Search and Seduce

“Blindfolded, huh?”

Amy looked up from her computer screen and spotted Eloise, one shoulder leaning against the doorway, her arms crossed in front of her chest. A box of doughnut holes dangled from her fingers.

“I’m not the one who had sex in the Tall Pines Tavern parking lot with my hands tied behind my back,” she said, eyeing the box. When was the last time she’d eaten?

Her cousin’s face fell, but only for a second. Then she stepped into the kitchen and set the box on the counter. Lowering down to the dogs’ level, she greeted Jango and Rosie. “Why don’t I take care of the dogs today?”

Amy closed her laptop and pushed back from the table. “You don’t have to do that.”

“If Mark sent that last night, his shift has probably already started.”

“Someone was eavesdropping for a long time.”

“That will teach you to read naughty emails out loud to your dogs,” Eloise said with a smile. “Now sit down and send him a message so he knows you’re ready whenever he is.”

“If you insist.”

“I do.” Eloise pointed to the doughnuts. “And eat. You’re too skinny again.”

“Okay.” Amy grabbed the box and sat, opening the computer screen. “But leave Rosie. Mark will want to see her.”

Eloise shook her head and opened the door, releasing the dogs into the yard. “Next time. She’s young. And if number four involved a blindfold, I don’t think she should hear number five.”

“Eloise,” she protested. “Mark should see his dog.”

Her cousin laughed. “I knew you were saving Rosie for him. Tell him I’m holding her ransom until he agrees to love and worship you forever.”

The door closed behind her cousin, leaving Amy alone in the kitchen with her laptop. She quickly sent a one-sentence message to Mark letting him know she was at her computer. Glancing at the coffeepot, she debated another cup. But she was already so nervous.

She’d opened her heart to him in her email. Yet, in his response, he hadn’t mentioned love. What if she’d pushed too far, too fast?

Her fingers drummed against the desk. When she’d sat down at her computer this morning, she had expected to find her inbox filled with garbage, not a list from Mark. But now, after two weeks, she was finally going to see his face again. Talk to him. If she’d known, she probably would have taken a shower.

Eyes wide, she jumped up, taking the laptop with her as she headed for the stairs. She needed to wash her face, brush her hair and change into clean clothes. Setting the computer on the bed, she scrambled to the attached bath, quickly splashing water on her face. Stripping out of her clothes as she returned to the room, she opened her drawers and paused.

Feeling Lucky. The red words stared up at her from the top of her underwear pile.

Amy laughed. Yes. Today, she felt lucky and hopeful. Maybe they could make this work. Maybe he loved her back.

She stripped off the boring clothes she’d pulled on this morning when the dogs first woke her and pulled on her lucky underwear. Reaching for her jeans, she heard the ding signaling a new message.

Amy dropped the pants and ran to her computer. It wasn’t an email. He’d sent a request to video chat. She clicked the accept button, kneeling down on the floor so that her face was within the camera’s scope.

Mark appeared on her screen. He was sitting in what looked like his bedroom, if one could call a bed surrounded by a curtain a room. His uniform shirt stretched tight across his chest. She knew if the call came, he’d strap a vest over it.

“Hi,” she said. “Thank you for responding. I was starting to worry about you. Rosie was, too.”

He smiled. “How is she? Rosie?”

“Great. She’s living in the house now with Jango. Waiting for you.”

“Sounds like I have a dog. Guess that means I’ll have to come back.”

She nodded. “And me. You have me.”

“What made you change your mind?” he asked so softly she barely heard the words.

“Elizabeth Benton.” Mark’s eyes widened, but she kept going, needing him to hear this and worried they’d run out of time. He could be called away at any moment. “She made me realize that I was hiding behind fear. I don’t want to be left behind, grieving for another man, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’ve fallen in love with you. And, Mark, you’re worth risking my heart. I’m sorry I was too blind to see it before you left. I should never have pushed you away.”