Ridley stared at him, horrified as possibilities flew through her thoughts. “You think he sees a parallel with Phoenix?”
“I didn’t say that. If anything, he’s drawn to Phoenix because she’s hot and sweet, and she looks at him like she wants to devour him. But knowing Coop, he’s aware of her background and feeling some protectiveness, as well. Hell, I felt that way even before you shared. There’s just something about her.”
That made Ridley scowl. For someone who professed not to be interested, Baxter had already given more meaningful compliments to her sister than he ever had to her. Ridley knew he wanted her, but he sure seemed to like and respect Phoenix more.
And damn it, I will not be jealous of Phoenix. More than anyone else, Ridley knew what an amazing person her sister was. Of course everyone who met her would like her, too.
However, no one could like or respect her more than Ridley did.
“It seems odd,” she grumbled, “that the first woman he gets involved with is someone who has a similar background to his wife. How genuine could that be?”
His widened eyes mocked her. “Are you trying to marry her off?”
“Of course not.”
“Then what’s the problem with two adults having some fun? You didn’t strike me as a prude.”
She made a rude sound. “Far from it.”
“Same here. So let it go.”
She countered that, asking, “Why did you tell me if you didn’t think it was important?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it in a grim line. “Believe me, I wish I hadn’t.”
“But why did you?”
His hand fell away from her back. “You asked about other women. One thing led to another. But I fucking detest gossip so I hope you’ll forget what I said.”
Not likely, she thought. “I won’t repeat it.”
“Thanks.” He looked at the house. “You can trust Coop.That’s the important thing.”
The door opened and Phoenix said to them, “Come on in.”
7
Baxter’s mood lightened and he grinned. “Hey, Phoenix.”
“Baxter.” Her gaze zeroed in on the bag.
“Everything you need.” He held it out to her.
“Thank you.”
“I’m just the mule. Your sister got it all together.”
Phoenix turned to Ridley. “I appreciate it.” She carried it quickly to the kitchen table and emptied the contents, putting out the food and two dishes, then unwrapping the soap.
Baxter saw Ridley staring toward the photo of Coop’s deceased wife. She looked aloof, annoyed and so fucking hot, he hurt.
Phoenix affected him differently, in a nicer, lighter way, so he focused on her. She was more wet than dry, and too much sun left her nose and cheeks pink. Her glasses were a little crooked.
Overall, she looked sweet in a natural, earthy, very approachable way.
Total opposite of Ridley, who was more striking, polished and not all that approachable.
He burned for her.
Getting that thought out of his head, he asked, “Who’s getting the bath, you or the dog?”
Phoenix flashed him a smile. “We were in the creek earlier, but most of this is from the dog.” Heading out of the kitchen, she asked, “Want to meet her?” and gestured for them to follow.
In the laundry room, Coop stood at the tub, picking bugs and burrs off a young beagle and dropping them into a waste can.
Ridley had started forward but at the sight of a tick, she backpedaled and hit the wall.
Coop glanced up. “Thanks for coming by.”
“Ridley wanted to help.” He shifted his gaze to her. “Isn’t that right?”
She carefully leaned forward, looked in the wastebasket at what they’d removed from the dog’s fur and swallowed convulsively. “I don’t like bugs.”
So there was something that could unnerve her? Maybe she wasn’t made of heated steel, after all. He couldn’t resist saying, “Wow, look at that one. It’s huge, and it has all those little legs still wiggling.”
Phoenix swatted at him as she turned to her sister. “Ridley, would you wash and dry the food dishes you picked up? I think she’ll be hungry once her bath is done.”
“Glad to.” Edging out of the laundry room, her gaze averted from the can, she darted out.
Smiling, Baxter watched her go. Even in a rush fleeing already dead bugs, her hips swayed and she kept her head high. The way that woman moved...it was enough to get his pulse tripping again. “I guess I shouldn’t have teased.”
“She’ll get even later,” Phoenix promised. “She always does.”
Intrigued by that notion, Baxter held his hand out to the dog, let it sniff, then lightly touched under her chin. “Either of you want to share what happened?”
Phoenix spoke up, giving him a ridiculously brief rundown of how they’d come to have a dog that mostly centered on Coop as a daring hero.
“He saved the day,” Phoenix claimed. “You should have seen him, he was so impressive.”
Biting back a grin, Baxter said, “Sorry I missed it.”
Coop frowned while keeping his gaze on the dog. He’d lathered her up with the flea soap, something the dog seemed to enjoy as she lifted her nose and half closed her eyes in an expression remarkably like bliss.
“If you saw the three idiot kids, you’d know it wasn’t impressive at all.”
“Three of them,” Phoenix stressed. “And they were men, not boys. Cooper was awesome.”
“However it rolled out,” Baxter said neutrally, “I’m glad you were both there to rescue this poor girl.” He rubbed one knuckle under her throat and her eyes closed the rest of the way.
“She’s cute, isn’t she?” Phoenix crowded in next to him so she, too, could stroke the dog.
That got Coop’s attention. He glanced first at Baxter, then at Phoenix standing so close. “While I finish up here, why don’t you go help your sister?”
She carefully worked loose a mat in the dog’s fur. “I doubt she needs any help washing a food bowl or opening a can.”
His frown darkened. “I could use a cup of coffee, if you don’t mind making it.”
She straightened. “Actually, that sounds good to me, too.”
Coop looked relieved. “Coffee is in the cabinet next to the fridge.”
“Got it.” She bent to the dog again. “Enjoy your bath, sugar.”
Coop waited until she’d gone, then looked up at Baxter. “That’s bullshit about me being a hero.”
Folding his arms, Baxter leaned against a cabinet. “Not from her perspective.” He glanced out the door, but Phoenix was gone. “Ridley told me what happened to her.”
Coop shot him a look. “I don’t think she’ll thank her sister for that. Phoenix is private.”
“Guess Ridley needed to talk, too.” He shrugged. “You know I won’t say anything.”
Gently, Coop rinsed the dog—while telling a very different story about their conflict at the creek.
Baxter had to admit, Coop’s version, complete with rage, sounded more realistic. “Damn. Thank God she wasn’t there alone.”
Though fury burned in his eyes, Coop kept his tone even, calm, when he said, “You have no idea how badly I wanted to take those punks apart.”
“I have a good guess.” Baxter knew he would have felt the same.
“Phoenix is stronger than she realizes, but even when she has good reason for caution, she thinks she’s being weak.” Coop snorted. “Like she would stand a chance against three men.”
“Maybe it’s not that she couldn’t take them on, but that it brought up old memories for her. She probably wants to put that in the past, where it belongs, so when something happens to bring it back—”
“She feels out of control.” Coop paused in thought. “I can understand that.” He rubbed the lather along the dog’s back...and her tail went wild. “Happens to me occasionally, too.”
After a long look, Baxter nodded. “To everyone, I suppose.” That was as close as he’d come to admitting he sometimes still dealt with his own shitty memories. “You think they’ll show up tomorrow?”
“I hope so, but it’s doubtful. For one thing, none of them wanted to take me on.”
“Going up against a guy your size is a little different than kicking around a stray, or scaring a woman.”