Page 27 of Guarded By the SEAL
He owned eight acres of land on a gently sloping hill down to several hundred feet of waterfront. At the top of the slope was an old farmhouse with one hell of a view, a two-story barn and a wide field lined with split-rail fencing that had once been home to horses. He pulled into the winding drive, put the truck in park, then moved to wake Teslyn.
Her head moved slowly against her makeshift pillow, her breaths coming fast. Even in the dim light, he could see the rosy flush of her cheeks, her lips parted as if waiting for a kiss, and he cursed under his breath.
Taking her by the shoulder, he said softly, “Teslyn.” She twisted her face toward him. Her eyes stayed closed, and he knew she wasn’t fully awake. His stare raked over her features, the desire to kiss her pulling him like the most delicious temptation.
He refused to give in, his hands tightening on her shoulder as he gave her a gentle shake. “Tess.”
This time her eyes opened, her stare connecting with his, the unmistakable hum of sexual need vibrating in their depths. It took every ounce of willpower he had not to respond to the plea in those eyes.
She broke eye contact, looking around and sitting up. “Is this your house?”
“Sure is.”
Teslyn woke Ivy, and the trio brought their few belongings into the house. Wyatt would need to go into town in the morning and get the sisters some provisions before he left, the thought bringing with it the first stirrings of apprehension. He reminded himself Teslyn and Ivy would be safe here, with or without his company, though he still felt unusually uneasy at the thought of leaving them alone.
This was just a favor to Ghost.
Teslyn needed his help finding a safe place to stay and to find her mother’s killer. It was never supposed to become Wyatt’s life’s work, and there was no reason he should feel guilty for wanting to return to the Steele mission.
“Come on in.” He walked them up the wide wooden steps to the wraparound porch, then inside the old-fashioned foyer, grateful he’d recently added beds to the barren guest rooms. “Your bedrooms are right upstairs, first door on either side of the hallway. There’s some food in the pantry. I’ll stock up in the morning, so you ladies can cook. I’m going to run to the neighbor’s place and pick up my puppy.”
Ivy’s eyes lit up. “You have a puppy?”
“Yep, a little black one named Jett. Do you like dogs?” She nodded quickly, her expression filling him with pleasure before he noticed the wariness on Teslyn’s face. “What’s the matter, you don’t?”
“I’m afraid of them.”
“Trust me, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Jett might love you to death, but that’s all.” She didn’t look convinced, but there was no way he was going to be back for a night and not bring his dog home from the neighbor’s. “Why don’t you take a look around? Make yourself at home, find your rooms, check out the kitchen. I’ll stop at the store in the morning so you ladies have some food.”
She looked decidedly unhappy as he headed out the door, a twinge of guilt resonating in his stomach as he took off through the trees on a shortcut to his neighbor’s place. Jett danced with delight upon seeing him, scratching at the screen door. “Hi, Molly!” called Wyatt before opening the screen, Jett jumping onto Wyatt and whining with joy. He petted the dog for a minute, then said in a deep voice, “Quiet.” The puppy sat on his rump and instantly stopped whining, nearly as desperate for Wyatt’s approval as he was for attention. “Good boy.” Wyatt petted him again. “Not bad for a puppy.”
Meg appeared in the kitchen doorway, her short white hair gleaming in the overhead light. “You didn’t tell me you’d be back today.”
“Just a pit stop, I’m afraid. Heading out again tomorrow, but I missed my dog.” He wondered if Teslyn and Ivy would want Jett to stay with them, and thought maybe should have kept his plans to himself. “Was he good for you?”
She smiled warmly. “Terrible. I loved every minute of it.”
He thanked her and left, the dog bounding around Wyatt’s feet as they walked. “We have company at home,” he told the dog. “And the older one’s afraid of you, so I need you to be on your best behavior.”
As if understanding, Jett took off running the remaining four hundred feet to the house. Wyatt shook his head, exasperated but pleased. “I’m going to have to teach that dog some manners.”
The front door opened, Ivy’s excited cry traveling to him across the lawn. “Puppy!” She squatted down to pet and hug the dog, and something in Wyatt’s chest hurt. Was there anything cuter than a little kid and a dog?
He climbed up the steps and noticed Teslyn standing in the doorway, her eyes fixed on Jett. “Don’t get too close to him,” she cautioned her sister. “He might bite.”
Wyatt bent and rubbed the dog’s head. “He might mouth your hand a little if you’re playing, but he won’t actually bite down.”
Jett licked Ivy’s face, making the girl giggle. Teslyn looked like she might have a panic attack, so Wyatt figured he should get her out of here. He opened the door, her worried eyes moving to his. “Come on inside,” he urged. “They’re okay to play.” He turned back and called to Ivy, “He loves to play fetch, if you can find a stick to throw for him.”
Teslyn followed him into the kitchen.
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I just don’t like dogs, that’s all.”
“Were you bitten by a dog or something?”
“The people down the street had a dog who used to get loose all the time. He’d come running after me, barking, baring his teeth. He chased me up a tree more than once.”
