One Summer In Santa Fe

“What are you reading?” Piper asked, and stepped closer to the boy.

“Uh,” Alex said, and looked down.

Piper followed his glance and tried to hide the smirk that wanted to erupt onto her face. Reaching for the book, she turned it right side up and returned it to his lap. “You might want to try reading it this way. It’s a lot easier.”

Beneath his tawny skin, Alex flushed to the roots of his hair. “Busted,” he said under his breath, his lips barely moving.

“Busted is right,” Taylor said with a frown. “I thought you said you were going to read.”

“I was. I mean, I really wanted to, but I got so excited about tomorrow that I had to play some video games to calm down.” He leaped from the couch to reveal a horrific large stain on the fabric that the peroxide obviously hadn’t conquered. “Piper, Uncle T. signed me up for rock-climbing camp tomorrow. Thanks!” He gave her an exuberant hug and then raced to Taylor. After a brief hug, he pulled back. “Oh, gross. You’re sweaty.”

Taylor’s face revealed momentary shock before he laughed. “I am, man. Sorry.”

Alex backed away and walked toward the hall to the bedrooms. “Well, at least now I know what a polecat smells like. ’Night.”

“’Night, Alex.” Piper stood and redirected her attention to Taylor. “What was that about a polecat?” she asked.

“A previous discussion on personal hygiene,” Taylor said without elaborating. The light sparkling from her eyes intrigued him. He’d been around plenty of women who climbed mountains, jumped from planes and raced bicycles. The intensity flowing off Piper was a different sort of energy. One he’d not been around much before. One that was comforting and settling. Completely foreign to him. “Yes, well. I’ll call Wildlife and see what we need to do with the dog.”

Minutes later, Taylor hung up the phone. “It’s too late to send someone over tonight from their office, so Animal Control is coming over. We’re not supposed to touch it any more than necessary and to wash well.”

“Sounds good.” She sighed. “I feel so bad for the poor thing. But at least, from the sound of it, it was quick.”

They noticed a young presence at the door and turned. “Can I see it?” Alex asked.

“No,” they said in unison.

“Aw, c’mon.” He scuffed a bare foot on the tile floor.

“You’re supposed to be in bed.” Taylor stood and turned Alex by the shoulders and nudged him back to his temporary bedroom.

“I needed a drink, and I heard you talking about the rabid coyote.”

“Suspected rabid coyote,” Taylor corrected. Piper was right, this kid was smart. Smarter than he’d realized. Caroline was right and that saddened him, too. He didn’t know his nephew. Somehow he was going to make up for not being there for his nephew. In six weeks.

“Uncle T., even I know enough about coyotes to know it was rabid. They just don’t act like that.”

“You’re right. But it’s long gone now, and it’s bedtime for you.”

“It’s summer, can’t I stay up longer?”

“You have your first day at camp tomorrow, so I’d suggest getting a good night’s sleep. When I’m going on a climbing expedition, even I go to bed a little early.” For him that was midnight, usually. Sleep was a luxury he didn’t always have or take advantage of when he had it.

“Okay.” Ducking his head down, Alex shuffled his way down the hall. A large yawn interrupted his goodnight, and he disappeared from sight.

“I think I’ll head home, too.” Piper raised her brows, her inquisitive gaze holding on Taylor’s for just a lingering second, and a hint of that sizzle between them returned. “It’s been a lot more interesting evening than I had anticipated. From a walk in the park to a medical rescue to a rabid coyote. Wow.”

“No kidding. Got more than you bargained for.” Taylor walked her outside, retrieved the animal carcass from her trunk and placed it on the sidewalk by the front door. Animal Control should be arriving soon.

“See you tomorrow,” Piper said, and drove away.

In silence, Taylor watched until the small car faded from view. What was it about Piper that had captured his attention? The blue eyes, the sensual mouth that looked like it needed a long, hot kiss? Or the curves his hands itched to try out.

Taylor entered the house and flopped down on the couch, pressing his hands against his face. Though the enormous stains on the carpet and couch were glaring in their contrast to the fibers, Piper hadn’t said anything. She was certainly polite, intuitive when it came to children, a good nurse. But none of those things were what had intrigued him. Maybe it was the spark of laughter in her gorgeous eyes or the sizzle of attraction that had unexpectedly flared between them. Kissing her would be—

His thoughts came to a screeching halt. He had no business thinking of a coworker this way, no matter how attractive he found her. He knew well enough that he was a poor candidate for a relationship, and she had long term written all over her, something he was incapable of giving a relationship. Knowing that about himself had kept him away from entanglements. That settled it for him. He was no longer going to be attracted to Piper.