Page 117 of Reckless Harmony

“Yes. I’m, um, a little nervous.”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about,” he said. “Amanda is a top-notch pilot.” He paused. “You’ve really never been on a plane before?”

“You and I live very different lives,” she said with a shrug. “I’ve never even left the state. I’ve always wanted to go to Paris, but any money I save up inevitably gets used for the rescue.”

She paused. “That doesn’t bother me. I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m resentful because I’m not. The rescue means a lot to me.”

“I know,” he said. “You don’t sound resentful. But you do deserve a vacation.”

“Right?” she said with a grin. “Like, sooo deserve one. Someday, I’ll do it. I’ll go to Paris and sit at a fancy cafe’s outdoor patio, drinking coffee and eating delicious pastries while I people watch.”

She smiled at him, her breath catching in her throat when Stark leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss against her mouth. “That sounds perfect, Rayna.”

CHAPTER 39

Rayna slid behind the wheel of her SUV as Stark climbed into the passenger side. She started the vehicle, turning the heat to high and rubbing her hands together to warm them.

“You okay?” Stark asked.

She grinned at him. “Am I okay? We rescued twenty-seven dogs today, and I had my first plane ride. I’m fantastic!”

He laughed. “That’s true, but the return flight had a lot of turbulence. That can be scary if you haven’t taken a lot of flights before.”

“I was a little nervous but not terrified or anything. I appreciate you letting me hold your hand the entire time, though,” Rayna said with a small smile, trying to ignore the warmth she felt from his concern.

He doesn’t mean it. He’s being this way because he wants your house.

She stared out the windshield at the gray sky. She needed to remember that fact, needed to believe it, but it was increasingly difficult. Isaac made it difficult with his sweetness.

She nearly snorted out loud. Who would have thought she’d ever describe Isaac Stark as sweet?

How long will you keep doing this, Rayna? There isn’t a future for the two of you. You’re already halfway to being in love with the guy trying to take your house from you. Do you know how stupid you’re being?

She ignored her inner voice. Not that it wasn’t making good points, but now wasn’t the time. It’d been a long and stressful day, and she still had to make the drive from New Cassel to Harmony Falls.

Will you invite Isaac to stay the night? Let him sleep in your bed again?

“Rayna?”

“Yeah?”

“What’s wrong?” Stark’s hand covered hers, and when he linked their fingers together, she had to bite down on her inner cheek to stop herself from blurting out that she might be falling in love with him.

“Nothing,” she said. “Just lost in my thoughts for a minute.”

He studied her, and she looked away, thankful when the ring of his phone broke the thick silence. He checked his phone. “It’s my mom. She’s video calling me.”

“I can leave the car and give you some privacy.” Rayna reached for the door handle, but Stark squeezed her hand and shook his head.

“It’s fine.” He hit the answer button, and a silver-haired woman with pretty blue eyes smiled at him.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hello, darling boy. How are you?”

“Good. How are you? Is something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. What are you up to today?”

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