Loco Read Free

months nursing him back to health and putting the weight back on him while treating him for heartworms too. I adopted him a few months ago. We're still working on his weight issue. He's been nothing but gracious and happy the whole time."
    "You'd never know he had such a rough time by the looks of him now."
    She grinned at her neighbor, rubbing the floppy ears of her pet. "He eats me out of house and home, but he's the best dog."
    Tanner shot her a mischievous grin. "And leaves you very large presents in the yard to clean up?"
    Oakley rolled her eyes. Leave it to him to bring up the least favorite part of dog ownership. "Pooper scooper extraordinaire at your service."
    He chuckled.
    Her breath caught as she watched amusement transform his face. The lines of fatigue still existed, but faded enough to make his appearance much younger. Bright white teeth flashed in the fading late spring sun. Dark eyes sparkled with life. A strong chin gave him an appearance of pending stubbornness or tenacity. Probably both, she decided.
    She handed over the paper, noticing the deep tan on his arms. He worked with those large hands, she could tell that.
    With nothing much left to say, she cleared her throat and turned away from his piercing eyes. "Well, I'd better call it a night."
    He watched her but remained mute.
    "Welcome home… again."
    She turned to go in when his voice stopped her.
    "Why don't you come to my side? I have this delicious pound cake to share."
    Tilting her head, she watched his facial expressions intently, surprised by the offer. "I figured you would be busy unpacking, shopping, and catching up with sleep." She chewed her bottom lip, uncertain about this new offer by a man she had literally known less than an hour.
    "I think I can spare a few minutes for dessert." The low tone teased and caressed, as if he beckoned a shy flower to open before his eyes.
    What would it hurt to eat with him? Dessert one day, sex the next. She didn't want to give him the wrong impression about her, since she had absolutely no intention of getting naked with him and swapping bodily fluids. Steeling herself, Oakley shook her head. "No, thanks. I really have a lot of work to catch up on." With that said, she turned and retreated into the house.

Chapter 3

    Tanner stood and watched her go, more intrigued than ever. He easily read the indecision marked loudly with her changing facial expressions. Yet, in a heartbeat, she shut him down. Her eyes appraised him just as he had with her earlier, and he felt confident she liked what she saw. Must be the timing. That would explain her reaction. She didn't trust him, having just met him, and didn't want to roll the dice. Mentally, he shrugged. She would come around. They always did. Even the shy, naïve ones.
    He glanced down at the scrap paper, pondering his impulsive response when she mentioned the upcoming race and who would benefit from the entry fees. Helping kids get a new pair of shoes that they might not receive otherwise caught his attention. He'd never considered that people raced for reasons other than to win prizes. The idea that some just do it to raise money for charity made him consider the world a marginally better place.
    Heading indoors, he locked up for the evening, purposely leaving the curtains open in case Oakley reappeared. She provided scenery, he would give her that.
    Sitting down at the kitchen table, he pulled the laptop in front of him. Firing it up, he soon located the event's website, entering the 5K with a few quick mouse clicks. The deed felt right, and the run would do him good.
    He stayed in shape out of habit and necessity. Ever since high school sports, he strove to stay in tip-top form. Sure, he might have slowed a hair over the years and suffered a few injuries that would certainly haunt him with arthritis later, but he managed to survive the intense rigors of his job. Much like the Marines, slackers didn't make it in his line of work. Only, with his current status,