Page 97 of The Rescuer

He placed his hands lightly on her hips and rested his forehead against hers. “It’s okay. We should get going anyway. I’d like to get cleaned up before we head to my folks’ house, and we still have the Zoom call with the attorney.” Was that regret darkening his mossy greens?

“Um, I should get cleaned up too.”

He peeked out the door. “Everyone’s gone. Coast is clear.”

“Go on home. I’ll be right behind you.”

She needed a moment to recover herself. The awkward exchange was the first they’d shared in a week, and she shrank a little inside. Not only because the serious tone had smothered playtime, but because she had reminded them both that his leaving grew closer every day. She was having a hard time keeping reality at bay.

She grabbed a hoodie and threw it on. At least the evidence of sexy time was hidden away now.

By the time she exited the rec center, Reece and his truck were gone, and the afternoon sun was midway through its winter sky arc. As she loaded her gear into the Tahoe, motion near one of the outdoor sheds caught her eye. She turned toward it for a better angle, and a dark, upright form darted behind the structure. The sun blinded her, and she wasn’t sure if what she’d seen was a trick of the light. Shading her eyes, she stood stock-still and watched, waited. Nothing moved. Why would someone hang out by the shed? There was nothing back there but old building materials and a thick stand of pines.

Convinced she’d seen an animal—or nothing at all—she headed to Mountain Coffee and pulled into a parking space in back of the store. It was near closing time, so Neve expected to find Amy alone and cleaning up. The back door was unlocked, and Neve slipped inside. Voices made her pull up short. She recognized Amy’s giggles, but the man’s voice was a low rumble that did not belong to Micky.

“Hello!” she sang out in warning. “I’m here for the cake.”

“Oh, Neve! Come in,” Amy answered, a little breathless.

As Neve cleared the corner of the back room and entered the shop, Amy was rushing at her, wringing her hands in her apron. Despite her dark skin, a becoming shade of rose flushed her pretty face. “Sorry! I-I wasn’t expecting you until later.” Over her shoulder stood Shane, looking around the store as if he were seeing it for the first time—as if he didn’t stop in every single day for his cuppa.

Interesting.

“Long time no see, Shane,” Neve called out.

His head whipped toward her, his face the picture of surprise. He was such a terrible actor. “Oh hi, Neve. Great session.”

Amy’s gaze bounced between them.

“Shane came to yoga class today,” Neve whisper-shouted in explanation.

Amy whirled and gawked at him. “You do yoga?”

He shuffled his feet. “Nah. I only went because Reece needed backup.” He exchanged a very puzzling, very goofy grin with Amy, who looked back at Neve.

“I guess Reece needed backup all those other times you showed up too,” Neve needled.

He shuffled some more, looking completely ill at ease in his six-three frame.

Amy’s dark eyes widened with something akin to admiration. “That’s so cool! Iloveyoga.” Shane’s brown eyes lit up. “I just haven’t had much time lately.”

“I didn’t know you were into yoga. You should come sometime. Neve’s a great teacher. I could even pick you up, if it’s easier,” he offered.

Amy covered her mouth and giggled. “Oh, I definitely need to come just to see how bendy you and Reece are.” Was that a blush painting Shane’s face? “How are you at reverse warrior and tree pose?”

He opened his mouth, only to close it again. Neve took mercy. “He’s getting bendier by the day.”

Shane didn’t acknowledge Neve’s comment. Didn’t acknowledgeNeve. She felt like a moviegoer watching the beginning of a rom-com. He leaned his palms on the counter, his gaze hyperfocused on Amy. “You work too hard, you know that?”

Amy perched her fist on her hip. “Look who’s talking. But them’s the breaks, right?” He gave her a nod of agreement. She turned a beaming smile on Neve. “I’ve got your cake right here.”

Besides coffee, Amy served the best baked goods in the area. Not her creations, but she had excellent sources in town who kept her coffee shop stocked with all kinds of mouthwatering pastries. Occasionally, when a customer asked, one of her bakers would whip up something special, like the cake Neve was bringing to the Hunnicutts’ gathering.

She left Amy and Shane behind, their low whispers buzzing as she stepped outside. At home, she hummed as she walked through the door, balancing the pink bakery box in one hand and her bag in the other.

Reece, his hair damp from a shower, lunged for the box. “Let me get that. Is this for tonight?”

“Yep, and wait’ll you see it.” He tried to lift the box lid. “I didn’t mean right now! Let’s at least get it over there before you drool on it.” She dropped her bag, pulled off her scarf, and patted Pearl’s head. Mr. Whiskers sauntered out of her office, oblivious to the dog, who turned to sniff him. “Wow! This is new.”

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