Page 6 of The Darkest Knight

CHAPTER TWO

Seth could practically see the defeat in the woman from where he watched her at the window. She sat uncomfortably under the safety of a large tree with her dog laying at her feet. He’d never seen something so pathetic in his life, and he’d never felt such a strong knot of guilt in his chest. He didn’t like behaving like a prick, but at the same time, if people only understood how many funding requests he received, they’d know why he was wary. And if what this Reese woman said was true, why didn’t Angelina mention it to him? Although, his sister had been pretty sick before she died.

The rain assaulted the roof harder and, although she’d taken shelter, it couldn’t be pleasant standing outside with it pouring—a boom of thunder shook the sky—and now storming.

“Shit!”

He looked down at Spike who was eyeing Seth guiltily. “I didn’t ask her to come here. She seems complicated. I don’t like complicated.”

Spike whimpered.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Can’t have a woman, uninvited or not, catching her death on our front lawn.”

Grabbing his T-shirt from the arm of the chair, he dragged it on, slipped on his dusty boots and darted outside. Once he stepped off the porch the rain pelted him. He looked back to see that Spike wasn’t moving from the shelter. “Yeah, I see how you are.” Seth shook his head. He dashed across the wet grass to where the woman and her dog were soaked.

She just stared at him, her bottom lip quivering and the poor dog looking miserable.

Without a word, Seth grabbed the suitcase and turned back toward the cabin.

“Hey, where are you going with my things?” She grabbed his arm.

He looked down at her slender fingers pressing into his skin, seeing that she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. Her hand looked remarkably pale against his tanned arm, not to mention, an eruption of unwanted prickles warmed his muscles. That made him angrier. “I’m helping you inside, unless you’d rather stay out here in the rain? You’re asking for trouble sitting under this tree with all of this lightning.”

She looked down at her dog and back at him. “If I wasn’t worried about Abby, I’d definitely choose the rain,” she snapped, called for Abby to follow, and she took off for the cabin.

Seth stayed back a few paces, watching her stomp up on to the porch, attempting not to admire the feminine sway of her hips, but it was impossible. He smiled. He’d pissed her off. Well, then that makes two of them, although the nice soft curve of her hips certainly did ease his irritation a bit. Even though he hadn’t been with a woman in a long time didn’t mean he no longer craved it.

Once inside, he placed her suitcase next to the wall and closed the door. Spike was sniffing Abby in curiosity. Same for Spike. He didn’t meet many female dogs.

“Is he safe?” Reese pointed at Spike.

“Don’t let his snarled, pugged-nose appearance fool you. He’s a baby covered in fur. Behave yourself, Spike,” Seth commanded. The dog obeyed immediately, going back to the rug in front of the fireplace.

“Wow, a dog that actually has better manners than his owner.” She lifted her chin, nailing him with an accusatory glare that only humored him. She jerked her purse strap higher up on her shoulder.

Not that he could see, but he felt the lasers on his back as he strolled across the room to grab the cell from the table. She was probably sizing him up, curious how she could maneuver around his invisible wall to get him to listen. He expected her pleading any second, but shockingly it didn’t come. “We need that cab back.”

“My cell isn’t working so I can’t call for cab service.”

“We have sketchy service out here, but this should work.” He handed over the phone.

She hesitated before taking the offering. “Thank you.”

From the tone of her voice, he didn’t quite believe she meant her words. She stood there without making a move. He raised a brow.

“Do you have the number to the cab company?”

He nodded, went into the adjoining kitchen to his laptop and clicked on Google to search for the number. He gave it to her and sat down, his curiosity growing. Pulling up his emails, he typed ‘Angelina’ in the search bar and a handful of emails popped up. He scrolled down the list and found one with the description ‘Step for Light’.

While his guest spoke to the cab company, he opened Angelina’s email sent eleven months ago. He’d never been the best at checking his mail.

“How’s my sweet brother doing? Why didn’t you come and see me as you promised? Don’t make me come there. I met someone at a charity event who I want you to make contact with. You said you didn’t know what you wanted to do with all that space? I have an idea. By the way, her name is Reese Shane and she was in the military too. Not only is she adorable, but she has a project, Step for Light, I think we could help with. I truly believe this would be good for you in joining her, and hopefully finding something you love to do again. It’s not good to be so alone out there in nowhere land. Smooches and hugs. Call me soon.”

He lifted his chin and looked over the screen. Reese still held the phone to her ear, but her gaze was on him. She could cut him in two simply with her eyes. Yeah, ‘adorable’ alright.

So, Angelina did indeed send him an email. This changed things a bit.

Reese bent over to pet Spike. He caught another glance at the soaked woman and his gut pinged. Most of her hair had fallen from her bun and clung to her neck. Her face was scattered with moisture, and her clothes, a simple top and skinny jeans, were plastered against her body. The ever-present dog still stood loyally at her side. There was a story with the dog, Seth guaranteed it.

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