That only wound Turbo up more, until he issued mixed howls and croaks, each time propelling his big front paws off the floor but unable to get his heavy back end to coordinate.
Speaking over the hideous noise, Hunter said, “I don’t think she’s a threat, but how about I let you decide on your own?” Of course, Turbo didn’t understand any of that. All the dog knew was that someone was out there. He knew, just as he seemed to know when fox were near the chickens. Hunter had never quite figured out if Turbo had superior hearing or if his sense of smell was just that good. Maybe a combo of both.
“C’mon.” Turning toward the door got Turbo’s attention real quick. No longer making a ruckus, he scrabbled along and shot out the second Hunter opened it.
And there she was on the dirt road that connected the properties, near where it turned into the long drive to his four-bay garage. She stood poised as if alert to danger, but she wasn’t close enough for him to read her expression. He sensed her confusion as Turbo gracelessly lumbered toward her, pausing every so often for his weird rendition of a howl, accompanied by the front-legged hop, then taking off again, his ears flowing back and his heavy butt wiggling.
When Jodi started forward, he figured she was smiling. It was there in her long, easy stride and her now-relaxed shoulders.
Before Turbo reached her, she knelt down and held out a hand.
Yeah, figured the dog would win her over. To entice her closer, Hunter sat on the bottom step of his deck and called out, “Hey, neighbor.”
Ignoring him, Jodi lavished all her attention on Turbo, who promptly sprawled out in the grass. No animal could sprawl quite like Turbo. He was nine years old now and his furry skin spread around him like a blanket.
Didn’t bother Jodi. She actually sat cross-legged in the prickly grass to pet more of him.
Well, damn. Guess he’d have to leave the deck after all.
He shouldn’t.
He should call his dog and go back inside. Leave her sitting in the grass. Ignore her like she ignored him...
Of course, he didn’t. He wasn’t sure he could.
Annoyed with himself, Hunter strolled out to them. “Turbo will stay right there as long as you’re petting him.”
“Turbo,” she repeated with a quirky little smile. “You have a great sense of humor.”
Not really. Not for a long time had he indulged humor. Eighteen months... Hunter stared down at her, or more precisely, at the top of her head where her ponytail listed to the side. He noticed her ears weren’t pierced. No rings on her fingers. Short nails. Loose-fitting clothes.
Decent running shoes, though, so at least she’d changed out of the lace-up boots. His attention continued traveling over her...and his eyes narrowed. “You’re carrying a gun?”
Surprise brought her hazel gaze up to clash with his. With the setting sun reflected in her eyes, they looked like polished topaz.
She kept silent. Provoked, he said, “Guess I wasn’t supposed to notice? If that’s the case, you shouldn’t attach a flashlight and keys to the wrap holster. It’s a dead giveaway. No one straps on a holster just for a flashlight.” Did she think him unaware? Okay, sure, the average person might not have realized—but he wasn’t the average person. He often saw everything in a single glance. It was a trait he’d always had, one he’d underutilized during his time as a park ranger, when that keen perception had led him straight to... No. He brutally slammed the door on that memory.
With Jodi, he saw other things he’d rather not notice. Like how smooth her open thighs looked in her current cross-legged position. How her shoulders and neck tensed just enough to convey awareness. How she breathed just a little deeper.
Her gaze sharpened until she almost looked accusing.
He wasn’t the one packing, so she had no reason for giving him the stink eye. “I hope you aren’t planning to rob me.” Nothing. “Or shoot me?”
Still no reaction.
So. Damn. Cocky. Her stubborn hush was starting to grate. “Yes? No?” His gaze moved over her face. “Still deciding?”
She gave a small shrug.
“FYI, I’m not armed, but that doesn’t mean I’m helpless.” Ruthless instincts were another of his natural attributes.
The corner of her mouth lifted...and she gave him a slow perusal head to toes and back again.
Screw it. “Fine. Silence it is. C’mon, Turbo.” He patted his thigh, but other than opening one eye, Turbo didn’t budge, the traitor. And why would he? Jodi continued to gently rub his floppy ears. “Let’s let our neighbor get on her way.”
After dramatically sighing, Jodi pointed out, “You sneered that.” With one last pat to Turbo’s rump, she gracefully rose to her feet and glanced at his house. “You took me by surprise, that’s all.”
By noticing her gun? “Was I supposed to be obtuse?”
“Most people are. I should have remembered that you’re different.”
Like she was different? He didn’t like that comparison at all.
“So, yeah, I carry.” She tucked a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. “I’m not familiar with the area, you know? I should have taken my run in the other direction—”
“Away from me?”
“—but I’d rather try that in the morning, when the sun isn’t hugging the mountain.” Shading her eyes with a hand, she frowned at the sky. “What time does it get dark out here, anyway?”
Avoiding his gaze? Interesting, especially with the way she’d used her stare to intimidate Worth earlier. Hunter crossed his arms. “You’ve got time yet. The sun hides, and it gets shadowy, but it’s not actually dark until nine or so.”
“What time is it?”
After giving her a long look, he said, “Dinnertime. Have you eaten?”
Something akin to consternation showed on her face before she masked it. “I’ll eat later.”
“Got the kitchen all stocked today, did you?”
For two seconds, her thoughts seemed to visibly scramble, and then, with a laugh, she shook her head. “Honestly? I’d forgotten all about food, so no, nothing in the kitchen.” She gave another look at the sky. “Thanks for the reminder, though. I’ll grab some stuff tomorrow.”
And with that, she started to turn away.
CHAPTER TWO
JODI MANAGED TWO casual steps before Hunter asked, “You’re serious?”
Right. Normal people didn’t forget that they had to eat. She couldn’t count herself completely normal yet, but she was making headway.