Mind Games

Bray blew out a small wind of air. “Don’t open the door without Daddy.”

“Right.” Ty closed the fridge, took Bray’s hand to walk to the door.

The long-legged dark-haired beauty and her enormous dog stood on the porch.

Bray immediately fell on the dog’s neck again.

“I just wanted to drop something off. Traveling in, unpacking, I thought you might not have the time or energy to make dinner.”

She offered him a wicker basket that smelled like heaven.

“What is that smell? It’s amazing.”

“Oh, it’s just some skillet pork chops and potatoes.”

“Pork chops? You made us pork chops? Seriously? Sorry, come in.”

“No, no, thanks. I just wanted to drop it off. And there’s some eggs for tomorrow, in case you don’t have any. I have chickens.”

“You have chickens.” She looked like a blue-eyed country goddess, he thought, and she had chickens.

“Chickens poop eggs,” Bray said.

“They sort of do. But these are nice and clean. I hope y’all enjoy. You can drop the basket and dish back anytime. Just leave them on the porch if I’m not home. Come on, Bunk.”

For a minute, as she walked back to a spiffy red convertible, his addled brain couldn’t come up with her name. Then it did.

“Thea. Thank you. You saved two starving men from a sad dinner of canned pasta.”

She smiled as the dog leaped into the back seat. “Glad I could come to the rescue.”

After she drove back up the gravel lane, Ty closed the door.

“My man? We’re about to eat like kings.”

He took the basket into the kitchen, opened it.

Besides the amazing scent of a hot meal, she’d tucked in a candle that smelled like vanilla beans, and a little clutch of flowers in a tiny bottle.

“Like kings,” he said again.

* * *

Thea couldn’t help herself. The one person on the planet who’d understand her current state of disbelief wrapped in euphoria had been her best friend for fifteen years.

She texted Maddy.

What are you doing?

The response took just under a minute, but in Thea’s current state felt like an hour.

Giving thanks my shift at the clinic’s now over, and trying to decide whether to make myself a peanut butter and banana sandwich or open a can of ravioli.

Forget those slightly disgusting food choices and come here. I made pork chops. AND!!! I have big news.

What news?

Big must tell you in person news. Come over. I also have wine.