He held up his hands. “He’s practically my boss, so that call is between the two of you,” he laughed. “Can I pick her up?” Amanda asked just as the small dog hopped up, resting its front paws on Amanda’s thighs. It stretched out its little body and let out the most adorable yawn while looking right up at her.

“Well, I think you have to,” Sam said, a smile in his voice. “Here.” He slid on his cowboy hat, then took Amanda’s bags from her and just as quickly she reached down and scooped the adorable mutt up into the cradle of her arms. The pup immediately started licking the side of her hand.

“Oh my God. You are so cute,” she cooed. She glanced back up at Sam. “Actually, you can leave. I have what I need.”

“You tell Miss Leona Lovell where her favorite dog is in the morning.”

“Okay. Yeah, no.”

“Come on. I’ll show you to your room.”

Amanda thanked Tanner, then followed Sam through the lobby.

“How was the drive?” Sam asked, glancing over his shoulder as they made their way to her room. Amanda had to swallow again. For some dumb reason she really hadn’t wanted to see him again, but now that he was here and she wasn’t running down the street crying, she was reminded all over again how much she was drawn to him. It helped that she already knew how warm his touch could be, how good of a kisser he was.

“Uh, the drive was fine. There was some traffic getting out of LA, but once I hit the 60 it was pretty smooth sailing.”

“Nice.” Another knee-melting smile over his shoulder. Finally they arrived at her room and Amanda shifted little Poppy in her arms and used the keycard to open the door. The suite was huge. Way too big for one person. She looked at the large sitting area and the cute desk in the corner. There were double barn doors at the far end of the space, opening to the bedroom where she could see the foot of a massive four-poster bed.

“This is bigger than my place,” Amanda said. She set Poppy on the floor, then went toward the bathroom, and sure enough there was a copper-wrapped clawfoot tub big enough for her to do laps in.

“We don’t get many cancellations, but lucky for you,” Sam said as she stepped back into the sitting room. He set down her bag on the armchair by the TV, then took off his cowboy hat again. She stopped herself from smiling, thinking about who had raised this boy right.

“Well, you should be all set here. Tanner’s on until five a.m., if you need anything. Enjoy that bed.”

“Actually thought I would take a bath and then pass out, but I’m wide awake.”