For His Eyes Only (34 page)

“
Uh huh,” he grunted and brought the truck to a stop in front of a covered porch.

Jesse was out the truck before his hand touched the keys. The two Aussies smiled and panted at her from the bed as she stared at Cole through the passenger side window. He paused, hand on the key, and raised a brow.

“
If you don’t get your ass out here and show me where my sister is, I’ll ransack the house,” she threatened.

He gave a slow shake of his head as he killed the ignition. “My folks might get the idea you don’t like me.”

Jesse’s stomach did a flip. His parents? She stood motionless as he exited the car, then strode around the hood toward her.

When he neared, she said under her breath, “I’ll get you for this.”

“
I’m sure you will,” he replied, “but, right now, let’s go see your sister.”

Before she could stop Cole, he took her hand. Her mind jumbled. If they walked into the house holding hands, his parents would get the wrong idea. If she jerked her hand away, they would think she was a bitch.

To her surprise, Cole didn’t go up the front stairs, but led her around the side of the house with the two dogs bringing up the rear. They rounded the corner and Jesse halted. Amanda sat on the grass, slowly stroking the belly of a Bassett hound lying beside her, legs straight up, floppy ears spread, eyes closed. A young woman relaxed on a lawn chair a few feet away.

Cole tugged Jesse forward. She walked beside him, feeling like she had stepped into another woman’s shoes. When they reached Amanda, she looked up at Jesse.

Jesse smiled. “Hi, Boozie.”

Amanda’s face lit. She pointed at the dog. “Dog.”

She returned her attention to the dog, closing the door between them, and resumed the same, slow stroke along his belly. Before long, once Jesse’s attention turned elsewhere, Amanda would offer her gesture of unconditional love by approaching her, then allowing Jesse to hug her.

Cole slipped an arm slip around Jesse’s shoulder. “You okay?”

Jesse looked at him. His eyes shone, and she realized the door between
them
lay wide open.

THE END

Thank you for reading
For His Eyes Only
. We hope you enjoyed being a part of Jesse and Cole’s lives. To contact us or learn more about our books please visit our website

T. C. Archer

Evan and Shawn

Sasha’s Calling

Winter in Paradise

The Pickle My Little Friend

COMING SOON

Sin Incarnate

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