Page 26 of No Good Deed

She lifted her mug to toast his words. “Cheers to that. I could use some better.”

* * *

Piper woke to the quiet alarm she’d set. She’d spent the first part of the night tossing and turning. And worrying. And if that worry was equally about what to do with her super-quick, super-intense feelings for Troy, she wasn’t going to admit it.

His security system made her feel safe, but she still wondered if someone was watching her. It was incredibly disconcerting to think someone was lurking in the shadows, tracking her movements.

Instead of falling asleep, she’d mentally gone through everything she’d packed in her suitcases and duffel bags. Clothes, toiletries, photo albums, and a couple of trinkets that reminded her of Chicago and her parents. Her most expensive items were probably her winter boots.

Or Rusty. Had someone planted something else in her car? Didn’t seem likely, as she’d only bought it after she’d been laid off. And it wouldn’t explain the break-ins at her home or office. Or the crash with the company car. If that was even connected.

She hadn’t wanted Troy to think she was avoiding the job he’d hired her to do, so she’d set her alarm to get up early if she did manage to sleep. And she’d managed a couple of hours.

Piper slipped out of bed. Oreo didn’t so much as twitch his tail as she rummaged for clothes. Taking a deep breath, she eased open the door. She wasn’t ready to face Troy without a shower.

Luckily, the hall was empty as she scurried across. She brought her toiletries into the shower, but then she spotted Troy’s body wash and had to sniff it. The scent reminded her of the man and the safety she felt when he was near, so she had to use it.

Then she panicked he would think she was creepy, and she washed again with her own. Could she be any sillier?

After showering, she changed into slacks and a sweater. She preferred her jeans, but she’d been hired to do a job, and she needed to appear professional. She’d put in a few good hours of research in the last few days. Now, she had several ideas, a solid list of questions to ask, and things she wanted to see around the town.

She was nervous as she opened the door and scurried back across the hall. Oreo was up and prancing, so she shoved her stuff in her duffel and grabbed his leash.

When she reached the kitchen, she was thinking about Troy’s instructions to disarm the alarm, and almost slammed into the man himself.

“Good morning.” His rumbly morning voice had her thoughts skittering to the warm bed she’d left behind.

His hair was damp from a shower, and he wore a Henley and jeans. She hoped she didn’t drool. He was the epitome of casual sexiness. The man could model anything and she’d buy it.

Troy squatted down and rubbed Oreo’s head. “Need to go out, boy? Let’s go.”

He reached for the leash, but Piper held on. “I can do it.”

He grinned at her. “Let’s do it together.” He led the way back into the mudroom, where they slipped on boots and jackets.

This time, they exited into the backyard, and Oreo tugged Piper over to the fence.

“The backyard is completely fenced in, so you don’t need the leash out here.”

She clicked it off, and Oreo wagged his tail and went about his business and then proceeded to shove his face into snow piles all around the yard, making her smile. “That’s such a weird thing to do, Oreo.”

“He sure likes the snow for a little guy without much fur.”

“Maybe I should have put his coat on him.”

Troy’s soft chuckle warmed her. “With the way he was wiggling? Not a chance. We won’t let him stay out long. How’d you sleep? I was surprised to see you up this early.”

Her face flushed. She thought about shrugging it off, but she liked him too much to be anything but honest. “I set an alarm so you’d know I’m taking my job here seriously. I’ve got several ideas but…”

Troy cut her off with an eye roll and a laugh. “Seriously? You’re still working with big city expectations. We don’t have those here. Real life happens. Shit happens. We’re allowed to change course or slow down when we need to. If you need to sleep, sleep. No one is going to think less of you. Certainly not me.”

Her mouth dropped open as he spoke. “Are you for real?”

That had him laughing again. “Last I checked. Now let’s get back inside and figure out a plan for the day.”

It didn’t take long to decide that they’d leave Oreo in the house for a couple of hours while they did a walkthrough of the town to give Piper a better overview. Kimi said he’d be fine for that length of time, but Troy laid down some papers beside his food and water dishes just in case.

“Do you have any long johns?” Troy asked.

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