Page 54 of Over the Line

Sydney laughed.

“Always funny when it’s my clothes,” he observed.

“Definitely, Sir.”

They dressed while Chewie kept an interested, thieving, eye on them.

“She’s opportunistic,” he warned.

“Cunning is more like it,” Sydney replied, hurriedly tying her shoelaces.

He picked up their cups, and they walked back to the house side by side while Chewie trotted ahead of them and kept glancing back. When she approached a big rock, she walked up it, stood on top, and looked into the distance.

“She really is agile.”

“You’re lucky you didn’t find her on one of our vehicles this morning.”

“That could cause some damage.”

“Mostly she behaves herself.”

“Just like me,” Sydney replied.

“Yeah.” He couldn’t help but laugh. “Just like you.”

Once they neared the house, Chewie went toward the barn. Michael held open the gate for Sydney, and she walked to her car to grab a bag.

“Mind if I take a quick shower, Sir?”

“Help yourself. Or feel free to take a bath. I’ll get another pot of coffee going then I’ll bring you a cup.”

“Thank you.”

By the time he entered his suite, she was dressed, her damp hair curling against her face. How was it possible he was already so accustomed to having her around?

“Can I do anything to help with breakfast?” she asked, accepting her cup with a smile.

“You could set the table. I’m sure you’ll find everything you need.”

She traced her fingertips across his chest before heading downstairs.

Anxious to spend as much time together as possible before she left, he showered in record time.

When he joined her, she had placed a handful of columbines in a small vase near his placemat. The sight of her leaning across the width of the table to pour orange juice into a glass was even better.

While he fried the bacon, she perched on a barstool and propped her chin on her hands. “This is a treat.”

“It’s a chore I enjoy.”

“I’m not a fan. Lewis expected homecooked meals, and I came to resent his expectations.”

“No one likes to be taken for granted.” He cracked half a dozen eggs into a bowl, then added milk—sans cream—and tossed in some salt and pepper.

“What are you going to eat?” she teased.

He glanced up. “You’ve got a healthy appetite?”

“Always, and I’m planning to hit the gym later,” she said.