CHAPTER THREE

      SEVERAL SLICES OF PIZZA, a couple of beers, two handfuls of Jelly Bellys and some interesting conversation later, Ryan found himself wishing Fayrene hadn’t been quite so clear on the “I’m not sleeping with you” front. She was bright, funny and sexy. Under other circumstances, he would be making his move. Only this wasn’t that kind of situation. She’d asked him over to help her babysit a cat—not because she was interested in him. But a guy could dream.

      They lingered at the small table by the kitchen. Misty had gone to sleep after her dinner and showed no signs of stirring or giving birth. If he had to guess, he would say she was done delivering. But admitting that meant telling Fayrene there was no reason for him to stay, and he didn’t want the evening to end just yet.

      “My mom came here to go to school,” she was saying. “My dad had just been promoted to assistant manager of Ronan’s Lodge. It was a big deal. He was thinking of taking some business classes to help him get ahead. They met on campus.” She sighed. “It was love at first sight.”

      He rested his elbows on the table and leaned toward her. “You’re remembering being told that story when you were a kid.”

      She nodded. “They told it every year on their anniversary. How Mom was in a hurry and Dad wasn’t looking where he was going. They ran into each other, and her books went flying. By the time they’d picked them up, they knew.”

      “So you believe in love at first sight?”

      “No. I mean it happened to them, but I think love grows over time. You need shared interests and a similar belief system. You have to want the same things.”

      He agreed with her, but he suspected she might read too much into him saying that. “So you don’t think opposites attract?”

      She wrinkled her nose. “I’m sure it’s exciting and dramatic, but I don’t want drama in my life. I like things organized.”

      “Like your plan.”

      She nodded. Her hazel eyes darkened slightly, then she looked at him. “They died. My parents. They took their first trip alone when Ana Raquel and I were fourteen. Dellina, our older sister, was nearly seventeen.”

      Ryan hadn’t expected her to say that. He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “I’m sorry.”

      “Thanks. It was so hard. We didn’t have any family in town, so we had to go live with our aunt in Arizona. She and my uncle were really nice, but everything was different. We lost our parents and our home and our friends in a single week. When Dellina turned eighteen, she took custody of us and moved us back here.”

      “You and your sister are twins?”

      Fayrene nodded. “Ana Raquel and I tried to be good for her. You know, not make any trouble. But we were teenaged girls. It didn’t always go well. Dellina hung in there. She got a job and was really careful with the life insurance money. We still had the house where we grew up.”

      “Why don’t you live there now?”

      “It’s a huge four-bedroom place with a big yard. We lease it out. Some of the rent money is put in a fund to cover maintenance, and we split the rest of it.” She gave him a faint smile. “During the lean months, it makes a difference.”

      He released her hand because it seemed the polite thing to do, but what he really wanted was to walk around the table and draw her into his arms.

      “Your sisters are still here in town?”

      “Dellina is. Ana Raquel is a chef in San Francisco, but she comes home a lot. It’s nice when we’re together.” She shifted in her seat. “I admire Dellina for what she did. What she gave up. Ana Raquel went to culinary school in San Francisco, and I went to college in Santa Cruz. But she stayed here. She was our anchor. She worked jobs she didn’t like because the hours were good and she couldn’t risk not having a steady income. It’s only in the past couple of years that she’s felt comfortable enough to start her own business.”

      He put the pieces together. “You think she was trapped.”

      “Some.”

      Because of circumstances, Dellina had been forced to grow up fast and take on more responsibility than was comfortable. Fayrene had learned from that. She didn’t want to risk her dreams to the unexpected.

      “You think if you have a solid enough plan, you won’t be surprised.”

      Her mouth twisted. “Is it that obvious?”

      “It’s not a big leap. Don’t get me wrong. I understand what you’re doing, and I respect it. You’re strong and determined.”

      * * *

      FAYRENE WISHED THERE was a way to unwind the past few minutes of conversation. She hadn’t meant to share so much with Ryan. She’d barely known the guy twelve hours and already he knew more than most.

      “It’s not that I don’t want a family,” she murmured. “I do, of course. Just not now.”

      He leaned back in his chair. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” he told her. “I’m the guy who swore he’d never marry before he turned forty.”

      “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

      He shook his head. “Scout’s honor.”

      “Ha. Like I know if you were a boy scout.”

      “Don’t I look the part?”

      He looked mostly sexy and earnest. A very appealing combination.

      He stood. “Come on. Let’s check on our new mother.”

      Fayrene followed him into the living room. Misty was still sleeping, her three tiny kittens curled up next to her.

      “She looks good,” he said.

      “Thanks to you.”

      He flashed her a smile. “Misty did most of the hard work.”

      They settled on the sofa to watch a movie. Fayrene was careful not to sit too close, even though she wanted to. She was confused by how comfortable she felt around Ryan. It was as if she’d known him for years. At the same time, she was on alert—her body poised to tingle at a moment’s notice. The juxtaposition confused her.

      They argued playfully