Page 7 of Legends: Easton (Legends of Fire Creek #3)
“Checking your ankle. It could be worse than a sprain.”
She looked almost panicked as she shook her head. “That’s not necessary. I appreciate you helping me inside, but I can take care of things from here. You can go now.”
Easton tilted back without moving from the spot, hoping the space would help her ease up.
Opting for a different tactic, he locked eyes with her dog.
The dog stared back but didn’t growl or attempt to bite him.
She wasn’t shielding her owner from him anymore either.
He reached out a hand, palm side up, and held it low and still.
The dog inched forward and sniffed carefully.
He hoped he made the right move, but he mentally prepared himself to lose a finger if she couldn’t tell by his scent that he was friend and not foe.
Finally, she nuzzled his hand, and he flipped it over to scratch behind her ears.
“Good girl,” he crooned and bit back a satisfied smile when her tail started to wag. “What’s her name?”
“Roxy. She doesn’t usually take to strangers, especially men.”
He flicked his gaze up to her face, but she was watching Roxy respond to his attention.
“Abused?” he asked, returning his gaze to Roxy but keeping his peripheral on her owner.
“That’s what the vet said.”
“Bastards. Hurting a sweet girl like her.”
Realizing he wasn’t getting much else from Darby Anne’s granddaughter, he gave Roxy another good scratch behind her ears for good measure. Then he stood, his knee protesting from being in the bent position too long.
“Can I get you or Roxy anything before I go then? Water for her? Ice for your ankle? You should elevate that.”
“I know, and I will. If it will make you feel better, you can check Roxy’s bowls over by the sink. I’m sure they’re full, but just in case, you can fill them for her. Then you’re free to go.”
Easton could take a hint, but he didn’t always heed it. After seeing that Roxy, indeed, had water and food, he took a dish towel from the counter and palmed it so he could set ice cubes in the center and wrap the cloth around them.
“Bailee? What’s going on? Easton? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”
Easton had just closed the freezer door when he heard Darby Anne’s voice.
The petite woman was shuffling into the kitchen with her feet encased in fuzzy slippers with fat pink bows stretching over the top.
Her purple robe covered her sleepwear, and her silver hair flowed loose over her shoulders to reach almost to her waist.
“Gran, everything’s fine. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Nature’s call woke me, Bailee Anne, not you. I heard someone in the kitchen and thought I’d see if you needed anything. I wasn’t expecting you to be entertaining guests.”
Easton grinned, pleased with the intel Darby Anne unwittingly provided. “It’s just me, Darby Anne. I was helping Bailee inside, and I thought I’d get some ice for her ankle before I left.”
Darby Anne pierced her granddaughter with an intense stare while Bailee Anne glared at him for ratting her out. He wasn’t winning her over, but he was getting under her skin. He found that entertaining.
“You went running. In the middle of the night. Alone. What were you thinking, Bailee Anne? What would you have done if Easton hadn’t come by to help you? What if it was someone whose intentions weren’t honorable? This may be Fire Creek, Bailee Anne, but we do have our share of crime sometimes.”
“Gran, I can take care of myself. I’ve been trained to do just that. Plus, I had Roxy with me. She’s a better deterrent than my gun.”
Darby Anne cut her eyes to Easton. “Now how am I supposed to argue with that?”
Easton held up his hands — one still holding the cold dish towel with the melting ice — in mock surrender. “Now don’t drag me into this. I offered my help, not advice.”
“Well, considering my granddaughter’s disgruntled look, I’m guessing she hasn’t thanked you for your help, so allow me to. Thank you. I appreciate you looking out for her.”
Easton tilted his head in acknowledgment. “Of course.”
He moved forward to hand Bailee Anne the dish towel.
His fingers brushed against hers, and the heat spreading up his arm surely melted the ice completely.
The sensation wasn’t unpleasant. Far from it.
He could have continued to touch her hand for the rest of the night, only she pulled it away hastily.
“Yes, thank you. I appreciate your help, but I don’t want to keep you. It’s late, and I’m sure you’re ready to be home. I know Gran and I are ready to go to bed.”
Easton was certain if he once again mentioned taking a look at Bailee Anne’s ankle, Darby Anne would insist he stay to do that. But this time, he accepted Bailee Anne’s not-so-subtle hint.
“Yes, you definitely need to rest and elevate that ankle. I’ll be going. I’m sorry to disturb you, Darby Anne, but it’s always good to see you. And nice to meet you, Roxy.” He patted the dog’s head once more before raising his eyes to rest on her face. “And nice to meet you, Bailee Anne.”
“Bailee. It’s just Bailee. Gran’s the only one to middle-name me.”
“Goodnight, just Bailee. I look forward to seeing you again.”
With a quick wink meant only for her, he stepped outside and crossed the yard to let himself in his back door.
He had a feeling that sleep would be slow in coming now that his thoughts were preoccupied with the gorgeous brunette staying next door to him for who knew how long.
His sisters-in-law may not want him hooking up with women at the bar, but nothing said he couldn’t try winning over the sexy Bailee while she was in town.