“Not a damn thing in this whole county is within five minutes of this house,” Sam laughed. “I said you guys didn’t have to wait.”

“Some of us have manners. Nice to see you again, Amanda,” Jesse said as he turned around. He had a tub of cheeseballs in his hand.

She smiled back at him even though his expression was blank and impossible to read. That he’d remembered her after their nearly nonexistent interaction the week before shocked her a bit. “Likewise. Thanks for having me in your home.”

“Of course. Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’m fine. Thank you though.”

“She likes you.” He nodded toward her side. Amanda looked down and realized she’d been absently stroking the soft head of the black Lab that had parked itself by her socked feet.

“Feeling’s mutual,” she replied with a shrug.

“You’re a dog person?”

“An animal person.”

“You’ll have to go by the stables tomorrow then. Meet Sam’s horse,” Jesse suggested.

“I’d be happy to take you,” Sam said. And something warm bloomed in Amanda’s chest. This was not the plan. She was supposed to be asleep in a king-size ranch bed. Tomorrow she was supposed to take full advantage of a free trip to the spa, but all she wanted was to spend time with Sam and his horse. And the dogs too.

“I need to use the restroom. Don’t start without me,” Jesse said as he set the cheeseballs down on the counter.

“Bitch, you had like thirty minutes,” Corie said. Amanda managed to hold in her laughter. Lilah covered hers with a pathetic cough.

“Corie, you’re free to go back to your house. In Sacramento,” Jesse said.

“Just hurry up. It’s already late as hell and this is the best one,” Corie replied.

“Yeah, yeah. Amanda, please make yourself at home.”

“Thank you. I will.”

“Come on.” Sam nodded across the room and guided her over to the couch with a hand on the small of her back. The dogs followed, gathering at her feet again as soon as she and Sam were comfortable on the couch next to Lilah. Vega made herself comfortable on the love seat next to Corie and then Amanda saw it, what Sam was talking about with their obvious relationship. Corie sat back and pulled Vega’s legs across her lap. Amanda quickly shut down all thoughts of her proximity to Sam. How she’d put to bed any chance of simple, casual, familiar touches developing between them.