Harbor Nights Read Free

crawl into his tent while camping.
    With a quick movement, he gently snatched up the little dog and hauled the squirming mound of mulch out from under the thorny bush.
    Zsa Zsa started to bark and yelp like she was the Mini-Me of the hounds of hell. Mulch went flying in all directions. One well-timed nip and a scratch or two later, he placed the shaking furball into Norah’s outstretched hands. If the dog weighed four pounds, it was due to the clinging mulch. He chuckled at the sight. “I’ve held bigger hamsters.”
    Zsa Zsa showed her tiny white teeth and growled at him before pressing herself up against Norah’s chest, seeking the safety of someone she knew.
    Flipper started to run around Norah, looking to play with the miniature dog. Zsa Zsa bared her teeth, snapped wildly, and generally acted like she wanted to rip Flipper apart.
    Norah’s gaze was on his now empty hands and not on the tiny Pomeranian. She wasn’t paying any attention to Flipper, but there was fear in her eyes. Most people would fear for their safety when confronted with a massive dog the size of Flipper. Not Norah. The fear darkening those enchanting eyes had been directed at his hands as he’d passed Zsa Zsa to her.
    His stomach dipped at the sight. He’d never had a woman fear him or his hands before. He quickly took a step back and grabbed hold of Flipper’s collar. The fear faded, and Norah seemed to take a breath.
    In the distance, a door opened, and more light flooded the yards. A voice called out into the night, “Norah?”
    Norah pulled her gaze away from Ned’s hands and the distant memories. She glanced over at her mother. “I’ll be right there, Mom.” Zsa Zsa started to squirm in her arms.
    Ned looked over at the woman standing on the back porch of the other house. She was a petite woman wrapped in a cotton bathrobe and slippers.
    â€œWhere’s Zsa Zsa?”
    â€œI’ve got her, Mom.” Norah’s grip tightened on the small squirming dog. “She snuck out of the house when I opened the back door to take out some of the empty boxes.”
    â€œWho’s with you?”
    â€œNed Porter, ma’am. My parents live here, but they are out of town for a couple of days. I just stopped by to check on things.” Ned debated going over to introduce himself properly, but somehow, he didn’t think Norah’s mom would appreciate a guest while she was in her pajamas.
    â€œIs everything all right?”
    â€œIt is now,” he said. Ned chuckled at the mess Zsa Zsa was making of Norah’s light green shirt. A lone mulch chip clung to the enticing swell of Norah’s breast. Lucky, lucky mulch chip.
    â€œMr. Porter had to drag your dog out from underneath his mother’s prize rosebush.” Norah plucked another piece of mulch off the dog and brushed aside the piece that was clinging to her chest.
    He glanced at Norah and whispered, “Mr. Porter’s my father. I’m Ned.”
    â€œShe wasn’t any trouble, was she?” Norah’s mom sounded anxious.
    â€œNo problem at all, ma’am.” Ned reached over and plucked another piece of mulch off the dog. He chuckled when Zsa Zsa tried to nip him.
    Norah tapped the dog on its pint-sized nose. “Behave or I’ll take you down to the docks.” Norah’s generous mouth turned up into a breathtaking smile. “Thank you for rescuing my mother’s dog, Ned.”
    â€œAny time.” He loved her smile, but he couldn’t fail to notice she avoided looking at his hands. For some reason, he didn’t want this strange and magical creature to leave. “Do you need any help unpacking boxes or moving furniture?” He couldn’t picture either woman pushing around a sofa or hauling mattresses up the stairs. Didn’t they have anyone to help them move in? No husbands? No family? No boyfriends?
    â€œThanks for the offer, but we are just about