The man glanced between Ava and me, then hunched down, stroking Cash.
“Hey, boy. Aren’t you a handsome dog? Yes, you are,” he crooned.
“It’s a girl,” I snarked. “You just insulted her.”
Ava shot me a look. “No, he’s not. That’s Cash.” She pointed at me. “His dog.”
The man stood and crossed over, Cash pressing against his leg. I had to roll my eyes—what a traitor my dog was.
“Ronan Callaghan,” he said, holding out his hand.
Part of me wanted to ignore it, yet I couldn’t. I took his firm grip. “Hunter Owens.”
His eyebrows flew up. “Mr. Owens’s grandson?”
“Yep.”
He glanced between Ava and me. She smiled nervously. “I made friends with Cash last week. He got off his lead again and ended up in my backyard. His, ah, collar was caught on a branch, and I got him free. Yes, that’s what happened. Hunter was just coming to find him. He just got here!” she rambled as she lied.
Badly.
Ronan pursed his lips, looking at the empty can of ginger ale on the coffee table, the book I had clutched in my hand, and Ava’s flushed cheeks.
“Where’s your car?” he asked.
“Um…” She trailed off. “In the garage?” she offered lamely.
“I looked as I went by. It was empty.” He crossed his arms, clearly enjoying himself. “I noticed no lights on last night or any sign of you today.”
“I went to bed early last night, and I slept in.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I meant in the garage in town. I’m going to pick it up soon.”
“What happened?”
“Er…”
I had to step in. She was a horrific liar.
“Flat tire,” I said. “She was just telling me. I offered to drive her into town to say thanks for getting Cash loose and looking after him.”
“Well, that’s neighborly of you.”
I lifted my shoulders, dismissing his words.
“I’ll take you, Ava. I have to head into town anyway,” Ronan offered.
Her eyes widened to the point of hilarity. She glanced between us, unsure what to say.
“Ava is going to point out a few places in town for me, Ronan. I’d appreciate her help.”
A smile tugged his lips. “Okay, then,” he drawled out. “As long as you’re all right, Ava.”
“I’m fine.”
He turned his attention to me. “I hear you’re doing some work on the old place.”
“Yes.”
“I’m around. So are Liam and a few other guys. Happy to lend a hand if needed.”
“He’s looking for an architect,” Ava interjected.
“Oh. Well, happy to help there too.”
“You know someone?”
He smiled, big and wide, and I saw the same mischievous glint in his eyes that Ava had. “I am the architect.”
“Oh. Well, thanks.” I left it at that and didn’t say anything else.
He seemed to clue in because he simply shrugged. “Okay, I’m off.” He turned to Ava. “You coming to brunch tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’ll be there.”
He headed to the door, and I relaxed. We’d fooled him, or he really didn’t care. Either way was okay with me. “Good to meet you, Hunter. Oh, and Ava?”
“Yeah?”
“You might want to cover your neck tomorrow. I doubt Mom and Dad will believe those marks on your throat are from freeing a dog from tree branches or anything.” He winked in my direction. “I’ll be seeing you around, Hunter.”
“I doubt it,” I said dryly.
He shook his head, his amusement evident. “Oh, buddy, you can count on it.”
Then he was gone.
* * *
We were quiet on the walk back. I threw sticks for Cash, who trotted ahead of us, happy and carefree. I wasn’t sure if I should bring up the subject of her brother or not, then decided to let it rest. When we got back to the bluff, I glanced down at Ava. She had been remarkably silent. I wondered if she was regretting agreeing to spend the day with me or if the fact that her brother knew something had happened between us was bothering her. I needed to know.
“Not too late if you want to head off and do your errands,” I offered.
“You want me to go?” she asked. I detected the soft note of hurt in her voice, and I turned, planting my hand on her waist and pulling her close. I brushed my mouth over hers.
“No.”
She rolled up on her toes and kissed me back. “Good.”
“Okay, then.”
She scrunched up her nose. “What are the plans?”
I gazed at her wordlessly, amused when color crept into her cheeks. “Again?” she murmured. “Isn’t he satisfied?”
I smirked. “When it comes to you, apparently not, but we can save that for later.”
She pushed against my chest, and I let her go but not before stealing another kiss from her pretty mouth. I had never particularly enjoyed kissing—it was more a means to an end—but with Ava, I couldn’t seem to stop myself.
I rubbed my chin. “I was going to do some measurements for the extension, but we can do something else. You want to sit in the sun and read or something?”