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.“You might as well tell me.I’m not going anywhere.”Daisy turned and headed for the stairs, pausing to look back at Leeann when she didn’t follow.So she joined the pup and they headed to the lower level together.The dog offered her one last look before she disappeared into Dean’s bedroom.Leeann recognized the familiar noises coming from the gym.Bobby and Dean were in the middle of a workout.She hadn’t come here to confront Bobby about the distance he’d put between them by leaving and his silence while he’d been gone.Besides, she’d figured her aunt was right, he needed time to work through everything she’d told him.Still, the fact that he’d returned today and hadn’t called her…She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath, hoping he was ready to talk now—or at least listen—because she had plenty to say.“You know, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.”Bobby’s words caused Leeann to pause just outside the door.“No kidding?” Dean’s familiar sarcastic tone made her smile.“I’d been wondering what that burning smell was—”“Shut up and listen, okay?” Bobby cut off his friend.“I think I’ve come to a few decisions.”“Well, hold off on your grand announcement for a minute.I need to get some clean towels from the laundry.” Dean walked out of the exercise room, surprise lighting up his face when he spotted her standing there.“Hey—”Leeann held her index finger to her lips, motioning for him to follow her.Amusement danced in his dark eyes, but he nodded and trailed behind her as she returned upstairs.They walked into the mudroom where the washer and dryer were located.“Okay, you want to tell me what’s going on?” Dean asked, reaching for a stack of folded towels.“And how did you know we were back in town?”“A little redheaded birdie told me.Aren’t you going to be late for your date?”He quirked a brow at her.“You’ve been back less than three hours,” Leeann continued.“And you already have plans for the night.”“What can I say?” Dean grinned.“I’m good.”“And I’m going crazy.We hardly spoke the whole time you two were gone.Something I’m sure you’re aware of.”The playfulness disappeared from Dean’s eyes.“He’s had a lot on his mind lately.”“Bobby told you, didn’t he? About my past.”A light blush crossed the man’s cheeks and Leeann regretted her abrupt tone.“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have.It’s okay, Dean.I never asked him to keep what happened to me just between the two of us.Even though I’m sure you’ve figured out it’s not something I’d like shouted from the rooftops.”Dean returned her stare for a moment, then nodded, his embarrassment replaced with concern.“He needed someone to talk to.What happened to you—I know it was a long time ago and you’ve obviously worked through it, but it really tore him up.And you…girl, you’re—”“Amazing.Yeah, so I’ve been told.”“And now you’re chomping at the bit to have some alone time with my buddy.” Dean held out the towels toward her.“Which I totally understand.Go easy on the guy, huh? I don’t think he has any idea what he’s doing.”“Didn’t I just hear him say he’s made some sort of decision?”“True, but he could be talking about what’s for dinner.”Leeann offered him one raised eyebrow.“Naw, I don’t believe that either.” Dean nodded.“Okay, I’ll make myself scarce for the night.”Guilt swamped her.“You don’t have to rush out right now.I mean, if you need to take a shower first.”“I’ll just grab my stuff.I’m sure Katie won’t mind if I get ready at her place.”Leeann rose up on tiptoe and placed a light kiss on his cheek.“You’re a great guy, Dean.”“Shhh, don’t let that get around.” He offered her a wink while pulling out his wallet.Seconds later, he pressed a foiled packet into her hand.“Here, take this.Just in case.”“Dean!”“Hey, a girl can’t be too safe, ya know?”A few minutes later, she saw Dean heading for the garage.Waiting until the taillights of the pickup disappeared from view, she slipped the packet into the hidden pocket of her shorts before heading back down the stairs, towels in hand.After slowly exhaling another deep breath, she entered the gym.Bobby sat at the shoulder press machine, his back to her.With its inclined bench and overhead pulley system, it was a piece of equipment she’d seen him use often during his sessions.Like right now.As he raised and lowered the bar, the muscles in his shoulders and arms stretched and contracted in a smooth controlled motion, showing off miles of gleaming skin.His only clothing was dark shorts and sneakers.“It’s about time you got back.” Bobby’s words caused Leeann to jump as he lowered the overhead bar to its starting position with a clang.He held out one hand.“I’ve got a river of sweat in my eyes.Throw me a towel, would ya?”She did as instructed, hitting him right in the head.“Thanks.” He draped the towel over his face, but kept talking.“Like I was saying, I’ve made a decision.I still need to talk to Leeann again about her offer to use her land and the pond for the camp, but I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.” He quickly swiped at his face before running the towel over his chest and down each arm.“Not after I make her an offer she can’t refuse.”Okay, that sounded a little Godfatherish, but darn if her heart didn’t do a little flip-flop right in her chest.If that meant what she hoped it did…“There are a couple of conditions, but I’m going to ask her to come on board as the camp’s director.”Okay, that wasn’t exactly what she’d wanted to hear.“Conditions?”Bobby’s head whipped around so fast he nearly fell off the bench.“Lee?”“In the flesh.”“What the hell?” He stood.“What are you doing here?”“Well, it’s nice to see you, too.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned against the long table Dean used for full-body rubdowns.Ignoring the butterflies zooming around in her stomach, she prayed she looked more at ease than she felt.The last thing she’d expected was Bobby to offer her a job.Darn her heart, she’d actually hoped for another kind of proposition all together.“So, let’s hear these conditions.”“Lee…I…” His words faltered, his gaze shot around the room.“Where’s Zip?”“He’s gone.I told him I wanted to talk to you.Alone.”“You did?”“It sounds like you want to talk to me, too.At least long enough to make me ‘an offer I can’t refuse.’ Wasn’t that how you put it?”“Ah, yeah, I did, but…”When his voice trailed off, she pushed away from the table and headed across the room, but froze when Bobby took a step backward.He bumped into the machine and landed hard on his butt, straddling the bench again [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]