to her side of the tree and Christian’s brows lowered. “Wait a minute,” he said. “Are you two here together?”

“Yes,” Landon said. “I told you I was coming here today.”

“I know, but I didn’t know you’d be with someone. Let alone this someone.”

“I asked him to come with me today,” Aliza said.

“Did you now?” Christian still looked as if he couldn’t believe the scene he was witnessing. “I have all sorts of questions.”

“No, you don’t,” Landon said. “What you have are customers who need your expert help.” He motioned to the pickers in the vicinity. “Aliza and I are perfectly capable apple pickers.”

Christian adjusted the Shepherd Orchard baseball hat he wore, unruly black hair curling around the rim. “Okay, bro. I didn’t mean to offend. I’m just shocked you got a date with her before I did.”

Aliza chuckled as did Christian. Landon, however, took her hand again.

“I’m back in the game, little brother,” he said. “Watch out.”

Christian let out a whoop and clapped his hand on his knee. “Hot damn!” He whipped out his cell phone. “A picture, please! Donovan and Jackson are going to need photographic proof of this to believe me.”

“Are Donovan and Jackson your other brothers?” Aliza asked Landon.

“Yes, and as much as I hate pictures, Christian is right,” Landon said. “If he’s going to blab about seeing us together here, they won’t buy what he’s selling unless it’s been documented.” He gestured to Christian who was waiting with his phone. “Do you mind taking a picture?”

“I don’t mind at all.” In fact, she was damn elated he wanted to preserve the date in a photo.

She couldn’t wait to see what else he wanted to do on this second date.

Chapter Eight

God, Aliza smelled good as Landon leaned in closer to her so his brother could take a picture. A lovely mix of something flowery and fruity that he wanted to keep inside his nasal passages indefinitely. The breeze stirred up her chestnut hair, blowing it in his face, the silken strands soft against his skin. A super clear image of her lying beneath him in his bed with that gorgeous hair splayed out on his pillow flashed into his mind.

Holy shit. If his brain was capable of conjuring up that vision, maybe his libido wasn’t in retirement after all. Perhaps he could actually do this dating thing with some skill and bring this wonderfully compassionate woman some satisfaction.

But he didn’t want to only bring her satisfaction. No, he wanted to rock her damn world. Thoroughly.

That realization hit him like a sledgehammer to the chest, but he swallowed that bit of anxiety and tuned back into the conversation Aliza was having with Christian.

“The Granny Smiths are over yonder,” Christian said, pointing to the right of their current location. “They are good to put in apple crisp.” His brother tagged Landon in the shoulder. “Remember that apple crisp Gram used to make?” He closed his eyes and hummed. “She made the crisp part almost cookie-like.”

“Like a snickerdoodle,” Landon added.

Aliza’s pretty green eyes widened. “Oh, tell me you have the recipe for that, Landon, please. I want snickerdoodle apple crisp.”

“He’s the only one who can make it like Gram did,” Christian said. “The rest of us have tried, even Dad and it was his mother’s recipe, but none of us can come close except Landon.”

“It’s one of my few unique skills,” Landon said, shrugging.

“Yeah, and he won’t tell the family what we’re doing wrong.” Christian folded his arms across his chest.

“I need some way to make myself important in this family.”

“So they only keep you around because of your apple crisp skills?” Aliza’s smiling face made Landon want to smile too.

“Basically,” Christian said before he could answer. “That and his good advice. You’ve heard his radio show, right?”

At this, Aliza’s smile grew bigger and something inside Landon spread its wings. There were cricks and creaks as the feathers dusted themselves off and realigned, but suddenly his chest wasn’t its usual vise-grip tight.

All while he was out in public. Amazing.

“I have listened to Henley Hears You,” Aliza said. “And I’d definitely agree his advice is professional. He advised me to ask him on this apple-picking date.”

“You don’t say.” Christian whistled. “And look at the two of you now, having a good time and stuff.” His brother gave him a wink and Landon knew there would be texts later where Christian verbally high-fived him for this milestone step outside of his self-imposed prison cell. That was one good thing about his brothers. They wanted—more than anything—for him to get... better.

“Excuse me,” an elderly woman with a wicker basket hanging from her wrist said as she sidled up next to Christian. “You look like a strong young man.” She batted her eyelashes and Aliza snickered, making Landon do the same. “Could you help me? I plan to make several pies so I need a lot of apples, but I can’t possibly carry them all.” She dared to poke Christian in the upper arm and Landon almost couldn’t contain his laughter. Aliza gripped Landon’s forearm as she tried to control herself as well.

Christian, kind soul that he was, gave the woman a cherry of a smile and held out his elbow. “I would be delighted to assist you.” He wiggled his arm. “Shall we, my lady?”

The woman instantly threaded her arm around his. “Thank you so much, dear.”

Looking over his shoulder, Christian said, “Have fun, you guys. Aliza, find out what that apple crisp secret is for me.” He gave them a wave and escorted the woman to the next row of trees, chatting up a storm with her.

“He seems like a sweetheart,” Aliza said.

“He definitely knows how to appeal to the ladies. That’s his unique skill in the family.”

Aliza wandered back to the nearest Macoun tree and plucked one off to put in her bag. “I don’t know,” she said, peeking over at him, “you’re doing a pretty good job of appealing to me.”

That boosted his confidence like nothing else. “I should keep at it then?”

“Definitely.”

They picked apples and chatted for about an hour, taking their time to pick ones from the right trees. Aliza led Landon through the small farmer’s store where fresh vegetables from the farm on Shepherd Orchard lands were sold along with various confections.

“No sweets for us,” she said as they passed by a display of caramel apples. “We have crisp to make.” She paused and looked at him. “That is, if you still want to.”

Landon certainly wasn’t ready for this date to be over. Oddly enough, he’d had no desire to run throughout their entire time at the orchard. Maybe it had to do with the fresh outdoor air and wide open spaces—far from any streets and cars—but he’d had a wonderful time so far. Christian had texted him the picture he’d taken of Landon and Aliza as well as sent it to Donovan, Jackson, and their parents. That group text had blown up with plenty of hurrays and way to go messages. Landon had to admit he looked pretty happy in the photo with Aliza close.

“I still want to make apple crisp with you,” he said as he put his bag of apples on the scale. He motioned to Aliza’s bag when the cashier was about to tell him how much he owed.

“I can pay for these,” Aliza said.

“I’m sure you can,” Landon said, “but you’re not going to today.”

She gave him a sweet grin and set her bag on the scale. “Thanks.”

“No, thank you.” He paid the cashier then collected both bags, prodding Aliza into a walk. “If it weren’t for you, I would have spent today doing something far less fun and alone.”

“Glad I can be of service.” Aliza bowed as she led him out the exit and toward the field where their vehicles were parked.

“Do you...” He had to take a second to make sure he wanted to say what he was going to say. In that second, however, he couldn’t locate a reason not to ask this next question. “Do you want to come to my house to make the apple crisp? We could make Gram’s secret recipe.”

Aliza stumbled over her own feet and Landon stepped up next to her so she’d tumble into him and not to the ground. He didn’t have a free hand because he toted bags of apples in each, but his body did the trick. Aliza hooked a hand on his shoulder to catch herself.

“Whoa. The ground was uneven over there.” She peeked back at the grassy field and Landon looked too, but it appeared pretty level to him. “I would love to come to your house as long as you are comfortable with that option. If you’re offering because you think that’s what I want, don’t. What I want is for you to enjoy yourself.”

“I will enjoy myself if you make apple crisp with me in my kitchen.” There. He’d issued his bold demand. Sure, his palms were a little sweaty, his grip wet on the handles of the apple bags, but other than that small symptom, he didn’t feel an anxiety episode coming on.

Progress.

“Okay, then.” Aliza clapped. “Let’s do it. Do we need to pick up any additional ingredients?”

Landon shook his head. “No, I got what we needed this morning.”

“You did?” Aliza’s eyebrows rose over those Irish green eyes. “A premeditated invitation to bake at your house then? Interesting.”

“No one is more surprised than I am,” Landon admitted. “But it’s cool. I want you to come over.”

“Do I get to see your snake?”

Landon coughed on his next inhale and Aliza laughed.

“Oh, there is definitely hope for you, Landon, if your mind went where it did with that question.” She wagged a finger at him. “I meant your boa constrictor.”

“I know,” he said, his voice strained because, wouldn’t you know, that erection was back. Thank God he could hide it with the bags of apples. “Follow me to my house?”

Aliza saluted him. “Will do.” She walked away, but then she broke into a skip, getting some serious air and making Landon nearly double over in laughter. How long had it been since someone had made him laugh like that?

Forever.

After unlocking his truck doors, Landon hoisted the apple bags onto the passenger seat and secured them with the seatbelt. The apples would be no good to them if they turned into applesauce on the drive to his house. He needed those apples to be in pristine condition if Gram’s recipe was going to meet success and it had to meet success. He’d be mortified in front of Aliza—again—if the recipe flopped after he and Christian had spoken so highly of it.

Landon pulled out of his spot and saw Aliza do the same in his rearview mirror. They didn’t have far to go, but he wanted to make sure he didn’t lose her on the residential side streets of Maplehaven. Streets that often looked the same—a few houses, lots of trees, and sometimes no asphalt. A few minutes into the trip, however, and he quickly learned Aliza was a skilled follower. She stayed close, didn’t let anyone cut in between them, and was so quick on her turn signals he wondered if she could read his mind or something.

He hoped she couldn’t. Then she would have read that bit where he wanted to corral her beneath him in his bed. Would she feel disrespected if she found out he’d had that thought?

Or would she be flattered?

Landon didn’t know enough about Aliza to make that distinction yet. Hopefully the next phase of this date would help him fill in more details about this woman who had caught his attention. He was surprised how much he wanted to know more about her.

When he pulled into his driveway and opened the garage door, Aliza waited out in the street in her vehicle. He hopped out of his truck as soon as he’d pulled into the garage and cut the engine.

“You can park here,” he shouted, pointing to the driveway right behind his truck. “That way you’re not in the road.”

Aliza gave him a thumbs up and did as he advised. When she stepped out of her car, Landon froze for a moment. Aside from his family and occasionally Jeremy, no one else in Maplehaven had been to his house in years.

“Hey,” Aliza said softly when she came to stand in front of him. “You okay, Landon?”

He snapped his mouth closed, only just realizing it was hanging open. “Yes. I’m okay. Better than okay. Are you okay?”

“I’m also better than okay.” She gestured to his house. “I like your house. Raised ranches are always so spacious.”

“This one has a nice open floor plan upstairs.” Really? He was talking about floor plans now? Ugh.

Aliza’s lip twitched up a little at the left corner. “Look, Landon, I know none of this is easy for you and I’ll understand if you need me to go.”

He shook his head. “No. Apple crisp cooks better with a buddy.” When Aliza’s grin widened, he knew he’d said the correct thing. Ducking into the cab of his truck, he grabbed the bags of apples. “I’m going to take both in so yours are safe, okay?”

“We should use half from my bag and half from yours on the apple crisp,” Aliza said as she followed him to the door in the garage leading into the house. “To be fair.”

“That means I’ll have to send half of the apple crisp home with you then.”

Aliza chuckled. “You assume there will be enough left to send home. That’s cute.”

“Plan to chow down?” He let them into the house after giving Aliza one bag to carry.

“With all the hype you and Christian caused over this crisp? You betcha. There won’t be a crumb left, pal.”

“We should probably eat something healthy first,” Landon said as he put his bag on the floor by the fridge and motioned for Aliza to do the same with her bag. “You know, so we don’t try to stave off our hunger with only apple crisp.”

“I’m not morally against a meal of apple crisp, Landon. Technically, it’s fruit, no?”

“Hey, I defer to you. You’re the health and wellness expert. I eat all kinds of crap.”

“What kinds of crap?” Aliza reached over and put her hand on the handle of the refrigerator door. “May I look in here? I’m concerned now.”

He waved a hand, giving her permission. Having her here at his house wasn’t causing him any stress at all. As far as he was concerned, she could peek into any closet, cabinet, or drawer in the house. He had nothing to hide here in his kingdom.

Well... except one thing.

Aliza opened the fridge and scanned the shelves. “Veggies, fruit, milk, juice, yogurt, deli meats, cheeses... okay, I don’t see anything too crazy in here.” She helped herself to a gander into his freezer where he mostly kept bread. “Lots of ice cream here.”

Oh, yeah. He’d forgotten about the ice cream.

“I may have a problem when it comes to ice cream,” he said. “Admitting there’s a problem is half the battle, right?” He leaned against the counter beside the refrigerator as Aliza reached into the freezer and pulled out an ice cream container.

“Yes, identifying the problem is key, but I’m going to go ahead and approve your ice cream collection.”

“You are?”

“Hell, yes. I might be into health and wellness, but certain foods are good for our mental health. If ice cream makes you feel good, then why shouldn’t you have it?” She put the container back and closed the freezer. “In moderation of course and with a good amount of physical activity. It’s all about balance. That’s what people always get wrong.”

Looking at her standing there in her skirt and flannel shirt and those sexy, brown boots, Landon had some ideas about physical activity.

“Shall we get to the apple crisp?” he asked instead.

Because he needed to take baby steps here. This was only the second date he’d been on since Before. Were the rules of dating still the same?

Only one way to find out.

****

“How can I help?” Aliza asked as she stood in Landon’s kitchen. She simultaneously wanted to focus on him and check out his house. He’d fascinated her while they were at the orchard. Watching him interact with his brother had been fun too. It brought her some comfort to know he had a good relationship with Christian. She hoped it was the same with the rest of his family. She had Miller and everyone deserved at least one person who was there for them no matter what.

Now that she was in Landon’s home, she was called to do a little archaeology and dig into the man’s habitat. Her fridge expedition had told her he was perfectly capable of feeding himself, but what else could she learn from surveying his surroundings?

“You can start peeling apples if you don’t mind that task,” Landon said, bringing Aliza’s attention back to the apple crisp.

“Roger that.” She bent over the bags of apples, abandoning her investigation for now. “How many do we need?”

“Ten,” Landon said. “Six Granny Smiths and four Honey Crisp.”

“Yes, sir.” Aliza grabbed what he’d requested and placed the apples by the sink to wash.

Landon placed a knife next to them. “I don’t have any fancy peeling and coring gadgets. Sorry.”

“No worries.” She folded up the sleeves of her flannel shirt before washing her hands and the apples. “I don’t either. Besides the apple crisp will taste better if we don’t cut any corners with modern technology.”

“I like your attitude.” Landon pulled out a thirteen-by-nine glass baking dish and a bowl setting them both on the kitchen island. “I’m going to combine the ingredients to make the snickerdoodle dough while you work on the apples.”

Aliza took her assigned work seriously, checking with Landon to make sure the size of the apple slices was to his liking. She stole peeks at him as he pulled flour, sugar, cinnamon, butter, and an egg out of their resting places. When he peeled off his flannel shirt and pushed up the sleeves of the black, long-sleeved T-shirt he’d worn underneath, her gaze zeroed in on his forearms. She’d gripped one of them when that little old lady had approached Christian and the muscle she’d found there made her curious about what the rest of him felt like.

Focus on the apples, lady. She was doing her best not to spook him, asking permission to check out his fridge, making sure he truly wanted her at his home, taking directions from him instead of making suggestions for the apple crisp. If this thing worked out between them, there would be plenty of time for her to be assertive. Right now, she wanted him to enjoy himself. No pressure.

“How are we doing?” Landon sidled up next to her and stole a Honey Crisp slice.

“Hey, that may have been the slice that holds the whole recipe together,” she said, using her hip to nudge him away because her hands were busy.

When his hands came to her hips to stop her movement, they both froze. After a heartbeat of silence between them, Aliza peered over her shoulder.

Landon’s head was bent, his gaze focused on his hands still clamped onto her hips. His fingers had such strength in them, probably from the rock climbing he said he liked to do.

Well, hell, he could climb her if he wanted to.

“It’s all right,” she said quietly, “to put your hands there.”

He snapped his head up, his hazel eyes connecting with her gaze. “Good to know because I can’t seem to release you.”

She chuckled. “Maybe I applied a little super glue to my skirt.”

“Powerful adhesive.” His voice was strained as if he were trying to keep his composure.

Aliza couldn’t tell if he liked touching her or if it completely freaked him out. “What’s going on in here?” She knocked her knuckle lightly against his forehead.

“Too many things to name,” Landon said, his grip loosening and his hands finally falling away. “I’m sorry.” He studied his palms as if they’d come into contact with something hot then he jammed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “I shouldn’t have touched you without your permission.”

“And I told you it’s all right for you to touch me.” She turned to face him. “Whatever you’re comfortable with is fine with me.”

Landon stood still as if someone had hit the pause button on him. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Why not?”

“Not every guy is a gentleman.”

“That’s the damn truth, Landon,” Aliza said, inhaling deeply, “but I don’t go around saying that to every guy.” She puffed out a breath. “In fact, I’ve never said that before to any guy.”

“Really?” He took a step back to lean against the island, his hands still firmly tucked into his pockets and his gaze darting down to her hips on occasion, as if he couldn’t forget touching her there.

“Really.” She turned back to the apple slices. “I spent the past six years in Boston. Married.” She peeked back at him, not surprised when his eyebrows rose. “Don’t worry. I’m not married anymore. And my ex-husband was far from a gentleman.” Curling a finger at Landon to come closer, she used her other hand to hook her hair behind her ear then tapped a spot on her temple. “See this scar?”

Landon pushed off the island and squinted as he neared. “Yeah.”

“Troy Pryce left his mark on me,” Aliza said, tracing a fingertip along the scar. Her hair hid it, but she never would forget the encounter with Troy that had earned her the imperfection.

“He... he hit you?” The question slid between Landon’s clenched teeth.

“Multiple times.” She exhaled loudly as she let her hair fall back into place. “I don’t know why I didn’t leave him sooner, but it was one of those things where I thought if I stuck it out things would get better.”

“But they didn’t?”

Aliza shook her head. “Not until he really bashed me and I called Miller to come rescue my ass. Which he did, God love him. He and Heather actually came together. Put their date on hold to drive all the way to Boston then back to Maplehaven to get me away from Troy.”

“And Troy accepted that you were leaving him?” Landon asked, gathering up some apple slices and layering them in the baking dish.

Aliza shook her head. “Hell, no. He came to Vermont to look for me, beat me some more when he found me, and beat up Miller.” She ground her teeth. “Thinking of Troy hurting Miller makes me want to scream, but that asswipe got what was coming to him. He’s in prison now for multiple crimes, among them drug lordship.”

“Wow.” Landon paused in his apple layering to look up at her. “So you moved here to start over.”

“Yeah, and to be near Miller. He’s the best person in my family. My dad lives in California, but we aren’t close so moving to Vermont was my best option. As I told you, I lived here as a kid.”

“And are you happy to be back?”

She cut the last slices and pushed the cutting board toward Landon so he could put the apples in the baking dish. “I am, and times like this make me more certain I made the right decision.”

“Times like making apple crisp?” His lips turned up in the corner so she knew he was making a joke.

“Yes, apple crisp seals the deal, you know?” She reached over to steal an apple slice and pop it into her mouth.

Landon was quiet for a few moments as he brought the dish over to the island and dropped rounded globs of the snickerdoodle dough he’d made atop the apples. When he’d finished, he said, “That Troy guy is a real idiot. He had you and he screwed it up.”

He didn’t wait for her to reply. Instead he lifted the baking dish and said, “Open the oven for me?”

Nodding, Aliza walked toward the oven and lowered the door. Landon slid in the dish, closed the door, and set the timer.

After offering her a hard cider which she accepted and taking one for himself, he asked, “While that bakes, do you want a tour?”

“I’d love one.”

“Great.” Landon arced his arms out. “You’ve seen the kitchen. It’s not huge, but it’s functional.”

“As long as you can successfully make apple crisp, what more do you need in a kitchen?”

“Truth.” He pointed to the dining room which was adjacent to the kitchen. It had a long farmer’s table with benches on each side. A copper pitcher holding some tall evergreens and sitting atop a gray slate tray decorated the center. “I don’t eat there often, but maybe we can have our apple crisp at the table.”

“Like civilized people? We can try.” Aliza plucked two napkins from a holder she’d spotted on the kitchen counter. “We’ll need to put these on our laps.”

Landon took the napkins and set them opposite each other at the table. “This might be getting too fancy for me.” He led her to the living room which was also part of the open floor plan.

“I love that there are no walls in the way of this space. You can breathe here,” she said.

“Leave it to a yoga teacher to recognize a good place to breathe.”

“Hey, breathing is all we’ve got. We stop and we’re over.” She raised her hands above her head in a smooth arcing motion and inhaled deeply. On the exhale, she lowered her hands to her chest, pressing them in a prayer pose. “Yeah, very conducive to breathing in here.”

Landon stayed over by a comfy-looking leather couch that Aliza definitely wanted to sit on with him. Perhaps after apple crisp feasting she’d be able to subtly convince him that they’d be more comfortable in the living room. Beautiful shelves lined either side of a nice TV, but it wasn’t the television that captured her attention.

It was the photograph on one of the shelves. Right at eye level. As she was about to work up the nerve to ask about it, Landon stepped up beside her and picked up the picture. He ran his fingers reverently over the woman, the little girl, and the Husky dog in the shot. His face creased with emotions and Aliza wanted to do something—anything—to erase that anguish.

He cleared his throat while she gave him a moment, sensing he was deciding whether or not to tell her about the photo.

“My wife,” he said quietly. “Simone. My five-year old daughter, Rebecca, and our dog, Alaska.” He glanced up at Aliza. “They... they died.”

“All three of them?” God, she couldn’t imagine the pain that came with a loss like that. Her heart instantly hurt for this man.

He backed up to sit on the edge of a chest-style coffee table, his gaze back on the photograph. “We were walking Alaska on Main Street in town and a drunk driver came up on the sidewalk and hit us. I only got hit a little.” He patted his right side near his hip. “Some stitches and a scar, but these three got mowed down. Rebecca and Alaska died on the scene, but Simone hung on for a day before joining our daughter and dog.”

“Leaving you here.” No wonder the man had freaked when she’d suggested a dog walk. Jesus. How was he able to function at all after a tragedy of that magnitude? Sure, she’d survived something horrible too, but the only thing she’d lost was Troy and she was glad to be rid of him.

To lose a spouse and a child though? And the family dog. All in one shot. Oh, she wanted to hug him.

“Yeah. I’ve been trying to live, but it’s not easy sometimes.” He drew in a breath and stood. After setting the photo back on the shelf, he opened the chest he’d sat on. He pulled out a photo album and showed her a few more pictures of his beautiful wife and daughter. A stuffed unicorn that belonged to Rebecca came out next and Aliza’s chest positively ached for him.

“Now you know why I don’t like to be out in the world. Anything can happen out there.” He shook his head. “I’m such a mess.”

“My God, Landon, I was thinking how incredibly well you’re doing after trauma like that.” She pointed to the picture. “How long ago did it happen?”

“Five years.” He started walking toward a hallway. “But it often feels like just yesterday.”

With a final glance at the photo, Aliza followed him to see a bathroom, a bedroom with a treadmill in it, and another that resembled a dorm room with an unmade twin bed, a few books strewn about, a TV smaller than the one in the living room, and some album cover art on the walls.

“I usually crash in here, when I can get to sleep.” Landon pointed to the smaller bedroom then gestured to the master bedroom. “I only go in there to clean.”

Aliza stepped around Landon to peer into the master bedroom. It reminded her of a museum exhibit. A perfectly made and untouched bed with a pristine quilt atop it and precisely fluffed pillows at the head. Two end tables with lamps. A dresser with a mirror attached, but nothing littering its wooden top.

“Your house is nice, Landon.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.

“C’mon, I’ll show you where I do the radio show.” He started down the hallway toward a set of stairs.

“Wait.” She caught up to him at the top of the stairs. “Henley Hears You is done from here?”

“Yep.” His face lightened up a bit now that they were talking about his radio show. “My Command Post is in the basement

Aliza followed him down the stairs and the moment he opened the basement door, she immediately made a beeline for the oversized chair in the corner. It had a lamb’s hide throw over the back cushion and a fleece blanket draped on the left armrest. On the pale yellow wall behind it, two acoustic guitars hung.

“OMG, I love this corner!” She flopped into the chair then froze. “Is it okay that I sit here?”

“Of course.” Landon smiled. “It is the most comfortable spot in the entire house.”

“Do you sit here a lot?”

“I do. That chair feels like...”

“A hug?” She wiggled against the cushions, her own arms wrapping around herself.

“Yeah. That makes me sound soft, doesn’t it?” He shook his head.

“Not at all. We all need a hug sometimes.” She settled deeper into the chair, but then her gaze fell upon the snake tank lining the opposite wall. She popped up and approached the tank. “Oh! Introduce me to your boa constrictor!”

Landon joined her. “Aliza, this is Cala. Cala, this is Aliza.” He shot her a sideways glance. “You want to hold her?”

“Absolutely!”

His small smile told her he’d left the painful thoughts upstairs in the living room for now. He no doubt was never rid of them, however.

Landon slid the top cover of the tank to the side and reached in to lift the snake out. Her tail immediately coiled around his arm.

“She’s gorgeous, Landon.” The patterning of her scales was a fine example of natural geometry.

“Are you cool with me putting her on your shoulders?” He held the snake over the tank as if he expected to be returning her when Aliza said no.

“Yes. Gimme.” She shimmied her shoulders. “I miss being draped in snake.”

A laugh barked out of Landon. “Draped in snake? I like that phrase.”

“I used to say that all the time when I worked with the reptiles at the zoo. People thought I was nuts, but I loved each and every snake there. They have their own personalities.”

“Yes, they do. Not many people realize that.” He settled the boa across her shoulders.

Cala constricted a bit as she adjusted to the contours of Aliza’s form. The warm weight of her made Aliza sigh. “I wish I could convince my clients to undergo some snake therapy. You know? Spend a little time like this.” She ran her hand gently down the snake’s sleek body, appreciating the smoothness of her scales and the strength underneath them. “Just beautiful, Landon. Beautiful.”

Landon stepped back and watched her. “Indeed.”

Chapter Nine

Landon reminded himself not to groan aloud as Aliza wore Cala like a scaly necklace. The image was every bit as sexy as he thought it would be. Aliza’s enthusiasm over meeting and holding a boa constrictor delighted him. Simone had been afraid of snakes and was completely against having one in the house. When she passed and he was so lonely he wasn’t sure he would survive, he’d purchased Cala for a grand total of five dollars from a guy who was retiring from doing school shows with reptiles. The man had fallen ill and couldn’t take care of his animals anymore so he’d been eager to find them good homes.

“What else can I interest you in?” the guy had asked when Landon came to claim Cala. “I’ve got bearded dragons, turtles, a skink, a hedgehog.”

Landon hadn’t been sure getting a snake was a good idea, but he’d needed something in the house with him. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to get another dog at the time, having lost Alaska, so the snake had seemed like the next reasonable choice.

“Just the boa,” he’d told the man. “That’s all I have the room and the time for right now.”

“Got it,” the handler had said. “When it comes to pets, if you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all.”

Landon had completely agreed. Had he known, however, that Cala would turn out to be an amazing buddy, he probably would have made the room and the time for more reptiles.

“Her scales are so smooth,” Aliza said, her voice almost a purr as she stroked Cala’s length. “God, Landon, she’s gorgeous.”

“Stop or you’ll give her a big head,” he joked.

Aliza flattened her palm and Cala slithered her head over Aliza’s hand, her tongue jetting in and out as she explored this new visitor. “Oh, she can absolutely think she’s all that. I mean, look at her. Just perfect.”

At the word perfect, Cala angled her head, looking right at Aliza.

“I think she wants to be best friends with you,” Landon said.

“I think I want the same.” Aliza grinned as Cala’s tail coiled around her wrist. “I miss my old job at the zoo so much right now.”

“Well, you’re welcome to hang with Cala whenever you want.” Landon busied himself with rearranging the log in Cala’s tank after issuing that statement. Would Aliza see right through that invitation? Would she know she could hang with him whenever she wanted also? Or would she see it as an empty declaration like when he’d invited her to go rock climbing on a second date and then bailed before the first date was even over?

Ugh. He hoped that wasn’t the case.

Spilling about Simone, Rebecca, and Alaska had... changed something inside him though. Sure, some people knew what happened, but he’d never discussed it. Hadn’t retold the entire story to anyone. After hearing about Aliza’s experiences with her ex-husband, Landon had known if anyone would understand about trauma, it was Aliza. That had given him the strength to tell her.

Maybe it would give him strength for other things too.

“Did you hear that, Cala?” she asked. “Your daddy said we can have some girl time whenever we want it. Won’t that be nice?”

Landon stayed bent over the tank, but when a shadow slid over where he was pretending to work, he looked up at Aliza and Cala.

“Show me your radio stuff,” Aliza said, arrowing a thumb over to the Command Post.

With something else to focus on—something he knew he could talk about with ease—Landon settled the log in the tank exactly in the spot it had been in originally.

“Sure.” He walked over to his desk, Aliza following, still draped in Cala. “This is where Henley hears you.”

“I feel a fangirl moment coming on.” Aliza clasped her hands together tightly as if she were trying to contain herself.

“How long have you’ve been listening to the show?” He slid into the desk chair and booted up the system.

“A few months,” she said. “Since I moved back from Boston. I discovered your show when I was staying at Miller’s and wallowing over my messed up life with Troy.” She shrugged one shoulder, sending Cala rippling a bit until Aliza caressed the snake and settled her again. “Listening to other people’s beefs... I don’t know... it made me feel as if I wasn’t the only one with problems. Your advice is always good too. Do you have a psychology degree?”

Landon shook his head. “No. I graduated from college with a communications degree.” He gestured to his equipment. “I always wanted to do something like this with my life.”

“Well, you’re good at listening to people and offering practical steps people can take to solve their beefs.” She poked him in the shoulder as she stood behind his chair. “I mean, I followed your advice and look at me now. I’m on date number two with you and I have a boa constrictor accessory.”

He chuckled. “There have been some people who didn’t like my advice.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I remember advising someone to carve out a little area in her garage so her husband could leave his muddy boots and dirty work clothes. Her beef was that he tracked the outside inside far too much. Well, she blew up—on the air—over my suggestion. Said I was taking the man’s side and she should have known better than to ask a man for advice dealing with another man. All us men were in ‘cahoots’ and such.” He shook his head over how riled up that caller had been. “Jeremy finally had to cut her off and we skipped to playing a song.”

“Wow. You would think she would have been open to any advice if she called into a show that... you know... gives advice.” Aliza rolled her eyes. “She apparently was immune to your soothing voice.”

Landon swiveled his chair a little to face her. “My soothing voice?”

“Hell, yeah. No one has ever told you how soothing your voice is?”

“No.”

“Oh, Landon, that’s half the magic right there. I feel my stress level lower listening to you when you’re solving other people’s beefs. A voice like yours would be nice in guided meditations. Have you ever considered doing that?”

“I haven’t.” But now he was thinking about it. That would be easy enough for him to record right here at the Command Post. “Do you think there’s a market for that?”

“Umm...” She angled her hands at herself. “Yoga teacher here. I lead people in mediations all the time and I know my voice isn’t a fraction as soothing as yours. You should look into it.”

“Maybe I will.”

He spent the next fifteen minutes explaining how his Command Post worked. The way Aliza hung on his every word made him believe that perhaps his voice was something a little hypnotic. Sometimes when he talked to Cala, the snake would sway a bit and Jeremy had joked that Landon was a snake charmer. Quite possibly he was and the power was all in his voice.

After the Command Post tutorial concluded, Aliza pointed to the guitars he had on the wall and then the ones he had in stands. “What kind of music do you like to play?”

“This and that,” he said. “Mostly bluesy stuff.”

“What are the chances you’ll play for me on this second date?” The hopeful expression on her face as she still wore Cala kept him from immediately saying her chances were zero. He played guitar more for himself.

Well, now anyway. He used to play for Simone and Rebecca all the time. Their house had been filled with music whether he was playing the guitar, singing, or all three of them were improvising something on everyday objects. If they could get a sound out of something, it instantly became an instrument.

“I’ll play,” he said slowly, feeling that strength surge again, “but you have to play too.”

Aliza motioned around the room. “I don’t see a handpan drum lying around anywhere.”

“No handpan drum.” Landon got up from his desk chair and walked to the closet across from his Command Post. He opened the door and rummaged around, his hand finally closing around what he sought.

“A tambourine?” Aliza’s green eyes lit up. “Okay.” She motioned to Cala. “I should put my friend back in her habitat if I’m going to get musical. I like to move with my music.”

Landon set the tambourine on the desk then lifted Cala off Aliza’s shoulders. He lowered the boa constrictor into her tank then pointed to another door at the other end of the room.

“There’s a bathroom right there if you’d like to wash snake off your hands,” he said.

“Okay. Be right back.”

And she was. Lightning quick. Didn’t chicks usually take longer in the bathroom than that?

Aliza picked up the tambourine and gave it a shake. “This is a nice one.” When she banged it on her hip and did what only could be described as a belly dancer’s body roll, Landon nearly stopped breathing. “Do you have something you want to play?” she asked. “Or should we freestyle? Let the instruments decide.”

“Let the instruments decide? Hmm. Yeah, let’s do that.”

“Okay!” Her eagerness was contagious.

Landon picked up his favorite acoustic guitar, not believing he was about to play for someone he barely knew. Truthfully, he was comfortable around Aliza. She had this sweet and playful side that reached out to him. He didn’t need to... hide from her.

“Let’s play something that would be good for skipping,” he said as he slid the strap over his head and strummed the strings to check for tuning.

“Great idea. You start and I’ll join in.”

Nodding, Landon closed his eyes and launched into an upbeat melody. A few moments later, Aliza layered in the tambourine at just the right spots. He opened his eyes, getting a rush out of watching her shake both her instrument and that amazing body she owned. It had been so long since he’d found himself in the intimate company of a fascinating woman.

Aliza Danahy was a fascinating woman. No doubt about it. From running her own yoga business to rescuing stray puppies, to coaxing him back out into the world, to skipping across orchard parking lots, to making friends with his boa constrictor, to playing the tambourine, this woman in his basement right now had it all.

Did he know what to do with all she had? She made him want to try to figure it out.

Her body moved like a liquid, all flowing and undulating, years of yoga practice contributing to her grace. She had rhythm too, her dancing right on the beat even when he went a little rogue on his guitar. She didn’t miss a step, adjusting her movements as if she’d anticipated what he would do. All the while, she rattled that tambourine like a true hippie, free and wild and full of spirit.

Full of life.

When her gaze connected with his, Landon couldn’t control himself. He stopped playing and slid his guitar out of the way on the shoulder strap so it rested more on his back. He took a step forward, but Aliza was already walking toward him too, the tambourine jingling with each step.

“Does this go against date two rules?” Her words came out breathy and sexy as all hell.

“Don’t care if it does.”

Landon put his hands back on those hips of hers—right where they’d wanted to be since the first time they’d made the trip there. After tossing the tambourine onto the chair nearby, Aliza’s hands came up to his shoulders and before either of them could say another word, their mouths crashed together.

Aliza let out a little whimper and just like that, everything Landon knew about kissing a woman came rushing back to him. Pulling her in closer, he loved how her body felt against his, all soft yet toned. Feminine and healthy and warm... so warm.

When she ran her tongue along his lips, he parted them for her and their kiss went up about thirty levels on the scorch charts as they explored each other more fully. God, she tasted like apple cider and woman and... hope.

Landon had assumed kissing a woman who wasn’t Simone would be strange, but it wasn’t. Different, yes, but so different he couldn’t compare it to what it had been like to kiss his wife. Aliza was an entirely new flavor. One he could enjoy without feeling as if he was betraying the love he’d shared with Simone. He hadn’t known such a thing was possible.

But now that he knew... well...

Aliza stepped back for a moment and helped him untangle himself from the guitar. The second he’d put it safely down, she was back in range and his arms automatically went around her to draw her in close. Their lips met again like magnets, powerless to resist the pull. Her fingers raked up into his hair and his knees nearly buckled.

Recognizing the effect she was having on him, Aliza’s lips turned up against his. She backed him toward the chair and gently pushed him to sitting.

Not too gently, mind you.

She was rough enough that his body created a racket as it landed on the tambourine. Smiling, she crawled onto his lap when he held out his arms in invitation. With cozy lamb’s wool beneath him and soft female curves in front of him, Landon didn’t see how sitting in this chair could get any better.

Until Aliza’s toned ass pressed into his thighs and his libido launched into overdrive. He leaned forward, not sure if he wanted to kiss her more or take a bite out of her.

A loud ding sounded from upstairs and Landon groaned.

“Apple crisp?” Aliza’s voice was only a whisper, her breathing at a post-jog level.

“Apple crisp.”

“We can’t let it burn.” She took his earlobe between her teeth and tugged in a way that directly affected his dick somehow.

“Are you sure, Yogi?” Because he was definitely in favor of not leaving the spot they currently inhabited. A switch had been flipped in him and he didn’t want to waste that energy.

“I’m sure,” she said, leaning forward so her forehead rested against his. “You don’t want my next call to Henley Hears You to be a beef about men who deny me perfectly-baked apple crisp as promised.”

He stole a few quick nips which Aliza generously allowed. “Fine.”

She didn’t move off his lap right away though. Instead she hooked her hand on the back of his neck and met his gaze. “Thank you.”

“Pretty sure I should be thanking you,” he said.

“I mean thank you for... letting me in.” She kissed the tip of his nose then stood, holding out a hand to tug him out of the chair.

He stood in front of her when she pulled him to his feet. “Door’s wide open now. I hope you don’t regret what you’ve unlocked.”

“I won’t.” Aliza picked up the tambourine again and gave it a shake. “Your guitar playing and kissing get high marks, Landon.” She headed for the stairs. “Now let’s see how your apple crisp performs.”

He stood in his basement, grinning like an idiot, for a few moments before following her. If ever Gram’s apple crisp recipe had to come through for him, today was the day.

****

Aliza made her way up the stairs, telling herself to be cool though her heart was racing. She’d hoped to kiss Landon, but had never actually expected it to happen today. Never underestimate the power of some good tambourine playing apparently.

More than the tambourine playing was going on here though. Everything that had led up to their little jam fest had been a factor. The nice time they’d had out in the autumn air at the orchard. The assembling of the apple crisp in Landon’s kitchen. The telling Landon about Troy, and Landon, in turn, revealing the tragic story some of Aliza’s friends knew about him. She understood why they hadn’t given her the details though. She wouldn’t have been so bold in asking him out—twice—if she’d known.

And she would have missed out on being with a kissing champion.

As she crested the top step now and walked toward the kitchen, she brushed her fingers over her bottom lip, still able to feel the press of Landon’s mouth, warm, skilled, a little bit possessive. God, she’d loved every millisecond of kissing him.

“Smells good at least,” Landon said behind her as they entered the kitchen.

“Heavenly.” She wasn’t sure if she was remarking on the apple-cinnamon scent or his kiss. Probably both.

But mostly the kissing.

Landon skirted around her to get to the oven first, his arm brushing against hers and sending a jolt of electricity crackling throughout her entire body. “No peeking,” he said, standing guard in front of the oven door. “I think you should allow me a few moments alone with the crisp so I may perform the necessary taste testing prior to serving.”

Aliza enjoyed his stance—arms folded, legs shoulder-width apart, back straight—but the playful arch of his left eyebrow over that forest-colored eye cast a spell over her. She’d witnessed this man loosen up over the hours they’d spent together today and that was most definitely a welcome magic.

“Okay, fine.” She folded her own arms across her chest. “I’ll sit at the dining room table, napkin on lap, and wait.”

“Many thanks, Yogi.” He turned around to face the oven, but he peeked over his shoulder when she didn’t move toward the dining room. “Off you go now.”

Huffing out a breath, but ending with a smile, Aliza stomped over to the dining room table and chose the bench that would put her back to him. If he wanted some privacy, she would give it to him. Hell, he’d let her hold his boa constrictor, explained how his radio show ran from his basement, and played the guitar for her.

And he kissed me senseless.

The least she could do was heed his wish to do some quality control on his apple crisp. Besides she needed a moment to come down from the high of having the gas pedal pushed to the floor on her sex drive. The last person she’d been physical with had been Troy and their final encounters had been abusive. She’d worried that intimacy would become a problem for her after Troy, but Landon had dispelled that concern. He’d done more than dispel it actually. He’d conquered it completely. With just a kiss.

And now she wanted more. A lot more.

“Vanilla ice cream with yours?” Landon asked from the kitchen.

“I never say no to ice cream.” She had a feeling she wouldn’t say no to anything Landon suggested. Not after sitting in his lap and exploring that mouth of his.

A few moments later, Landon appeared in the dining room, toting two glass, goblet-style dishes heaped with apple crisp and big scoops of vanilla ice cream.

“Is that... maple syrup drizzle?” she asked as she accepted her goblet.

“Yup.” Landon lowered onto the bench across from her. “Gram always said maple syrup is never a mistake.”

“A wise woman.”

“She was. About a lot of topics. And she knew how to keep my brothers and me in line whenever we stayed with her. A woman who can successfully contain and entertain four boys who are close in age is a warrior.”

Aliza held up her spoon as Landon draped his napkin over his lap. “To your gram then.”

He tapped his spoon to hers. “To Gram.”

Aliza dug her spoon into the apple crisp, making sure to get a sample of ice cream, apple, and snickerdoodle all at once. She was aware Landon hadn’t collected his own spoonful yet, realizing he was waiting to see her reaction to the apple crisp. The intensity of his gaze got her all fired up again so she shoveled the spoonful into her mouth, hoping the ice cream would cool her off.

The ice cream was cold when it hit her teeth, but that temperature instantly changed when the warm apples and soft snickerdoodle cookie portions hit her tongue. Sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, and apple flavors melded to create something... orgasmic.

Hence the moan Aliza released as she chewed, her eyes closed in pure bliss as she chewed then swallowed. “Oh. My. God. Landon, this is the best apple crisp I have ever eaten in my entire life.”

“As promised.” The accomplished smile on his lips was adorable.

“I mean, I’ve eaten tons of apple crisp over the years, but nothing that combines a favorite cookie with a favorite fruit in such a way.” She held up her dish and turned it slowly, inspecting the look of the apple crisp as if it were artwork. “The color, the consistency, the conflicting temperatures, the combined flavors... all of it... it’s perfection.”

“I’m pleased you approve of it.” He bowed his head slightly. “I have to say this particular batch is tastier than usual.” He glanced up at her. “Must have been the lovely assistant I had today.”

She grinned at him. “I do make a lovely assistant, don’t I?” She laughed when he did. “Seriously, this is amazing. Am I allowed to make it myself now that you’ve revealed the recipe?”

“Of course,” Landon said. “The recipe isn’t a secret. The rest of my family doesn’t properly channel Gram to make it.”

“I’ll be sure to channel appropriately prior to trying to make this on my own.”

“I’d be happy to be your lovely assistant if need be.”

Somehow Aliza resisted the nearly overwhelming urge to hop over the table and kiss him again. Yeah, she definitely would be calling him when she made this apple crisp.

They spent the next few moments demolishing their desserts and downing glasses of milk. Landon rose from his seat and collected their bowls while Aliza grabbed their glasses. In the kitchen, he rinsed what they’d used and put it all in the dishwasher.

“I’m going to put half of this in a container for you, okay?” He bent to a lower cabinet, offering a prime view of his ass in his jeans—so prime Aliza almost forgot to answer him.

“Yeah, great. Thanks.”

Once he’d divided the crisp into two containers and Aliza had rinsed the baking dish and stowed that in the dishwasher, Landon took both of her hands in his. “I know we’ve been together for hours now,” he began, his thumb running over her knuckles in a way that vibrated through her entire body, “but would you consider spending a few more with me on the couch in the living room. We could watch a movie or something. You can choose the movie.”

He didn’t want her to leave. Aliza wanted to skip all over that kitchen. She couldn’t have hoped for a better turn of events. Another invitation freely issued by him. She didn’t have to get crafty to figure out a way to stay longer.

Because she wanted to stay longer.

When faced with the option of going home to her quiet house or staying here, all cozied up with Landon, she definitely knew what to choose.

“I would love to watch a movie, Landon.” She slid her hands from his. “Let me text Miller about Delilah though.”

Landon smacked a hand to his forehead. “Oh, I forgot about the puppy. I’m being selfish, aren’t I?”

Aliza rested her hand on his chest. “Not at all. Delilah was already staying at Miller’s. Heather recommended she and my cousin puppy sit so it’s no problem for them to keep her longer. They have two dogs. What’s one more hanging around?”

“Are you sure?”

“Super sure.” She went over to the door that led to the garage where she’d set her purse on the floor. Rifling through it, she found her phone and wandered back to the kitchen where Landon was wiping down the countertops.

“What about Sirius?” Landon asked as he squeezed the washcloth and draped it on the sink divider.

“He’s got plenty of food and water,” Aliza said. “Cats are easy. Besides, he’ll probably love more time without Delilah or me around. Free reign of the house.”

“Peace and quiet.”

“Well, it’s always pretty quiet.” She sighed. “Ever since Troy, I don’t like the quiet. Boston was noisier than Maplehaven. I forgot how... still it is here. When it’s quiet, I can hear every creak and moan my house makes and I instantly think it’s him coming for me.” She shook her head. “Which is stupid. He’s locked up and not in a prison nearby.”

“Where is he?”

“West coast. They didn’t want to lock him up around New England because his connections to other drug lords were too powerful. They were concerned about a jailbreak plot.” Aliza rubbed her hands up and down her arms, but the chill from talking about this was way deep inside her. She couldn’t rub it away.

But apparently Landon could because when he stepped over to her and took over rubbing her arms with his own strong, kind ones—ones she was certain would never hurt her—that chill vanished into thin air.

“Is that why you like to listen to Henley Hears You at night?” he asked.

“Yes.”

A small smile turned up his lips. “I like knowing I comforted you before I even met you.” He pressed a light kiss to her forehead, a sweet gesture that was somehow as potent as the serious making out they’d done downstairs. “I’ll give you some privacy while you contact your cousin. Meet me in the living room when you’re ready.”

“Okay.” She took a moment to appreciate her good fortune. Thanks to a chance meeting during her routine Brenton Park yoga class, she’d been lucky enough to gain a puppy and a man. And, yes, she knew this was only date number two, but dates three, four, five, and so on were on the horizon. She could feel it.

Aliza fired off a quick text to Miller. Can Cousin Delilah sleep over tonight?

Of course, came back a second later. Having a blast with her. Heather’s in love.

The three dots undulated, letting Aliza know Miller was composing his next lines, so she leaned against the kitchen island and waited.

I don’t need to hunt radio guy down, do I?

Nope. Total gentleman.With a particular talent for kissing, but she wouldn’t share that tidbit with her cousin.

Okay. Have fun. Love you.

Love you. Thanks.

She added a heart emoji then dropped her phone back into her purse before joining Landon in the living room. She stumbled to a stop when she got a look at Landon sitting in the corner of the leather couch, looking so relaxed and sexy with one leg propped up on the chest coffee table.

“All set?” he asked when he noticed her standing there.

“Yeah. Miller said he and Heather are having fun with Delilah.”

“She’s a fun critter.”

“Do you regret giving her to me?”

“Not at all. I wasn’t ready to have a dog.” He gestured to the photograph on the shelf by the TV with the remote in his hand. “You know why now. Alaska was a one-of-a-kind dog. An absolute perfect pet.”

Aliza took a few steps closer to the couch, happy when Landon patted the spot beside him in a sit here motion. She didn’t delay and she had been totally right about that couch. The soft, brown leather molded to her form as she sank down next to him. She had a crazy moment of déjà vu which bewildered her. She’d never been here before. That was for sure. She had a feeling she’d be here many times in the future, however.

Landon reached behind them and pulled down a lovely, cream-colored crocheted blanket. The cabled pattern resembled Celtic knots. He unfolded it on her lap first, taking care to cover her legs properly, then draped the other half haphazardly over his own lap. That told her volumes about the kind of man he was. He’d taken care of her first then worried about himself. Troy had never, ever done that. Not even in the beginning of their relationship if she was being honest.

“Want a fire?” he asked.

“Oh, you don’t have to go through the trouble.” Though it would have added to the cozy vibe nicely.

“No trouble.” He leaned to his left to an end table and grabbed another remote. Pointing it toward the fireplace across the room, he said, “Abracadabra.”

Flames whooshed to life, sending flickering golden light over the living room.

“I understand a real mountain man would have a wood-burning fireplace,” Landon said, “but the house came with a gas one and it seemed silly to undo that.”

“Sure is convenient.”

“Cleaner too. I remember my dad hauling wood in and my mom bitching at him for tracking wood chips all over the place.”

“Do your parents live in Vermont?” She settled under the blanket, loving the warmth both it and the man beside her provided.

Landon shook his head. “Not anymore. They moved to Ireland a few years ago. My mother’s family is from there.”

“My ancestors are as well.”

Landon met her gaze. “That explains those pretty green eyes of yours.”

“You’ve got some Irish in your eyes too.”

“That I do, lass,” he said with an Irish accent, making her laugh.

She ran her fingers over the blanket. “These are Celtic knots, aren’t they?”

“Yup. My mom made this before she and Dad moved to Ireland. Made one for each of her boys. Told us when we missed her, we could wrap up in the blankets and know she was hugging us.”

Aliza’s throat tightened. “That’s adorable.”

“Guess this means she’s hugging you too.” He rested his arm along the back of the couch behind her.

A moment later, his arm slid down to rest on her shoulders. Aliza cuddled up against his side. “Is this okay?”

“Very okay,” he said. “What do you want to watch?”

“Something with hugging in it.”

He chuckled, his body shaking slightly against hers. Man, this beat the hell out of her normally solitary Saturday night plans.

“Hugging. Okay.” He turned on the TV. When the image came into focus, the letters WTRZ filled the screen.

Aliza poked him in the side. “Can’t escape work, huh?”

“Guess not.”

A female voice announced, “You’ve trusted him to hear your beefs. You’ve heard him advise the masses...” A male silhouette with big headphones on its head and a WTRZ T-shirt on its torso flashed onto the screen next as music blared in the background.

“Good Lord...” Landon raised the remote, but Aliza snapped his hand down.

“I want to see it.”

Landon grunted, but he conceded. “These promos are always so cheesy.”

“You’ve got your questions about the voice behind Henley Hears You,” the female announcer continued. “Well, here’s your chance to get answers. Enter our You Hear Henley Contest to win a date with our nighttime host, Henley. Get to know the man dishing out the advice.” The radio station’s website displayed on the TV as the announcer detailed the rules and how to enter.

Aliza pushed off Landon where she’d been leaning against him. “A contest to date you?”

“Let me explain.”

She got up from the couch. “You don’t need to.”

Chapter Ten

“No, I want to explain, Aliza,” Landon said. “Please let me.” Why in the world did that frigging commercial have to come on now of all times. He’d planned to tell her, but everything had been going so nicely on this date. The thought of telling her he’d be going on a date with some randomly-selected person was a good way to ruin tonight.

And he’d been right. Aliza stood by the couch and Landon missed her heat, her sexy form snuggled up to his.

“It’s your fault the radio station is forcing me to do that contest.” He thrust his hand toward the TV, though the commercial was over now.

“My fault? Forcing you?” Aliza’s eyebrows rose. “What do you mean?”

She’s not automatically leaving. That had to be a good sign. He could explain, make her understand.

“I didn’t want to have anything to do with a contest,” he began. “In fact, my contract clearly protects me from such a promotional event. After you called in to the show, however, and we had our exchange where I advised you to ask the guy in your beef out a second time, the station’s social media blew up. Listeners suspected the conversation was about me and suddenly I became super popular among the station’s fans. So popular that one of the station owners, Mara, came up with this brilliant plan to dangle me like bait to raise money for the station.”

“But if your contract protects you, couldn’t you say no?” Aliza sat back on the couch, but she took the cushion on the other end. Away from him. That wouldn’t do.

“I could say no,” Landon said. “I did say no, multiple times, but then Mara told me that WTRZ isn’t in the best financial situation right now. It has always had a hard time competing with the bigger stations in New England, but evidently things are at a critical point right now. I had no idea. Mara presented this contest as a way to essentially save the station, plus...” He paused then got up to grab the photo of Simone, Rebecca, and Alaska. “Mara is so sure that the contest will draw in so many paying entrants she promised to donate some of the proceeds raised to SoberDrive.”

Aliza’s face instantly relaxed, her gaze sympathetic. “SoberDrive. So doing the contest will help keep more drunk drivers off the roads.”

Landon placed the photo back on the shelf. He sat on the coffee table, his knees right in front of Aliza’s. “For the record, there isn’t a single piece of me that wants to do this contest, Yogi. I swear. I think it’s a horrible idea, but how can I refuse when it will help the station and a cause that is important to me?”

“You can’t.” Slowly she lifted her hand and cupped his cheek. “I have no right to get riled up about you doing the contest either. We are literally on date two here. I have no authority.”

“You have more authority than you think,” he said, putting his hand over hers. “I wanted to tell you about the contest earlier today, but I didn’t want to spoil our time together.” He lowered his head, her hand slipping from his cheek. “Is it too late? Did I spoil our time together by not telling you sooner?”

“No.” She rested her palms on his knees and gave him a little shake so he’d look up at her. “You were in a weird spot. I get it. I don’t know why I got so instantly miffed. You’re allowed to date as many people as you want, contest or no contest.”

“I can honestly say that after today, I don’t want to date anyone but you, Yogi. Being with you feels... I don’t know... right.” He was greatly encouraged when Aliza nodded.

“So aside from this contest, we’re agreeing to only date each other right now and see what happens?” she asked.

“I would like that,” Landon said. “The contest will require me to go on one date with the winner, but that’s it.”

“Hmm...” Aliza chewed on her bottom lip as her gaze met his. “Guess I’ll have to try my best to win that contest.”

“It would be heaven if you won.”

“Even if I don’t,” Aliza said, “we have the knowledge that we don’t need a contest to go on a date with each other. All we have to do is ask.”

“True.” Landon slid back onto the couch and pointed to the cushion beside him, releasing a breath when Aliza snuggled back into that spot. “So will you go on date three with me?”

“Definitely. What do you want to do on date three? You should get to decide because I organized dates one and two really.”

“Fair of you.” Landon picked up the TV remote. “Would you still be into the rock climbing I mentioned before I ran out of our first date?”

“Sure! Count me in.”

“Great. When?” He didn’t want to leave any loose ends here. He considered himself fortunate that Aliza had been so understanding about the contest so he didn’t want to tempt fate by not setting a time for their next date.

“I actually have some time on Wednesday,” she said. “You’re free during the day, right?”

“Yup. I’m tied up on weeknights with the show, but otherwise I’m around. Wednesday sounds doable.”

“Okay. Wednesday. Rock climbing.” She gave his thigh a little squeeze. “I can’t wait.”

“Thanks for not freaking out about the contest.”

“I’ll admit I wanted to,” she said. “Which is ridiculous. I don’t own you.”

“Neither does the radio station normally,” Landon said, “but Mara made it impossible for me to refuse.”

“I get it.” She looked up at him again. “I also wasn’t kidding about entering and trying to win the date for myself.”

Landon crossed his fingers and held them up. “Here’s to hoping you get selected.”

“If I don’t though, no worries.” She offered him a sexy grin. “I know you’ll spend the whole date thinking about me.”

He slid his arm back around her shoulders as she settled the blanket over their laps again. “I’d call you conceited, but you’re totally right.”

She slid the remote from his hand and began flicking through channels until she found a movie about a big city girl who gets transplanted to a small town. Landon knew he wasn’t going to like the film, but he didn’t care because he liked everything about having this woman cuddled up against him on his couch.

He spent most Saturday nights alone in this house. Tonight was a significant upgrade even if that commercial had almost sabotaged the evening. He was so relieved it hadn’t, though it didn’t make him look forward to that contest any more than he had when he’d first heard about it. Yes, he could help the station. Yes, he could help keep innocent people from getting plowed over by drunk drivers as Simone, Rebecca, and Alaska had been, but going on that date was going to be awkward.

At least with Aliza, Landon felt a real connection. He enjoyed her company and being with her here at his house was about as perfect as it could get. They were all snuggled and safe from the outside world. That contest date meant having to make small talk with a total stranger, no doubt at some restaurant setting out in public where anything could happen.

“If you don’t get selected for the contest date,” he said after a few minutes of watching the movie she’d picked, “you could crash the date.”

Aliza chuckled. “I’m many things, Landon. A date crasher is not one of them. Besides, I’d be pretty pissed if someone crashed my date with you, especially if I won it. You have to be nice to whoever wins. She’ll be a listener after all and you want her to still be one after your time with her.” She nudged him with her elbow. “You’ll be fine on the date. You’re killing this one today.”

“That’s because it’s a date with you.”

“I am exceptional company.” She straightened a bit to see him better. “You wouldn’t bring the winner here, would you? To your home?”

He instantly shook his head. “No. Invitations to the lair are restricted to exceptional company.” Landon ran his index finger along Aliza’s jaw, loving how her eyes closed at his touch. “I basically only let my brothers, my parents when they come back to the states, and Jeremy into my house.” He brushed a light kiss to her lips. “And now you.”

“I’m glad I made the list. I like it here.” She leaned forward and stole another kiss, this one a little longer, a little deeper than the one he’d given her.

“You’re missing your movie,” he said between nipping her bottom lip.

“I’ve seen it before.”

“Good.”

He moved the blanket out of the way and she slid onto his lap. He loved having her there as if his lap had no other purpose than to cradle that sweet ass of hers. When their lips met again, that instant flame he’d felt in the basement with her fired right back up.

“If you’re going to go on a date with someone else,” she whispered, “I’d better leave you with some good memories of me right now.”

“I support this plan.”

His hands rested on her hips as he slid her closer along his thighs. Her legs came to either side of his hips, her knees pressing into the couch cushion behind him. Heat from her core nearly ignited his dick, already rock solid from merely kissing her.

She let out a little moan at the contact and her mouth descended upon his. Her hands cupped his face while his arms wrapped around her. He didn’t want her to have any chance of escape. This time no apple crisp waited in the oven. They wouldn’t be interrupted. This kiss could go in any direction they pleased.

The question he had to ask himself was, What do I want to happen? For sure he wanted more kissing. Aliza’s mouth was amazing and he wanted to thoroughly explore it. He also wanted her mouth on him. Like everywhere. If her kissing was this fantastic, he could only imagine what else that mouth could do.

He hadn’t been intimate with anyone since losing Simone. That was a long goddamn time, but truthfully, he hadn’t cared. No one had interested him sexually and he’d thought perhaps that part of his existence was over. How could he make love to someone else after having such a perfect marriage to Simone?

With Aliza, however, he was beginning to see he did still crave a woman’s touch. He’d maybe been waiting for this woman’s touch in particular. She sure knew how to activate parts of him he’d thought had taken a permanent vacation.

Landon shifted to ease Aliza onto her back on the couch. She didn’t fight him so he assumed she was cool with going horizontal. She’d even tugged him along so they could continue kissing as they reclined. Like his chair downstairs, this couch would now take on new significance to him. He wouldn’t be able to walk by it or sit on it without thinking of this moment right now. Hopefully, he’d be spending more nights like this with Aliza and that made him giddy.

Haven’t been giddy in years.

Everything he was feeling tonight was an enormous improvement over the way he’d been feeling since losing his family. He’d never thought anyone would come along and fill that gaping void, but here was Aliza, doing just that on date number two.

She broke the kiss for a moment, her breathing labored, but a second later, her lips traveled along his neck then traced the line of his jaw. She skated her lips to the other side of his face and directly to his earlobe where she nipped and tugged. How did that little pull affect him absolutely everywhere?

He captured her mouth again and they kissed until he feared he might pass out from oxygen deprivation. Both of them panted like dogs after chasing a tennis ball clear across Brenton Park. Landon gazed down at Aliza beneath him.

“Man, you taste good,” he said.

“Right back at ya.” She ran her index finger over his lips. “These are powerful.”

“I’m surprised they still work in a kissing capacity,” he said. “It’s been a while.”

“Doesn’t show. You’re doing fine. More than fine.”

The commercial for the You Hear Henley contest came on the TV again and they both groaned. Landon got off her and grabbed the remote, shutting the television off completely.

“The terms of that contest had better be crystal clear to the winner,” Aliza said as she swung her legs over the side of the couch to sit up. “You should draw up guidelines for the date. I mean, it should state in precise wording that there will be no kissing.” She met his gaze. “You know, if you don’t want to have to kiss on that date.”

He liked the little flare of jealousy coming off her. “I don’t want to kiss anyone besides you.” He dropped a peck on her cheek. “But you’re right. A specific outline of what the date does and does not include is a good idea. I’ll work on that.”

“Cool.” She squinted at the clock he had on the wall opposite the couch. “I should probably go. It’s getting late.”

“Is it?” He had no clue what time it was.

“Yeah, it’s nearly Sunday, Landon.” She stood and straightened her twisted skirt and rumpled shirt.

It brought Landon some male satisfaction to know he’d been the one to send her clothes into disarray.

“I have to help Miller paint two exam rooms at his office tomorrow, but I’ll be around at night. Would it be okay to give you a call?” she asked. “I know we’ve set another date for Wednesday, but I’d like to talk to you before then.”

Landon took both of her hands in his. “I’d like that too. I shall await your call, Yogi.”

He followed her into the kitchen then diverted to the refrigerator to get her container of apple crisp and pick up her bag of remaining apples.

“Thanks,” she said after shouldering her purse and collecting the container and the bag. “I had a wonderful time, Landon. Completely.”

“Me too. I look forward to another wonderful time rock climbing on Wednesday.”

He walked her through the garage out to her car. No part of him wanted her to leave, but he’d keep that to himself. He didn’t want to come off as needy.

But he wasn’t letting her go without a proper goodnight kiss.

Landon leaned into her car before she could shut the door. She appeared to know what he was after because she met him halfway and gave him a kiss that left his engine revving again.

“I’m going to think about kissing you all night long, Yogi,” he whispered.

“And into the morning.” She closed her car door but blew him another kiss before backing out of his driveway.

Landon stood outside in the darkness until he couldn’t see her taillights anymore. Then he turned back toward the garage and, with hands in his pockets, skipped all the way into the house.

****

Painting with Miller and Heather had gone well. With Aliza’s help, they’d cruised and finished by midday on Sunday. The temptation to call Landon and beg to go to his house for more rounds of kissing was super hard to resist, but somehow Aliza managed. She’d returned to her own home and taken Delilah for a ridiculously long walk to burn off the sexual tension that had been swirling around inside her since Saturday night. No amount of exercise, however, was up to the challenge of making her forget what it was like to kiss Landon.

Aliza kept thinking about her time with him on his couch. If that contest commercial hadn’t come on the TV again, would they have done more than kiss? They’d been headed in that direction and what was even more surprising was that neither of them minded. They’d both had bouts of tragedy in the past, but the connection happening between them was overcoming what had held them back.

She absolutely couldn’t wait to see what rock climbing today brought. Time had passed slowly between Saturday night and Wednesday morning, but finally date three day had arrived. Aliza sat on her front steps outside to wait for Landon to pull up. It probably made her look eager, but she didn’t care.

That was another thing about this... relationship they were starting. It was honest. No games. No hiding what the other was feeling. They’d had several phone calls and texts over the past few days and they’d talked frankly. About a million topics ranging from growing your own basil to the future of the United States space program. Nothing was off limits now and she loved that.

While she waited for Landon, she double-knotted the laces on her sneakers and brushed lint from her black yoga leggings. She’d paired the leggings with a tie-dyed, long-sleeved T-shirt and covered that with a bright blue fleece sweatshirt. The October air was a little crisp, but she figured they’d work up a sweat rock climbing.

Or doing something else.

It was that something else that made her heart beat a little harder as she sat on the step, but she was ready for whatever today brought. Landon had to do his radio show tonight, but the day still had many hours for them to spend together.

After about five minutes, Landon’s truck appeared down the road and Aliza watched him pull into her driveway. He rolled down his window, not shutting off the engine.

“Get your yogafied ass in this truck now,” he ordered, but his lips were turned up in a smile.

Grinning, she stood and turned so her backside faced him. She lifted her sweatshirt to expose her bottom. Gesturing to it with her hand, she said, “This yogafied ass right here?”

Landon’s groan reached her ears. “That’s the one. I need it to be in range.” He stuck his arm out the window, his hand making a grab motion.

Not wanting to wait another minute to be next to him, Aliza jogged to the passenger side of the truck and climbed in. “Hi.”

“We’re doing the kiss hello thing.” He leaned toward her.

“You’ll get no argument from me.” Hell, she’d been craving his kiss since she’d last experienced it.

As if they’d been kissing each other their entire lives, their lips met and Aliza couldn’t get enough of the taste of Landon. She’d enjoyed kissing Troy in the early days of their relationship. He’d been good at it, but now that she’d kissed Landon, she realized how much she’d been missing with Troy. He’d been a mistake. She understood why now.

And contrary to what she’d thought on some days of her marriage to him, the reason he’d been a mistake had nothing to do with her. She wasn’t to blame. She’d done nothing wrong, because clearly—if the way this kiss was unfolding with Landon was evidence—she was quite capable of doing everything right.

Landon’s hand came up, his fingers raking into her hair and that brought things up another level. Aliza couldn’t bite back the little moan that rumbled from her throat. When Landon’s mouth curved up into a smile against hers, she lightly punched him in the shoulder.

He broke the kiss and chuckled. “What was that for?”

She loved the sight of his kiss-swollen lips and the sparkle in his forest eyes. “You think you’re a hotshot for getting me all revved up.”

The laugh that came out of him now was full-bodied and the sound struck chords inside her. “Hey, I’m going to take credit where I can get it. I killed it in that make-out session.”

Now it was her turn to laugh. “You do receive high marks, but don’t get cocky.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted her then dropped a quick peck on her lips. “In case you can’t tell, I missed you. Saturday night was like a lifetime ago.”

“Right? I’m glad I’m not the only loser who thinks so.”

He shook his head. “Nope. There are definitely two losers in this truck right now.” He held up two fingers then put his hands on the steering wheel. “C’mon. We’ve got a rock to climb.”

“But we’ll get back to more of what we were doing?” She didn’t care if she sounded desperate.

“Guaranteed, Yogi. Guaranteed.” Landon backed out of her driveway, but pointed to her house before heading down the street. “Nice house, by the way.”

“Thanks. I like it. It’s the first place that’s ever been mine.”

“My house too.”

“I’d be willing to give you a tour after rock climbing,” Aliza said. “If you’re interested.”

He shot her a quick smile before donning a pair of sunglasses and making her melt over how sexy he looked. “I’m definitely interested. Is my friend Delilah home?”

“She is.”

“Good.” He reached behind her seat, his gaze still trained on the road. “I got her these.” He dropped a small bag onto Aliza’s lap.

She peered into the bag. “More treats?” She pulled out a small box and shook its contents.

“Sweet potato this time. It’s important for her to sample a buffet of treats so you can discover which are her favorites.”

Could he be any cuter?

“These look good enough to eat ourselves,” she said.

Landon reached behind her seat again. “No need. I have these for us.”

Aliza took the container he’d handed her. After popping the lid off it, she inhaled a rich peanut butter scent. “This smells heavenly, but what is it?” She stared down at a collection of toasted oatmeal balls dotted with chocolate chunks and coconut.

“These are my brother Donovan’s special protein spots. He calls them spots because he doesn’t want to call them balls.”

“I see. They look yummy.” She secured the lid and placed the container between her feet.

“They’ll give us a boost of energy too after we conquer our climb.” He arrowed a thumb to the back seat. “I’ve got a cooler with water back there too.”

“Wow, this is the all-inclusive package. Dakota would be proud of you.”

“I learned from the best,” Landon said as he made a right turn. “How long have you known the Brentons?”

Aliza squinted as the sun blared into the truck. She unhooked her own sunglasses from her shirt collar and put them on. “Let’s see... I met Jacy and Dena in a drama club Maplehaven Library was running when I was in... sixth grade, maybe?”

“And you hung out with them often?”

“Yeah, we did stuff regularly. We’re the same age, but I didn’t go to elementary school in Maplehaven. My father sent me to private school. After I met Jacy and Dena, however, I begged him to let me go to Maplehaven High School. He got so sick of hearing it that he finally gave in. Then I was over at the Brentons’ house as often as possible because their family was way better than mine.” She glanced at Landon.“You’re wondering how our paths never crossed, right?”

“Yeah, but I’m older than you, Jacy, Dena, and Dakota. I was friends with Dakota when we were in high school, but we only seriously hung out together after graduating from college.” He puffed out a breath. “And I’ve been a pretty crappy friend since Simone and Rebecca passed.”

“Never too late to get those relationships up and running again. Especially with Brentons. They’re the best kind of people.”

“Agreed.”

“Maybe—and hold onto your hat here, Landon—but maybe date four could include a Brenton representative and their significant other?” She didn’t want to push him, but things were going so well she was encouraged to go for it.

Landon pulled into Brenton Park’s parking lot. “You mean like a double date?”

“Yeah. We could ask Dakota and Leah, Dena and Carter, or Jacy and Finn if they want to go to dinner together or something.” She rested her hand on his forearm on the console between them. “If you’re ready for that type of date. If not—”

“I’m ready,” he interrupted. “If you’ll be there, I’m ready.” He pulled into a parking spot and cut the engine, angling to face her as he pulled the key out of the ignition. “You give me courage, Yogi.”

“Well, that’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“It’s true.” Landon pushed his sunglasses up to the top of his head, his hazel gaze zeroing in on her face. “If someone would have told me I’d be sitting here, preparing for date number three and planning date number four, which could potentially be a double date, I’d have called them insane.” He took her hand and flattened it against his chest. “You opened something in here that I’d boxed up and put in the chest coffee table in my living room. I’m out here today because of you.”

Aliza’s throat was too tight for words so she cupped his cheek with her free hand and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I think we’re good for each other. You’ve helped me move forward too.”

He returned her kiss with one of his own then released her hand. “Now let me help you move up a rock face.”

“Here?” She pointed out the windshield. “In Brenton Park?”

“To a little-known corner at the edge of the park at the base of Brenton Mountain. We need to hike in a bit, but you’re okay with that, right?”

“Sure. I love to hike.”

He beamed a smile at her that could quite possibly get her to do absolutely anything he suggested. “Great. C’mon.”

The autumn sun provided enough warmth as they meandered through the woods bordering Brenton Park. Aliza had explored many spots the park had to offer since she’d been back to Maplehaven, but she hadn’t engaged in a ton of hiking to date.

And of course hiking with Landon was wonderful.

He set a steady but reasonable pace, always checking that she was doing all right as she walked beside him. He held out his hand when the terrain got tricky and helped her navigate around wet spots and thorny brush. They stopped at a point along Brenton Lake where the land jutted into the water and made a natural dock. A family of ducks quacked on their way by, the sound echoing off the trees. Most of the color in the leaves had faded to muted yellows and browns and the twiggy, gray look of winter was close.

“What do you like to do in the winter in Maplehaven?” she asked as Landon held a sapling’s branch out of the way so she could get by.

“Hibernate?”

She turned to face him, walking backward. “Hibernating could be fun.”

Landon’s eyebrow arched. “I believe it will be this year.”

Aliza grew warm beneath her fleece sweatshirt. Must have been from all the hiking. It had nothing at all to do with the heated look in Landon’s eyes.

“What else besides hibernating?” She had to keep talking or she’d throw him down to the leafy ground and have her way with him.

He looked at her for a long moment and she got the distinct impression he was imagining throwing her down in the leafy ground and having his way with her.

“I also like to do puzzles.”

“Like jigsaw puzzles?”

“Yeah. I find them calming. There’s something about sorting through the pieces, fitting them together, seeing an image unfold as more pieces get connected... I don’t know.” Landon waved a hand in dismissal.“I’m weird.”

“You’re not weird. You’re allowed to like puzzles. I can’t say that I’ve ever enjoyed doing a puzzle. I think I relate it to being sick. My dad would hand me a box of tissues and a puzzle when I stayed home from school if I wasn’t feeling well. Then after he saw me use a tissue, he’d tell me to wash my hands before I touched the puzzle pieces. I never understood why he’d say that because it’s not like he ever sat with me to do the puzzle too. I was literally the only one touching the pieces.” She shrugged. “Anyway. Not an exciting memory to go with puzzles so I guess that’s why I don’t do them.”

“I have some good ones. Beautiful landscape pictures,” Landon said as he stepped over a fallen log and took her hand to guide her over as well. “Maybe date five is a puzzle night?”

“Okay. Wow, we haven’t finished date three and dates four and five are in the planning phases.” She rubbed her hands together. “I like it.”

“Me too.” Landon stopped walking when a wall of rock appeared behind the trees. “And here we are.”

Aliza craned her head back to look up the expanse of rock. “This is Brenton Mountain? Like the Brenton Mountain?” She ran her hand over the gray chunks of stone at eye level.

“The one and only.”

“I’ve never been this close to it.” While Brenton Mountain, Mount Woodrich, and Birch Peak all surrounded Maplehaven and Aliza had seen all three in the distance a million times, standing right in front of one of them now took her breath away. “Such strength in these stones. I literally feel them vibrating.”

“Wait until you get up a ways.” Landon motioned up with his chin. “There’s a little plateau up there with the best view.”

She looked forward to seeing that view, but the view right in front of her was pretty spectacular too.

Chapter Eleven

Hiking with Aliza was an amazing experience. They’d had nice conversation while warming up their muscles walking through the woods toward Brenton Mountain. They’d also made plans for two more dates and while that would have scared the crap out of the old Landon, this Landon was looking forward to more time with Aliza.

Hell, he was even looking forward to making that double date she’d mention happen.

“So how do we do this?” Aliza asked him now as she looked up at the rock face in front of them.

Landon kneeled on the ground and set down the backpack he’d brought with them. Unzipping it, he said, “Don’t worry. I have everything we need right here.” He pulled out some harnesses, ropes, carabiners, belay devices, and unhooked the two helmets he had fastened to the side of his pack. “I borrowed some extra stuff from Dakota for today.”

“I was wondering where you got all that equipment.” She kneeled beside him and picked up one of the helmets.

“This wall is what I would consider easy,” Landon said. “It has a lot of flat sections that make great footholds, so we should be all set for today. If you like rock climbing, we can get more serious about it and then I’d suggest climbing shoes and a few other things.”

“Okay, boss. Show me what to do.” She clapped. “I’m excited to get my full monkey on and scale that thing.” She pointed to the rock wall.

“I have a feeling you’re going to be awesome at this.” And he was so going to enjoy watching her tackle this climb.

“I try my best to be awesome at things. I’m not always successful, but I don’t quit.” She gestured to him. “As indicated by my asking you out a second time.”

“Good thing you did.” He handed her a harness. “Here, your first test is to see if you can get yourself into this correctly.”

She took the harness and examined it from all angles. “I got this.”

And she totally did. Within moments, she had the harness on correctly and the helmet secured on that beautiful head of hers.

Landon hurried to catch up. Then he walked her through some of the basics of rock climbing and they set about going vertical.

Aliza was, as suspected, a complete natural at rock climbing. Though her body appeared delicate, muscles bunched and tensed in her arms and legs as she pulled herself up and supported herself on the footholds. Her movements were precise and careful and her speed was impressive.

After they reached the first little plateau and caught their breaths, she nudged him. “Can we go higher?”

Where had she been hiding all this time? In Boston, Landon supposed. “Of course. Come over this way. There’s a narrow path that makes it a bit easier.”

“You know all the tricks to this mountain,” she said, maneuvering over to where he’d indicated. “How long have you been climbing here?”

He sifted out a breath as he did the math in his head. “I’d say about fifteen years probably. Donovan took me indoor rock climbing once when I was in college and I loved it. After that, I took some classes on outdoor climbing then I discovered this prime spot. It appears no one knows about it. I don’t think even Dakota has scoped out this place.”

“I think he leads his climbing adventures on the back of Birch Peak,” Aliza said.

“Yeah. It’s a little more scenic over there, but the views are great here too and I prefer the privacy.”

They stopped chatting as they exerted a bit more physical energy to make it to the next natural plateau in the mountain’s side. Landon had let Aliza go ahead of him a bit so he could help if she stumbled, but of course she didn’t. She was so nimble and catching a view of her toned ass when he peeked up at her was sublime.

When they reached the second plateau, Aliza gasped. “Oh, Landon! It’s wonderful!”

He stepped up next to her to enjoy the panoramic spread of forest and sky and mountain peaks in front of them. “Yeah, this is my favorite spot.” Made a little more favorite now that he had Aliza there with him. “Usually I stand here by myself and just breathe deeply.”

“Let’s do that together. You know how I like to breathe.” She elbowed him then threw her arms out to her sides, raised them heavenward, then lowered them to a prayer pose in front of her chest. She did that series of motions a few times and made it look so peaceful and renewing that Landon joined in.

“Now would be a good time to practice your meditation voice,” Aliza whispered as she started the movement sequence again.

In a low tone, Landon said, “Raise your arms heavenward, reaching for the clouds drifting by. Inhale the crisp autumn air deep into your lungs. Hold the season inside you for a count of five then release, allowing your arms to meet above your head, palm to palm. Lower your hands to your chest, pressing your palms together and sealing in all the good in the universe. Repeat.”

“Very good, Landon. I’d say I feel tranquil, but...” She turned to face him, looking so adorable in her helmet and harness. “I’m afraid your voice now turns me on rather than relaxes me.”

“Is that so?” He took a step closer. “How turned on are you?”

“So turned on I take back my advice that you should lead meditations with that voice. I can’t have you getting anyone listening to you all hot and bothered.” She skated her hands up his arms and hooked them on his shoulders.

“Hot and bothered?” He pulled her in so her hips were against him. “Is that what you are right now?”

“Pretty much. Yeah.” She got within kissing distance, but paused just shy of touching her lips to his. “But it’s possible I was hot and bothered the moment you showed up in my driveway.”

He grunted his approval and the next thing he knew, their mouths were at it again. Landon was surprised they’d actually made it through the hike and the climb up without attacking each other. Perhaps they’d been conserving their energy, but now the checkered flag had been waved and the race had begun.

With the picturesque scenery around them on all sides and a magnificent woman in his arms, Landon wasn’t sure how this day could get much better.

Until Aliza pulled back a bit and said, “Tell me you have time to come back to my house, Landon. I... I need more than kissing.” She’d emphasized her point by lifting her left leg and rubbing it along his right leg as if she were done climbing rocks and wanted to climb him instead.

He was in favor of that.

“I have time. Let’s have a quick snack so we have the energy to descend.” And do other things.

“Okay.”

Landon led her to a small ledge built into the rock wall on the plateau and sat. He dug in his pack while she came to sit beside him. They munched on the protein spots and gulped water, no doubt trying to feed a hunger that had nothing to do with food right now. All he could think about now was getting back to her place. She said she needed more than kissing and he wanted to rise to that challenge. His body was ready. His brain was ready.

His heart was ready.

When they finished snacking, Aliza stood and peered down at their exit path. “As much as I enjoyed the climb up, I wish I had wings right now to make the descent swift.”

Landon came to stand behind her. “We could jump.”

Aliza’s head whipped around. “What?”

“Kidding, Yogi. Kidding.” He tugged her around a little series of boulders. “This way. I have a secret.”

“A secret?” She followed him and let out a laugh when he stopped walking and she peered over his shoulder. “There’s a path down?”

“Yup. The way I figure it,” he pointed up to an overhang of rock, “whenever it rains, water rushes down over that ledge and over time it wore a path right into the mountain. Sometimes when I don’t feel like scaling down the way I came up, I cheat and walk down this path.”

“Tell me you feel like cheating today.” She grabbed a fistful of his sweatshirt making him laugh.

“Most definitely.” He took her hand and together they nearly jogged down the path. “You have to climb a little at the end, but it won’t take long.”

“I suppose we don’t have to hurry too much,” she said as she followed him. “I mean, I don’t think my attraction to you is going to suddenly wane.”

Landon lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on the back of it. “That goes double for me.”

Within fifteen minutes, they were back on the ground, shedding gear, and heading for Landon’s truck in the parking lot.

“That was so much fun, Landon,” Aliza said as they met in the front seats. “I’d love to do it again.”

“Great. I was hoping you’d like it. It’s more fun rock climbing with a buddy.” He grinned at her. “Especially a buddy that looks so fantastic in a helmet.”

Aliza flipped down the visor and looked in the mirror there. “But do I have helmet hair now?” She used her fingers to fluff up her chestnut waves.

“Not at all.” Landon started his truck. “No sense wasting your time fixing your hair. I’m only going to mess it up in a few minutes.”

Her mouth dropped open, a lovely blush coloring her cheeks. “Why, Landon Henley, that was sassy of you.” But her green eyes had darkened and he knew she was thinking about what she wanted him to do to her.

“Maybe. It was also one hundred percent true.” He pulled out of the parking spot and navigated to the park’s exit. The urge to put the pedal to the metal was off the charts, but the one thing Landon never did was fool around behind the wheel. Not taking driving seriously could destroy people’s lives and he wouldn’t wish that on anyone. As much as it pained him to do so, he followed every speed limit, obeyed every traffic light, and stopped at every stop sign along the way to Aliza’s house.

When they finally arrived, Aliza had the passenger side door open before he’d shut off the truck. “C’mon,” she said when she met him on the driver side and yanked him out of the truck by his sweatshirt sleeve.

As soon as his boots hit the driveway, a cacophony of barking erupted from the house.

“Someone knows we’re here.” He surprised Aliza by scooping her up into his arms and jogging into the garage she’d opened. She weighed nothing, but her muscles were solid against him and he imagined what he’d find under her clothes.

“You’d better put me down,” she said when they reached the door from the garage to the house. “Unless you want to fend Delilah off yourself.”

“Fend her off? You mean you haven’t trained her to be a totally calm dog yet?”

“Uh, not exactly,” Aliza said as he set her down. “I’ve been too busy talking to or hanging out with you.” She poked him in the chest.

Landon put a hand on either side of her and leaned in, pinning her to the door. “In that case, you’re excused.” He brushed his lips against hers. Once. Twice. Three times. Exploratory soon turned predatory and he needed to get her inside immediately.

She broke free of the kissing, her eyes a little dazed. “You scramble my brain when you kiss me like that.”

“Consider my gray matter equally scrambled, Yogi. I can’t think about anything but touching you right now.”

“Forget thinking.” She put her hand on the doorknob. “Let’s get to the doing part.”

She swung open the door and sure enough all ten pounds of Delilah was right there waiting. The puppy barked and hopped around their feet until Landon got to his knees and held out his hands to the pooch.

“Come here, Killer,” he said. “Remember me?”

Delilah sniffed his outstretched hands then climbed right into his lap, her forepaws walking along his chest until they reached his shoulders. He cradled her small body against him and stood.

“She is literally hugging you.” Aliza’s gaze grew soft.

Landon lifted one of Delilah’s floppy ears and whispered, “Thanks for making me look irresistible to your mommy.”

“You’re going to look covered in pee if we don’t get her outside in the next twenty seconds.”

“Get me a leash.” Landon held out his hand. “Hurry.”

Aliza reached into what he assumed was a mudroom and produced a leash. “I can take her. I know you don’t like to go on walks.”

He shook his head. “I’m just going to the end of your driveway. You pick out a cozy spot for us to... you know... do more than kiss.” He wiggled his eyebrows, clipped the leash to Delilah’s collar, and headed back out to the garage.

“Oh, I’ve got just the spot!” Aliza called from the door. “When you come back in, see if you can find me!”

A little hide-and-seek? He was up for that. And more. Assuming he survived walking Delilah.

****

Aliza glided through the kitchen and living room and headed straight down the hall to her bedroom. It was spotless as was the rest of the house because... well, because she’d hoped the day would lead in this direction and she didn’t want Landon to think she was a slob. His house had been tidy and a messy home could potentially kill the mood.

And that couldn’t happen.

She scurried around her bedroom, lighting candles and turning on the small lamp on her bedside table. The soft glow reflected off the white bricks covering the wall behind her bed. A plump bedspread in a soft brown covered the bed which was low to the ground and made of wide planks of knotty pine. Aliza had fallen in love with the bed the moment she’d seen it at a furniture store in Sherbrooke. She’d been with Leah and Krista at the time and Krista had taken a few pictures of the bed. A few minutes later, Krista had told Aliza that Noah could make her a bed exactly like that one.

Easiest decision ever. And Noah had delivered, but her buddy had only charged her half the price.

Fluffing the pillows now, Aliza couldn’t wait to get Landon on that bed. To date, she’d been the only one to enjoy it. Where was he anyway? Delilah usually peed the moment she went outside and then was dying to come back inside for a treat.

After a super quick trip into the bathroom to verify that she didn’t have helmet hair, Aliza crept down the hallway and peeked out. Had something happened while Landon had taken Delilah out? He’d seemed okay with the idea of taking her, confident even.

Aliza took a few more steps toward the kitchen. She couldn’t see Landon or Delilah, but she could hear both of them.

“You like it here, don’t you, girl?” Landon asked the dog.

A few short barks came back as a reply.

“Yeah, you’re much better off here than you would have been with me.”

Aliza wasn’t so sure of that. His snake had obviously been well taken care of and Landon was being a real sweetheart to Delilah right now. If he was ready to do what they were about to do, wasn’t he ready to have another dog?

Delilah let out another series of barks, these a bit more on the whiney side.

“You want one of these sweet potato treats I got for you?” A soft rustling sounded as he no doubt opened the treats and pulled out a few for Delilah. “Okay, I’m off to get my own treat now, pup,” Landon said. “You’re on your own.”

At that, Aliza hustled back to her bedroom. Should she sit in the oversized bowl chair she had by the window in the corner to wait for Landon to find her? Or would sprawling out on the bed be a better invitation? Maybe standing in the center of the room was the best choice?

Why is this so hard? Probably because she wanted them both to be naked by now. Never had she wanted someone so much. Although rock climbing had been fun, Aliza had to admit that most of her thoughts had been on what was about to happen next.

“Where are you, Yogi?” Landon’s voice wafted down the hall and Aliza’s heartbeat sped up. “Your home is lovely, by the way.”

The scritch-scratch of Delilah’s claws on the wood floor grew louder and as the pup reached the doorway to Aliza’s bedroom, Sirius let out a loud meow from somewhere behind Aliza. She jumped a mile and let out a shout.

“Found you,” Landon said as he leaned against the doorframe.

Aliza pointed to Sirius who had apparently been hanging out on the window ledge before meowing and jumping down. “He gave away my cover.”

“Perhaps.” Landon pushed off the doorframe and strode into the bedroom, his gaze trained on her and nothing else. “But I think I was getting pretty warm hunting for you on my own.” He stopped looking at her for a moment to let his gaze do a sweep of the room. “This is a great space.”

“One of my favorites in the house.” She took his hand and tugged him toward the bed, but she pointed to the ceiling above it instead of throwing him down onto the bedspread like her libido cried for her to do. “On full moon nights, the glow comes right in through that skylight and washes the bed in its slivery radiance.”

“Silvery radiance?” Landon quirked an eyebrow. “Very poetic.”

“What? I know words.” She beamed a smile at him then her gaze dropped to his lips and how irresistible they looked right now.

Delilah took that moment to chase her tail as if her life depended on it. She did actually catch it, but then she didn’t seem to know what to do with it so she let it go and went through the entire game again.

“As entertaining as this is,” Aliza said, “why don’t I scoot the animals out and let us humans entertain each other instead, yes?”

“I’ll help.” Landon stepped over to Delilah and picked up the puppy as Aliza collected Sirius. “Where are we putting them?”

“This guy,” she wiggled Sirius who was currently rubbing his head against her chin in his version of Mommy, I love you, “can go anywhere.” She set him on the ground in the hallway and the cat meandered off into the living room. “He’ll no doubt go to a little post he has in the corner that allows him to see all of his kingdom from a height Delilah can’t reach.”

“Smart cat.” Landon scratched under the puppy’s chin and her eyes squeezed shut. “What about this kid?”

“Give her here.” Aliza held out her hands and Landon passed her the dog. In the mudroom closet, Aliza pulled out a rubbery ball that had a hollow center. Using only one hand she managed to stuff a few treats into the ball, much to the anticipation of one puppy whose expert sniffer knew treats were in range.

She set the ball down and rolled it toward the living room. As soon as Delilah’s paws hit the wood floor, the dog was off and running, her singular focus on that ball.

“With any luck, she’ll fool around with that for a few, exhaust herself, and settle on the couch to sleep.”

Landon came up behind Aliza, wrapped his arms around her waist, and slowly nudged her back into the hallway toward her bedroom. “I’d like to fool around, exhaust both of ourselves, and settle somewhere next to you for a bit.”

Hearing his wishes and feeling the strength in his arms around her ratcheted up Aliza’s need for him. She turned in his hold to face him, her hands coming up to hook on his shoulders as they continued backing down the hallway.

When they arrived at her bedroom, Aliza shut the door behind her. “To keep the critters out.”

“To keep us in.” His low voice struck a chord deep inside Aliza and she needed to get his clothes off immediately.

He grabbed the sides of her fleece sweatshirt and peeled it off her shoulders. She quickly assisted in getting her arms out of the sleeves and letting the sweatshirt drop to the floor.

Landon fingered the end of her T-shirt, letting his fingertip graze her stomach. “May I keep unwrapping?”

“It’d be terrible if I said no right now, wouldn’t it?” she teased.

“It would be, but we’d stop if you said so,” Landon said. “I’m not going to lie. I want you more than I want absolutely anything in the universe right now, however, I would never force you.”

Aliza lifted a hand and cupped his cheek. “I know you wouldn’t. We wouldn’t be here right now if I thought you would force me. I’ve experienced abuse and I don’t ever want to find myself in that situation again.”

“I can’t understand how anyone would want to hurt you, Yogi.” He leaned his forehead against hers, his hands hooking onto her hips and drawing her closer. “I only want to do things that make you feel fantastic.”

“Yes, please.” She brought her hands to the end of her T-shirt and slowly lifted it. Stepping back a bit, she slid the shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor with her sweatshirt.

The look on Landon’s face as he perused what was in front of him fueled her ego like nothing ever had. She felt like a piece of artwork hanging in a famous museum, admired by a special patron who understood what she represented, what she stood for, who she was.

He cut a trail from her neck to between her breasts with a single index finger then traveled over the mound of her left breast and back up to her neck. “God, you are perfect.”

“Depends on your definition of perfect, I guess,” she said with a shrug.

Landon shook his head. “No, you are universally perfect. Everyone would agree.” He put his hand on the waistband of her leggings. “I need to see all of you.” Again, he waited for her agreement before sliding her pants—along with her panties—down her legs.

She held onto his broad shoulders as he kneeled before her to free her feet from her sneakers and socks then the leggings. After he pushed that all aside toward her other discarded garments, Landon stood, his fingertips gliding along her skin and waking her up in ways she’d never been awakened. Her legs nearly buckled when he unhooked her bra then brushed her hair aside and nipped at the side of her neck.

“You like that?” he whispered into her ear, his teeth going right back to tugging on her flesh as he dropped her bra to the floor.

“Oh my God, yes.” She pulled at his sweatshirt. “You need to be as naked as me though.”

He yanked his sweatshirt off. In the next millisecond, Aliza lifted his T-shirt up and over his head, throwing it over her shoulder. She went straight for his workout pants next and in the same way he’d done to her, she freed him of the rest of his clothes.

A totally naked Landon stood before her and he was phenomenal. His arms and torso were cut with muscle, but not in a way that suggested he worked out like a madman. More like a man who rock climbed in his spare time and maybe lifted weights here and there. His legs were toned and sturdy, and as Aliza’s gaze wandered, she found a scar on his hip. He’d said he’d gotten hurt by that drunk driver too. While she knew he’d never forget his family, she wanted to ease his suffering and help him enjoy his life—the one he had a right to live.

“I think we’ve spent a respectable amount of time admiring, don’t you?” Landon arched an eyebrow at her after she lifted her gaze from taking in the impressive erection he currently sported.

“Yes, definitely.”

At her reply, Landon took a step closer. He slid his hand up to the back of her neck with a light touch as if he wanted her to be able to get away if she needed to. Oddly enough, however, nothing about the way Troy had treated her was getting in the way right now. She was completely at ease with Landon and knew what they were about to engage in would forever change her.

Light kisses tickled her lips and she was vaguely aware that Landon was backing her up toward the bed. Knowing it was a long way down because her bed was lower than a traditional one, she stepped up onto it, putting her core in range of his face. When his eyes zeroed in on that spot, she nearly laughed at the way his lips parted. He looked as if he were about to eat a coveted dessert.

“You make me wish I had whipped cream available,” she said in a hushed tone.

His gaze flicked up to meet hers, a blush staining his cheeks which made him both sexy and adorable at the same time. “I was thinking the same thing, Yogi.”

“Next time.” She loved when he nodded, acknowledging that there would be a next time though they hadn’t finished this time.

Aliza raked her fingers along the sides of Landon’s head, causing him to close his eyes as he stepped nearer to press kisses along her exposed thighs. His hands came up to cup her ass, his fingers kneading what he found there as he trailed his tongue along her hip. The bristly scruff on his jaw scraped her flesh and the sensation went straight to her core. The more he explored with his mouth, the more desire welled up inside her.

Landon coasted one of his hands from her ass to the front of her thigh. He traced a line up the inside of that thigh, his gaze meeting hers for a second before he tested her heat with a single finger. The groan that sounded from his throat almost undid her completely.

“You’re ready,” he whispered.

Aliza slowly lowered to her knees which lined her up with his arousal. She wrapped her hand around it and stroked once, twice, three times, loving how Landon’s eyes rolled and closed as he dropped his head back.

“So are you,” she said.

“I...” He had to stop and clear his throat for all that came out was rasp. “I need to be inside you, Yogi. I... must...”

He backed up to their pile of clothes on the ground and Aliza immediately missed his presence. When he returned with a condom, she forgave him.

“I haven’t had sex in what seems like a million years,” he said, fingering the edge of the packet. “But I assume safety is still practiced.”

“It is,” she said. “I haven’t been with anyone besides Troy, but I’m on the pill and we always used condoms too.” It struck her now that maybe Troy had been so pro-condom because he’d been cheating on her in addition to the abusing and drug lording. He probably hadn’t wanted any unexpected kids to pop up.

Ugh.

She pushed that thought out of her head. Tonight wasn’t about Troy. Tonight was about Landon and about how wonderful they were about to make each other feel.

Plucking the condom from Landon’s hand, she said, “Allow me.” As she tore open the packet and set about sheathing him, he nibbled on her neck again, which for some reason was driving her wild tonight. Having him in the curve below her ear, nosing around, nipping, and kissing was so intimate, and like him, it had been a while since she’d felt that close to someone.

Now it was time to get closer.

Chapter Twelve

Landon’s heart pounded and he wasn’t sure if that meant he was excited or nervous about having sex with Aliza. Maybe a little of both. Fortunately excitement won the battle and he kneeled on her bed as she backed up to make room for him.

Her bed was cushiony though low to the ground. He’d never seen a bed like it, but that wasn’t his focus right now. The woman inhabiting the bed held all his attention at the moment. Aliza had fully reclined, her body spread out in a sexy display he wouldn’t soon forget. His imagination hadn’t come close to how she actually looked naked. That image had been pretty detailed, but the real thing was... it was... damn, he didn’t think a word existed to describe her. Flawless, perhaps. Incredible, definitely. Those words weren’t enough though. They didn’t get at the true magnificence of her body.

Her skin was pale and perfect. Except for that slight scar she’d shown him at her temple, he didn’t see another mark on her. She was all smooth curves and fit muscle. Her breasts were pert mounds that begged for him to touch them.

So he did. He placed his rough palms over them both and kneaded gently, loving how Aliza arched into his hands and closed her eyes. Her skin was warm and yet she shivered beneath him.

“Are you cold?” he asked, thinking perhaps they should get under the bedspread.

She shook her head. “Not cold. I just... you touching me... it’s... it’s wonderful.”

Smiling down at her, he rubbed his thumb over her nipple, creating a tight bud, then he lowered and closed his mouth over that breast, using his tongue to further tantalize. The sounds she made fueled him to move to the other breast and do the same. She wriggled beneath him, her leg sliding along his then hooking behind him to draw him closer.

All he wanted to do was plunge into her, but knowing how Troy had treated her, Landon took things slowly and cherished her instead. He kissed a path between her breasts and down to her flat stomach. After spending a few moments there, he spread her legs and massaged along her thighs.

“My God,” Aliza breathed. “Your hands are magical.”

He continued down her legs to her feet and worked his way back up. Hovering over her, he captured her mouth and the kiss went supernova almost instantly. Aliza ran her hands over his chest then cupped his face, her eyes almost completely black because her pupils were so huge.

“Now, Landon... please.” Her words were no more than a whisper, but they commanded him nonetheless.

Slowly he slid into her wet heat, their mouths fused in a kiss so deep, so passion-filled, as if they’d known each other way longer than they actually had. This was a kiss that had full lifetimes together behind it somehow.

Instinct took over and Landon pumped into her as she wrapped her arms around him and widened her legs to accept more of him with each thrust. She surrounded him with her tight core, causing sensations in him that rippled through his entire body. Every move they made together brought more pleasure, more desire, more.... everything.

They were an amazing match as far as Landon was concerned, their bodies fitting together as if they’d been destined to do so. He increased his pace and she met him, the tension building until he had to release.

Aliza clenched around him as her climax washed over her. She gasped and moaned, his name sounding in there a few times as well. She immediately captured his mouth again, ending this encounter the way they’d begun it—with a volcanic kiss that left him scorched, but sated.

Landon slid out of her and dropped to his side beside her, his arm draped over her stomach. It took him several moments of inhaling and exhaling to get his breathing back to a normal rhythm. Aliza’s chest heaved up and down also, confirming she’d been as affected as he had by their shared experience.

She turned to face him, a smile on her lovely, kiss-swollen lips. “That may have been better than your snickerdoodle apple crisp.”

He tightened his hold on her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I should hope so.”

“For two people who haven’t done that in a while,” she started, “we’re pretty good at it together.”

“I think so too.”

She shifted and rested her chin on his shoulder. “Does that mean you’d want to do it again sometime?”

Hooking her hair behind her ear and tracing the line of her jaw with this finger, he said, “I definitely want to do it again sometime. Sometime soon.” He stole another kiss then tugged on the end of her hair. “Let’s plan that double date, but make sure we have a way to ditch whoever we invite.”

Laughing, Aliza swatted his bare chest. “Well, let’s ask Dakota and Leah then. They have Olivia to get back home to.”

“Excellent plan, Yogi.”

“I’ll text them later to see if they’re available on Saturday night, okay?”

“Sounds good.” He glanced at the clock on the table on her side of the bed and huffed. “I hate to say this—”

“But you have to go,” Aliza finished, frowning.

“I do. It’s getting late and I usually do a little prep and chat with Jeremy before going on air.”

“I understand.” She shifted to sitting and he did the same. “Bathroom is next door.” She pointed to the wall opposite the bed.

“Thanks.” Reluctantly, he got out of the cozy warmth he’d found beside her and collected his clothes off the floor.

“Hmm... watching you bend over to pick those up is almost as fun as taking them off you.”

Landon flexed a little as he grabbed his pants and she clapped. He opened the bedroom door and made his way into the bathroom. Stopping to look at himself in the mirror over the vanity, he finger-combed his hair back into a sense of order and noted the satisfied look on his face. It had been a long time since that expression had graced his features, but somehow he knew Simone would have approved of Aliza. He hadn’t been able to move on—hadn’t wanted to—until he’d met Aliza and that made him feel as if perhaps Simone had sent Aliza to him.

Or perhaps she’d sent Delilah so he’d meet Aliza.

Whatever the case, he enjoyed being with Aliza whether they were hanging out and talking or being intimate. He definitely wanted to spend more time with her and see where things led.

He rid himself of the condom, cleaned himself up a bit, and dressed quickly. As much as he didn’t want to leave Aliza’s house, he had to get moving if he wanted to be prepared for tonight’s edition of Henley Hears You.

Too bad Henley didn’t want to hear anyone but Aliza.

Stepping out of the bathroom, he followed the sounds of water running out in the kitchen. Aliza was standing at the sink in a short, sexy, purple bathrobe, guzzling a glass of water.

“Worked up a thirst, did you?”

She jumped and instantly started coughing on her mouthful of water.

He was by her side in a flash, patting her back. “Oh my God, Yogi. I’m so sorry.”

She waved a hand as if to say it was all right, but she was still coughing pretty vigorously.

“Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale,” he coaxed as he shifted to rubbing her back. “Nice and easy.”

After a few more seconds of hacking, she got a grip on her breathing and the coughing subsided, but her eyes were watering. Landon reached for a napkin and dabbed at her cheeks where a few tears had escaped.

“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I’m fine.” She cleared her throat. “And yes, I did work up a thirst with you.” She poked a finger into his chest.

He grabbed that finger and tugged her closer so her chest met his chest. He got instantly turned on again when he realized she was naked under that robe. Looking down into her eyes, he said, “Better share some water with me because I worked up a thirst too and I’m getting hot again.”

She pressed a kiss to his lips then freed herself from his hold. After grabbing a second glass and filling it with water, she presented it to him. “Your beverage, my lord.”

He took the glass. “Hey, you wouldn’t want to be the reason I couldn’t give people good advice tonight on air because my throat was too dry to speak, now would you?” He gulped the water and set the glass down on the counter beside them.

“No,” she said. “But I would want to be the reason you couldn’t concentrate tonight because you were too wrapped up thinking about what we did here today.”

“Oh, that’s for certain happening. No doubt. I’m only hearing every fourth word you’re saying because my brain is still back there.” He pointed toward the hallway leading to her bedroom. “I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about touching you like that for a long time.”

“Good.” She grinned. “It’ll make you crave the next time more.”

“Yogi, I’m already craving the next time.”

“Me too.” She caught him in another kiss that threatened to remove all their clothes again.

He could be in favor of that. Henley didn’t need to hear shit tonight aside from Aliza calling his name as they panted their way through another round of lovemaking.

Lovemaking? Yeah, what they’d done in her bedroom today wasn’t just sex. No way. It was something deeper, bigger, more intense than sex. It was the fusing of two souls who were meant to come together.

“You’d better go,” she said when the kiss ended. “I don’t want to be responsible for your fans getting all riled up if you’re late for your show.

“Will you be listening tonight?” He needed to know he’d be connected to her in some form when he left her house.

“Of course. I listen almost every night, Landon.”

“Almost?” He was teasing, but her face grew serious.

“Sometimes I get involved in a book or something and I forget about the time,” she said. “It doesn’t happen often.”

“Okay. I can forgive you, but make sure you listen tonight. I might play something special for you.”

“Yeah?” Her face looked so delighted. “Maybe you could play Bingo.”

“Bingo?”

“B-i-n-g-o and Bingo was his name-o,” Aliza sang, immediately drawing up a long forgotten memory of singing that song in kindergarten.

“Probably not.”

She snapped her fingers. “C’mon, you never want to play my dog-inspired requests.”

He tweaked her nose, causing her to wriggle away and swat at his hand. “That’s because your requests are terrible.”

Her mouth dropped open, as Delilah rounded the corner and whipped around his ankles.

“Delilah doesn’t think my requests are terrible.” Aliza bent to capture the dog then stood with Delilah securely in her arms. The pup immediately went to town licking her chin then let out several happy barks.

“That’s because she knows you’re her food source. Dogs instinctually don’t insult their suppliers.”

“That’s not why. It’s because she loves me.” Aliza squeezed the dog to her chest and Delilah sniffed around in her hair.

I can see why she loves you. But it was too soon to say such things aloud.

“Whatever you say, Yogi.” He scratched between Delilah’s ears then patted the top of Aliza’s head as if petting her as well. “You two be good.”

“We’ll try our best.” She followed him as he walked toward the door to the garage. “Thanks for taking me rock climbing.”

“Anytime. Thanks for letting me climb you.”

“Anytime.” She reached up on her toes and planted a kiss on his lips. While kissing her was wonderful, he also got a wet dog tongue in his ear at the same time.

“She soaked me.” He used the sleeve of his sweatshirt to wipe at Delilah’s slobber.

“She likes you.”

“Even though I gave her away.”

“Especially because you gave her away. You were looking out for her best interests and that’s never wrong.”

“I like how you look at things, Yogi.” But most of all he liked how she looked at him.

“I’ll text you plans for Saturday after I talk to Dakota and Leah.”

“Great.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Make sure you listen tonight.” He opened the door to the garage.

“I will. Good night, Landon.”

“Good night.”

It took every molecule of strength he had to force himself to step out of her house and into the garage. Once he’d achieved that, he looked back to see her leaning in the doorway, still holding Delilah and watching him.

“Why is this so hard?” she called after him.

“Leaving? I don’t know.” He threw up his hands. “But it is literally as if a giant magnet is pulling me back toward you.”

“Aww, you caught me, Landon.” She pretended to flip a switch on the wall beside her. “There, giant magnet deactivated. You should be all set now.”

He speedwalked to his truck as if afraid she’d flip the switch again and gave her a wave once he got into the driver’s seat. As the engine flared to life, he sat there for a moment wondering how the hell this woman had gotten such a hold on him. He’d gone from wanting no one to wanting Aliza so badly he could think of little else.

He wasn’t sure what was happening here, but he liked it. Probably more than he should.

****

Aliza hummed Bingo all through the hot, steamy shower she took after Landon left. Being with him had been fun and amazing and... damn, it had been the best thing she’d done since the whole Troy situation had unfolded. Those dark times seemed so far away now that she and Landon had met. At first she hadn’t been sure anything would come of their meeting. Landon had been quiet and uncertain about getting involved with her, but now that she knew why, she understood where he was coming from. It had to be hard to get over losing one’s family in such a tragic way. And being the only survivor had to take a toll on him as well, but now that he realized he deserved to be happy, Aliza was glad to be a part of the life he’d decided to live.

Drying her hair with a towel, she padded on bare feet back to her bedroom and one glance to the twisted bedspread made a heat sweep over her entire body. God, they had been so fantastic together. Landon’s lovemaking was slow and careful and attentive. Aliza had never had any of those features in her sexual encounters. Troy had been rough, fast, and selfish, but she hadn’t known it could be another way. Before Troy, she’d had a few partners, but she couldn’t say her experiences were vast or varied. What she’d shared with Landon tonight, however, had been exactly what she’d wanted sex to be since she’d first started fantasizing about it as a teenager.

Delilah hopped up onto the bed and Sirius claimed one of the pillows as his royal sleeping spot. Aliza joined them, but not before she grabbed a bag of popcorn, a glass of water, and switched on the radio on the alarm clock beside her bed. Maybe she couldn’t have the man in bed with her right now, but at least she could hear his voice.

There was still a little time before Henley Hears You began, so Aliza picked up her phone and found Leah’s contact. Tapping it, she waited for her friend to pick up.

“Hey, Aliza,” Leah said. “What’s up?”

I had fabulous sex with Landon.

“Not much,” she said instead. “I was just wondering if you and Dakota could get a babysitter for this Saturday and join Landon and me for a double date.”

“Ooh, Landon and you? Things going well in that department?” Leah asked.

“Very well, yes. I’m pleased with our progress.”

“That sounds like something I’d say in a parent-teacher conference.” Leah chuckled. “A double date sounds fun. Let me ask Dakota.”

Aliza was about to say Leah could call her back, but her friend yelled, “Dakota! You want to go on a double date with Aliza and Landon?”

A low voice sounded in the background, but Aliza couldn’t make out what Dakota’s reply was.

“Yay!” Leah cheered. “Dakota said he’d love to and that his mom had asked him earlier today if she could have some Olivia time so a babysitter has been secured.”

“Goody!”

“Dakota and Landon used to hang out a lot before—” Leah stopped abruptly.

“Before Simone and Rebecca died,” Aliza finished. “He told me what happened.”

“Oh, Aliza, I was hoping he’d find someone he could share that with. When Dakota told me about that horrible accident, my heart broke for the guy. I know firsthand what it’s like to have your life all mapped out with someone and then have that someone taken from you.” Leah was quiet for a moment and Aliza recalled that she’d lost her fiancé and her parents and sister to a shooting at an airport in New York. “I didn’t think I’d ever be able to get on with my life after losing Chase and my family, but Dakota was put in my path. Second chances are real, Aliza.”

“And now you have a great husband and a beautiful daughter.”

“Dakota really is great and Olivia really is beautiful.” Leah laughed then said, “You’re good for Landon because you’ve had challenges in your past too with Troy. You both deserve nothing but happiness so why shouldn’t you enjoy that together?”

“And enjoy it with great friends on Saturday night.”

“Excellent. I’m looking forward to it.” Dakota said something to Leah again in the background. “Dakota is looking forward to catching up with Landon too.”

They discussed the specifics, deciding a casual date at Mountain View Pizza would suit them all just fine. By the time that conversation was over, Aliza had one minute before Landon’s show officially started so she tore open her bag of popcorn, tossed a few pieces to a curious Delilah, and settled in to listen to the sexiest man in Maplehaven.

She was still riding the high from being with him. Her toes actually curled under the covers thinking about what the two of them had done in this bed earlier today. Aliza couldn’t wait to get another shot at it on Saturday. Too bad she had so many days to wait. She’d definitely have to talk to him on the phone before then. Several times. How had she become so addicted to him so quickly? Their first date had left her unsure about whether anything would happen between them, but after today’s second date, she had absolutely no doubts whatsoever. They had something. Something wonderful.

“Hey, everyone! Welcome to Henley Hears You, Wednesday night edition.” Landon’s voice came through the speakers and Aliza closed her eyes, soaking in the soothing timbre of his words. “What beefs do we have tonight? Let’s take the first caller.” He paused then said, “Hello, what’s your beef?”

“Hi, Henley,” a female voice said. “Big fan of your show.”

Aliza instantly didn’t like this caller.

“Thanks,” Landon said politely. “How can I help you tonight?”

“Well, I heard about the contest the radio station is running. The one where listeners can win a date with you, Henley.”

The way she’d said Henley made a jealous streak zip through Aliza. The Hen part came out all breathy and husky, making Landon’s last name sound like a word one might find in a book about kinky sexual positions.

“Yes, we’re hoping to raise some funds for WTRZ and for SoberDrive,” Landon said, and Aliza enjoyed how he was sticking to the facts.

“Two good causes,” the woman caller said. “Of course I entered, but my beef is that I can only enter once. To win a date with you, Henley, I’d sit here and enter a billion times to increase my odds.”

A heartbeat of silence came over the airwaves and Aliza could picture poor Landon in his basement, trying to think of something neutral to say to this caller. Sure, Aliza had called him twice and surprised him in doing so, but each time he’d been quick on the comebacks, the back-and-forth between them easy and natural.

Not so much with this caller.

Good. It was stupid how much that pleased Aliza.

“The rules were made to give all entrants a fair shot,” Landon finally said.

“Hmm...” The sound was more purr than anything else. “I was never one for playing fair, Henley. Do you have any advice for me on this matter? Tell me there is something I can do to ensure I win this date with you.”

“Wish for good luck, perhaps? It really is all about random selection. I thank you for entering and for your donation to WTRZ and SoberDrive. Every dollar helps us reach our goal.”

Which reminded Aliza that she had to enter this foolish contest. She grabbed her phone and filled in the online form, making her donation and praying for the good luck Landon had mentioned. She understood he had been put in an awkward situation with this contest, but hopefully she would win and could spare him from having to go out with some random woman. It would spare her too because the simple thought of him on a date with another chick made her fists clench and her jaw tense. She was already starting to think of him at hers.

“I like to help,” the caller said. “I like dates with hot radio hosts more.”

“Trying too hard,” Aliza shouted at the radio.

“Well, we’ll see how it all works out when the winner is picked,” Landon said. “Do you feel you’ve been heard?”

“I do, Henley. Hopefully I’ll be heard in person when I win this contest. Good night.”

“Good night,” Landon said. “And let’s get back to the music. I have a special dedication to a sweet dog mama out there.”

Aliza sat up straighter in bed and stared at the radio on her bedside table as if Landon’s face were visible there. Wouldn’t that be awesome? Was he finally going to play one of her silly dog-themed requests?

The opening notes of Night of the Wolf by Hendrake, a Celtic rock band from a few towns over, played and Aliza burst into laughter. It may not have been one of her requests, but he’d worked a canine in there just for her.

God, he’s sweet. And it was a damn good tune too.

Aliza munched on her popcorn and stroked Delilah’s soft fur as she listened. Knowing the song had been intended to reach her ears made her listen to every single word in the lyrics. She hadn’t listened that closely before.

When the moon is full,
silver light falling,

I’ll send up a howl,
the wolf’s calling.

You’ll know it’s me.

You’ll know it’s the start.

We’ll have the night.

I’ll have your heart.

Did Landon want her heart? Did he already have it? Was the song dedicated to her for the mention of a canine or because Landon wanted her to receive another message? She chose to believe the latter and bask in the warmth of Landon wanting her heart.

She’d give it to him.

Several songs played after Night of the Wolf and she liked all of them too. Landon took more callers and the topics were all over the place. A guy had a beef with the librarian who wouldn’t take some books he wanted to donate simply because the tops of them were dusty.

“Dusty! Can you believe that, Henley? Who disqualifies an entire book because it’s dusty?”

Landon had suggested the man donate to a shop he knew about over in Cheshire that wasn’t that picky about dust.

Then there had been a caller with a beef about her neighbor’s burn pile she’d had to look at every time she drove by for the past five weeks now.

“Why doesn’t he burn it? Is he going to leave it there all season?”

Landon had recommended she bake up something tasty and take it over to the neighbor’s. While she was there, she could subtly hint at lighting a match on the burn pile. She’d loved the idea and had discussed a few recipes with Landon on air.

Another caller had a beef with his wife who had insisted it was time to replace all the shades on their windows with blinds.

“We live in the middle of the woods,” the guy had roared. “Who in tarnation can see into our house? Why do the windows need coverings at all?”

Landon had calmly advised that perhaps the man’s wife simply wanted to have a sense of protection. He proposed that by being the guy who put up the blinds and offered that protection, the husband would be seen as a hero by the wife.

“With hero status,” Landon had said, “comes certain... you know... rewards.”

“Oh, gotcha, Henley,” the caller had said. “Gotta go, man. Have some blinds to put up.”

Listening to Landon tackle each caller and give such good advice—advice that often displayed kindness or brought people closer together—made Aliza proud of him. He really had a skill for handling people, despite the fact he’d hidden himself away since losing his wife and child. He got to the root of his listeners’ complaints and often offered the simplest solution. Every single caller so far tonight had left happy.

And fortunately, no more flirty female calls had come in.

Henley Hears You ended and Aliza was surprised she’d managed to stay awake to listen to the entire show. She usually fell asleep about two-thirds of the way in, but tonight she was still wired. Rock climbing and sex should have tired her out.

“That’ll do it for me, people,” Landon said. “Meet you back here tomorrow night.”

Aliza shut off the radio and stared up at the ceiling. Delilah was snoring from her cuddled position right by Aliza’s hip and Sirius meowed in his sleep from the pillow he hadn’t budged from throughout Landon’s show. The house was quiet and immediate anxiety descended upon her.

Dammit. Shouldn’t the fantastic day spent with Landon and the joy of hearing him on the radio for the past few hours have cancelled any worry over being alone in her house?

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table and she picked it up before it woke Delilah. She didn’t have the words for her joy at seeing Landon’s name come up on the text.

Are you asleep?

No.

Can I call you?

Not if I call you first. And she hit his contact immediately.

The phone hadn’t finished ringing once before he picked up. “Hi, Yogi.”

“Hi, Landon. Awesome show tonight.”

“You listened to the entire thing?”

“I did. I heard everything from the first caller who flirted with you to the Night of the Wolf dedication to the last caller whose beef was with actual beef.”

Landon’s laugh caressed her insides and man, she wished he were in bed beside her.

“Never know what callers Jeremy will let through. Hell, he let you through twice.”

“Because he knew I’d be good for you.”

“There’s more truth in that than you know. He’s been nudging me for a while to get back on the horse.”

“Does that make me the horse because you were definitely on me earlier?”

The hearty laugh that filled her ears made need well up inside her. Aliza hadn’t been aware a person’s laugh could do that, but here she was, getting all hot for Landon again.

Still? Yeah, it was definitely still because she’d been like a tuning fork, vibrating with desire since he’d left.

“I’d never call you a horse, Yogi,” Landon said. “A fox, maybe. And is it wrong that I want to be on you again? Like right now. It’s as if I didn’t get enough earlier.”

Hearing him say that made her yearn for him. She couldn’t say she’d ever yearned for anything quite like this.

“I didn’t get enough either,” she said. “Is it crazy if I tell you to come back over right now?”

“Is it crazy if I want you to be serious about that?”

“Landon,” she said.“I am serious.”

Chapter Thirteen

Landon pulled his cell phone from his ear and stared at the screen for a moment. Had Aliza invited him over? Again? For more sex?

“Landon? Did you hear me?”

He whipped the phone back up to his ear. “I think you invited me over again, but it’s possible I blacked out and am confused.”

“You’re not confused. If you are up for it and don’t mind leaving your house at this late hour, I have a warm bed and popcorn.”

“Did you say popcorn?”

“I did.”

“Okay, well, that seals the deal then. I will be there in ten minutes.”

“Really?”

“Yes, maybe eight minutes. I don’t want to give you an extra two minutes to change your mind.”

“I’m not going to change my mind. Get yourself over here.” She hung up before he could say another word.

Which was fine. He didn’t want to waste time with another word anyway. Landon popped up from his chair at the Command Post and put Cala back in her tank.

“Sorry, girl, but Daddy’s got a meeting he can’t miss.” With a stroke along the boa’s back, he closed the tank and jogged to the bathroom downstairs. He’d showered when he got home from Aliza’s, but he needed a better outfit. The sweats with a hole in the knee and the faded WTRZ sweatshirt didn’t exactly scream have sex with me.

And he definitely wanted that to be the message Aliza received loud and clear.

Taking the steps two at a time, he made it to the second floor within moments and sprinted down to his room. He changed into a pair of jeans, a green, long-sleeved T-shirt, and a brown, green, and maroon plaid flannel shirt. Finger-combing his hair as he journeyed to his mudroom, he put on his brown work boots and grabbed a light jacket. A pit stop in the kitchen allowed him to grab a bottle of whiskey that would be good for sharing.

The drive to Aliza’s house was quick as there weren’t many people on the roads at this time of night. His goal of getting to Aliza overpowered any worry he’d usually have over being out. He felt mysterious and secretive pulling into her driveway, especially when the garage door opened as soon as he shut off his truck’s engine. Delilah’s barking sounded, but it quickly stopped.

Under the cover of darkness, he bolted for the door to her house inside the garage and loved when he found her leaning in that doorway with that short purple robe on again.

“Tell me you’re naked under there.” He stepped up to her. The desire to rip that pretty little robe right off her gorgeous body threatened to make an animal of him.

She arched an eyebrow in challenge. “Only one way to find out.”

Landon let out a growl, the sound so foreign to his ears he almost didn’t believe he’d been the one to make it. The sexy look in Aliza’s eyes right now, however, told him he had made the noise and she’d liked it.

She stepped aside and gestured with her hand that he should come in. “I distracted Delilah for a few moments with some treats, but she’d going to notice you soon.”

“I have time to pet her, but I do have other important business to attend to.” He gave her a slow glance from head to toe and back up, pausing at her cleavage.

“The dog gets thirty seconds,” she said. “The rest of your time is mine.”

“I brought this.” He held up the bottle of whiskey as he entered her house. “Seemed like the appropriate beverage for an after-midnight get-together.”

She took the bottle and set it on the kitchen counter as they walked by. “I definitely want some of that, but”—she grabbed his shoulder and spun him around to face her—“not before I have some of this.”

Landon was overjoyed to have his arms full of Aliza as she wrapped her arms around him and planted that luscious mouth of hers on his. He got into the groove of the kiss as if they hadn’t had hours between their last round of lovemaking. Instant fire. Instant passion. Instant let’s-get-ourselves-to-the-bedroom.

Fortunately he knew the way so he lifted her, her legs automatically clamping around his waist, and carried her down the hallway. They kissed the entire way, nothing breaking his stride until he tossed her onto her bed. He loved the wild look in her eyes when she licked her lips and stared at him as if she wanted his clothes to suddenly disintegrate.

He could make that happen.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” she whispered as she clapped, her giddiness contagious.

“I’m so happy to have been invited back so soon.”

She got to her knees and shuffled to the edge of the bed. “I hope I don’t seem desperate, but listening to you on air got me all turned on, more than usual because now I know what it’s like to be with you.”

Well, he could listen to compliments like that all night long. He put his hands to his heart and approached the bed. “Yogi, you are so good for my ego.”

“I only speak the truth. I keep replaying what we did here earlier and my God, I want more.” She untied her robe and let it fall from her body.

Yup. Her naked body. This is my lucky day and night.

Landon wasted no time stripping himself of his clothes, enjoying the way Aliza watched him as if she were captivated by the show. He made a move to join her on the bed, but the scratching of paws on the wood floor stopped him. Turning to the bedroom door, he laughed when Delilah slid past the doorway then backtracked, a happy barking sounding when she saw him.

“Hey, puppy.” He gave her a few pats then picked her up and set her outside in the hallway. “Is it okay if I close the door until we’re... through?” Having a puppy pouncing on them as they made love didn’t strike him as the most romantic option.

“That’s fine.”

He closed the door and Delilah let out a little whine. “We’ll let you back in. Just give us a few, will you?”

“Might take more than a few,” Aliza said, curling her index finger at him.

That finger was a fish hook, snagging him and reeling him in. He did a quick survey of the bedroom though. “Sirius isn’t in here, is he?”

Aliza shook her head. “He set up camp on his post out in the living room. It’s only us consenting adults in here.”

That was all he needed to know.

He crawled onto the bed, backing Aliza up in the process until she was on her back against the bedspread and beneath him. “I’d like to gather more data about what you like.”

Before she could reply, he spread her legs and ran his hands along the inside of her thighs in a light massage.

Her eyes rolled and closed as she arched into his touch.

“Okay, so you definitely like that, don’t you, Yogi?”

When he switched to letting his lips run along that same path, the soft moan that escaped from her told him that was an approved move too. Meeting her gaze for a second—and loving the desire-filled expression on her face—Landon kissed his way to her core, his tongue exploring everything he found there. The way she writhed and whimpered at his touch signaled she liked this too. He kept at it and when the orgasm hit her, he wanted to high five himself.

He did still know what he was doing in this department and somehow he’d gotten better at it. Or maybe Aliza was really responsive. Either way, she was enjoying herself and so was he.

Landon looked up the length of Aliza’s naked body as her chest heaved up and down and she rode the aftershocks of her release. She draped an arm over her eyes for a moment then lifted her head to look down at him.

“Damn, that was... that was...” She puffed out a shuddery breath. “Yeah. It was so...”

“You’re so eloquent, Yogi.” He pressed soft kisses along her stomach, traveling up until he reached her mouth.

“I used to know words.” Her voice was no more than a whisper and her eyes closed.

Laughing, he kissed her then groaned when she moved her leg and brushed against his granite erection.

At the primal sound, Aliza’s eyes snapped open. “Allow me to return the favor.” She pressed on his shoulders until he rolled to his back. Starting at his mouth, she explored his body with those fabulous lips of hers, nipping, licking, suckling until he quivered with a need so great, he feared shattering into a million pieces in her bed. When her mouth closed over his arousal, he hissed out a breath that quickly got lost as she stroked him with her tongue and began pumping up and down. Her mouth was hot and wet and in no time at all he was chanting her name and fisting her hair in his hands.

She changed the angle a bit, her tongue swirling over his head and he lost his sanity.

“Inside,” he managed to croak out. “Got to be inside you.”

Landon barely held it together as Aliza rolled on a condom. Then he was all about diving into her and finding that rhythm that was uniquely theirs. The tension built again and then he swore a shower of sparks crackled between them as they both released.

Aliza collapsed atop him, her arms automatically going around him and her hair splayed out over his chest. “Twice... I’ve never...”

Man, he was killing it tonight, but it had little to do with him and much to do with her. Something about Aliza Danahy brought out this innate sexual beast in him that knew how to pleasure her. It appeared the same was true of her because he’d never felt like this before while making love. He and Simone had been good partners and he’d loved their sexy times, but with Aliza it was as if he couldn’t get enough. He’d had her twice today, but he was wondering if he’d be ready for another round soon.

“Being with you,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, “is like magic, Yogi.”

“Magic... yeah...” Her voice was sleepy and while he loved everything about her blanketing him as she was currently, he didn’t want her to fall asleep in that position. He didn’t imagine she’d be comfortable like that.

“Let me clean up,” he said. “Then we could maybe snuggle?”

Her head popped up, her chin resting on his chest. “You want to snuggle?”

He nodded.

“God, you’re the perfect man, Landon. Truly.” She slid off him. “Why don’t we both clean up before snuggling?”

“Okay.”

“I think soaping you up is going to be fun.” She stood and extended her hand to him, wiggling her fingers. “Come on.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. He took her hand and stood when she tugged, stealing another kiss before following her out of the bedroom and to the bathroom.

Once they were under the hot spray of shower water, Delilah taking up residence on the fluffy rug by the tub, Aliza made good on her promise of soaping him up. Her hands slid over him, kneading tight muscles along the way.

“That feels so good.” He hummed. “Sitting for the hours of my show makes everything tight.”

“I’d say we got some good exercise in to combat that sitting still, wouldn’t you?” She quirked an eyebrow as she nudged him to turn around so she could massage his back muscles.

“For sure. Better exercise than yoga.”

She puffed out a breath. “Let’s not get carried away, Landon. Yoga is so good for your body.”

He turned around to face her, his hands resting on her slender hips. “Nothing is as good for my body as you are, Yogi. Nothing.”

Her lips turned up slowly and he loved seeing her smile.

“Likewise. I feel so... alive right now.” She took his hand and flattened it to her chest right where her heart was located. The strong beat of it thudded against his palm. “Feel that?”

“Yes.” He cupped her cheek with his free hand and she closed her eyes.

“You made it happy.”

“My pleasure to do so. Thanks for inviting me over. Does this count as date three?”

She puckered out her lips and he had to lower his head to kiss them. He couldn’t pass up the chance.

“I’d call it date two-point-five,” she said. “You owe me half a date somewhere.”

“Deal. Though I’m not sure what half a date looks like.”

She shrugged. “Me neither, but we can have fun figuring it out.” She handed him the soap and he started washing every inch of her amazing body. “By the way, our double date is secured with Dakota and Leah for Saturday at Mountain View Pizza. Is that okay with you? I assume you like pizza.”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“Especially Kyle’s.”

“Though I haven’t been overly social in years,” Landon said, “I did still order Kyle’s pizza for delivery. It would have been cruel to deprive myself of his spinach-parmesan-pepper pizza.”

“Oh, that’s a good one.” Aliza waved a hand. “What am I saying? They are all good ones.”

Landon leaned close to her ear. “I have a feeling pizza will taste better when sharing it with you.”

Again that cute smile graced her lips. “You’re assuming I’ll share with you. You’ve got some things to learn about me and pizza, Landon.”

“Like I shouldn’t get between the two of you?”

“Exactly.”

They rinsed off and had fun towel drying each other. When they returned to her bedroom, Delilah and Sirius on their heels and the bottle of whiskey in attendance as well, Aliza paused at her bed. She filled two small glasses with whiskey and clinked her glass to his.

“To date two-point-five.”

They tossed back the amber liquor. The slow burn as it traveled down his throat reminded Landon of making love to Aliza—smooth, hot, and a good way to improve his mood.

“This might be asking a lot,” Aliza began, setting her drink on the bedside table, “but would you... would you want to stay the night with me?” She gestured to the puppy and cat currently nosing around in the rumpled bedspread. “And with Delilah and Sirius?”

He put his drink down next to hers and pulled her into a hug. “This might be moving too quickly, but I would love to stay with all of you.”

She rewarded him with a grin then tugged him onto the bed with her. They settled under the blankets and as if they’d been sleeping together for years, Landon automatically spooned Aliza. He loved the sweet press of her bare ass against him, making him realize what he’d been missing by keeping to his house so much.

Never again.

Aliza had yanked him out of his isolation and he didn’t ever want to go back.

****

When her alarm clock sounded with the morning show on WTRZ, Aliza cracked an eye open to see the time. 6:00 a.m. Her usual wake up time, but the warm, strong body behind her was definitely not usual. Landon’s arm was draped over her waist, the weight of it settled into the curve above her hip. She loved everything about being anchored like that. By him. Knowing he’d stayed the entire night made her want to cheer and shout. She’d known it was a big ask for a guy like him, but he hadn’t hesitated in agreeing so things were going as well as she believed them to be.

Hell, they were going better than well. They were freaking fantastic.

As much as she enjoyed being in this position in her bed with Landon, the desire to see the man was too much to suppress. Slowly, she rotated under his arm, trying her best not to wake him.

“Morning,” he said as soon as her gaze met his.

“Oh, you’re awake.” She traced a finger along his bottom lip.

Pressing a kiss to that fingertip and giving her a sexy, good morning smile, Landon said, “Yeah, I’ve been awake for a few minutes, rejoicing in the fact that I was awarded the privilege of sharing this bed with you all night.”

“So you liked staying?”

“Very much, Yogi. Having you right here in my arms felt like... I don’t know... it felt like a beginning.”

She flattened her palm against his cheek, letting her thumb rub the scruff on his chin and jaw. “I know exactly what you mean. Like we’ve turned a corner and can safely wave to those things from our past that were holding us back.”

“Yeah. That.” He tightened his hold on her, nudging her slightly closer. He opened his mouth, about to say more, but a puppy head appeared over his shoulder, making Aliza laugh. Landon rolled to his back, much to Delilah’s delight, and the dog licked his chin. “Well, good morning, pooch.” He scratched her muzzle then rubbed her floppy ears. “I suppose I owe her some gratitude for barging into your yoga class in the park.”

“Imagine if she didn’t. We might not have met. That makes me sad.”

“Maybe the universe would have found another way for our paths to cross.”

“I’d like to think so.” Aliza reached across Landon’s chest to pet Delilah. “But meeting this way allowed me to score a fun pup and a man.” She looked up to the ceiling. “Thank you, universe.”

“I will second that thank you.” He dropped a kiss on Aliza’s nose. “I know I gave this dog away, but she’s growing on me.”

“Good because you’re going to see a lot of her.”

Landon turned to face Aliza, Delilah sliding off his chest then leaping over him to land in the middle of them. Luckily she settled down, happy with her new position.

“Does that mean I get to see a lot of her owner too?”

“Precisely.” Aliza propped herself up on one elbow, the sheet falling away and Landon’s gaze instantly going to her exposed nakedness. “Assuming you want to see more of her owner.”

Landon peeled away more of the sheet, a sexy grin on his lips. “Oh, I want to see more all right.”

Aliza swatted at his chest, both of them chuckling. “That’s not what I meant.”

His sad face was undeniably the most adorable thing she’d ever seen. “Can’t blame me for trying. My eyes crave the sight of you, Yogi.” He tugged on the sheet again. “All of you.”

“I’d hate to deny a guy something he craves.” She rose up to her knees, the covers falling off her completely. Nudging Delilah aside, Aliza pulled the blankets off Landon, loving that he was totally naked as well. She straddled him, her palms resting on his chest. “What do you say we begin today the way we ended yesterday?”

“One hundred percent agree.” Landon sat up, his stomach muscles tightening as he cradled Aliza in his lap. “We should skip the whiskey though.”

“True. I don’t begin day-drinking until at least three o’clock in the afternoon.”

Landon laughed, shaking Aliza as she sat atop him. Then his lips were on hers and Aliza didn’t care about whiskey... or anything else that didn’t have to do with making love to this wonderful man.

Two hours later, she was still thinking about how she’d begun her Thursday, humming as she prepared for her nine o’clock yoga class at her studio. She was so into her daydreaming that she didn’t notice Miller until Delilah let out a happy yip and darted for the man with her toy canary.

“Oh, hey,” she said.

“Oh, hey,” Miller said back, his mouth curled up in a half grin.

“What are you smiling about?”

“You look happy. Like really happy.” He walked deeper into the studio after sending the toy canary sliding along the wood floor to the opposite end of the room. “Not that pretend happy you do to make me not worry about you.”

“Oh... you knew about that?”

“Saw right through it, Al.” He leaned against the front desk, folding his arms across his chest. “But you are definitely different right now. Does it have to do with that radio dude? The one I still don’t have to beat up, right?”

“Right. No beatings necessary.” She gripped her cousin’s forearm. “Oh, Miller, Landon is fantastic.” She drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly to try to calm herself. “I had no idea what I was missing. Why did I ever think Troy was what I wanted?”

“That is a mystery to me too, Al.” He put his hands up. “But let’s not ruin a good day with talk of that asshole. Tell me about Landon. What makes him so fantastic?”

“Everything.”

The door to the studio opened and Heather came in just in time to have the toy canary dropped at her feet. Delilah barked, nosed the canary closer to Heather, then barked again.

“Okay, pup,” Heather said, crouching to pick up the toy. “I get it.” She wiggled the canary, making Delilah dance around as if she were about to come right out of her fur. After Heather threw the toy, the pup darted off after it, her running sloppy on the slippery wood floor.

“Hey, Heather,” Aliza said.

“What trouble are you two getting into?” Heather stopped in front of Miller, and Aliza immediately registered the heat between them. Would it be like that between her and Landon? Was it already? Could people tell they shared a connection?

“No trouble.” Miller held up his hand. “I swear.” He gestured to Aliza beside him. “Aliza was telling me that everything about Landon is fantastic.”

“Wow.” Heather raised her eyebrows. “Everything? Not many guys get such high praise.”

Miller put his hands on Heather’s hips and pulled her in close. “I do though, right?”

“Of course.” Heather gave his cheek a light tap then turned her attention to Aliza. “I have something I want to show you.” She reached into a large tote bag she had on her shoulder and pulled out a sketch book. “I’ve been toying with a few designs on workout wear. Do you mind giving me some feedback?”

“Not at all.”

Aliza patted the front desk, indicating that Heather should put the sketch book there.

“Hey,” Miller said. “I came in here to talk to her and you jumped ahead of the line.”

Heather shrugged. “You snooze, you lose, baby.”

Miller let out a little growl, but Aliza shook a finger at him.

“No growling in my Zen studio. What did you want to talk to me about, Mills?”

“I have a patient who was in a car accident a while back,” he said. “Had to have surgery to fix some things as a result. She’s pretty much fully healed, but she complained about tightness in her shoulder which was the most badly damaged in the accident. I suggested yoga to stretch and loosen. Are you cool with me sending her your way?”

“Of course. Tell her to give me a call and we can set up a private consultation to see what her needs are and how she might like to get involved in a yoga practice,” Aliza said.

“Will do.” Miller rapped his knuckles on the front desk. “Okay, I’ll leave you two to chat.” He pressed a kiss to Heather’s cheek then turned around to leave, almost tripping over Delilah who was right under his feet. “Whoa, pup. That’s a good way to get crushed.”

Delilah simply nosed the canary closer to his shoe.

“She’ll risk it to get some play time,” Aliza said.

Miller picked up the canary and hummed it across the studio’s main space, sending Delilah scurrying after it yet again, her run sloppy and loud. “Man, she’s cute.”

But not as cute as the man who gave her to me.

Aliza’s cousin left and Heather opened her sketch book. They spent the next few minutes going over the designs, and of course Aliza liked them all. Heather’s fashion talent was incredible.

“When I look at workout clothes,” Aliza said, “I always consider how much I’ll be able to move in the fabric, if it will keep me cool when I’m getting hot working out, and how easy it is to launder. Workout clothes get washed more than other clothes, you know?”

“True.”

“I like all of these designs, Heather. I think consumers would too.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” Heather closed her sketch book. “Thanks for taking a peek. I like running designs by the people who would be most likely to wear them before I give anything a green light.”

“Smart business move right there.”

“I try to do only smart things.”

“Like get involved with my awesome cousin.”

Heather’s smile beamed at that. “One of the smartest things I’ve ever done.” She elbowed Aliza. “And it sounds as if you’re making some smart decisions for yourself too, yes?”

“I hope so. I mean, I haven’t known Landon long, but there is definitely a real connection between us.”

“I’m so happy for you, Aliza.” Heather folded her into a hug. “Landon too. I don’t know him, but I have listened to his show on the radio and he seems like a sweetheart.”

“He totally is.” But he also knew how to make her body sing when he made love to her.

Heather crouched to pet Delilah. “I don’t think you can go wrong with a guy who gives you a puppy, can you?”

“I don’t think so.” Aliza scooped up the dog and cradled her to her chest. “She’s such a fun poochie too. Lots of energy, but she also knows how to settle down and cuddle like a pro.”

“The best of both worlds. Nice.” Heather stuffed her sketch book back into her tote bag and scratched under Delilah’s chin once more. “Okay, I’m off to finalize these.” She wiggled the bag. “Then I have to stop at Maplehaven High to weigh in on cheerleading uniforms.”

“Go, team!” Aliza waved one hand as if she had a pom-pom in it.

She bid her friend goodbye and had a single moment to herself before her students arrived for the yoga class. Henrietta was the first to arrive, as usual.

“So...” the woman sidled up to Aliza after rolling out her yoga mat in her normal first row location. “Word on the street is you and Puppy Guy are a thing.”

“And where did you hear that?”

“At Tresses Hair Salon, where I get all the good gossip.” Henrietta patted her short gray hair. “Also where I go to look this marvelous.”

“Violet is our very own Hair Goddess,” Aliza said. “And yes, Puppy Guy and I have been seeing each other.”

Henrietta clapped. “There was a spark between you two that day in the park. Instant ignition.” She snapped her fingers in Aliza’s face. “It was like that between my Steve and me. The first time we met, boom. Fireworks.”

“How did you guys meet?”

“At the library. So it was a quiet boom and silent fireworks, but heated nonetheless. I was researching Egyptian pyramids and he was looking for books on mummification. Our hands touched on the same book, The Sarcophagus Secret.” Henrietta put her hand to her heart. “Oh, we spent the entire afternoon together in one of cozy little corners of the library, sharing the book.”

“Then you went on a date and it went well?” Aliza was engrossed in Henrietta’s story.

“Heavens, no. We didn’t move so fast in those days, honey. Instead, Steve and I met at the library once a week for two months to read books together. Finally, after reading The Complete Guide to the Moon, he asked me to get ice cream with him and we sat outside under the full moon. That was our first date.” She fingered the necklace she always wore which had a crescent moon charm on it. “Forty-five years later and we’re still eating ice cream while moon-gazing.” Henrietta gave Aliza’s arm a little squeeze. “I just know you’re at the start of something special with your guy too.” The woman headed back to her mat and chatted with other students who had arrived.

At the start of something special. Aliza liked the sound of that.

Chapter Fourteen

Landon studied himself in the bathroom mirror. He didn’t look any different, but he sure as hell felt different. Since making love to Aliza a few days ago, everything in his life seemed... lighter, as if someone had taken off the nine thousand pounds of grief he’d been hauling around on his shoulders after losing Simone and Rebecca.

He’d talked to Aliza every day and simple conversation with her was a wonderful thing. She was smart, funny, and kind. Add to that the fact that she was absolutely gorgeous and he couldn’t understand how men weren’t falling at her feet whenever she went out in public. Her ex-husband had to be a real douche if he didn’t treat her right. Aliza deserved to be worshipped and Landon was happy to take on that job.

In a few minutes, he’d be leaving for their double date with Dakota and Leah. He was truly looking forward to it, which was shocking. A mere week ago the thought of gathering with people in a busy restaurant would have sent him backpedaling so fast he’d wear the soles right off his shoes.

Not tonight though. Tonight, his mind was firmly on the joy he was about to experience being in Aliza’s presence again. It would be awesome to catch up with Dakota too. Landon hadn’t spent any time with the dude and so much had happened in Dakota’s life recently with marrying Leah and having Olivia. He owed the guy congratulations. He wanted to get to know Leah. He needed to see pictures of their little girl.

Landon also had high hopes of spending the night in Aliza’s bed again. Since he’d tasted her, he was hungry for more. The lovemaking itself was fantastic, but so was holding her. She fit against him perfectly and he’d slept better than he had in years with her next to him.

He fussed with his hair by raking his fingers through it a few times until it settled in a way that didn’t make him look homeless. Maybe it was time for a haircut. If he was going to be seen out and about with Aliza, he could at least try to look his best for her.

After brushing lint off his dark green button-down shirt, he waffled between tucking it into his blue jeans or leaving it hanging out. Tucking made him look nice and tidy, but untucked would allow Aliza quicker access to what was underneath.

Untucked it is. Once dinner and socializing were over with Dakota and Leah, Landon didn’t want to waste any time in the undressing department. He wanted to be able to have Aliza’s hands on him as quickly as humanly possible.

Stepping out of the bathroom, he made a stop by Cala’s tank and stroked her scales. She gave him a few flicks of her tongue and rippled her skin as he touched her.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, girl. We usually spend our Saturday nights hanging out, but you’ve met Aliza. You’ve seen how amazing she is. I can’t refuse any invites to spend time with her. I promise to get her back over here soon so the three of us can chill together.” With a final pat, he made sure the tank’s lid was secure and made his way to the stairs. “Good night, Cala.”

Upstairs, Landon shoved his feet into his black work boots—his dress work boots as he liked to refer to them—and headed out to his truck. It was a little early to leave, but he simply couldn’t wait any longer to pick up Aliza. Though he’d talked to her every day, it’d been a few days since he’d actually seen her and seeing her was definitely his favorite.

After a short drive, he pulled his truck into her driveway, shut off the engine, and debated waiting in his vehicle until it was the right time. He was about ten minutes early, but when the garage door slid open and Aliza came walking out at a brisk pace, he couldn’t contain his laugh.

She opened the passenger door and gave him a huge smile. “You’re early.”

“You’re ready,” he volleyed back.

She climbed in, looking outstanding in a pair of tight blue jeans and a camouflage-print jacket over a black shirt. The combat-style black boots sent a surprising jolt of desire through him. Her military flair suggested that perhaps she planned to order him around later. He was cool with that.

“I’ve been ready to see you again since the moment you left my house on Thursday.” She leaned over the console between them. “Now kiss me, dammit.”

Chuckling, he granted her request, pressing his lips to hers, loving that after a few pecks, the kiss immediately went all open-mouthed and tongue-stroked. God, he could kiss her forever.

When she hummed as if she found him positively yummy, he brought his hand up to cup her cheek, deepening the kiss. This was definitely a good way to spend that extra ten minutes.

With some hungry nips, the kiss ended and Landon loved everything about the satisfied grin on Aliza’s mouth.

“I knew waiting to put lipstick on was the right choice,” she said.

“Don’t bother putting it on at all, Yogi. I plan to kiss you before we go into Mountain View Pizza.”

“Thanks for the warning.” She rummaged around in her purse and pulled out a small tube. “A little lip gloss then. Pineapple flavored. Do you approve of that?”

“Sure, just know you’ll have to reapply.” He snuck in another quick peck before turning the key in the ignition.

“That’s fine.”

He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her as she slid the lip gloss over those perfect lips then rubbed her top and bottom lips together to spread the product. “God, you’re hot.”

“I’m glad you think so.” She rubbed his arm. “You’re pretty sexy too. That green shirt makes your eyes look even more like a walk in the woods.” Glancing in his lap, she said, “And I see you went with untucked. Smart. I plan to get right under that shirt as soon as we get back here.” She grinned. “And by the way, you’re coming back here after dinner.”

Landon held up one of his hands as he backed out of the driveway. “You’ll get no argument from me. I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do with you all day.”

Aliza did a little dance in the passenger seat that seriously made Landon wish he could fast forward to the coming-back-to-her-house portion of the evening.

“Hey, so Delilah mastered sitting today,” she said proudly. “We’ve been working on it and this morning I got her to sit at one end of the hallway while I walked to the other and she stayed there until I called her to me.”

“Nice. She’s as smart as she is cute.” He elbowed her. “So are you.”

“Why be one or the other when you can be both?” She fluffed her hair which was loose about her face and shoulders and somehow smelled like cinnamon apples. “We’re going to work on lie down next. I don’t think it will take her long to nail that too.”

“Then you’ll move on to training her to get your slippers?”

“Sure. I’ll have her making me margaritas in no time.” She snapped her fingers. “If I’m going to feed her and clean up her poop, she’s going to do my bidding. I tried with Sirius, but cats only do their own bidding. It’s a firm rule with them.”

“Snakes aren’t much use for chores either.”

“Yeah, with no hands and all.”

Conversation continued in an easy stream as it always did with Aliza. That was one of the things he liked most about her. Socializing usually took so much effort, but not with her. He had a million things he could say to her.

They pulled into the parking lot at Mountain View Pizza, still running a few minutes early even with all their making out in her driveway. When Landon noticed the truck he’d parked next to, however, he said, “C’mon. Let’s go in.”

“But I don’t see Dakota’s or Leah’s vehicles yet,” Aliza said. “We have a few more minutes to make out like teenagers. You said you’d kiss me before we went in the restaurant and I want that kiss.”

He caught her mouth in a quick but thorough kiss. “Happy?”

“I’m always happy when your lips are on mine.”

“Good. Now come on.” He opened his door and laughed when he met her at the hood of the truck and she was pouting. “I promise we’ll get in all the kissing possible, but that truck belongs to someone I’d like you to meet.” He pointed to the truck beside his.

“Oh.” Her semi-stunned expression made him chuckle.

He hustled her into the restaurant then did a quick scan until he found the owner of the truck. “This way.” Landon took Aliza’s hand and tugged her over to a table right in the middle of the place. To the single diner sitting at that table.

“Hey, Donovan.”

His brother looked up, his mouth immediately dropping open as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Landon?” He turned his head left then right. “Am I going crazy or is my brother out in the world?” Donovan’s gaze slid to Landon’s hand joined with Aliza’s. “And holding hands with a chick?”

Aliza held up their intertwined hands. “He is indeed holding this chick’s hand.”

“Donovan, this is Aliza.” Turning to face Aliza, he said, “Aliza, this is my oldest brother, Donovan Henley.”

“Did you have to put the oldest part in there?” Donovan extended his hand to Aliza.

“Yes, he did,” she said, shaking his brother’s hand. “I met Christian, so telling me you’re the oldest helps me get the order of you Henley guys right.”

“Trying to delay her meeting Jackson, the youngest, as long as possible?” Donovan asked him with a grin.

“You know it.”

“What’s up with Jackson that you don’t want me to meet him?” Aliza asked.

“What’s up with Jackson?” Donovan leaned back in his seat. “That is a question that involves diagrams and flowcharts.”

“Jackson is an archaeologist so he travels around the world,” Landon said.“When he does stop back in Vermont, there is usually a presentation of some kind about his latest dig.”

“Don’t get us wrong,” Donovan said. “His work is fascinating shit, but every encounter with him is like a college-level course.”

“I’ll be sure to have a notebook ready if I do get to finally meet him,” Aliza said.

“I think he might be swinging by this way soon,” Donovan said. “Got a text from him two days ago asking about the status of my guest room.”

“A clear sign he’s coming home for a bit,” Landon explained to Aliza.

“So what’s the official order then?” she asked. “Donovan, then you?”

“Yeah. Christian is after me and Jackson is the youngest.”

Aliza pretended to take notes. “Got it.”

“So why are you hanging out with Landon?” Donovan asked. “More importantly, do you have any single, older sisters?”

“Sadly, I’m an only child,” Aliza said.

“That’s okay.” Donovan waved a dismissive hand. “I don’t have time for a woman anyway. Not if I’m going to do the relationship thing right.”

They chatted for a few more moments with Donovan telling them a little about the last case he solved. Landon was proud of his brother. The man was committed to getting those bad guys and keeping the citizens of Maplehaven safe.

When they left Donovan to his dinner, Aliza led Landon to a booth in the back corner.

“Will Dakota and Leah find us here?” he asked as he waited for Aliza to slide into the booth.

“Unwritten rule that double dates happen here,” she said then patted the seat beside her. “Get in on this side and announce to the restaurant that you’re a sappy romantic.”

He took that seat without hesitation. “I’m only a sappy romantic when it comes to you, Yogi.”

“Said the sappy romantic.” She dropped a kiss on his nose then shrugged out of her camo jacket.

Landon loved everything about the way the black shirt she had on underneath hugged her delicious body. Its V-neck allowed a prime peek at her cleavage. The shirt wasn’t fancy, but Aliza made it look like something from a movie star’s wardrobe.

As Landon’s hand landed on her denim-clad thigh under the table, Dakota and Leah arrived.

“Went with the same side of the booth.” Leah gave them a thumbs up. “I like it.” She slid into the booth opposite them followed by Dakota.

“Sorry we’re a little late,” Dakota said, “but Miss Olivia decided that Mommy and Daddy going out without her wasn’t something she agreed with tonight.”

“Uh-oh,” Aliza said. “Did you have to leave her crying with your parents?”

Dakota shook his head. “No, she finally settled when Jacy and Finn happened to come by. For some reason, Olivia is smitten with Finn. She stares at him as if he’s the most wonderful thing she’s ever seen.”

“I think it’s the tattoos,” Leah said. “Finn is colorful and Olivia definitely likes color.”

“Finn saves the day again,” Aliza said.

“He’s military, right?” Landon said, trying to remember. He’d met the guy, but pre-Aliza he hadn’t been paying attention to people much. He had so much catching up to do.

“Yes,” Leah said. “And damn good with a baby.”

“We should have asked Finn and Jacy to babysit,” Dakota said. “Could have saved ourselves the trauma. Although then my mom and dad would be crying because they wouldn’t be seeing their granddaughter.”

“Hard to please everybody,” Aliza said.

Kyle, the owner of Mountain View Pizza, came over to the table. “Hey, guys.” When his gaze settled on Landon, he stumbled back. “Dude, so good to see you.”

“Thanks, man.” They knocked knuckles then Kyle looked at Aliza, no doubt taking in her close proximity to Landon.

“Are you two...?” He gestured between them with an index finger.

Aliza jumped right in to answer. “We are.”

“Aliza is reintroducing me to society,” Landon said.

“It’s good to see you out,” Dakota said. “We missed you, buddy.”

For the first time, Landon realized he’d missed them too.

****

Ever since their double date with Leah and Dakota, Landon had wanted to see everyone Aliza mentioned. He appeared to be hungry for social interaction and they’d done so many things over the past few weeks. A corn maze with Krista and Noah. Bike riding with Jacy and Finn. Jack-o-lantern carving with Miller and Heather. A picnic with Marco and Shaina. A video game marathon with Carter, Dena, their adopted son Rohen, and his girlfriend Kara, though Dena baked more snacks than she slayed digital enemies. A Drei concert with Violet whose husband Dawson played the cello in the band. Dinner with Jorden and Diana at Albero’s where Jorden was head chef.

Each outing made Aliza more and more convinced moving back to Maplehaven had been the right thing to do after fleeing Boston. The people here were among the best in the world and meeting Landon only added to Aliza’s joy. While they’d spent a ton of time with other people, they’d also been glued to each other. When they had a moment to spare, they spent it together. They took turns staying at each other’s houses, Delilah in doggy bliss whether she was running around Aliza’s house or gallivanting about at Landon’s. Sirius still practiced his aloofness about such matters as being left home alone, but Aliza was pretty sure the cat liked when the party was at her house.

Tonight’s festivities happened to be at her house just as soon as Landon’s Friday night show was complete. She didn’t care he couldn’t come over until late night. Well, actually it was early morning. Either way, she was eager to wrap herself up in him in her bed. After they made love, of course. She’d never been so addicted to someone’s touch, but with Landon she needed his hands on her in order to keep breathing. She was pretty sure he felt the same.

Her front door opened—she’d given Landon a key last week—and she skipped out from the kitchen to greet him.

“Hey, Yogi.” Landon immediately opened his arms then folded them around her, picking her up slightly as he pressed his lips to hers. “Man, I needed that.”

Aliza leaned away a bit to see his face better. “Rough night? I listened to the first hour, but then Heather called. After that I decided we needed brownies and I forgot to turn the radio back on.”

Landon shed his jacket and folded it over his arm. “They picked a winner for the stupid contest tonight.”

Aliza’s skin prickled at that. “Oh, shit. I forgot that was tonight.” She rubbed her forehead. “Or more accurately, I blocked out that choosing the winner was happening tonight.” She leaned against him, her hands resting on his chest. “I’m guessing I didn’t win.”

“You did not.” Landon sighed. “Some chick named Kaylee Marigold did. I have this feeling she’s that caller who asked about why she couldn’t enter the contest multiple times.”

“Ugh. I remember that caller. Instantly didn’t like her.”

“I don’t like anything about this. I don’t want to go on a date with anyone besides you, Yogi.”

“I don’t want to share you either, but it is for a good cause. The radio station and SoberDrive need you.”

“There had to be another way to raise money for them.” Landon walked deeper into the house and Aliza followed him to the mudroom where he hung his coat next to hers on the hooks she had on the wall. She loved seeing their things mingling.

“I’m sure there were other ways,” she said, “but probably not ones that would raise the $152,000 that you did.” She stood behind him and clamped her hands on his shoulders, preparing to rub them. “My God, Landon, your shoulders are like stone.”

“It’s possible this date nonsense is bringing on a bout of anxiety,” he said, rolling his shoulders forward then back. “The winner called the station immediately after hearing her name announced. The date is set up for tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow? This Saturday?” Aliza’s stomach cramped a little. “Why so fast?”

“Apparently Kaylee Marigold is eager. Jeremy’s word.” Landon puffed out a breath. “We’re going to dinner and a show at Mount Woodrich Theater.”

“Dinner and a show? That’s going to be a couple of hours.” Aliza hated this more and more, but she didn’t want to add to Landon’s stress about the date. “Okay, so you lose one night, but gain all that money for the station and SoberDrive. It sucks that you have to do this, but it’s for the greater good.”

A slow smile turned up Landon’s lips. “You’re amazing.”

“I really am because, honestly, I want to punch Kaylee Marigold for winning a date with you. But I’m staying cool. She can have one night with you as long as I get all the others.”

“All the others?” Landon’s eyebrows rose.

Yikes. What had she said? Hell, she’d only said what was in her heart.

“Yes.” Her voice didn’t waver. “All the others or as many as you’ll give me at least.”

“Oh, Yogi, you know I’ll give you whatever you want. I’m powerless to refuse your requests.”

“No, you’re not.” Aliza poked him in the chest. “You always say no to my song requests for your show.”

Laughing, Landon grabbed her finger. “I can’t play the songs you request. We’re not that kind of station. That’s not the music we play.”

Aliza freed herself from his grip. “Yeah, yeah.” She headed for the kitchen. “You want brownies?”

He followed her, but shook his head. “I can’t eat anything right now. My stomach’s all riled up.” He flattened his palms on the island countertop. “Actually more than my stomach is riled up. I feel as if I need to...”

Aliza waited a second, but when he didn’t finish, she said, “You feel as if you need to what?”

“Go for a walk.”

“A walk?” Aliza couldn’t believe her ears. She hadn’t brought up another walk since she’d suggested it on their first date and he’d bolted. Now that she knew the story of Simone, Rebecca, and Alaska, she figured walks were completely out of the realm of possibility.

“Yeah. I used to love walking, especially at night, you know... before. I couldn’t go... after, but I think... I think I might be ready to if you’re by my side.”

Aliza rounded the island and stood right in front of him. “I’m by your side.”

Delilah chose that moment to trot into the kitchen and jump up so her forepaws landed on Landon’s lower thigh.

“Delilah is offering to be by your side too,” Aliza said.

Petting Delilah and nodding once, Landon said, “Okay. Let’s do it.”

Aliza grabbed their jackets and clipped Delilah’s leash to the dog’s collar, but paused when they reached the door to the garage. “If at any point you change your mind, speak up and we’ll turn right around.”

Landon squeezed her arm. “Thanks, Yogi, but I’m determined to do this. That date for the station is something that is out of my control. Deciding to go on a walk is in my control and I need that right now.”

“Got it.” She opened the door and hit the switch for the garage door. “I’ve got a great route Delilah and I use if you’re interested.”

“Lead the way.”

One bonus of going at this time of early morning was that no one else was out. That meant hardly any cars were on the road. None that could swerve out of control and flatten them on the sidewalk.

Aliza wrapped Delilah’s leash around her left hand and took Landon’s hand with her right. Giving a reassuring squeeze, she tugged him down her driveway after closing the garage door.

“It’s a beautiful night,” she said.

“Every night with you is beautiful, Yogi.”

Landon fell in step beside her and they set a brisk pace, intent on releasing his stress over the date and leaving it on the street where it could no longer bother him.

“What other beefs did callers tell you about tonight?” she asked.

“Let’s see... there was one about a feud over a fallen tree. Crushed one person’s pool, but the neighbor who owns the tree says it’s not his fault ‘the good Lord doesn’t approve of the pool.’ Caller’s words.” Landon chuckled. “That was a tough one to advise because I try not to get mixed up with religion on my show. I learned that lesson early on.”

“So what did you tell him?”

“I mentioned the good Lord would want him to help his neighbor. It would be the Christian thing to do.”

“And did that work?”

“Seemed to. The caller after that was upset about his mechanic leaving grease on the door handle of his car.”

“Do you ever get tired of hearing people’s beefs? I mean, it’s a lot of complaining to listen to.”

“Nah. People just want to be heard. They want someone to empathize. If I can help them with their problem then that’s a bonus too.”

Aliza let go of his hand so she could wrap her arm around his instead and pull him in closer to her side. “You’re a real sweetheart, you know?”

They paused in their walking while Delilah did her business and Aliza crouched to collect the results.

“Hey, it’s what WTRZ pays me to do.” Landon took Delilah’s leash and motioned that he’d be in charge of the pooch while they walked.

“Well, they are getting their money’s worth and your callers benefit.”

“It is rewarding work.” He stopped to let the pup sniff under an evergreen bush. “You also find it rewarding to help people stay healthy, right?”

“Oh, I love my work. Yoga has done so much for me so I feel getting others involved in the practice is the best thing I can do for them.”

“I should do more yoga,” he said. “I could stand to get more flexible.”

“Flexibility is good in the bedroom,” Aliza pointed out.

“I love that a part of your brain is always on how we can up our lovemaking game.”

“Just because our skills are outstanding”—she nudged him with her hip—“doesn’t mean we can’t still make improvements.”

“I’m onboard, Yogi. Completely.” He wiggled the leash. “In fact, I think this walk might have to be over now because the mere mention of making love to you has gotten me as hard as a rock.”

Aliza did an about-face as did Landon, Delilah happily turning around as well and leading the way back home. “We shouldn’t let a perfectly good arousal go to waste.”

“That would be criminal.”

They nearly jogged back to Aliza’s house and as soon as they spilled inside Landon freed Delilah, dropped the leash, and took both of Aliza’s hands. Backing her against the wall, he rubbed himself against her, cat-like, and every single one of Aliza’s nerve endings stood and saluted. She couldn’t contain the moan of pleasure that rumbled out of her as Landon nosed into her hair then pressed open-mouthed kisses along her neck.

She was instantly wet and more than ready to have Landon inside her.

“Bedroom now,” she commanded, almost unable to speak.

Landon backed up for a moment and the next thing Aliza knew, he was on his knees, removing her sneakers then his work boots. He kicked them toward her other shoes in the mudroom then scooped her up into his arms.

“I’m going to love every square inch of your body, Yogi.” He met her gaze. “You want to know why?”

All she could do was nod as he carried her through the living room and down the hallway toward her bedroom.

“Because I love you, Aliza.”

Her breath caught in her throat and for a moment all she could do was blink back at him. Then her brain kicked into gear. “I love you too, Landon.” She squeezed her arms tighter around his neck.

He stepped into her bedroom and gently lowered her to the bed. Kneeling beside it, he took both her hands again, but this time he collected them together, his hands over hers, and brought them close to his chest.

To his heart.

“I didn’t think I’d ever love someone again. Losing Simone and Rebecca gutted me. I thought it broke me for good, but...” He pressed a kiss to their joined hands. “But then you came along and I feel so much for you. It’s different than with Simone, but it’s just as powerful. Honestly, it might be more powerful.”

By this point, tears rolled down Aliza’s cheeks. She was so touched by his words.

“You’ve gotten me out into the world, seeing people, taking walks. You’ve made me consider a future that doesn’t look so grim and lonely.” He released her hands then cupped her cheek. “I’m forever grateful and I’d like to express my gratitude in the best possible way.”

Aliza was still too choked up to reply with words, but the moment he tugged on her leggings, she knew her reply could be a physical expression. One her body could say, but her mouth could not.

They quickly undressed each other and tonight’s lovemaking was the best yet. Slow. Attentive. Soul-bonding. Aliza was transported to another realm entirely. Her own heart pounded in exact synchronicity with Landon’s. They were one and she wanted it to always be that way.

As they relaxed in a sex-drunk haze in her bed, Aliza propped her head up on her hand and studied Landon.

“What?” Landon’s eyelids drooped after the energy they’d expended.

“Nothing. I just like looking at you,” she said. “You’re my favorite thing to look at.”

Landon rolled to face her. “Well, you’re my favorite thing to look at too. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at you.”

“We should test that theory,” she said. “I say we shoot for a date-a-thon.”

“A date-a-thon?” Landon’s dark eyebrows furrowed adorably. “What’s that?”

“A date-a-thon is when you go on several dates in a row to see if the other person grows sick of you.”

“I don’t see how I could grow sick of you, Yogi. You’re too amazing.” He snuggled up to her naked body. “But if you want me to prove it, I’m game for a date-a-thon.” Then he frowned. “We’ll have to start after my required WTRZ date tomorrow night though.”

“That’s okay. You come over here the moment that date is over and we’ll officially start.”

Aliza would make sure that WTRZ date was completely wiped from Landon’s memory by the time she was done with him.

Chapter Fifteen

Landon waited at a table in a quiet corner of Albero’s. He dreaded this contest date, but spending last night—actually this morning—wrapped up in Aliza’s heat had helped him not obsess over this obligation. Exchanging I love yous with her had felt so natural and hearing her say it back had made his heart soar. Aliza jumpstarting that dead organ in his chest was a miraculous feat because he’d been convinced it would stay inactive for the rest of his life without Simone and Rebecca. The fact that Aliza had managed to shock it back into working order—and maybe get it to run better than ever—was amazing.

“Your social media dude is here,” Jorden said as he stopped by Landon’s table.

Landon groaned. “Oh, right. I forgot about him.”

“Coming to document this date for the radio station?”

“Apparently. What’s more awkward than having a photographer/videographer along on a date?” Landon held up a finger. “Oh, wait, I know. Having to go on a date with a total stranger because your boss demanded it.”

Jorden cringed. “Yeah, nothing about this sounds fun, man. I’ll bet you’d rather be with Aliza right now.”

“Always.”

“You two make a great pair.”

“Thanks. Aliza is wonderful and I’m so glad I met her.”

“I’m glad you did too.” Jorden gave his shoulder a light punch. “It’s been so nice seeing you out again.” He motioned to the station’s social media guy. “Where should I seat him?”

“In another restaurant?”

“Hey, it’d be my pleasure to help you out like that, but I have a feeling your boss wouldn’t approve.”

“True.” Landon swiveled in his seat then pointed to a nearby table behind him. “Over there should be good. Then he’ll probably get more shots of her than me.”

“Good thinking. I know it will be hard to enjoy this night, but at least the food will be excellent.” Jordan kissed his fingertips then held them aloft. “Great menu tonight.”

“Isn’t it always a great menu here?”

“You know it.” Jorden clapped him lightly on the back. “Okay, see you later.” He walked over to the social media guy then led him to the table Landon had indicated.

Landon gave the guy a nod which the dude took as oh, you want me to come over. Not what Landon wanted, but whatever. He wasn’t going to get anything he wanted tonight until he was with Aliza.

“Seth, right?” Landon said, extending a hand to the guy.

“Yes. Nice to see you.” Seth surveyed the immediate area. “It’s a little dark in here, but I should be able to get some good shots and footage to share on WTRZ’s social media outlets. I’ll try not to get in the way of the date though.”

“No worries. It’s not a real date.”

“But you need to pretend it is,” Seth said. “At least for the cameras.” He wiggled his cell phone, which appeared to be the only equipment he had on him. “Mara will be pissed if the date doesn’t look convincing.”

Shit.

“Right. Of course. I’ll do my best.” As in he’d have to pretend he was with Aliza, but he didn’t see how that was possible.

“Cool.” Seth wandered back to his assigned table and a moment later he was in deep conversation with the pretty waitress who had come to take his order. If only he could get Seth to go on this contest date. Then Landon would be able to rush over to Aliza’s and make a career out of adoring every piece of her.

“I knew you’d be attractive.” A woman with jet-black hair and brown eyes stared down at Landon. She had on a scrap of red fabric he supposed qualified as a dress. Barely. Her knee-high black boots had spike heels that could probably pierce a man’s skull. Too much makeup covered her face, especially her lips which were painted red to match the dress. She had a nice figure, but clearly she was not Landon’s type.

This is going to suck.

“Hi,” he managed, hoping to sound friendly, but not too friendly. “You must be Kaylee. I’m Landon.” He stood because it seemed the gentlemanly thing to do and extended his hand.

She shook his hand, holding on to it longer than was comfortable, and smiled. “I am Kaylee and the luckiest woman alive. I can’t believe I won. Do you remember receiving a call about wanting to be able to enter the contest more than once?”

“I do. That was you?” So he’d been right.

“It was. Guess I only needed one entry after all.” She lowered into the seat across from him and Landon was certain Seth had taken a million shots of them. How long would it be before the pictures hit the social media pages? He sincerely hoped Aliza wouldn’t see any of them. She’d been cool about him having to do this, but she didn’t like it. Nobody liked it.

Well, except Kaylee who was giving him long, assessing once-overs.

“My girlfriends couldn’t believe I was going to get to see the face that goes with that scrumptious voice of yours. We all listen religiously to Henley Hears You. How come you stay so hidden?”

“Just shy, I guess.”

Kaylee’s smile grew. “I can fix that.” Her foot slid up his leg under the table and he shifted a bit so she was no longer touching him.

“Listen, I should tell you that we’re having dinner and going to the show as the station said this date included, but that’s... it. I have a girlfriend.” It was the first time he’d actually referred to Aliza as his girlfriend and the term didn’t seem to hold enough weight to truly describe what she meant to him.

Kaylee’s lips formed a pout. “Things can change. Let’s see where the night takes us.”

It’s taking us to dinner and a show, lady. That’s all.

The waitress came over, took their drink orders, and listed the night’s specials. When she went off to give them some time to decide, Landon remembered what Seth had said about making it look like a real date. Real dates had conversation.

“My friend, Jorden, is the head chef here. Anything you order is going to be delicious,” he said.

She met his gaze. “I see many delicious things already.”

Ignoring that innuendo, he examined his menu. “I like the eggplant lasagna. I think that’s what I’m ordering.”

Kaylee tore her gaze from him and glanced at her menu. “Okay, eggplant lasagna. Make it two.”

When the waitress came over with their drinks, Landon took it upon himself to order two salads and two eggplant lasagnas.

“Have you seen the show we’re going to see?” he asked, still trying to keep up the conversation and appearances.

“No, but I’ve heard good things about it. I’m looking forward to seeing it with you.” The way she’d said the words with you made Landon’s skin prickle. “I haven’t been to the theater in ages.”

“Me neither.” Of course he hadn’t been anywhere until Aliza had pulled him out into the daylight.

Kaylee leaned forward, her forearms resting on the table between them. “Why do you keep yourself such a big secret, Henley?”

“I’m just a private guy. I figure my voice is enough for people.”

She shook her head, her straight black hair sliding along her bare shoulders. Wasn’t she cold in that skimpy dress? She hadn’t even worn a jacket. Late October in Vermont was not the time to go jacketless.

“You could triple your fan base if all the women listeners knew you were this hot.” She waved a hand at him. “Of course, I don’t want all the women listeners to know. I want to keep you for myself.”

“I have a girlfriend,” he repeated.

“Having a girlfriend isn’t a formal commitment,” Kaylee said. “Hell, nowadays having a wife isn’t a formal commitment. Sometimes someone better comes along and you shouldn’t deny yourself a taste.”

Wow. Landon couldn’t disagree with her more, but he picked up his drink and took a swig to keep from arguing his point. This chick had a layer of sleaze surrounding her that he wouldn’t be able to tolerate for too long. Good thing the contest was for one date.

Their meals came and while they ate, Landon became aware of Seth creeping in on the sidelines to snap photos and shoot video. Kaylee loved the attention and she played up to Seth’s lenses, while Landon did what he could to stay out of the pictures.

“You should come sit on this side, Landon,” she said. “So he can take one of us together.”

Biting back a grumble, Landon scooched his chair to her side of the table and managed a smile for Seth.

“Oh, great shot,” Seth said as he looked at his phone’s screen. “I’m posting that one right away. Fans are commenting like wild and I have three texts from Mara saying to keep the photos coming.”

Wonderful.

“Can you tag me in the posts?” Kaylee asked, pulling out her cell phone. “We can increase the reach if I get my friends involved.

“Sure,” Seth said, spending an extra moment inspecting Kaylee’s breasts.

A quiet few minutes passed as Seth and Kaylee tapped on their phones. That was another thing Landon loved about Aliza. She rarely had her phone out. When they were together, they were truly together. She didn’t let the outside world intrude.

God, I wish I was with Aliza right now. His body literally itched to be in her presence. And to be rid of Kaylee’s. She seemed harmless enough, but she clearly wanted more out of this date than Landon was willing to give.

They finished their meals and it was show time. Luckily the theater was just down the street so they didn’t have to worry about driving, though watching Kaylee walk in those deadly boots had made Landon nervous. He needed to be ready to catch her if one of those heels got stuck in a sidewalk crack or something.

When they reached the theater, Landon held the door open for Kaylee and motioned for her to enter first.

“Oh, how nice. Guys don’t have any manners anymore. You’re a handsome face and a gentleman.”

“My parents taught me the rules.”

“They deserve congratulations then. The last three dates I went on were shitshows,” Kaylee said, not bothering to lower her voice when they entered the theater. “Two of the guys hadn’t even bothered to dress up.” She turned her gaze to him as they approached the ushers. “But look at you. All sexy in your black dress pants and button-down shirt. You took the time to look nice for this date. I appreciate that.”

Okay, maybe Kaylee wasn’t that bad. Perhaps the poor woman was simply looking for Mr. Right. He wasn’t it of course, but he hoped she’d find what she was looking for.

Landon handed the station-supplied tickets to the ushers and they were guided to their seats. Exceptional seats actually, and he made a mental note to take Aliza to a show. So far they’d done many outdoor things and their indoor time had been spent making love, but a show could be fun too.

They settled in their seats, but then Landon caught sight of Seth a few rows ahead, taking pictures again. Kaylee noticed him too because she leaned closer to Landon and put her hand on his thigh. Seth gave them a thumbs up, but as soon as he lowered his phone, Landon shifted so Kaylee’s hand fell away.

“You don’t like to be touched, do you, Landon?” She arched an eyebrow at him.

“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea,” he said. “This date is a contest win. Technically, I’m working. Just trying to keep it professional.”

“Hmm. A date isn’t professional though,” she said. “A date is supposed to be fun. I’m having fun, but I don’t think you are.” She sounded a little hurt.

Dammit.

“I’m having fun. Dinner was great and this show is supposed to be a good one.” He focused his gaze on the stage below.

“You just wish you were here with your girlfriend.”

“Whenever I’m not with my girlfriend,” he said, “I wish I was with her.”

“She must be amazing.” Her tone held a note of sadness.

“She is.”

“What’s her name?”

“Aliza.”

“Pretty name. Where did you meet her?”

“Actually a puppy showed up in my yard and I was taking it to the shelter, but on our way, it crashed her yoga class in Brenton Park.” He chuckled over the memory. Aliza had been so full of sass and he’d felt something for her right from the start.

“That’s a cute story. How long have the two of you been together?”

“A few weeks.”

“But you love her already, don’t you?”

“I do. Told her so just recently.”

“Wow. And then you had to come on this date with me. She was okay with that?”

“She knew it was to benefit the radio station and SoberDrive.”

Kaylee sighed. “She sounds like a keeper.”

The theater lights blinked then lowered, but Landon squeezed Kaylee’s forearm. “I’m sure someone is waiting to keep you too, Kaylee. Don’t give up.”

“You’re sweet to say that.”

“I mean it. Things work out.”

Kaylee gave him a small, but sad smile then turned her attention to the stage when music started playing.

Landon felt bad for her, but all he could give Kaylee was this one date. His heart belonged to Aliza and her alone.

****

Landon walked Kaylee back to her car in Albero’s parking lot after the show which had truly been a great one. Tons of fantastic music and phenomenal acting and dancing. Aliza would have loved it. He made a mental note to take her maybe next weekend.

“I had a wonderful time, Landon,” Kaylee said when they reached her car.

“I’m glad you enjoyed your contest win,” he said. “Thanks for entering and supporting the radio station as well as SoberDrive. That organization is an important one.”

She looked down at the car keys in her hand. “Listen, I know you said you have a girlfriend, but I’d like to see you again. You’re the sweetest guy I’ve met in a long time.”

Landon put his hand to his chest and bowed a little. “You honor me with that compliment, but I’m invested in my relationship with my girlfriend.”

“She wouldn’t have to know.” Kaylee took a step closer and lifted her hand, aiming for his face, but he stopped her with a light grasp of her wrist.

“I’m not that guy,” he said firmly, gently releasing her wrist and taking a step back. “Dinner was nice as was the show, but your contest win has been redeemed.”

Kaylee regarded him for a silent moment. “Okay. I’m sorry to hear that, but I understand.” Her face brightened. “Technically dates end with a kiss though.”

Oh, hell no.

“Some dates end with a kiss,” he said. “This one ends with a handshake, a thank you for supporting the station and SoberDrive, and an enjoy your evening farewell.”

“Oh, c’mon, Landon. A kiss on the cheek is all I’m asking for. Then I’ll be out of your hair. You can declare this date over and done with.”

He weighed his options, but giving her a quick peck on the cheek seemed like the quickest way to end this date. If the date ended, he could zoom over to Aliza’s and have what he’d craved all night.

Landon leaned in, but as soon as he got in range, Kaylee grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and spun him around. Off balance, he stumbled back into her car and before he could react, she plastered herself up against him and crushed her mouth against his. Her tongue plunged into his lips, but he kept them firmly pressed together, not granting her entry.

A moment later, her leg had come up to rub against his leg as she ground her hips against him. When her hand landed on his crotch and squeezed, he ripped his mouth from hers. She took a few steps back, but one of her ridiculous heels got caught in a little hole in the asphalt. She fell back, but she latched onto him and took him with her. He landed on top of her, pinning her to the ground.

“Jesus,” he said, taking a minute to do an inventory to make sure he wasn’t hurt. Then he got to all fours and pushed to kneeling. He extended a hand out to her to help her up, but when she raised her hand to take his, her palm was covered in blood. “Oh, shit.” He stood and searched his pockets, but he didn’t have any tissues or anything to give her.

“You made me bleed,” she said, frowning up at him.

“I didn’t—” His words got cut off by a flash off to his right. A flash from Seth’s goddamn cell phone camera. “Dude, c’mon. Now is not the time for pictures.”

“What do you mean?” Seth asked, practically salivating. “This is good viewing. Full of drama and suspense.”

“And violence,” Kaylee added, blood dripping down her wrist.

“Violence?” Landon stared down at her where she still sat on the ground. “You attacked me. You fell and pulled me down.”

Kaylee got to her feet and wiped her bloody palm on her dress, the red blending with red. “Who’s going to believe that?” She jingled her car keys. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I think it’s time this date ended.”

Seth snapped another photo and Landon literally growled at him until the man took off. Kaylee sped out of the parking lot as well, leaving Landon standing there wondering what in the freaking hell had happened.

Shaking his head, he wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his shirt, wishing he had some mouthwash handy. He’d never been forcibly kissed and man, it sucked. It made him feel... dirty.

Not wanting to be in that parking lot a moment longer, but feeling too creeped out to go directly to Aliza’s, Landon climbed into his truck and headed to his house. After a quick—and scorching shower—with a side order of teeth brushing, he deemed himself sufficiently disinfected from the night’s weird turn of events. How had he ever empathized with Kaylee? She was obviously a little unhinged. This would definitely be the last time he ever let Mara talk him into doing a contest as stupid as this one. Sure, he was happy it had raised the money it had for two good causes, but he needed to have some self-respect too. He wasn’t some free-wheeling single guy who whored himself out to the highest bidder.

He had Aliza now. He was part of a couple and he only wanted her.

When he arrived at Aliza’s house and entered to find her waiting up for him on her couch, all the tension of the evening sifted out of him. “Hey, Yogi.”

Delilah rushed over and danced around his ankles until he picked up the pooch and gave her a vigorous rubbing between the ears.

“You look beat,” Aliza said as she got up from the couch and approached him. “Was the date that bad?”

He didn’t have the words to describe it. “I’m glad it’s done and I don’t want to think about it ever again.”

Aliza took Delilah and set the puppy on the ground. She then cupped his cheek. “I have a solid plan for helping you forget tonight.” Her soft, supple lips pressed to his and Landon was surprised how different a kiss could feel when it came from someone you loved.

And someone who wasn’t forcing herself on you.

His arms automatically came around her waist and he pulled her closer so her body touched his in one long line. He deepened the kiss, his hand coming up to tangle in her thick chestnut hair. His other arm wrapped around her, anchoring her to him and he didn’t ever want to let her go. He was glad the night’s events hadn’t ruined how good he and Aliza were together. With her, he could forget the entire outside world and enjoy the magic of her touch.

Still kissing him, Aliza backed them toward the hallway. Delilah followed along then darted ahead to the bedroom where Sirius was asleep in a tight circle on the end of the bed. Aliza broke the kiss for a moment and looked up at him with lust-filled eyes.

“Is my plan working? Are you forgetting your stupid date?” Her lips quirked up in a sexy, confident grin.

“You know the answer to that, Yogi.” Landon gestured to the bulge in his jeans.

Aliza’s smile widened as Sirius stretched and jumped down from the bed. “Oh, that looks uncomfortable. We better free Mr. Arousal so he can get some fresh air.”

“I love the way you think.”

She went to work on the button and zipper on his jeans, carefully peeling away the denim and sliding his pants down his legs. She chased them with his underwear and pulled everything off including his socks and boots. Making quick work of removing the flannel shirt and T-shirt he’d changed into after showering, she left all those items on the floor and tugged him to the bed. Nudging his shoulders, she eased Landon to lie down on the bed on his back. So gentle and caring. Nothing like the desperation he’d seen from Kaylee. What kind of dating experiences had that woman had in the past? They couldn’t have been good ones if she thought the way to get a man’s attention was to be so aggressive.

“You wait there, okay?” Aliza pointed a finger at him, pinning him in place with a mere suggestion.

He nodded because all the blood in his body was in his dick at the present moment. Words weren’t possible right now as he anticipated burying himself inside Aliza’s heat.

She hopped out of the room and he assumed she was making a bathroom trip, but when she returned, his mouth dropped open. She leaned in the doorway to the bedroom wearing nothing but a sexy-as-shit black lacey number that showed off her body wonderfully. Thin black straps rested on her shoulders, black silk supported her amazing breasts, and black lace flared out to cover her from under her breasts to about mid-thigh.

“Oh, Yogi...” He propped himself up on his elbows to take in the view. “You are a masterpiece.”

“You like?” She sauntered into the bedroom, her lovely hips swaying in a way that hypnotized Landon. “Heather designed it.”

“I love.” He curled a finger at her. “Remind me to send Heather a thank you note and a million dollars. Get over here.”

Aliza walked deeper into the room and crawled over him on the bed. “I figured I’d try dressing a little differently tonight.”

“I approve of this wardrobe upgrade.” Landon ran his fingers over the lace part covering her lower body. “There is no one as beautiful as you, Yogi. No one.” He flattened his palm against her stomach, her inhale and exhale moving in a smooth, steady rhythm that soothed him.

“Good,” Aliza said. “Now look your fill while I remind you why you love me.”

Slowly—achingly slowly—Aliza rolled a condom on his length then lowered herself onto his arousal until her bare ass rested on his thighs. She bent over to capture his mouth and when her hips rose and fell, rose and fell, sliding her hot core along his dick, Landon closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensations coursing through his entire body. His date with Kaylee dissipated with each thrust into Aliza’s heat and soon nothing was left of that experience. It happened a billion years ago and Landon didn’t need to think of it ever again.

All he had to think about was this woman, right here, right now, who made him feel things he never thought he’d feel again in his life. Thanks to meeting Aliza he now had a life once more and he was going to use his days making sure she was the happiest woman on the planet.

Grabbing her hips, he plunged into her a few more times and they both roared on their releases. Aliza slumped over him, her body going limp and he hugged her to his chest.

“I love you so much, Yogi,” he whispered as he played with her hair.

She slid to his side, her leg still draped over his, and squeezed her arm around him as she nestled closer. “I love you too, Landon. More than I thought my heart was capable of loving anyone.”

After a shower, they resumed that exact position in bed and Landon drifted off to sleep, free from the nonsense that had happened in Albero’s parking lot. When he awoke, Aliza was no longer in bed beside him, but Delilah was cuddled up to his side instead.

“Hey, pup.” He ran his hand along the dog’s sleek white body.

Delilah popped her head up, her tongue immediately sloshing along his arm.

“Not the good morning kisses I was hoping for, but thanks.” He played a little game of tugging on the blankets until Delilah slapped a paw down, trying to get whatever magic was hiding underneath. “Where’s your mommy, huh? Did she sneak out of bed on us?”

The puppy angled her head at him as if trying to decipher the meaning of his words. Then she shot to her feet and hopped off the bed, pausing to look back at him as if to say, C’mon. I’ll take you to Mommy.

Landon peeled back the blankets and grabbed his underwear off the floor. Donning that and his T-shirt and jeans, he padded out to the living room on bare feet to find Aliza sitting on the couch.

And she was crying.

“Yogi, what’s wrong?” He was to the couch in seconds, kneeling in front of her. God, seeing her tears cut into his soul. “What happened?”

It was then that he noticed the phone in her hands and heard the audio.

You made me bleed.

He whipped the phone out of her hands, causing her to let out a little squeak. There on the screen was a still shot of Kaylee Marigold on her ass, holding up her bloody palm. Landon hit the play button on the video and watched as the footage showed her falling backward then him sprawled atop her followed by that palm dripping blood everywhere. Panicked, he scrolled backward, but there wasn’t any video showing how she’d kissed him without his consent prior to them landing on the ground or how she’d fallen and grabbed him so he’d fall with her. Where were the pictures of her grinding herself against him or the audio of what had come before she’d bloodied up her palm?

This damn video made it look as if he’d...

He dropped the phone on the couch cushion beside Aliza. “Look at me, Yogi. That is not what happened. Not at all.”

She slid away from him, pulling her legs up onto the couch and balling herself up in the corner. “You... you assaulted her...”

“Oh my God. I did not. I would never do that. To anyone.” He felt light-headed as his pulse drummed in his veins. “You know me, Yogi. I would never treat a woman like that.”

Aliza’s eyes were unfocused, not making contact with his gaze. She may have been sitting in the same room as him, but she was light years away. “I... thought... I thought you were different, Landon. I thought I’d found someone who was kind and respectful. Someone not like Troy at all.”

“You did find someone who is kind and respectful. Someone who loves you. You absolutely did.” He made a move to touch her leg, but she huddled deeper into the couch.

“I think you need to go.” Her voice was a raspy whisper and Landon knew she’d tortured herself with that video several times and had cried each time she’d seen him on top of Kaylee.

He picked up her phone. “What you watched here is not what happened, Yogi. Not even close. Kaylee—”

Landon didn’t get to finish his sentence because Aliza’s front door swung open and Miller marched directly in. The next thing Landon knew, Miller had a vice grip on his arm and was dragging him to his feet.

Away from Aliza.

“C’mon, fucker. You’re getting your ass out of here.” Miller navigated him around a recliner and toward the still open front door.

“Miller, it’s not what it looks like! I promise you!” Landon tried to free himself, but Aliza’s cousin was strong and fueled by a decent amount of hate right now. “I love Aliza.”

“And yet you felt inclined to sample the goods presented to you on your radio contest date.” Miller shook his head. “I should have kept a closer eye on you, jackass.” He pushed Landon out the door and Landon had to grab the railing not to fall right off the porch steps. “I’d better not see you around here again.”

With that, the front door slammed shut with an echoing bang. Landon leaned against the porch railing, not sure what to do next. He couldn’t blame Aliza for jumping to conclusions. That video and audio made it seem pretty clear he’d assaulted Kaylee, and Aliza was too shocked to listen to reason. Her experiences with her douchebag husband probably all rose to the surface the moment she’d seen Kaylee on the ground, blood dripping down from her palm.

How had that footage gotten posted like that—with the truth nowhere in sight? Landon’s list of suspects was small. Either Kaylee, Seth, or Mara had been involved and he was going to find out which.

He hobbled down Aliza’s porch steps, barefoot because his socks and shoes were still inside the house. After hopping into his truck, he stabbed his key into the ignition, pausing when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He dug it out and groaned. A message had come in from Mara.

Been trying to call you.

He glanced at the top of his screen to see five missed calls.

In light of the video littering social media right now, WTRZ is putting you on leave until an investigation can be conducted.

“What the fuck?” He threw his phone to the passenger seat and pounded his fists on the steering wheel, letting out a roar of frustration.

Landon didn’t get angry often, but when someone lied about him—and made his girlfriend distrust him—well, he couldn’t let that go unpunished.

Chapter Sixteen

“Al?” Miller sat beside her and collected her into a hug.

She allowed it because it was Miller—apparently the only guy in the universe she could trust. The moment her arms wrapped around her cousin’s neck, the waterworks began again. She’d been crying since she’d seen that stupid video. She hadn’t been looking for it. After getting up to use the bathroom and seeing it was nearing six o’clock, she’d stayed up, intent on getting some breakfast going for Landon and her. She was famished after their night of lovemaking and snuggling.

Aliza had seen a recipe for stuffed French toast yesterday that would be a nice change from the traditional way she made that breakfast food. She’d grabbed her phone to search online for the recipe and instead her heart had been torn out.

The first thing she’d come across was a photo of Landon’s body covering his contest date’s body on the ground. He was... he was touching so much of her. As her mind struggled to make sense of that image, a video below that photo caught her attention. It started playing automatically when she scrolled down to it and the tears came instantly.

Landon kissing Kaylee with a passion Aliza had hoped he’d only enjoyed with her.

Landon squirming atop Kaylee’s prone body on the ground of what looked like a parking lot.

Kaylee holding up a bloodied palm and saying, “You made me bleed.”

Aliza’s heart seized in her chest. This man she’d become so close to had attacked his date. He’d caused Kaylee physical harm as he forced himself on her.

He was no different than Troy. No different at all.

Except he’d seemed completely opposite in pretty much every aspect.

God, my head hurts.

“Al,” Miller said again as he peeled away a bit. “I’m guessing you saw what Heather and I saw this morning on the news.”

The news!

“I saw it on my phone,” she managed to reply. Saw Landon behave in the exact way Troy had. Images kept flickering in her head. Ones where she was getting beaten like Troy had beaten her. Only it wasn’t Troy hitting her.

It was Landon.

“Well, there appears to be multiple ways to view that footage and those photos.” Miller squeezed her closer and puffed out a breath. “I’m so sorry, Al.”

“My judgment must be permanently impaired,” she said in a quiet voice. “My radar is totally busted. I can’t seem to register a creep on my sensors for shit.”

“He fooled us all, Al,” Miller said. “Heather and I thought Landon was perfect for you—a real class act.” He shook his head. “That video footage and photos, however, tell a completely different tale.”

One Aliza didn’t want to hear. She much preferred the fairy tale version she’d been totally enjoying up until about an hour ago. Up until she learned Landon wasn’t who she’d thought he was.

Her phone vibrated on the couch cushion beside Miller and he picked it up as he released Aliza.

“It’s him.” He hit the reject button and slid the phone onto the coffee table. “You don’t need to talk to him right now. You need some time to yourself so you can deal with what happened. Deal with it and not let it keep you from pursuing someone new.”

Aliza shook her head as she wiped at her tears. “No, Mills. I’m done. From now on it’s going to be Sirius, Delilah, and me. That’s it.”

“Don’t be silly,” Miller said. “You have to talk to me and Heather and all your other friends.”

“I meant no more men. I don’t want a romantic relationship. I’ve had two recently and they’ve both gone into the shitter. I’m flushing and not sitting on that bowl again.”

Miller shook his head at that. “It feels that way now, but you’ll be ready again.”

“Maybe, but I can’t trust myself to pick someone who will be good for me.” Because if Landon wasn’t good for her, who the hell else would be? And how had he hid his abusive tendencies from her for weeks?

Her phone vibrated again and Miller said, “He’s not going to quit easily, is he?” He puffed out a breath.

Aliza put her hand out for the phone, but Miller slid it out of reach instead.

“Not now,” he said. “If you choose to talk to him at some point, that’s your decision, but not now.”

She folded her arms across her chest, suddenly cold and wishing to go back to sleep.

Because maybe this was all a horrible dream. Perhaps she’d wake up with a gasp only to find Landon asleep beside her in all his naked glory.

She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to get rid of that visual. He may have broken her heart with that video footage, but her body still craved his.

“Tell me he’s never touched you like in that video, Al.” Miller’s words sifted out between his clenched teeth. “Tell me.”

“No. Never. He’s only been gentle, loving. I was totally fooled.”

“These things have a way of rising to the surface,” Miller said. “Fortunately you found out now before you wasted more time on him or before...” He pulled her into a hug again. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”

She pressed her face into Miller’s shoulder, wishing she could disappear completely. She was such a fool. She’d been so desperate for male companionship she’d overlooked signs she was getting involved with the same kind of man she’d just cut out of her life. Was she that needy?

Was she that clueless?

Miller let her cry all over his shirt for a few moments then he nudged her back and gave her sympathetic eyes. “What do you need me to do? Hunt Landon down? Punch him in the face? Call the police? What?”

Aliza shook her head. “No, none of that, Mills. I just need some time to wise up. I’m assuming that woman, Kaylee, will press charges against Landon.”

“She’s got compelling evidence of assault with those pictures and video,” Miller said.

Aliza’s throat stung as she fought back tears again. Those pictures and video had been so horrible to witness. She had no trouble imagining how scared Kaylee had been. Aliza remembered all too clearly what it had been like when Troy got violent.

“Maybe I should reach out to Kaylee? Offer some comfort?” Though she wasn’t sure she had the stomach to do so.

Miller smiled. “You’re so kind, Al, but I’d advise you to take care of you first. It’s a lot to process. You trusted Landon with your heart.” He tapped her chest with his finger. “And he didn’t handle it with care. Take some time to heal you.”

There would never be enough time to do that.

The rest of Aliza’s weekend passed by in a haze. She wandered from room to room in her house, not accomplishing anything and not answering her phone that rang almost constantly with attempted calls and texts from Landon.

Please talk to me.

Let me explain.

You need to hear the truth.

You know me, Aliza.

Yogi, please.

Each message was a knife stab to her heart. By Monday morning, she could barely muster the energy to go to her yoga studio and lead classes. If her students noticed she was out of it, none of them called her out. They just got into downward-facing dog and minded their own business.

Except for Henrietta, of course.

As soon as class was over, the older woman rolled up her mat and marched right up to Aliza. “Great class as usual, Aliza,” she said.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Aliza didn’t look up from the schedule document she was revising on her laptop at the front desk.

“I always enjoy your classes, honey,” Henrietta said. “Trouble is, you didn’t enjoy it.”

Aliza looked up then. “Sure I did. I always enjoy doing yoga.”

Henrietta shook her head, her compassionate gaze making Aliza’s throat tight. “Your mind, body, and soul are not in alignment, sweetie. I’ve been taking your classes long enough to know.”

Aliza inhaled and exhaled slowly, trying to keep from breaking down. “I have some things on my mind today. If you’d like a refund on today’s class, I can give you one.”

Henrietta waved a hand, her brows lowering. “Don’t be ridiculous. I came to get exercise and I got some exercise. Money and time well spent. What I’m concerned about, however, is you. Is something wrong? You’ve been so upbeat lately, but something has got you down today.”

“It’s nothing.” She wasn’t sure she could get into the details without shedding tears as she’d done all day on Sunday. The last thing she wanted to do was bust into hysterics at work in front of the remaining students.

“It’s something.” Henrietta rested her hand atop Aliza’s and that almost broke the dam. “You don’t have to tell me, but I encourage you to tell someone, honey. Bottling it up doesn’t ever do a body any good at all. Plus, maybe things aren’t as bad as you might think. Talking to someone else might help you see that. Get a fresh brain on whatever the problem is.” She paused to catch Aliza’s gaze. “Especially if it has to do with Puppy Guy.”

Solid advice. “Thanks, Henrietta. I will talk to someone.”

“Good.” The older woman patted Aliza’s hand then stuck her rolled yoga mat under her arm. “I’m off to the harvest market on Whipleton Road. Do you want something?”

“No thanks, but you’re a dear for asking.”

Henrietta gave her a smile then waved as she left the studio. In another few moments, Aliza was back to being alone in the big room, all her students having left. Fortunately that didn’t last too long as her next class started thirty minutes later and she trudged through Monday in a haze that proved Henrietta had been right. Her body, mind, and soul were not in alignment. How could they be? She’d let Landon touch her body when clearly he had the potential to hurt women physically. Her mind couldn’t stop running that video footage over and over again like a nightmare she couldn’t conquer by waking up.

And her soul? Shit, that thing was torn to shreds.

By Monday night, she schlepped herself back to her home, not entirely sure what she’d accomplished at work. Delilah was happy to see her and that was at least something. Nothing like a peppy puppy to boost one’s spirits. Looking at the dog, however, reminded her of who had given her Delilah. That was why she hadn’t taken the pup to the studio today. As soon as Aliza clipped the leash to Delilah’s collar, she also recalled that walk she and Landon had shared in the wee hours Sunday morning. The walk that had ended with them falling into bed together and making each other feel incredible.

How in the world could the Landon she’d known that night be the same Landon she’d seen in that video? It just didn’t add up.

She and Delilah made a couple laps through the neighborhood then returned home. She doled out food to Delilah and Sirius and assembled a quick fruit salad for herself, not having an appetite for an actual dinner.

A soft knock on her front door diverted her from the bath she was about to take. She peeked out the side window, not wanting to open the door if Landon was out there. He’d sent her several more text messages during the day which she’d ignored.

When she saw it was Heather, she opened the door. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Heather stepped into the house and immediately crouched to give Delilah some loving. “I wanted to check on you before I went home. Do you need anything? Do you want to come stay with us?”

Aliza tugged her soon-to-be cousin-in-law to her feet and hugged her. “You are awesome, but no. I’m okay. I’m going to take a bath and catch up on some accounting stuff I need to do for the studio.”

“That sounds boring.” Heather gave her a thumbs down.

“It is, but I think I need boring right now. I let myself get all swept up in romance. Something mundane will bring me back down to Earth.” Because she’d been flapping her wings in Heaven while being with Landon. Now her wings had been clipped and she was trying to keep from crash-landing into the depths.

“Okay,” Heather said reluctantly. “If you change your mind though, you know you can call us.”

“I do. That’s what makes you and Miller amazing.” Aliza gave Heather another hug. “Now go home and give Miller a hug for me too.”

“Will do.” Heather spent a few moments petting Delilah then left.

Aliza plodded to the bathroom, but the moment she entered, all she could picture was taking a shower with Landon. Sudsing up his gorgeous body had been one of her favorite new hobbies. Many of her new hobbies had included Landon. Rock climbing. Kissing. Making love.

“Fuck.” Aliza didn’t swear often, but the word released some of the tension that had built up between her shoulder blades. Normally her body was loose and flexible due to all the yoga she did.

Not today. Today she was a statue, unable to move with the same range of motion and fluidity she normally enjoyed.

“Well, this won’t do.” She’d be damned if she let some foolish heartbreak muck around with her physical well being.

She marched over to the tub and turned on the water, squirting in some bubble bath soap. A nice hot soak would do wonders. She was sure of it.

Mostly.

Aliza undressed as Delilah took up her normal resting place on the fluffy rug in front of the shower. Sirius wandered in and jumped up to the small table she had under the window.

“Thanks, guys.” At least her furry kids were exactly what they seemed. No surprises with them.

As she eased into the steamy water, she flicked on the radio she kept by the tub, realizing that Henley Hears You would be on. Nothing like a little torture to go with that bubble bath.

Only it wasn’t Landon’s voice that hit her ears.

****

Landon paced in his basement on Monday night, each glance at his Command Post making his blood boil even more. He couldn’t believe that WTRZ had replaced him with some douche who had the radio presence of a slice of bread. No charisma. No connection to callers. And if the song playing right now was any indication, the idiot had no taste in music either.

Factor in that Aliza had ignored every single one of his texts and calls and Landon was ready to blow. One doctored video and a stream of misleading photos had shut down his work life and his budding love life.

He was more upset about the latter.

Aliza meant so much to him and to think she believed him capable of assaulting a woman cut him deep. Yeah, the footage and pictures made it look as if he’d been the aggressor, but shit, hadn’t he proven to her that he wasn’t at all like her ex-husband? Hadn’t each tender touch he’d given her supplied evidence he would never harm her or anyone else?

Hadn’t she trusted him?

The answer to that was a big fat no, but he understood her past with Troy made it easier to believe men were slimeballs. He still wanted the chance to talk to her though. To make her see that none of what she’d seen and heard online was true. He deserved the opportunity to clear his name. If Aliza still didn’t want to be with him, he’d understand. He’d be crushed, but he’d understand. He wanted her to have all the facts, however, before she dismissed him from her life completely.

“Welcome to WTRZ’s newest segment—Ask Aaron. I’m your host, Aaron.” He let out a girlish giggle that grated on Landon’s nerves. “You can call in and ask me absolutely anything and we’ll track down the answer for you.”

“Isn’t that what online search engines are for?” Landon barked at the radio. Why was he listening to this shit?

Because I already miss being on air. He’d made it through Sunday because he wasn’t usually on air anyway, but the airwaves should have belonged to him tonight. Not this fool who had let two thirty-second segments of dead air bore listeners. Rule number one in broadcasting was no dead air. Listeners turned to the radio for noise, not silence.

Landon had been on the phone with Mara for much of the afternoon. She’d advised him to get a lawyer and had high hopes things would be cleared up soon. That didn’t offer him much solace now, however. What was he supposed to do in the meantime? How was he supposed to let his listeners know he wasn’t an abusive dick who took advantage of women?

Yeah, he’d seen the comments below that video and those photos online. People had not been kind and he couldn’t blame them. They were merely reacting to what had been presented to them without considering the validity.

More importantly, what was he supposed to do about Aliza? His chest physically ached. Maybe it had been a mistake to lift his self-imposed isolation. If he’d never accepted her date invitations, he wouldn’t have remembered what it was like to have someone special in his life.

Someone special who could be taken away from him by a selfish drunk driver or a fucking stupid contest he never wanted to a part of in the first place. He took comfort in the fact that at least Aliza was alive, unlike Simone and Rebecca. Not being with her, however, hurt. A lot. When he’d kept himself secluded in his cocoon, he’d been protected from the emotions that now threatened to overwhelm him.

He loved Aliza, dammit. He wanted to be with her. He wanted her to not push him away, to not fear him. His heart was open now and he didn’t want to shut it back down.

His doorbell rang, cutting into his thoughts and he stomped up the stairs to peek out the window before opening the door. Foolishly, he’d hoped to see Aliza out there, but of course it wasn’t her.

“Hey, Jeremy,” he said when he let his buddy in.

“Hey, man. How are you holding up? Are you hearing that fuckass on the radio right now? Where in the actual hell did they find him? Like, did he get his communications degree from some two-bit online university?”

“Why aren’t you producing that fuckass right now?” Landon asked as he followed Jeremy into the living room.

Jeremy whirled around to face him, a look of shock on his face. “Dude, you didn’t actually think I would agree to produce your replacement, did you?” He frowned and shook his head. “I mean, come on. I took a week’s vacation because I’m certain your name will be yanked out of the mire and shined back up to its uberglow within that time period.”

Landon’s throat tightened. To have one person believe that what was online was total bullshit touched him. Deeply. “Thanks, man.”

They bro-hugged and Landon invited Jeremy to have a seat after getting them some beers and opening a bag of pretzels.

“I told you the other night as soon as I saw that shit online I knew it wasn’t true. That’s not you, dude. Not even close.” Jeremy took a swig from his beer. “I was around to witness you with Simone and Rebecca. I saw firsthand what they meant to you and how you treated them like royalty.” He grabbed a handful of pretzels and jiggled them in his palm. “The same was going on with you and Aliza.”

Landon let his head drop to the back of the couch and he stared up at the ceiling. “Yeah, well, Aliza wants nothing to do with me now. She won’t talk to me.”

“I know that’s got to hurt,” Jeremy said, crunching on a pretzel and washing it down with some beer. “What are you going to do about it?”

“Do?” Landon lifted his head to look at his friend. “What can I do?”

“I don’t know, but you’re not going to give up, are you? You’re an innocent man and you deserve to be happy with Aliza. Some trashy broad you were forced by the station to take out shouldn’t stand in the way of your life, Landon.”

Landon took a sip of his beer, contemplating Jeremy’s words. He was an innocent man. Why should Kaylee get to rip his future to pieces? Why should he be without Aliza over a stupid doctored video and photos that didn’t represent the entire picture?

“You’re right,” he said.

“Generally speaking, I’m often right.” Jeremy grinned. “So I repeat, what are you going to do?”

Landon popped up from the couch and shifted his bottle of beer from one hand to the other. Pacing in front of the coffee table, he said half to himself, “What am I going to do? What am I going to do?”

“I hope you’re going to do more than ask yourself what you’re going to do.” Jeremy threw a pretzel at him which he caught and ate.

Crunching away, Landon continued his pacing, stopping now and then to fuel this thinking with a mouthful of beer. “I need to do something that will get her attention and make her listen to me. Make her hear me.”

“Speaking of hearing...” Jeremy angled his head toward the open basement door. “Is someone talking downstairs?”

Landon waved a hand. “Oh, it’s the fuckass. I put the show on and didn’t turn it off when I came up to answer the door.”

“Fuck you, Ask Aaron!” Jeremy yelled and chucked a finger at the basement doorway.

Landon completely agreed, but then he rushed for the stairs.

“Where are you going?”

Jeremy’s footsteps sounded behind him, but Landon didn’t stop until he was in front of his Command Post. “Ask Aaron,” he said as if that answered Jeremy’s question.

“Should be called Ask Fuckass if you ask me,” Jeremy said, sinking into the comfy chair by the guitars.

“No, I’m going to ask Aaron a question he’ll have to investigate.” Landon pulled out his cell phone and lowered into this desk chair. “But first I have to make sure Aliza is listening.”

“How are you going to do that?”

“Call in reinforcements.” Landon tapped on his phone, searching for Dakota’s contact. As soon as he found it, he hit the call button and waited for Dakota to answer. He fully expected to have to convince his old friend he hadn’t assaulted Kaylee, but the moment Dakota answered, Landon knew that wasn’t going to be necessary.

“What is up with this titwaffle on the radio right now, man?” Dakota asked. “We want Henley Hears You back. Like immediately.”

“Hopefully Ask Aaron will be a temporary thing.”

“Of course it will be,” Dakota said. “I mean, anyone who knows you thinks the idea of you getting violent with a woman is ridiculous.”

“You are among my favorite people, Dakota Brenton.”

“I was talking to Jacy and Dena before you called and they are in favor of creating a movement to prove your innocence. You know how they can be when they put their twin heads together. They’ll have every citizen of Maplehaven wearing We Love Landon T-shirts in no time.”

“I appreciate the sentiments,” Landon said. “That’s so good to hear because right now it seems like the world is against me.”

“Frigging social media.” Dakota puffed out a breath. “If I didn’t need it to promote Birch Peak Adventures, I’d remove myself from every online outlet in existence.”

“I hear you,” Landon said. This conversation was doing absolute wonders to ease the tension between his shoulder blades that had started as soon as he’d seen Aliza crying on her couch. To know people did stand by him? Well, that was all a guy could ask for.

That and the love of an amazing woman.

“So what can I do for you?” Dakota asked. “If I can help in some way to make this bullshit go away for you, I’m in.”

Landon had trouble swallowing. Knowing that Jeremy, Dakota, and the rest of the gang was on his side affected him deep down. “I do have a favor to ask. Do you think you or Leah could get Aliza to listen to Ask Aaron right now?”

“Why would you want her to listen to the titwaffle?” Dakota asked. “He’s awful. I turned him off after fifteen minutes. Leah immediately said she missed hearing you.”

“Tell Leah thanks, but I’m trying to win Aliza back. She... she won’t talk to me.”

Dakota was silent for a few moments then he puffed out a breath. “Damn, this bullshit felt a little too much like her ex-husband, didn’t it?”

“Bingo. I need a grand gesture to show her I am in no way like Troy.”

“Got it, my man. I’ll give her a call right now. I’ll be slick about it too. Don’t you worry, Dakota said. “Good luck, Landon.”

“Thanks, Dakota.” Landon ended the call and laughed at Jeremy who had moved to the edge of his seat and was rubbing his palms together.

“Operation: Get Aliza Back is underway,” Jeremy said.

Landon held up his fingers and crossed them. He grabbed a notepad from his Command Post desk and uncapped a pen. “Now to collect the perfect words to reach Aliza.”

He scribbled furiously on the paper for the next twenty minutes while Jeremy brought the pretzels and more beer downstairs to keep him fueled. When he was finally satisfied that he had a solid speech mapped out, he picked up his phone again.

“Time to call in to Ask Aaron.”

“Hang on,” Jeremy said, pulling out his own phone. “Let’s make sure your call is going to be accepted. Penelope is producing Ask Aaron while I’m on vacation. Give me a minute to text her.”

Landon finished the last of his beer. He had a little buzz going which was good. He’d need it to be brave enough to do this. He’d never been one to pour his heart out, never mind on live radio for listeners to hear, but it was his best bet for reaching Aliza.

And he had to reach Aliza. He couldn’t take not talking to her. They belonged together and she needed to be reminded of how perfect they were for each other.

“All set,” Jeremy said after a few moments. “Penelope’s exact words were You better believe I’ll patch him through. Aaron sucks. I always liked Penelope.”

Landon pushed up his sleeves, suddenly hot and nervous and sweaty. C’mon, you can do this. He had to if he had any hope of getting Aliza back.

Picking up his phone, he punched in the number for the station. His heart beat double-time with every ring as he waited for Aaron to answer.

“Hey, caller. Welcome to Ask Aaron,” Aaron said. “Ask away.” Again that feminine giggle sounded and Landon cringed as did Jeremy.

“Good evening, Aaron,” he said, reminding himself to calm down. The last thing he needed was for his nerves to ruin his message. He had one shot here and he couldn’t afford to blow it. “Welcome to the nighttime slot on WTRZ.”

“Why thanks, man,” Aaron said. “I’m excited to be here.”

Don’t get too comfortable. Landon planned to be owning this time slot again. Soon.

“What did you want to ask us tonight... hey, what’s your name?” Aaron asked.

“My name is Henley.”

Aaron let more dead air take over the airwaves before saying, “Henley?” His voice actually crackled like a teenager’s. “As in Henley Hears You?”

“As in. Listen, no hard feelings toward you, Aaron. You’re doing what you have to do. I get it. It’s a good opportunity for you and someone has to keep my spot warm while I prove my absolute and total innocence.”

Jeremy’s phone rang and Landon heard his friend say, “Shit, it’s Mara.”

Landon didn’t care. The station owner could be pissed he’d called in to the show, but he had to follow his heart.

“Here’s my question for you, Aaron. Are you ready?”

“Sure.” Another adolescent squeak sounded in the man’s voice.

“Okay, my question is do you believe in fate?”

“Fate? Oh... uhh... that’s more of a philosophical question, Mr. Henley. This show is geared toward less heavy questions such as where can I buy the cheapest chicken feed or what are the benefits of winterizing a tractor? You know? That kind of stuff.”

“I see. Well, do you mind if I answer the fate question then? I’m sure other listeners are wondering, especially now that I brought it up.”

“Umm... sure, I guess.”

“Great.” Landon didn’t want to give Aaron time to reconsider or time for Mara to play a commercial over him or something. “I believe in fate. It’s real. For proof I submit a story of a woman. A wonderful woman who completely changed my life. A woman I can’t live without now. It all started with a walk and a crazy dog.”

Chapter Seventeen

It all started with a walk and a crazy dog.

Aliza stared at the radio. She’d finished her bubble bath and though she was clean, she didn’t feel much better. The call she’d gotten from Dakota had been weird too.

“Put on WTRZ,” he’d said.

“I have it on.” Because that Aaron dude was better than letting the quiet of her house engulf her.

“Great. Leave it on and listen carefully.” He’d hung up on her before she could reply.

The moment she’d heard Landon’s voice, however, she rushed to her bedroom to listen more closely. What was he saying about a walk and a crazy dog?

“I’d been walking to Maplehaven’s animal shelter,” Landon said as Aliza flopped on her bed and hung on his every word. His voice still did things to her body. Things she couldn’t ignore. “This silly puppy had been in my yard making a ruckus so I’d decided to get it some help. I figured it might belong to someone in town and if it didn’t, maybe someone could give it a good home.”

“You didn’t want to keep it yourself?” Aaron asked. “I mean, it’s a puppy.”

“I wasn’t in the right place to own a dog again,” Landon said, making Aliza picture his dog, Alaska, in the photo on his shelf.

“If you believe in fate,” Aaron said, “wouldn’t you think it was fate that brought the dog to you in particular?”

Aliza wanted this Aaron dude to shut up and let Landon talk. She had the sense he was about to say something important. Something meant just for her.

“Oh, fate was definitely involved, Aaron,” Landon said with a small chuckle that vibrated through Aliza. How could he have this effect on her when she’d seen what he’d done to Kaylee?

“Fate didn’t want me to have the dog,” Landon continued. “Fate wanted me to take that pooch for a walk so it could crash a yoga class in Brenton Park.”

“Crash a yoga class? I’m sorry, Mr. Henley, but I don’t think the listeners are following this story.”

“Doesn’t matter, Aaron. There is only one listener who needs to hear it and she is definitely following the sequence of events here,” Landon said. “So this dog interrupts the yoga class, causing the very beautiful, very talented, very kind yoga teacher to scoop up the pup and march her way over to me.”

“Oh,” Aaron said. “Was she mad?”

“She was a bit miffed, yes.” Another low chuckle sounded from Landon and Aliza wiggled closer to the radio as if that would take her closer to the man as well. “Not so much about the intrusion to her class, but more about me not wanting a puppy.”

“Well, it is nuts that you wouldn’t want a puppy,” Aaron said.

“Maybe. However, I didn’t think I wanted a woman either, but I was wrong about that too. So wrong,” Landon said. “This dog led me to meeting the most incredible human being. I was having a hard time being out in the world, but she managed to coax me from my cave and show me that life goes on even after terrible things happen. You can’t hide and waste your life no matter what trauma you’ve suffered. You’ve got to put on your shoes and keep walking. And the walking is amazing if you’ve got someone special keeping pace beside you.”

“This yoga teacher is someone special to you?” Aaron asked.

“So special.” Landon’s voice broke a little on the word special and Aliza’s eyes stung. “Now, I know many listeners have probably seen the social media tidbits about me. I know what it looks like. If I hadn’t been there myself, I’d agree that something bad had happened. I assure everyone, however, that you can’t trust everything you see on the internet. I’m not sure why some people wanted to take me down like this, but I guess I don’t care as long as one person believes my innocence. She’s all that matters to me. Her and the crazy dog she adopted. Fate brought them both to me and I want them back in my life. I need them.”

“Wow,” Aaron said. “Serious moments here on Ask Aaron.”

Serious moments indeed. Aliza stood and paced around her room as Delilah got off the bed and trotted beside her. What should she do? On the one hand, she desperately wanted Landon. It hurt so much to imagine going forward in her life without him.

On the other hand, however, she kept thinking about that video footage and those pictures. She deserved better than someone who would do such things.

Had Landon done such things? That was the million-dollar question.

“I don’t expect this woman to accept what I’ve said here tonight right away,” Landon said, causing Aliza to stop her pacing. “I know what was in that video and those photos were difficult for her to see. My hope is that she’ll consider how she felt when she was with me and realize deep down I’d never hurt her or anyone else like that. Never. I only want to bring her joy and if she gives me another chance, I will spend my life making her happy.”

Spend his life?

“I certainly hope the yoga teacher is listening,” Aaron said. “And I’m pretty confident that Ask Aaron won’t be on the air for long. I heard you, Henley. The listeners heard you. Hopefully whoever is behind that video and those photos heard you and will come clean about what actually happened. The truth will prevail.”

“Thanks, Aaron. For listening and allowing me to ask my question.”

“You got it, man. Here’s hoping fate is real.”

A song started and Aliza picked up Delilah to rub the dog’s furry head with her chin. “What is fate telling us, baby girl?”

Delilah licked Aliza’s cheek and cuddled closer. A man who had intended to take a stray dog to the shelter so it could find a good home wasn’t the type to abuse a woman. A man who made Aliza feel the way she had in his presence wasn’t the violent sort. A man who went on a stupid contest date against his will in order to save a radio station and raise money for a charity wasn’t the kind to make a woman bleed.

“Of course he didn’t do it,” she said aloud.

She put Delilah down and immediately changed out of her pajamas and into yoga pants and a fleece sweatshirt. Donning her sneakers and clipping a leash to Delilah’s collar, she loaded herself and the dog into her car. The drive to Landon’s house passed in a blur and by the time she pulled into his driveway, she was desperate to see him.

The light above his front door flicked on and she and Delilah ran for it. When the door flung open, Aliza threw herself at Landon, her arms squeezing around him.

“I’m so, so, so sorry, Landon,” she said into his neck. “I should have known. I should have believed. I’m so sorry.”

He wrapped his arms around her and lowered his forehead to her shoulder. “I’m so glad you heard me, Yogi.” He pressed his lips to the side of her neck then held her out at arm’s length. “You know I didn’t hurt Kaylee, don’t you?”

“I do. I just saw that video, those pictures...” She shook her head. “It brought back—”

“Every painful memory of your ex-husband,” Landon finished. “I understand, Aliza. I really do. That’s why I was trying to give you some time to process and think about it all and hopefully come to the conclusion you have now.” He hugged her again then tugged her into the house. “I couldn’t wait any longer though. I had to take action. I had to do something to let you know I am madly in love with you. We belong together, Yogi. You have to know this.”

“I do know it. I know it with every fiber of my being. I’ve known since the moment I met you.” She nudged him. “That’s why I was so pushy about having dates with you. I felt something for you from the start.”

Landon kneeled to unleash Delilah and give her a little attention. The pup was delighted to see him and Aliza understood the feeling.

“I’m sure my innocence will come to the surface,” he said as he stood and pulled her to the couch. “I have a lawyer working on it and the station is running their own investigation too.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Although I may have put that in jeopardy by crashing Ask Aaron.”

“I doubt it,” Aliza said. “Anyone with half a brain would have believed the sincerity in your voice. It was as if you’d infused the airwaves with a genuine good-guy vibe.”

“I hope so, though that wasn’t my original intent.” He scooted closer to her on the couch and cupped her cheek as Delilah climbed up onto the cushion behind him. “All I cared about was reaching you, Yogi. That’s all I’ll ever care about.”

Aliza closed the distance between them, pressing her mouth to his. The kiss erupted, spreading passion and desire everywhere. How had she thought she could walk away from this? From him?

Totally ridiculous.

He yanked free of the kiss way before she was ready to be done.

“I want to tell you what actually happened on that date first.” He gestured between the two of them as Delilah settled into a tight ball on the couch cushion and closed her eyes. “Before we get into any of this good stuff here.”

She understood his need to formally clear his name to her. “Okay, but make it quick. I’ve been missing your good stuff since I last had it.”

A small smile turned up the left side of his mouth. “Same for me, Yogi. Same for me.” He squeezed her thigh then increased the space between them as if he needed to not be touching her at all in order to recount his story.

Landon told her everything. How Kaylee had asked for another date though he’d told her he was happy in his current relationship. How she’d forcibly kissed him. How she’d stumbled back and purposely taken him with her to the ground. How she’d bloodied up her hand when she’d fallen.

How Seth had captured everything on his phone.

By the time he was done, Aliza wished Delilah was a 130-pound German shepherd with a strong prey drive. She would have loved to scare some sense into Kaylee for accusing him of something he didn’t do and Seth for creating the footage, and WTRZ for putting Landon on leave.

“What I don’t know yet,” Landon said, “is what Kaylee thinks she’ll accomplish with all this.”

Aliza shook her head. “If she wanted to entice you into another date, this surely wasn’t the way to go about it. Maybe she’s aiming to make your life miserable instead.”

Landon pulled her into his lap. “If that’s the case, she’s failed epically.” He teased Aliza’s mouth with his. Short nips that held a promise of more to come. “While I was miserable for a few days without you, I know I won’t be again because I won’t be without you again.”

“Pretty confident, aren’t you?” Aliza rested her hands on his shoulders, drawing herself closer to him.

“Yes, I am.” He patted his chest. “You woke my heart up, Yogi, and it doesn’t want to go back to sleep. It wants to spend the rest of its allotted beats loving you.”

“Well, who am I to deny a heart with such a wonderful goal?” She leaned forward and kissed him, pouring everything she had into proving she would never believe the worst of him again.

They made out like that for a few amazing minutes then Landon’s cell phone buzzed on the coffee table.

“Ignore it,” Landon said, his lips still on hers.

So she did until it buzzed again and again and again.

“Someone needs you,” she said, sliding off his lap so he could grab the phone.

“I only need you right now,” he grumbled, but he tapped the screen, his eyebrows rising as he read.

“Who is it?” Aliza pulled her sweatshirt off and smoothed her rumpled T-shirt—the T-shirt she usually wore to bed. In her haste to get to Landon, she’d forgotten to change it.

“It’s Mara, from WTRZ,” he said, his brows lowered now.

“What is it, Landon?” Aliza gripped his forearm as she worried. God, she hoped it wasn’t bad news.

He thumbed through a lengthy text before saying, “Kaylee dropped the charges she’d filed against me and the video and pictures have been taken down.”

Aliza popped off the couch and clapped. “Excellent news!”

“Yeah.” Landon was still reading.

“There’s more,” she said, sitting beside him again. “What does it say?”

“Kaylee called into Ask Aaron a little after I’d been on and told everyone what really happened.” Landon rubbed his jaw as he turned the phone toward Aliza so she could read for herself.

“She came totally clean,” Aliza said. “How did she get Seth to alter the footage he’d shot?”

“My guess is Seth didn’t mind being on the receiving end of her attention and maybe she paid him or something.”

“Perhaps. At least she grew a conscience.” Aliza pursed her lips.

“She heard me on the show earlier and couldn’t live with the lies she’d spread about me.” Landon’s smile widened as he looked down at his phone. “The radio station is putting me back on the air tomorrow night!”

“Oh, Landon!” Aliza squeezed him into a hug. “That is fantastic news. Not for Aaron, but for you and all your listeners. We need Henley Hears You.”

He tossed his phone back on the coffee table. “And there’s only one thing I need.” He scooped her up, making her let out a squeal that woke Delilah, who launched into a round of happy barking. “Okay, maybe two things.”

Aliza tightened her hold around his shoulders. “Do you mean you’re ready to be a doggy daddy?”

“Yogi, I’m ready for anything as long as it involves you.”

****

By Tuesday evening, Landon’s entire life was back on track. He had his woman and his radio show. What more could he ask for? He and Aliza had spent from Monday night to Tuesday afternoon wrapped up in one another. His delight was amplified when he found out she’d cancelled her morning yoga class on Tuesday so she could stay in his bed longer.

Still, when the time came for her to leave, he nearly threw a toddler temper tantrum. Only her promise to come over after his show tonight staved off the episode. He didn’t think he’d have much trouble convincing her to stay the night again. He’d barter with pancakes for breakfast if necessary.

Stroking a hand down Cala’s scales as the boa relaxed along his shoulders, he recalled how Aliza had asked to see the snake this morning. The eagerness in her eyes as he lifted Cala out of her tank and draped the boa on Aliza’s shoulders gave him such a high. Finding a woman who would not only tolerate a pet snake but would also willingly wear it was a rare treasure.

One he didn’t intend on ever losing again.

In fact, right after Aliza left earlier that afternoon, Landon had scurried down to his basement and spent the next several hours working on a solid plan to ensure he’d never be without Aliza. They’d only known each other for a few weeks, but the time they’d spent together had made him see what he wanted his life to be like and exactly who he wanted to share it with. The little time they’d spent apart had also shown him how much Aliza meant to him. He couldn’t imagine a future where they weren’t together and when a guy figured that out, there was only one thing left to do.

He let the next few songs play then took a caller. Aliza promised to listen to the show tonight, but he wanted to do his big surprise closer to the end of his show. That way neither he nor Aliza would have to wait too long to see each other.

“Hello, welcome to Henley Hears You,” he said. “What’s your beef?”

“First up,” a male voice said, “so good to have you back. I know it was only one night without you, man, but Henley Hears You is a Maplehaven original and not hearing you last night was weird.”

“Thanks. Not being on was weird. I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

“Clearly. It’s why you had to call into Ask Aaron.” The caller laughed. “My wife heard what you said to your special lady and gave me a good swat, asking why I never said such beautiful things to her.”

“Oops.” Landon chuckled. “Sorry, man. Didn’t mean to get you in the dog house.”

“Nah. It was fine. I told her she looked as if she’d lost weight and I was back in her good graces.”

Now they were both laughing and Landon knew he’d do anything to make sure he stayed on the radio too. It was such a part of him. He was born to talk to callers and play the tunes.

“Do you have a beef tonight?” he asked.

“I do. My beef is with people who lie about abuse. Now I don’t know anything about the chick who accused you, Henley, but I’ve been in a similar situation. A woman once said I’d been violent with her when I most definitely had not. Now, I know we live in a society where bad things happen—to women in particular—and I understand how hard it is to be a woman when there are scumbags around every corner. I, however, am not one of those scumbags. Neither are you. To be falsely labeled as one hurts. Like deep down. On a soul level.”

Landon could barely swallow. This caller had hit the nail on the head with his comments and he hadn’t been the only caller to express such sentiments. Several callers tonight had pledged their support to him, many of them saying they’d known from the start the accusations had been bogus.

“I’m not looking for advice from you tonight, Henley. I called in to tell you that other guys have been in your shoes and it sucks. Luckily for you and for me, the truth did come out and victory is ours.” The caller paused. “You were victorious with the woman you were addressing when you called in to Ask Aaron last night, weren’t you?”

“I was indeed.”

“Whew. I got nervous for a minute, but how could a chick resist such a heartfelt message? They love that emotional crap.”

“Good thing. I wasn’t sure what my Plan B was going to be if that emotional crap didn’t work.”

“When you have a solid Plan A, you don’t need a Plan B,” the caller said. “Okay, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’ll let you help your next callers. Good luck, man.”

“Thank you for calling in. Instead of asking if you feel as if you’ve been heard, I’m going to tell you that I’ve heard you.”

“Right on. Good night.”

“Good night.” Landon played the next song then took off his headphones to stretch his legs. He walked a few laps around his basement, caressing Cala’s scales as he moved.

“Tell me what I’m about to do is a good idea, Cala.”

The boa flicked her tongue out at him a few times then bunched up her scales, massaging his neck as she wrapped her tail around his bicep.

“I’ll take that as approval.”

He set Cala back in her tank then grabbed his guitar. Throwing the strap over his head and resting it on his shoulder, he strummed a few strings, psyching himself up to do what he’d planned to do.

Sitting back in his desk chair and putting on his headphones, he ran a few more songs, took a few more callers, then he only had about thirty minutes left of his show.

Now or never.

Heaving in a deep, somewhat cleansing breath, he spoke into his mike. “Okay, listeners. I’d like to do something a little different right now. No classic rock. No callers. No advice.” His heart pounded as if it might jump right out of his chest and hit the computer monitors of his Command Post. He didn’t want to have to clean that mess up so he reminded himself that what he was about to do was what he wanted.

Hopefully, it was what Aliza wanted too.

“I’m going to play an original Henley tune and dedicate it to a wonderful woman. This one’s for you, Yogi.”

Taking another deep breath, he started playing his guitar. He infused each note with the love he felt for Aliza Danahy. The love he would always feel for her. The love that would grow deeper between them for the rest of their days on this planet together.

Then he sang.

A simple walk,
just holding your hand,
time to talk
and understand
that you’re all

I’ll ever need.

You’re all

I’ll ever need.

A simple walk
and the way is clear,
in step together,
always near.

You’re all

I’ll ever need.

You’re all

I’ll ever need.

A simple walk,
one that’s kind
and I know deep
in my mind,
you’re all

I’ll ever need.

You’re all

I’ll ever need.

He played the guitar break he had written in for this part and hoped that each pluck of the strings reached Aliza. She had to know how much she meant to him and how much he wanted them to be together forever.

A simple walk
and you will see

I love you.

Now marry me.

You’re all

I’ll ever need.

You’re all

I’ll ever need.

He ended with another guitar segment and a fade of the repeated words You’re all I’ll ever need, marry me, marry me.

Landon put down his guitar, his palms super sweaty. Never in his life had he been so public about his emotions, his intentions, his love. It was enough to make a guy vomit, but when he got the signal that a caller was being patched through, he knew.

He knew.

“Welcome to Henley Hears You,” he said. “What’s your beef?”

“My beef is radio shows that promise classic rock and good advice and suddenly go all sappy romantic.” Aliza’s voice warmed every single part of him.

“So you hated that last song then?”

“I guess it was okay,” she said. “If you’re into that sappy romantic stuff, which I guess I am. I think it needed some tambourine accompaniment though.”

“Tambourine. Of course.”

“I still liked it though,” she said. “So much.”

“Well, there’s only one thing to ask then,” he said. “Aliza, will you marry me?”

“That depends,” Aliza said.

He swallowed loudly. God, she wouldn’t say no on air, would she? “That depends on what?”

“On whether or not you’ll play a request for me.” The smile in her voice filled his heart.

“I will play whatever you want if you say yes.”

“You promise?”

“I solemnly swear.”

“Okay. Fine,” she said. “I’ll marry you.”

Landon popped out of his chair, forgetting that his headphones were still attached. They tore off his head, nearly ripping his ears off in the process. Dead air stretched out on the radio as he fumbled to get the headphones back on.

Luckily, Jeremy was on it and the dude had played the celebratory track WTRZ played when a listener won a contest on air. Then Landon’s cell phone buzzed on his desk.

Aliza.

You’re all I’ll ever need too, the text read. I love you. My song request is “Walkin’ the Dog,” Aerosmith version. You promised. Also, I’m coming over right now.

Landon didn’t think he’d ever been this happy in his life. Sure, he’d been happy to marry Simone, beyond ecstatic when Rebecca was born, and he’d loved everything about his life with those two phenomenal females. When he lost them, however, he thought that was it for him. How could he possibly be happy again?

Aliza was how.

He wrapped up the last minutes of his show by playing Aliza’s song request. She’d finally thrown him a bone by requesting a dog song WTRZ would actually play. He also accepted congratulatory phone calls from Jeremy and Mara and Dakota and Leah and about every other Maplehavenite he’d reconnected with thanks to Aliza. When his doorbell rang, however, he didn’t care about another soul on the planet.

Taking the stairs two at a time, he raced to his front door and nearly tore it off its hinges. Aliza leaped into his arms as Delilah ran past them and headed for what she’d clearly claimed as Her Spot on the couch.

“I love you. I love you. I love you.” Aliza punctuated each sentence with a kiss to his lips as she clenched her legs around his hips.

“Really?” He supported her with his hands to her lovely ass, but pulled back a little. “Because I can’t stand you.”

She launched her fist into his shoulder. “Liar. You sang me a song on the radio for everyone to hear. You poured your heart out to me, Landon Henley, and I will never forget this night.”

“Refresh my memory,” he said as he kicked the door closed and carried her directly to his bedroom. “What was your answer to the marry me question?”

“Oh, that answer was a gigantic Y-E-S, mister. You’re stuck with me now.” She nuzzled his neck with her nose, dropping kisses along his jaw. “You’re stuck with Delilah too.”

“That dog is more than welcome. She brought me to you and that earns her all the treats and pettings in the world.”

A moment after the word treat had left his mouth, Delilah appeared in the bedroom, her tail wagging expectantly.

“How in the hell did she hear you?” Aliza slid her legs down so she could stand and face the pup.

Landon came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “I think she’s heard more than we know. She heard my heart say it wanted to love again though I never heard it say that. Delilah yowled in my yard to wake me up, make me do something to change my life.”

“So you took a walk with a dog and ended up with me.” Aliza turned around in his hold, her hands sliding up to hook on his shoulders.

Landon reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it to reveal the engagement ring he’d picked up earlier. It had five diamonds arranged to look like a paw print on a silver band.

Aliza squealed and held her finger out to him. “I love it!”

“I thought you might.” Landon slid it onto her finger and kissed the back of her hand before capturing her mouth in a kiss that sealed all the promises they’d keep to each other for the rest of their lives. “Now we can all walk together. Always.”

Epilogue

Thanksgiving

“If I eat another bite, I will explode.” Donovan patted his stomach as he sat back in his chair.

“Not bad for our first Thanksgiving as hosts, right?” Aliza helped herself to one more serving of Shaina’s coleslaw because, though her pants were about to split, that slaw was so good.

“You did an excellent job.” Heather held up her pilsner full of Miller’s homebrewed beer. “To Aliza and Landon!”

Everyone joined in on the toast then finished the last remnants of the ginormous feast that had been placed on their dishes. Aliza had been skeptical they’d be able to pull off a true Thanksgiving dinner, but Landon had been so excited about the idea of having Shaina, Marco, Heather, Miller, and two of his three brothers over to celebrate with them that she hadn’t been able to deny him this request.

Fortunately, everyone had brought something so Aliza and Landon only had to handle cooking the turkey, which he’d fried outside using some of Miller’s beer. Aliza had never had turkey that tasty before.

Of course, she’d never truly had a real Thanksgiving before. Not one of her own anyway. She’d tagged along on Miller’s Thanksgivings because his parents had let her, but her father wasn’t much for holidays so she’d never celebrated one in her own home.

This year, however, she was awarded the chance to host the festivities in a home she shared with the love of her life. Shortly after their on-air engagement, Landon had invited her to move in with him and she hadn’t been able to find any reason not to. While her own house was cute and a symbol of her liberation from Troy, it wasn’t a home to her. She’d always hated the quiet there. Landon’s house, on the other hand, had more room, a better kitchen, a bigger yard for Delilah, acceptable accommodations for Sirius, and... well... it had Landon. And Cala. Sharing space with him and his boa constrictor was a no-brainer decision. Going to bed beside him each night and waking up beside him each morning were among her most favorite things in the world.

Aliza took a minute to gaze at her paw-print diamond engagement ring. She smiled every time she looked at it. It was so unique and a subtle reminder of how a puppy had brought them together.

Brought us happiness too.

So much happiness. She was nearly drunk on the stuff. It was funny how one chance encounter could totally change a person’s life for the better. She thanked the heavens every day that Landon had taken that walk by Brenton Park and that Delilah had crashed her yoga class.

“You guys realize there’s a dessert round, right?” Aliza stood, picking up her plate and Landon’s.

A chorus of groans sounded from around the table.

“Oh, c’mon,” Landon said as he got up from his seat, giving Delilah a few bits of turkey before collecting more empty plates. “Don’t be a bunch of wimps. You committed to eating big the moment you accepted our invitation.”

“Can’t we nap first?” Marco asked. “A nap would help.”

Shaina rested her head on Marco’s shoulder. “I’m in favor of a nap.”

“Why doesn’t everyone go into the living room and zone out for a few in front of the TV,” Aliza said. “Landon and I will tidy up a bit and by then we should all have gotten our second wind.”

“There isn’t any wind that will be able to move us,” Christian said as he stood and rubbed his stomach. “How am I supposed to cut down and deliver Christmas trees tomorrow when I now weigh four tons?” He walked toward the living room as if he were a Thanksgiving Day Parade float, Delilah scurrying after her favorite uncle.

“Let us help you,” Heather said, gathering empty bowls from the table.

“We’ve got it,” Landon said. “Go chill for a bit.” He tugged the bowls from her hands and motioned to the living room. “Maybe I want some alone time in the kitchen with my woman.”

Heather winked at him. “Got it.” She turned to Miller, who had come around to liking Landon again after he’d realized how much the man truly loved Aliza. “C’mon. Snuggle with me on the couch.”

Miller rose from his seat as did Shaina and Marco and they all filed out. Except for Donovan.

“You okay, bro?” Landon asked before heading for the kitchen.

Donovan stood slowly and grabbed his own plate and glass. “Yeah.”

“That doesn’t sound convincing,” Aliza said. She liked Donovan. He’d been the first of Landon’s family to offer congratulations on their engagement and then he’d issued a heartfelt thank you to Aliza for what she’d done for his brother. She’d tried telling him that she was getting so much from being with Landon too, but the man had almost teared up on her when he’d told her that she’d saved Landon.

“I didn’t think he’d ever rejoin society,” Donovan had said after a day of helping Aliza move into Landon’s house. “You got him out there, Aliza. You gave him the reason. My entire family thanks you for that.”

And it was true. Not long after Donovan had shown his gratitude, Christian had stopped by her yoga studio to give her a similar message and a great big bear hug. Landon’s parents had called and asked to speak to her, expressing their joy that Landon had someone like her in his life now. Landon’s youngest brother, Jackson, had sent them a heart-shaped volcanic rock he’d picked up while doing his archaeology thing with a promise—as Landon’s parents had also made—to be in Vermont to celebrate Christmas with them.

Still, Aliza was the one who owed thanks. Thanks to Miller who had rescued her from Boston when Troy had torn her world apart. Thanks to Heather who had done more than she’d ever know to help Aliza recover. Thanks to Shaina and Marco and the rest of Maplehaven’s finest for being the best friends a girl could ask for. Thanks to all her yoga students who had turned into a bunch of wild cheerleaders when news of her engagement to Landon had reached them. Aliza still busted into laughter when she recalled Henrietta leading the seniors class in the chicken dance as a warm up for the wedding to Puppy Guy as she’d put it.

So many people had shown Aliza such kindness since she’d moved back to Maplehaven, Vermont and she was certain she didn’t belong anywhere else in the world.

“Do you have a tough case you’re working on?” Landon asked his brother as Donovan followed them into the kitchen with his own load of dishes.

“No. Things are slow at the station right now,” Donovan said, placing the dishes on the counter by the sink then rolling up his sleeves. “You know how everyone gets filled with the holiday spirit around here in November and December. Even the bad guys take a break.”

“Maybe that means you should take a break.” Aliza tried nudging Donovan away from the sink, but that was like trying to move Brenton Mountain.

Filling the sink with hot soapy water, Donovan started washing so Aliza let him, figuring it might be a distraction the man needed at the moment.

“I’ve thought about that,” he said. “Taking a break.”

Landon held up his hands, shock registering on his handsome face. “Hold up. Did Detective Donovan Henley just say he’s been thinking of taking a break? Aliza, get your doctor cousin back in here. Something’s wrong with my brother.” He felt Donovan’s forehead for a fever, but his brother swatted his hand away, sending soap suds floating around the kitchen.

“There’s nothing wrong with me,” Donovan said, scrubbing at a dish that wasn’t that dirty. “I can take time off without it being a big deal.”

Landon snickered, but stopped abruptly when Donovan shot him a glare.

“Sure you can,” Aliza said. “So... why don’t you?”

Donovan shrugged. “What the hell would I do with time off?”

Aliza took that to mean who would I spend my time with? Her heart softened for the man. He had a tough, protector exterior, but she was fairly confident a gushy, sensitive center was underneath all that.

“You could go rock climbing with me,” Landon suggested as he wrapped up leftovers at the kitchen island and snuck in kisses with Aliza while Donovan had his back to them. “It’s getting too cold outside, but we could go to that indoor place you took me.”

“Yeah. That could be fun, but then what?” Donovan rinsed and made a stack of clean dishes next to the sink.

“You could take a yoga class,” Aliza offered though she wanted to say you could try dating.

Donovan glanced at them over his shoulder. “Yoga is a little too... peaceful for me.”

“He likes to hit stuff,” Landon said. “Boxing, karate, throwing axes.”

“Throwing axes?” Aliza shook her head. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.” She stowed some leftovers in the refrigerator then came to stand beside Donovan to dry the dishes he’d washed. “Perhaps you could take an old-fashioned vacation to some place warm. You know, hang out on a beach or something. Drink tropical beverages. Meet locals.”

Fall in love.

“Get laid,” Landon said.

“Landon!” Aliza and Donovan shouted at the same time.

Landon threw his hands up. “What? All the guy ever does is work. Trust me, Maplehaven thanks you for your service, man, but damn. Unwind. Goof off. Get drunk. Have sex.”

Donovan looked at Aliza. “You sure you want to marry this guy?”

“Umm...” She pretended to study Landon as if weighing her decision.

“You said yes, Yogi.” Landon wagged a finger at her. “Too late now. You’re mine and you’re going to love being my wife.” He went back to the dining room to clear more of the table.

“He’s not wrong,” Aliza said now that just she and Donovan stood at the sink.

“Nope. You are going to love being his wife. You guys are perfect together.” Donovan sighed as he grabbed the next dirty pan to wash.

“Well, yes, we are perfect together,” Aliza said, “but I meant he’s not wrong about you getting laid.”

Donovan shot his gaze to her, his blue eyes big and round. “Jeez, Aliza.”

“No, hear me out.” She put her hand on his forearm to get him to stop scrubbing and focus on her. “You spend all your time coming to the rescue of the citizens of Maplehaven. Maybe you need to spend a little time finding someone who will rescue you. I’m not suggesting you go out and get laid for the sake of getting laid.”

“Oh my God.” Donovan squeezed his eyes closed. “Stop saying getting laid.”

“But getting laid by the right someone could change your life, Donovan.”

“I’ll take it under advisement,” he said. “Especially if it means you won’t say getting laid again.”

Aliza pantomimed zipping her lips and turning a key. “Just think about it.”

She left Donovan at the sink, hoping her words would tumble around in his head and give him the push he needed to find his happily ever after.

Joining Landon in the dining room, Aliza couldn’t resist the urge to hug her man from behind.

“Oh, hey,” he said, jumping a bit. “You snuck up on me.”

“Get used to it. Getting married means I can sneak up on you for a hugfest whenever I want.”

He turned around to face her, cupping her cheek. “You’ll get no complaints from me on that.”

“Are you enjoying this Thanksgiving?” she asked.

Landon lowered his head to brush his lips against hers. “I am. Probably because I have so much to be thankful for.”

“Me too.” She squeezed him tighter. “Thanks for loving me.”

Landon kissed her forehead. “Now and always, Yogi.”

––––––––

Read on for a peek at One Kind Dance!

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Want to hear more about Maplehaven, Vermont?

Check out the rest of the One Kind Deed Series!

Contemporary Romance

One Kind Heart (Book One)

One Kind Kiss (Book Two)

One Kind Touch (Book Three)

One Kind Ride (Book Four)

One Kind Note (Book Five)

One Kind Wish (Book Six)

One Kind Word (Book Seven)

One Kind Love (Book Eight)

One Kind Walk (Book Nine)

One Kind Dance (Book Ten)

Read on for a peek at One Kind Dance!

Sneak Peek

One Kind Dance

Chapter One

Donovan Henley was supposed to be relaxing on this gorgeous beach on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. His brother, Landon, and Landon’s fiancée, Aliza, had basically ordered him to go on this vacation when he’d been a little down at Thanksgiving. He didn’t have anything in particular to be depressed about, but he had been feeling a bit... bored. Being a detective with the Maplehaven Police Department in Vermont came with its share of interesting cases, but the holidays were always slow. People tended to put on their merry December personas and the most action he saw was reviewing surveillance footage of local retailers looking for shoplifters.

Snore.

Not that Donovan wanted Maplehaven to become some epicenter of malfeasance, but when you were a guy who liked to put together the pieces of a complicated mystery and hunt down the bad guy, it was hard to get the rush he craved from minor misdemeanors. Therefore, he’d finally caved under Landon’s and Aliza’s badgering and booked a two-week stay at Kauai’s most picturesque resort, The Nalu, named after the serious waves that rolled onto the shores behind the property. Early December was the perfect time to go because he’d avoid the holiday congestion on the island and be back home to have Christmas with his three brothers and his parents. He spent time with Landon and his brother, Christian, on a regular basis as those two lived in Maplehaven, but his parents had taken up residence in Ireland and his youngest brother, Jackson, was all over the globe doing his archaeologist thing. It had been a while since all the Henleys were in the same place at the same time, but this Christmas they would all be in Vermont. Since Landon had asked Aliza to marry him, they would have something extra to celebrate this year.

Now Donovan was thinking about being back home and that wouldn’t do. He was on vacation, dammit. He’d been here two days so far and had tried his hand at surfing with an instructor, which had been so much fun he’d immediately booked another lesson. He had also taken a guided hike through a forest preserve where he’d seen a wild boar.

Today, however, was slated for Official Relaxation. It didn’t take long to remember the reason he didn’t relax often at home—he absolutely sucked at it. He’d thought perhaps the pristine sand, the waves gently crashing onto the shore, and the endless sunshine would slow down his body and mind.

Yeah. He’d been wrong.

Instead, he’d spent most of the hour he’d been out here people watching. The trouble with people watching was Donovan had witnessed several incidents that taunted the police officer in him.

Four cases of litter. Of course the resort staff was on it, scurrying after people and silently picking up after them, but that only served to rile Donovan further.

Clean up after your own damn self.

Two cases of ignoring resort rules. He’d watched families dragging extra resort chairs to the edge of the water though clear signage was everywhere—in multiple languages—asking people not to do that precise thing. Again, resort staff hauled the chairs back to where they belonged when the families left.

Read and follow the rules, people.

One case of possible theft. A man had been sunbathing on a towel about fifteen feet away from Donovan’s location. He’d stashed something under his towel then headed for the water for a swim. About five minutes later, a woman had lifted the towel and grabbed whatever the man had hidden. Then she’d bolted for the resort. The only reason Donovan hadn’t stopped her was the possibility she was with the man.

People did that. Came to resorts on beautiful Hawaiian islands as couples. They enjoyed romantic vacations together.

Or so Donovan had heard anyway.

He, on the other hand, was very much alone and if he observed one more potential infraction on this beach, he was going to have to find resort security and have a conversation. Otherwise he’d go crazy, and one wasn’t supposed to go crazy on vacation.

Donovan huffed out a breath. “I’m not on duty. I’m not on duty.” This had become his mantra and he’d repeat it as many times as necessary.

He opened the book he’d brought along—a detective story so he’d at least have a fictional case to solve. He reread the two pages he’d been trying to read since he’d claimed one of the chair-and-umbrella setups on this beach. As he got back into the head of the main character, his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. Almost hoping work was calling with a burning problem for him to solve, he dug it out to see Landon’s name on the screen.

“Bro,” he said after swiping to answer.

“Detective Hawaii,” Landon said. “How’s it going?”

“Good.”

“Just good? C’mon, man. Tell me you’re not wasting your vacation.”

“I’m not,” Donovan said. “I’m just no good at what you crazy kids call chillin’.”

“Maybe it takes a few days to get into it,” Landon offered.

“Perhaps. Or maybe I don’t know how to unwind.”

“Oh, you definitely don’t know how to unwind, but that’s why we helped you pick that resort. They have people there who can help you. It’s literally their job to help you unwind.”

“I did two things through the resort already,” Donovan said.

“What did you do?”

“Surfing lessons and hiking.”

“Both activities with lots of physical exertion.” Landon hummed. “You might be too keyed up from doing stuff like that. Try something lower on the cardio continuum.”

“But I like moving around. You know that.” Donovan didn’t like the hint of a whine in his voice as he defended himself.

“I do know that, however, if your goal is to relax, perhaps you need to think about things beyond what you normally like. Try some new stuff. Do something unexpected.”

“When did you get to be such an expert on vacationing? Where have you been?” Donovan immediately regretted that question. His brother had only recently come back out into the world after five years of holing up in his house, mourning the loss of his wife, child, and dog when a drunk driver mowed them down on the sidewalk. Landon had rejoined society thanks to Aliza, but the guy was still a work in progress, and Donovan had always supported his brother.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean—”

“No,” Landon interrupted. “It’s okay. You’re absolutely right. Here I am pushing you, advising you, when the farthest I’ve been recently is one town over from Maplehaven. I just want you to have a great time. You deserve it.”

“I’m having a good time.”

“I said a great time.”

Donovan growled into the phone. “I’ll try harder.”

“Cool. Talk to you in a few days.”

Donovan shoved his phone back into his pocket. He picked up his book, intent on reading at least a full chapter, when something bright red caught his attention on the shoreline. Something bright red... and blonde.

She was facing the water, her legs toned and tanned. Her hands were in her hair, shaking out the long, light blond waves that reminded Donovan of corn silk. She gathered all that hair together at the crown of her head then let it fall back down in a ripple against her back. Her suit was a two-piece red number that showcased a shapely ass, a narrow waist, and defined arms and shoulders. This woman clearly took care of her body and Donovan couldn’t help wishing she’d turn around so he could get the front view.

She waded into the water, each step causing more of her to disappear beneath the surface. Total shame. This was the first time Donovan had been truly captivated since he’d arrived on Kauai.

He let out a soft grumble as the woman dove into the water completely. “Here to relax. That’s it.” Although Landon and Aliza had suggested he get laid while he was on vacation. Getting laid by a woman like that was sure to be memorable.

Donovan picked up his book. Again. But then the woman resurfaced farther away from the shore, that splash of red from her bikini like a siren immediately grabbing his attention. She slicked her wet hair back, water sluicing off her shoulders and back. Wiping her eyes, she turned toward the beach and Donovan’s book dropped to his lap then fell between his legs as he got to the edge of his chair.

She. Was. Gorgeous.

A triangular face with a delicate nose and a petite chin. Full lips that were surely dangerous. A chest that was absolutely made for a bikini top.

Holy shit.

Donovan clamped his hands on the armrests of his chair to keep himself from stampeding to the water and going all dolphin to get to her. The afternoon sun reflected off her wet body, making her sparkle like a jewel. A rare and precious jewel, no doubt.

He wanted to know her name. Which was ridiculous. He was no one. Just a detective from a small town in the Northeast. Surely she was a movie star or a model.

Or a sea goddess.

“Simmer down, man.” He was mainly talking to his dick that had suddenly become awake in his swim trunks. Landon and Aliza didn’t have her in mind when they’d advised him to get laid. He needed to find someone more his speed. She’d probably give him a heart attack.

She dove back underwater, but he could still follow her movement when she came up for air here and there. Obviously she was a skilled swimmer because she traveled a good distance fairly quickly. Donovan imagined her giving him swimming lessons. Not that he needed them. In fact, he’d been a lifeguard at a little beach on Brenton Lake during the summers of his high school years.

But he’d totally pretend to not know the first thing about swimming if she was the instructor. Most likely he’d need one-on-one attention.

In his fantasizing, he’d lost track of the woman. The last he’d seen she’d been under the surface, but had she come up for air? Had she changed direction? Where was she?

Donovan stood and took a few steps toward the water. Maybe she’d gotten a cramp. Perhaps an undercurrent pulled her too deep. A vicious marine creature could have attacked her.

Before he was aware of it, he’d jogged into ankle-deep water, his head swiveling in all directions, desperately searching for that smoking hot red bikini and those sea-drenched blond tresses.

Then she came up, striding out of the water like some mermaid who’d traded her tailfin for a set of legs. She paused a mere ten feet to his left and Donovan risked a glance in her direction. He saw another woman with jet black hair, wearing a flowing white beach cover-up over a black dress-style swimsuit.

Sea Goddess threw her arms around Beach Cover Up and the two women embraced for an intimate amount of time. So long that Donovan immediately understood that scenario. His sea goddess didn’t like gods.

She liked other goddesses.

Figures.

Sighing, Donovan spent another few minutes walking along the shore with water lapping at his ankles. He could see his chair from where he was, but he wasn’t overly concerned that anyone would want to steal his detective novel.

With no more women in possible danger for him to rescue, Donovan picked up a few interesting seashells and headed back for his chair. He threw himself into the seat and studied his sand-encrusted toes. Pretty sad that the most exciting thing that had happened today was a drowning that turned out not to be a drowning at all. God, was he jonesing that bad to be needed as a law enforcer that he’d fabricated a situation out of a woman simply going for a swim?

Jesus.

His next stop needed to be the resort bar. Wasn’t there one beachside? He searched over his shoulder and yep, there was one beachside.

He gathered his book and towel, checked that his phone was still in his pocket, and stood. His gaze landed on Sea Goddess who was now stretched out on a towel, no doubt drying that amazing body in the sun. His fingers itched with wanting to put sunscreen on her, but as that cycled around in his brain, Beach Cover Up pulled a bottle out of a tote bag and robbed him of the job. He had a moment to think about being with both women because Beach Cover Up was certainly a beauty too, but from the way the two of them were smiling and laughing with one another, Donovan got the No Guys Allowed vibe loud and clear.

He turned toward the beachside bar and marched up to the counter.

“Enjoying your day, sir?” The friendly resort bartender placed a small, square napkin in front of Donovan.

“Pour me some whiskey and I will be.”

“Coming right up.”

Donovan drummed his fingers on the edge of the bar, reminding himself not to swivel on the stool he’d sat on. Not to get more glimpses of Sea Goddess. She was going to be hard to forget, but whiskey had a nice way of erasing everything.

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About the Author

Christine DePetrillo can often be found hugging trees, conversing with dragonflies, and walking barefoot through sun-warmed soil. She finds joy in listening to the wind, bathing in moonlight, and breathing in the fragrances of things that bloom. If she had her way, the sky would be the only roof over her head.

Her love of nature seeps into every story she tells. As does her obsession with bearded mountain men who build, often smell like sawdust, and know how to cherish the women they love. Today she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love.

She lives in Vermont with her husband and her cat who defend her fiercely from all evils.

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