On Her Father's Grave (Rogue River #1)(31)

He gave a half smile and looked into her eyes. “I had a talk with a very wise lady not long ago, and I said exactly what you’re saying now. But do you know what she pointed out to me?”

Stevie could only shake her head.

“She showed me that I was looking at relationships all wrong. Do you know what type of person doesn’t act on their desires because they’re afraid of what might happen if they’ll fail? A very lonely person.”

Stevie blinked, memories of their kiss sweeping through her. Zane wanted to be with her?

“And I believe we’re the type of people who can handle working together even if things don’t work out,” he continued. “I’m not vindictive, and I suspect you’re not either.”

“But you’re my boss,” she repeated.

“And that means you still have to go help Mrs. Simmons. I don’t play favorites. I assign calls as they come. So no special treatment for you.”

“I’m not unpacked yet,” she blurted.

His eyes crinkled. “Do you need help?”

“Lord, yes,” she said, thinking of her stacks of boxes. And her single hand.

“Do you want my help?” he clarified.

She studied the man in front of her and remembered how her mother had said her father had thought of him like a son. Her father had had a good eye for character. She could almost feel her dad gently pushing her in the back, urging her to accept what Zane was offering.

“I’d appreciate your help, Zane,” she said softly. “I think if we take things slowly, it’ll eventually get done.” She held his gorgeous blue gaze, watching to see if he got her meaning. She couldn’t make any promises at the moment, but she planned to enjoy every step of the journey to find out.

His grin flashed across his face. “Perfect. Slow and steady wins the race.”

“I’m a bit competitive,” she warned him. “The curse of a big family.”

“In that case, I’ll race you.”

He swiftly leaned over and gave her a lingering kiss.

Welcome home.