Page 27 of One Kind Hand

“Nothing to tell. Yet.” He shrugged though his sister couldn’t see him. “You’ll be the first to know if anything develops.”

“I’d better be. No secrets.”

That was the one rule the Rayhill siblings lived by. They were transparent about everything with each other. It was what had kept them going after their parents had passed and it was the best way Austin knew to truly take care of his sisters. Summer had kept secrets this past year and she’d ended up dead because of it. He wouldn’t let his remaining sisters suffer the same fate.

Even if he had one big secret he’d never share with them.

Berto jumped off the couch and scrambled to the suite door, yapping and bouncing on his tiny paws. A knock sounded and Austin eyed the Chihuahua. How the hell had he known someone was out there before that someone had knocked?

“Gotta go, Morgan. Tell Claire and Brooke I’ll check in with them later.”

“Okay. Good luck with filming today. Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

He tossed his phone on the kitchen island and jogged to the door, skidding to a stop in front of it and reminding himself to be cool. He picked up Berto, the dog’s small body positively shaking with excitement in his hold.

“Whoa. Chill out, man, or your ticker will bust.” Was he talking to Berto or himself?

Austin opened the door and every part of him heated when he got an eyeful of Charlie. Her lower half was encased in denim and while he’d loved the cargo pants look of yesterday, these jeans highlighted her long, toned legs. The dark gray jacket she had on over a black sweater fell to mid-thigh and tapered in at her slim waist. Her short black hair wasn’t straight today. Instead it had soft waves that curled about her face and looked so damn touchable Austin almost reached out. Black ankle boots showed that despite the chunky combat boots she’d sported yesterday, she in fact had rather small feet. She’d traded the silver compass necklace for a longer piece. The pendant was a silver skull with blue eyes that appeared to be made of lapis lazuli.

She. Was. Breathtaking. Which explained why he couldn’t form any words. Even Berto had gone still in his arms.

“Am I early?” Her voice snapped him out of his trance and Berto let out a whine.

Probably because Austin had squeezed the dog into his chest too hard. He loosened his grip on the poor pooch and stepped aside to let Charlie in. “No. Not at all. Come in.”

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer. Was she appreciating his own jeans-and-black-shirt combo?

She held her hands out and wiggled her fingers at Berto. “Gimme.”

Oh, he wanted that demand to mean more than merely passing her his dog.

He stepped closer, getting a whiff of something minty and fresh. Berto nearly jumped into Charlie’s arms, his nose immediately burrowing into her hair, making her laugh.

“Well, good morning to you too, Berto.” She flipped him to his back, cradling him like a baby, and rubbed his belly. The dog’s twiggy legs flailed as he wiggled in sheer delight.

“He’s going to expect that type of greeting from you all the time now.”

“That’s fine. Being in the presence of all this happy energy is good for me too.” Her face looked a little sad and Austin instantly wanted to punch anyone who could have put that expression there.

“In need of extra happy energy?”

“Aren’t we all?”

“Point taken.” He motioned to her. “Can I take your coat?” And your sweater. And your jeans. And your . . . He gave a quick shake of his head. He had to get his mind off that track.

“Sure.” She slid her arm from the right sleeve, transferred Berto to that side, and Austin eased her coat from her. Her left arm got a little snagged and she let out a hiss when Austin jostled a bit to free her.

“Are you hurt?” He draped her coat over the arm of the couch then stood in front of her, taking Berto back.

She waved her right hand at her left arm. “It’s nothing. Banged it up a bit on yesterday’s rescue.”

Austin set Berto down. “Let me see.”

“It’s just bruised.” She hooked her hair behind her ear.

“Let me see.”