Festus, sensing his master’s imminent departure, left Brynne to stand near the back door. He whimpered pitifully.

Eli shook his head, but the love he felt for his dog was touchingly visible in his voice and in his manner.

“Mind if Festus comes along for the ride?” he asked.

Brynne smiled and shook her head. She was already starting to love that dog herself, which was crazy. “Not at all,” she answered.

Eli’s truck was parked in the garage, and he backed it out while Brynne and Festus waited in the yard. The snow came up to the dog’s chest, but it didn’t slow him down; when Eli got out and opened the rear door, Festus bounded over and jumped into the back seat.

The animal’s joy was infectious, and Brynne, full of delight, couldn’t help laughing.

She was about to round the truck and climb in on the front passenger side when Eli came to stand before her. He laid his hands on her shoulders and she tilted her head back to look up at him.

“No matter what else happens, Brynne,” he said, “can we be friends again? Like we were before—well, before?”

She smiled into his eyes. “Yes,” she replied. “We can be friends.” A pause. “I had a wonderful time today, Eli. Thank you.”

He curled his right index finger and used it to lift her chin. “Now that we’re out in the open, where you won’t feel cornered, I think I’d like to kiss you.”

“I think I’d like that, too,” Brynne admitted, her voice very soft.

Eli bent his head then, brushed his cool, firm lips across hers, very lightly.

A charge shot through Brynne, radiating from her middle, filling her, turning her head to mist and at the same time sending roots of fire through the soles of her feet, coursing deep into the good earth.

When Eli kissed her in earnest, she soared.

Her arms wrapped themselves around his neck, and she stood on tiptoe.

Their tongues sparred briefly, and then the kiss ended.

Eli held her at a slight distance, breathing heavily, his head tipped back so he gazed at the blue, blue sky.

Brynne stood dazed, a little alarmed, grateful that Eli’s grip on her shoulders was firm, holding her upright. Her arms remained around his neck.

“Whoa,” he said, after a few tense moments. “That kiss was a little more than friendly.”

Brynne actually laughed, partly with amusement, partly with relief. Nodded.

He turned her around, steered her past the back of the truck and around to the passenger door. He opened it for her, hoisted her inside.

“What on earth—?” she murmured.