Page 133 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“So they really are green?” she asked.

“Yes,” Jared laughed.

“Whew, I thought I was seeing things,” she confessed with a chuckle.

“No, but you will in a moment,” he promised. “We’re about five minutes out of Copper Creek.”

“Really?” She felt her stomach flutter with anticipation, and she guided Lucy back to her seat, clipping her in. “I think I’m actually nervous. I mean this is going to be my home for the next year. It doesn’t seem like a long time, and I know it will pass quickly, but what if it doesn’t? What if no one in town likes me? What if I don’t like the town? What if...”

“Cat.” Jared reached over and gently tugged at the wayward curls that danced on her shoulders. “You’ll be fine.”

“Sorry.” She grimaced. “I’m just a little nervous.”

“I know, honey.”

Cat’s heart flipped over at the endearment. She knew it shouldn’t mean anything to her. This was supposed to be a fling, with no strings attached and no emotional commitment. But Jared wasn’t playing by the rules, and she couldn’t stop the warmth that flooded her at the tenderness in his voice.

As the van wended its way through town, Cat and the puppy kept their faces pressed to the window, eager to see their new home. Cat was delighted by the western flavor of the town. Most of the buildings sported square false fronts or were stucco with red tile roofs.

Compared to New England, she felt as if she’d landed on another planet. Prickly pear cacti were planted beside a few of the stores, and Cat was pleased to see several leafy green trees, creating shade here and there. If it weren’t for the cars parked along the side of the street, she’d almost think she’d stepped back in time.

“This is wonderful. I half expect the local sheriff and his faithful deputy strolling down the center of the street, looking for a shoot-out.”

“I can’t wait to tell my sister that.” He laughed.

“Why? I don’t think that’s so funny,” she chided him.

“It is, trust me, it is.” He chuckled. “I’m not laughing at you, Cat, I’m laughing with you.”

“But I’m not laughing.” She tried to frown at him, but failed and turned her face back to the window before he saw her answering smile.

They left the center of town and turned onto a bumpy, narrow back road. Cat tried to ignore the nervous flutter in her stomach and restlessly reached back to scratch Lucy’s head. She was sitting up on the seat, her ears perked up, as if she knew they’d arrived someplace important. Either that, or she had to take a leak.

Jared made another turn onto a short side street, and Cat held her breath as he pulled in front of the third stucco house on the right. The houses on the street were well spaced, and Cat was relieved to see that although she had neighbors on each side of her, they were far enough away to allow her some privacy.

“We made it.” Jared switched off the engine and turned to face her. She didn’t move. “Are you planning on getting out, Cat?”

Cat glanced at him and forced herself to pull it together. “I’m going. I’m going,” she said. “I’m just a little stiff from the drive.”

“Uh-huh.” He looked dubious.

“Come on, Lucy.” Cat fastened the leash to the puppy’s collar and opened the door. “Let’s go see our new home.”

To Cat’s delight, the quaint, stucco house boasted a red tile roof. A stone walkway led through an arched doorway into an enclosed courtyard. Cat promptly fell in love with it. A small fountain sat in one corner and wrought-iron patio furniture filled the other. On each side of the wooden front door were two flower boxes. Each was filled to bursting with scarlet vinca.

“Oh, my,” she gasped.

Jared heard Cat’s sigh of appreciation when she walked into the courtyard and sent a silent thank-you to her friend for her good taste. He hoped the interior of the house was just as nice. It was important for Cat to love it here, more important than he cared to think about at the moment.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked. “I think every house should have a courtyard like this. I can’t wait to see the inside.”

Jared felt the tension inside him ease. It was going to be all right. The nervous Cat had vanished and the daredevil was back. He watched her unclip Lucy and stretch her sore muscles. She put her fist in her back and arched against it. Jared felt his mouth go dry. The hot breeze drifting through the courtyard played havoc with her already disheveled hair, and she stopped stretching to push her curls out of her face.

Lust rooted Jared to the spot. Every cell in his body swelled with heat. It left him shaken and close to gasping for breath. The realization that he’d be leaving her soon only made his desire sharpen with an edge of panic.

Without pausing for thought, he left the archway and strode toward her. She’d paused in the doorway, as if uncertain. Jared was determined not to let her have any doubts.

Pushing both Cat and Lucy into the front room of their new home, he watched as the puppy began to sniff with blatant curiosity around the southwest interior. Satisfied that Lucy was occupied for the moment, Jared grabbed Cat’s hand and scanned the layout of the house. Finding a hallway to the right, he strode down it with a determined step, pulling a befuddled Cat behind him.