For one, he hadn’t thought through how to introduce her. Friend? Old acquaintance? Girl in trouble? His only thought had been that he didn’t want her to leave his side until they had both come up with a plan.

She arched a brow. “You’re going to say we’re dating, aren’t you?”

“What? No. I hadn’t—”

“Because you’re not going to tell them why I’m here or that you’re helping me.” She crossed her arms and gave him a practiced evil eye.

“Do you use that look on your students?”

“They’re in college. It doesn’t work on them.”

“And you think it’s going to work on me?”

“Well, is it?”

He rubbed his temple. “I’m thinking. Um . . . no.” The surprise in her eyes made him chuckle.

“I invited you along, so sure, it’s a date. But not because you’re giving me the evil eye.” Maybe because deep down he wanted it to be a date, though he hadn’t admitted that to himself, so he for sure wasn’t going to admit that to her.

Not yet. Maybe never.

He rang the doorbell again. Knocked with the knocker.

Amusement danced in her hazel eyes. Gold flecks seemed to ignite in her irises. Oh yeah. He liked this woman. And Terra and Erin were going to see right through him whether he tried to hide it or not, so yeah, it was a date.

The door swung open, and Terra’s smile grew wide. “You know you can just walk in, right?”

She thrust out her hand to Mackenzie. “I’m Terra Connors.”

“Soon-to-be Terra Tanner.” Alex gestured to the beautiful woman next to him. “And this is Mackenzie Hanson.”

Terra extended her hand and Mackenzie shook it.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Terra said. “I was sorry to hear about your brother’s death.”

Letting her hand drop, Mackenzie glanced at Alex quickly, then back to Terra. “Thank you. It was quite a shock.”

Much of her nervousness had disappeared. She was able to put on a good show, or Terra was great at making people feel comfortable. He hadn’t decided which.

“Well, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m glad Alex brought you.” Terra turned and they followed her through the long hallway to the kitchen and then out the doors to the backyard where a fire blazed in a pit and, not far from that, a grill smoked. The aroma of sizzling elk burgers and barbecue chicken made his mouth water and stomach rumble.

Terra introduced Mackenzie to her grandfather, Robert Van Dine, her brother, Owen, then Erin. Mackenzie also greeted Jack and Nathan, whom she’d already met.