Despite her embarrassment, a sense of contentment settled over Alani. Dare and Trace had each found someone very special to them.

Jackson deserved someone special, too. She wanted to be that person.

If her brother and Dare could make it work despite the dangers of their jobs, then surely she could, too.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

VERY ATTUNED to his present mood, Alani continued to watch Jackson. When his expression remained impassive and somehow distant, she gave up. As much as she loved him, she wouldn’t chase after him. But at the first opportunity, she’d demand he explain his bad humor.

After she took a seat—alone—in the remaining chair, Jackson sat at one end of the couch.

If anyone noted the significance of that, they kept it to themselves.

With Molly curled against his chest, Dare said, “Chris can keep the stray with him until after the vet has given him a clean bill of health.”

Both of Dare’s dogs, Sargie and Tai, sat at attention near Jackson’s feet, very alert to a new pet in the house. But Liger, Priss’s enormous cat, who always came with her when she visited, made a beeline for Trace. Though Liger weighed a hefty twenty-three pounds, he made an agile leap up into Trace’s arms.

Trace held the cat on one side and Priss on the other. “Once the vet clears him, we’ll introduce him to the other animals.”

“I hate to leave him.” Jackson scratched under the cat’s chin. “He doesn’t have his front claws, but if he did, they’d be in my hide right now.”

He was so gentle with the cat that Alani wondered how he’d be with a baby. Her heart swelled. Jackson had shied away from talk of family or commitment, but if it turned out she was pregnant, what would he think? How would he feel?

“He’ll adjust fine. My girls won’t hurt him.” As Dare spoke, he stroked his fingertips up and down Molly’s bare arm. “They love everyone and everything.”

“Do you know what you’re going to name him?” Priss asked.

Jackson looked to Alani. “What do you think?”

That he’d include her in the decision while being so contrary only confused her more. “I don’t know.” She studied the cat. Thanks to the placement of fur on his wide face, he wore a perpetual frown. “He’s awfully grim about everything.”

A fleeting smile played over Jackson’s mouth. “And he sort of looks like a gremlin, doesn’t he?” He leaned around to see the cat’s enormous eyes. “Grim for short. I like it. What do you think?”

Everyone admired the name.

While Jackson continued to talk to the cat, Chris carried in a tray of coffee, colas and sandwiches. He set it on the coffee table and dropped down next to Jackson. He scratched the cat’s ear. “Want me to take him while you eat?”

Jackson hesitated—earning more points with Alani’s heart. In such a short time he’d already bonded with the cat and, as appeared to be customary for him, he already felt protective.

More than a little famished, she stood up to get some food, hoping that would prompt Jackson to do the same. He’d been running all day without letting up. “You know Chris is good with animals.”

Molly said, “Chris is good with everything.”

Dare snorted, but he didn’t disagree. He and Chris had been the best of friends forever, and now Chris ran his house for him. He did everything from organizing the landscapers and repairmen, to the grocery shopping and laundry, to computer work and errands. Dare trusted him completely, and luckily, Chris and Molly got along great.

“I suppose.” Reluctantly, Jackson transferred Grim into Chris’s arms. Unconcerned with cat hairs or a possible scratch, Chris drew the cat in close and started stroking him.

Instead of eating, Jackson paced to the patio doors to look out at the lake.

Chris lounged back with Grim and within seconds had him purring loudly. “I already called the vet, by the way. She’ll be here soon to look him over. After a checkup, she can recommend what shots he might need. For tonight, I made him up a bed and litter box in my laundry room. Tomorrow, after I make sure the animals all get along, I can run into town to get a collar and whatever else he needs.”

“You see,” Molly said. “Isn’t he amazing?”

“Yeah.” His back to the room, Jackson said, “I need a Chris.”

Because Chris was g*y, Dare choked and Trace laughed.

Chris, one dark brow lifted, said, “Yeah…not.”

“I didn’t mean for that.” Secure in his masculinity, Jackson didn’t take offense at the ribbing as he turned to survey the room. “I mean now that I have a house, I need someone I can trust to keep it together, too.”

Alani made a point of not looking at him, but her heart thumped and her pulse raced.

She tried to be blasé, but she felt Jackson’s rapt attention on her.

“When I have to be away for a week or more, it’d be nice to know someone was looking after things.”

Was that a hint? A suggestion? Or just an observation based on the way Dare and Trace ran their own households?

“Tough to have plants—or pets—without someone around on a daily basis,” Molly agreed.

“I’m one of a kind,” Chris told them. “They broke the mold after me.”

Dare snorted. “Thank God.”

Trace gave Jackson a telling look. “Priss keeps our place running smooth, and she keeps my life pretty damned organized, too.”