Quinn’s voice came from behind him; apparently he’d come over to see what was up with the dog. Thankfully, for Adam, Amanda had remained where she was.

“He’s...” He couldn’t think of a word.

“Yes, he is,” Hayley said. “Amazing, isn’t it?”

“Does he always have this effect on people?”

“Unless you’re one of the bad guys,” Quinn said. “Then you’d likely have lost that hand by now.”

“And in case you’re wondering,” Hayley added, “he’s an excellent judge of character.”

“Among other things,” Quinn said, with a glance at his wife that had so much love—and heat—in it that it made Adam lower his gaze.

The dog got to his feet again, gave Quinn the same swift lick of greeting he had Hayley, and then trotted off toward Amanda. Adam couldn’t resist watching. The dog sat at her feet much as he had before but, apparently familiar with him, Amanda didn’t hesitate to bend and stroke his head. He leaned into her in the same way he had Adam, and he could see by her expression it was having the same calming effect.

But then the dog did something odd. He stood, turned, sat again, this time with his back to Amanda, and stared at Quinn and Hayley. Then he came back to Adam, sat in the same way and did the same stare.

“Well, well,” Quinn said with interest.

“Indeed,” said Hayley, with a glance from him to Amanda and back again.

Adam had no idea what all that was about. He glanced at Amanda, and she seemed just as puzzled.

“So tell me,” Hayley said, “before her father’s death, how did you and Amanda get along?”

Adam blinked. What on earth had made her ask that? He wished she hadn’t. Because it brought back all those memories. Of the first day he’d met his partner’s daughter, who had not at all been the girl he’d sort of expected but a lovely young woman. The kind who would have turned his head anywhere. But then he’d always had a weak spot for redheads, and her long, silky fall of hair had that burnished autumn-leaves color that always caught his eye.

And when she had smiled at him up from under thick, gold-tipped lashes, her eyes that vivid, heart-stopping green, he’d thought, for a moment, there might be something...

But now all he knew for sure was that she hated him.

And she had every right.

Chapter 3

Amanda still couldn’t believe he was here.