I’d been serving to my dad in one of our for-fun games when he clutched his chest, falling to his knees on the other side of the net.
The vision flashed across my mind, and I blinked the sudden, stinging sweat out of my eyes. The sun was hot today, that’s all. And I wasn’t about to let some “naturopath” try to pry up more of those memories.
Dad was gone. I missed him like hell. What else was there to know about it?
I readied another serve, tossed the ball in the air just as something caught my eye. Something white and gray and moving through the dense foliage on the other side of the fence that separated the tennis court from the pool and guesthouse.
There’s a fucking wolf in my backyard…
The
ball dropped and hit my shoulder. My practice racket hit the hardtop too, and I headed for the gate that led between the yard and the courts.
Owen called after uncertainly. “So…are we done?”
From the gate, I watched Lana, the housekeeper, lead a young woman around the backyard. The woman dragged a rolling suitcase behind her as they wound around the patterned cement patio that surrounded the pool, past the huge Buddha fountain that poured water from a pitcher into the shallow end. They were headed toward the guesthouse. The wolf was actually a huge Siberian Husky with piercing blue eyes. He trailed behind watchfully, unblinking.
My own eyes watched young woman, and I didn’t want to blink either.
Red hibiscus and lush green plants formed a backdrop behind her as she walked with Lana. The young woman’s hair was a mess of long, ashen blonde curls that fell past her shoulders and framed the most stunning face I’d ever seen. Heart-shaped with large eyes, full lips, and maybe a nose ring—I caught glint of gold as the sunlight fell over her. She was slender; a flowing sundress in brightly colored patterns draped like a waterfall over her tanned skin, down to her sandaled feet. More metal glinted from her toes, multiple silver and gold rings on her fingers, and copper bracelets that jangled on her wrists.
Her hair, her skin, her jewelry…Silver, bronze and gold. Precious metals. She was blinding.
Get a grip, mate.
A low wolf whistle sounded over my shoulder. Owen stood behind me, watching the two women chat in front of a stand of birds of paradise just outside the guesthouse.
“She’s a stunner,” Owen remarked. “Who is she?”
But before I could tell him to mind his own business, the dog—whose ears had perked up at Owen’s whistle—began barking at the two idiots lurking in the greenery. In my hurry to not look like a stalking psycho, I tripped on a wisteria root and stumbled out of hiding.
The dog barked louder, and the beautiful woman put her hand on its head. “Shh, Keanu, it’s okay.” She looked over at me and smiled. “Kai Solomon, I presume?”
I stood up straight and crossed my arms over my chest. “You’re the naturopath Jason hired?”
“That’s me. I’m Daisy. I’d shake your hand but…” She gestured across the pool.
“Is it safe to cross?” I asked. “Your wolf looks pretty pissed.”
She laughed. “It’s safe, I promise. Keanu is just protective. Come and meet him. Let him sniff you out.”
I walked around the pool to her side, trying not to look like the gigantic dog intimidated me.
“I’ve always wanted Keanu to sniff me out,” I said.
Daisy laughed again. She held on to the dog’s collar while he sniffed my hand and then I sank my fingers into the soft fur behind his ears. The Husky whined and sat on my foot, nuzzling.
“See? He’s a big softy if he likes you,” Daisy said. “If he thinks you’re going to hurt me…?” She held up her hands.
I’d never hurt you.
The thought flew in and out of my head like a sparrow.
What the fuck?
I coughed. “Anyway, I’m Kai.”
“Nice to officially meet you,” Daisy said. Up close, she was even more beautiful; I didn’t know which part of her to drink in first.