misunderstanding.” Jenna realized she was stammering. She never stammered.
Dev didn’t answer.
Jenna tried again. “Logan said you invited us over for supper.”
“I did.”
“Oh.” Jenna felt her pulse even out. “It’s just that you looked…surprised…to see us.”
* * *
Surprised wasn’t quite the word Dev would have chosen to describe his reaction when Jenna stepped into the clearing, wearing a filmy blue dress that hugged her slender curves and showed off her tanned limbs to perfection.
Shocked was more like it.
When a few minutes had ticked by and Logan hadn’t returned, Dev figured it would be dinner for one again. He’d shaken off an annoying pinch of disappointment and told himself that it was probably for the best. No doubt Jenna had already labeled him a hick, complete with an unruly dog and a cabin in the woods. No sense adding to the stereotype by cooking her supper over an open fire.
If he and Jenna had met a few years ago, he would have reserved the best table at an exclusive restaurant. Dropped the names of a few important people over a gourmet meal. Charmed his way through her defenses.
Dev wondered what Jenna would say if he told her that his family owned one of the most successful companies in the Midwest and that he’d been second in the line of succession?
You’re wasting your life here.
That’s what Elaina had said. She’d never understood that he’d found his life when he moved to Mirror Lake.
Dev tore his gaze away from Jenna. He wasn’t out to impress his neighbor or anyone else. Not anymore.
“Have a seat.” Dev offered her the only chair in front of the fire.
Jenna flicked a dubious glance at the strip of canvas stretched over a rickety metal skeleton and remained standing. Just in case he’d forgotten why he didn’t entertain.
“The other option is one of those.” Dev pointed to one of the oak logs that doubled as seating until they became firewood.
Jenna chose the chair, her stiff posture and serious expression more suited for a board meeting than an informal barbecue.
The breeze sifted through her hair, teasing the silken strands. Coaxing her to lighten up and enjoy the beauty of a summer evening.
Suddenly tempted with the same thought, Dev shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans.
Eyes on the fire, McGuire.
At least the children had made themselves at home. Tori hopscotched her way down the crooked path from stone to stone while Logan chased Violet around the yard.
Leaving the adults stranded in an uncomfortable silence.
Jenna looked him straight in the eye. “You can tell me the truth now. Was this your idea? Or Logan’s?”
“I’m the guilty one.”
“No hints?”
“No hints.” Dev didn’t count the longing look Logan had cast at the campfire.
“I don’t know what to do.” Jenna sighed. “Logan promised he wouldn’t leave the yard, but I’m afraid nothing can compete with dogs and campfires.”
“I’ve been trying to keep Violet close to home, but because no one has lived in your cabin for years, she considers it part of her territory.” Dev swung the metal grate on the tripod over the fire and adjusted the height for cooking. It was easier to concentrate when he kept his hands busy and his eyes off the beautiful woman sitting beside him.
“It isn’t safe for Logan to keep wandering off.” Frustration stitched the words together.
“He came over because he smelled the smoke.”
“I know.” Jenna shook her head. “I’m not sure how I can scold him for caring about someone.”
“It must be difficult to lay down the law when you’re used to being the cool aunt, not the parent.”
Jenna didn’t comment. So much for his amateur psychology skills.
Dev was about to put her mind at ease and tell her that he’d be leaving for a few days—and taking Violet with him—when a high-pitched scream drowned out the crackle of the fire.
Dev’s head whipped around. Both children were barreling toward them, short
Dev didn’t answer.
Jenna tried again. “Logan said you invited us over for supper.”
“I did.”
“Oh.” Jenna felt her pulse even out. “It’s just that you looked…surprised…to see us.”
* * *
Surprised wasn’t quite the word Dev would have chosen to describe his reaction when Jenna stepped into the clearing, wearing a filmy blue dress that hugged her slender curves and showed off her tanned limbs to perfection.
Shocked was more like it.
When a few minutes had ticked by and Logan hadn’t returned, Dev figured it would be dinner for one again. He’d shaken off an annoying pinch of disappointment and told himself that it was probably for the best. No doubt Jenna had already labeled him a hick, complete with an unruly dog and a cabin in the woods. No sense adding to the stereotype by cooking her supper over an open fire.
If he and Jenna had met a few years ago, he would have reserved the best table at an exclusive restaurant. Dropped the names of a few important people over a gourmet meal. Charmed his way through her defenses.
Dev wondered what Jenna would say if he told her that his family owned one of the most successful companies in the Midwest and that he’d been second in the line of succession?
You’re wasting your life here.
That’s what Elaina had said. She’d never understood that he’d found his life when he moved to Mirror Lake.
Dev tore his gaze away from Jenna. He wasn’t out to impress his neighbor or anyone else. Not anymore.
“Have a seat.” Dev offered her the only chair in front of the fire.
Jenna flicked a dubious glance at the strip of canvas stretched over a rickety metal skeleton and remained standing. Just in case he’d forgotten why he didn’t entertain.
“The other option is one of those.” Dev pointed to one of the oak logs that doubled as seating until they became firewood.
Jenna chose the chair, her stiff posture and serious expression more suited for a board meeting than an informal barbecue.
The breeze sifted through her hair, teasing the silken strands. Coaxing her to lighten up and enjoy the beauty of a summer evening.
Suddenly tempted with the same thought, Dev shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans.
Eyes on the fire, McGuire.
At least the children had made themselves at home. Tori hopscotched her way down the crooked path from stone to stone while Logan chased Violet around the yard.
Leaving the adults stranded in an uncomfortable silence.
Jenna looked him straight in the eye. “You can tell me the truth now. Was this your idea? Or Logan’s?”
“I’m the guilty one.”
“No hints?”
“No hints.” Dev didn’t count the longing look Logan had cast at the campfire.
“I don’t know what to do.” Jenna sighed. “Logan promised he wouldn’t leave the yard, but I’m afraid nothing can compete with dogs and campfires.”
“I’ve been trying to keep Violet close to home, but because no one has lived in your cabin for years, she considers it part of her territory.” Dev swung the metal grate on the tripod over the fire and adjusted the height for cooking. It was easier to concentrate when he kept his hands busy and his eyes off the beautiful woman sitting beside him.
“It isn’t safe for Logan to keep wandering off.” Frustration stitched the words together.
“He came over because he smelled the smoke.”
“I know.” Jenna shook her head. “I’m not sure how I can scold him for caring about someone.”
“It must be difficult to lay down the law when you’re used to being the cool aunt, not the parent.”
Jenna didn’t comment. So much for his amateur psychology skills.
Dev was about to put her mind at ease and tell her that he’d be leaving for a few days—and taking Violet with him—when a high-pitched scream drowned out the crackle of the fire.
Dev’s head whipped around. Both children were barreling toward them, short
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