Page 51 of High Country Escape
Dalton ambled into the kitchen. His hair was mussed from a day in the wind, his face flushed by the sun. He wore a red Alpine Jeep Tours T-shirt that stretched over his muscular shoulders and khaki shorts that showed off his strong legs. The shorts were wet around the hem, probably from when he’d washed the Jeep at the end of the tour. “Hey, Roxanne,” he said.
She looked away, wondering if he’d noticed her ogling him. “Hi, Dalton. How are you doing?”
“I’m good. I saw your RAV4 out front. Looks like they did a good job restoring it.”
“I picked it up this morning.” Having her car back had been a big lift to her spirits.
Dalton moved to his mother and hugged her. “Hi, Mom. What are you making?”
“Chicken casserole.” Diane swatted his hand as he reached around her and snagged a strip of bell pepper. “Did you remember to set the alarm when you left the office?”
“Yes, I remembered.”
“The alarm is new,” Diane explained to Roxanne. “We’re still getting used to it.”
“I took care of everything.” Dalton selected an apple from the bowl on the kitchen table and bit into it with a loud crunch.
“You’re going to spoil your appetite,” Diane said.
“Not a chance.” He chewed another bite of apple, then turned to Roxanne. “Do you have any plans for Monday?”
She paused in the act of tearing lettuce. “No. Why?”
“Want to come on a Jeep tour with me?”
“You’re doing the Foliage and Falls tour Monday, aren’t you?” Diane asked.
“Yeah, and I noticed there’s one seat available. I immediately thought of Roxanne.” His gaze met hers, and she thought again of May’s description of him as having a quiet smolder. Had his mother seen this heat, too?
“That’s a wonderful idea.” Diane turned to Roxanne. “The waterfalls are still flowing strong and the late season wildflowers are competing with the early-turning aspen. You’ll love it.”
“I don’t know . . .” she began.
“No charge,” Dalton said. “Why not come and keep me company?”
“All right. Thanks.”
“Both of you get out of here and let me finish dinner in peace.” Diane picked up the chef’s knife Roxanne had been using to prepare the salad. “I can handle everything from here.”
Roxanne followed Dalton into the living room, where they sat side by side on the sofa. “Thanks for inviting me on the tour,” she said. “I’ve been wanting to see more of the area.”
“It would be better if I wasn’t working and I could take you up there, just the two of us,” he said. “But this will be almost as fun.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing you work,” she said.
“Now you’re making me nervous. Just remember my jokes are geared toward elementary school kids. Seriously, though, the scenery is breathtaking. It’s a great stress breaker, to get up there and be in nature.” He took her hand and squeezed it gently.
She looked down at their intertwined fingers. “Your mom was asking about us,” she said. “If we’re, you know, involved.”
“I’m sorry about that,” he said. “She can be pretty nosy. Do you want me to tell her to back off?”
“No, she’s been so respectful. I’m not sure in her position if I could have done as well. I know she’s been curious. If she’s nosy with you kids, I think it’s only that she cares so much.” She smoothed her hand down his arm. “Who takes in a stranger, knowing a violent felon might come after them because of it?”
“I guess my mom and dad do. They liked you right off the bat. But you’re an easy person to like.” He moved closer, bringing them hip to hip and thigh to thigh. “What did you tell her? About us?” he asked.
“I told her my life is so unstable right now that it doesn’t seem right to involve anyone else in my troubles.”
“I’m already involved.” He angled toward her and brushed one finger down her cheek.