Page 6 of A Searing Acquaintance
Darcy pulled away as Jane ran over, calling, “I’m stealing Charles for my team!” She easily kicked away the ball and began chasing it over to him.
“C’mon babe! The goal is this way!”
“Crap, Darcy, go protect our…” Elizabeth glanced ahead and tried to figure out where and what the goal was. “…our woodpile!”
Darcy began shadowing Jane’s movements. She quickly kicked it over to Charles. The game went on for another ten minutes until Jane and Charles fell to the ground, pleading exhaustion.
Their opponents declared victory and discreetly turned away from the make-out session now going on among the leaves. Darcy walked over to the porch and sat down next to his dog. He glanced at Elizabeth as she approached.
“Rugby? I didn’t touch you.”
“True. It was more of a football move.”
He looked at her, confused.
“American football, not British football. I do know the difference, Oxford.”
“You do seem to know quite a bit about sports.”
“Once a tomboy, always a tomboy,” she replied, shaking her head. “You know how to kick a ball too. Did you have a good ride today?”
She knelt down and began gently kneading the dog’s shoulder muscles. Coco groaned and lay supine, rolling over and showing off her furry gray chest. Elizabeth smiled and glanced over at Darcy, noting his serious expression as he watched the dog.
He looked up and met her gaze. “Yes, Athena is a fine horse but a bit skittish. She thinks every twig is a snake.”
Athena?Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Did she buck you off?”
“No, although she tried. After the third encounter with a fallen tree branch, we headed back here.” Darcy rubbed his jaw. “Charles needs to bring in a trainer.”
“You mean a horse whisperer?” Elizabeth ran her fingertips over the dog’s muzzle. “Coco is beautiful. And worthy of her royal name.”
“My sister named her,” he said, his eyes on the dog.
“Oh. And here I was so impressed with your animal-naming skills.”
“She likes you,” he replied, ignoring her joke. “You’re quite good with animals.”
“What’s not to like? You seem to like them too. Charlotte says checking off the ‘Animal Lover’ box is a must on dating profiles.” She cringed when she heard the words leave her mouth.Did I really just bring up dating profiles? To this guy?
Darcy bit back a smirk. “Well, I imagine there’s a magic algorithm or some such thing.”
Elizabeth glanced over at her sister, firmly ensconced on Charles’s lap and covered in leaves.
“Or maybe a healthy swallow of Love Potion No. 9.” She rose and headed for the door. “Time to wash up. Would anyone like a drink?” she called, loud enough for all to hear.
Ten minutes later, she and Jane were sitting on the front porch swing and sipping Irish coffees.
“You looked good out there. I hope you don’t mind that I told Charles you used to play soccer in college.”
Elizabeth groaned. “‘Used to play’ is right. Not even two seasons, and my career ended in a blaze of glory.”
Jane frowned. “I know breaking your leg was awful, but at least you never had a concussion.”
“True, I have all my brains. Plus a leg that aches when it rains and, as a bonus, sets off airport security alarms.” Elizabeth laughed. “So, tell me about your love life. Things seem good.”
“Charles is sweet. He made sure to bring my favorite wine, and he picked up these amazing scones for tomorrow’s breakfast.”
“So the man has some serious shopping skills. What are his other good points?”
