It was strange working in the office by herself. Dylan’s day seemed to go more slowly without all the interruptions and trips down the hallway to any of the three offices.

At one point, she could hear the second hand on the clock across the room clicking. The soft sound almost drove her mad. She tried to focus on her work, but it was boring and she decided to study for her test the following day.

She was thankful that her online classes allowed her to set her own pace. She had already finished three classes and had her last test for her fourth class the following evening.

She hadn’t told any of the McGowan’s that she’d finished some of her classes yet and wondered if they’d be willing to allow her to enroll in more so soon.

She already had four more classes she was interested in. She figured if they wouldn’t help out, she could set some of her paychecks aside and apply for financial aid, now that she had a full-time job.

As she’d figured, Brent complained about the portion of his check that was taken out for rent each month. But, after their second month there, his complaints stopped. She knew how much each of his checks were and wondered how he spent the rest of the money he made each month. But it wasn’t any of her business anymore, so she kept quiet.

She figured part of his silence about the rent money was all the time he was spending with Darla. The woman creeped her out. Every time she ran into her, Darla would have this look in her eyes. She barely wore anything to cover her ample cleavage and most of the time was dressed as if she was still at work at the Wet Spot was just over the line.

Dylan hadn’t been in the strip club yet, but she was sure that the way Darla was dressed was even a little over the top for the establishment. Her brother seemed to enjoy it, however, and was always pointing out how hot the woman was. It always made her cringe.

When the phone rang, she jumped out of her daydream and answered it on the second ring.

“McGowan…” she started, only to be interrupted by Trey.

“Is it five o’clock yet?” he joked.

She glanced up at the clock and sighed. “Nope, only eleven.” She felt her shoulders sink.

“How about lunch then? I’ve put in an order at the Moose. Think you can pick it up and bring it to me? I ordered your favorite as well…” She could tell he was waiting and holding his breath.

“Sounds wonderful,” she said after thinking about getting out of there for an hour. “I’ll lock up and be there in about half an hour.”

“Good, it’s all paid for and under your name. See you soon.”

She hung up, logged out of her computer, and was pulling out her purse when the front door opened.

Seeing Trey’s uncle stroll in and glance around, she would have never imagined he was “terminal” in any way, other than he was an overweight, older man, who had obviously spent too many years drinking and smoking.

“The McGowan’s aren’t in right now. Can I help you?” she asked, setting her purse back down.

She could tell he had already hit the bottle or something else. He was swaying slightly and had a distant look in his eyes.

“No.” He continued to walk around as if he owned the place. “Just looking around.” He turned to her and gave her a smile that made her skin crawl.

“I’m sorry, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. I’m running an errand and need to lock up.” She reached for her purse and turned back towards him.

“Oh, right.” His eyes narrowed and he almost fell over the chair in the waiting area.

He followed her to the door and she nervously locked up, making sure to flip both locks before walking to her car.

“You’re Dylan McCaw, right?” The use of her full name, caused her to stiffen.

“Yes, I’m the office manager.” She nodded.

His smile increased. “Fancy name for a secretary. In my day, we didn’t attach fancy titles to make women feel more important than they were.” The man’s eyes ran up and down her and she shivered visibly.

Without saying another word, she climbed into the car and drove away. When she glanced into the rearview mirror, he was still there, standing on the sidewalk, smiling.

Her hands continue to shake as she pulled into the Dancing Moose. She took a moment in the parked car to get her breath and emotions under control. Remembering that the old man wasn’t long for the world didn’t help any.

By the time she walked into the Moose to get their lunch order, she thought she was back under control. But then she saw Darla standing in the takeout line.

Deciding she could fake being occupied with her phone, she pulled it out and stood in line. Her ruse only worked for about two minutes, when the line moved forward.

Darla turned and chuckled at her. “Well, well, aren’t you a busy one?”

Dylan glanced up and pretended she didn’t know what the woman was talking about. “I’m sorry?”

Darla’s outfit today was a tight black leather skirt, knee-high cream-colored pleather boots, and a grey sweater that showed enough cleavage to make even Dylan feel awkward. It was all covered by a long cream-colored coat that was left open so that her outfit and chest could be admired by all. Dylan had never worn anything close to that skimpy when she’d worked at the bars, let alone out in public.

The woman’s hair was always in the same style, as if she’d just crawled out of someone’s bed. Her makeup was the only thing about the woman that was minimalized when she wasn’t working.

She knew that Darla was running her eyes up and down Dylan, much like she’d scanned her.

“Getting cozy with the McGowan’s.” She made a tsking noise.

“I work for…” She started but stopped when Darla sneered at her.

Darla leaned a little closer, and Dylan almost choked on the heavy scent of her perfume. “We all know there’s more going on between you and the youngest McGowan.” She tilted her head. “I myself never fancied him.” Her smile grew. “Always had my eyes on his big brothers.” Her chin rose slightly. “Maybe I overlooked the best in the batch.”

Dylan’s eyes narrowed as she thought about Trey with Darla. She held in a shiver and almost laughed because she knew Trey wasn’t the kind of guy to fall for… well, what stood in front of her. “I think you should stick to my brother. He’s more your speed.”

Heat flooded Darla’s eyes as they narrowed. Just before she could reply, the line moved forward, and it was Darla’s turn at the counter.

Dylan couldn’t help it, she smiled at Darla’s back, knowing that at least she’d won this little battle.

Once Darla had paid for and picked up her order, she turned around, leaned closer to her, and said quietly, “I’d watch your back if I were you.” She straightened and started walking out.

“I always do,” she called out. Darla didn’t even glance back at her as she walked out.

Fifteen minutes later, she parked behind Trey’s truck and carried the hot food up to the door.

He answered on the second knock. Dopey had been scratching and barking at the door before she’d even knocked.

When Trey opened the door, the black dog jetted between her legs and rushed into the yard.

“He’s been begging me to go out every five minutes.” Trey rolled his eyes.

She took in everything about him. His coloring was better than it had been the day before, and she could tell that he’d gotten a good night’s sleep.

He was wearing an old pair of jeans, a tight fitting black T-shirt, and no shoes or socks, which instantly registered as one of the sexiest things she’d seen in years. Hell, her mouth watered just watching him carry the food to the kitchen table.

“So, I was thinking, instead of ordering takeout, how about I cook for you tonight?” he asked, turning back towards her.

“Huh?” She shook her head clear of the thoughts that had been playing in her mind. Thoughts about peeling off that shirt of his and running her fingers and her mouth all over that sexy body.

“Dinner… tonight… I’ll cook,” he said slowly, smiling at her.

“Oh, sure.” She nodded and moved to shut the door just as Dopey raced in and did a few circles before begging for food from Trey.

“Is there anything in particular you like?” he asked, waiting for her to sit down at the table.

Once again, her mind went directly to sex and she felt her face flush. “No, anything.” She smiled and tried to cover up her embarrassment.

Trey sat across from her, a smile on his lips as he pulled out the food and set everything out.

“So,” he said after the food was set in front of her, “how’s your day going?”

“Boring. It’s so quiet without anyone there.” She opened her container with the large burger in it.

It was strange, all the worry and stress she’d felt earlier in the day disappeared as she talked to Trey. She told him about her run-in with Darla but kept the visit from his uncle to herself. She figured since the man was sick, and Trey had mentioned that they were trying to get along with him, that he didn’t need to know about it. Besides, she was sure she had exaggerated the entire ordeal.

“So, I heard that you’re only one test away from finishing your last class,” he mentioned just as she finished the last of her fries.

Her eyebrows shot up in question. “How did you…”

He smiled. “Addy,” he answered.

She nodded and took a deep breath. Of course, his sister-in-law had been right with her during most of her studies.

“I take my last final tomorrow afternoon.” She pushed the empty container away from her.

“Did you pick out your next classes?” he asked, doing the same with his container.

“I have a few in mind, yes.” She bit her bottom lip.

“Sign up like last time.” He stood up slowly and carried their containers to the trash. “It’s nice setting your own pace.” He turned and leaned against the counter. “You and Addy have that in common.”

She stood and waited, her eyebrows raised slightly.

“For some unknown reason, you like school.” He shivered and laughed. “Not me, I couldn’t wait to graduate.”

“Oh, what were you going to do after school?” She moved closer. “Work for your father?”

He shook his head and she stopped directly in front of him.

“Bartend,” he answered with a grin. “It’s where I met Rainah, my ex. The tattoo artist.”

She nodded, remembering their conversation.

“You bartended?” For some reason, she was having a hard time seeing him stuck behind a sticky counter, popping the tops on beers.

“Sure, I was good at it too.” He reached for her. “Course, I got tired of the crowds and the noise.” He shook his head as he brushed his hand over her hair slowly. “I guess I’ve changed a lot since back then.”

She felt her heart kick in her chest as his eyes moved to her lips.

“I know your lunch break is almost over, but I really want to kiss you right now.”

She melted against his chest, a smile on her lips as she leaned into him.

“What’s stopping you?” she asked under her breath.

She tried to get the kiss out of her mind as she drove back into town, but the feeling of his mouth on hers was seared into her brain.

She parked, pulled out her purse, and walked to the doors. She frowned as they slid open before she’d had a chance to unlock them.

Figuring that either Tyler or Trent had stopped in, she walked in, tossed her purse on her desk, and made her way towards the back offices. Noticing the door to the supply closet was open, she moved towards it. She heard a noise behind her and turned, only to be shoved backwards. Her feet flew out from underneath her. She reached out for something, anything, to catch her fall. Pain exploded at the base of her skull as her head hit the wood shelf in the closet. Blackness overtook her before she even settled on the cold tile floor.

* * *

Trey paced as he held his cell phone close to his ear. “What do you mean she’s not there?” He almost screamed it.

“Easy brother,” Trent replied. “I’m looking around. Her purse is on the desk, but I don’t see her… Hang on…” He heard his brother drop the phone. “Damn it.” The phone fell and went dead.

“Shit, shit, shit.” He punched his brother’s number again.

“Sorry, hey,” Trent answered. “I… I’ve got to take Dylan in to the clinic, she’s bumped her head pretty bad.”

His entire body tensed. “What happened?”

“Jesus.” Trent sighed. “There’s a lot of blood. I’ll call you when I know more.”

“I’ll meet you at the clinic.” He hung up before his brother could argue.

Grabbing his keys, he jumped in the truck and, before starting the engine, took a few deep breaths and assessed his situation. “Damn,” he groaned. There was no way he should be driving. Picking up his phone, he dialed his mother.

Twenty minutes later, he rushed into the clinic, totally overcome with panic. Both of his brothers were in the waiting area.

“She’s okay.” Trent met him. “A few stitches, here.” His brother pointed to the back of his head. “She doesn’t know how long she was unconscious, but Tony’s in with her now, taking her statement.”

“Tony…” Suddenly his worry turned to anger. “Someone attacked her?”

“We don’t know yet. She thinks she slipped. The tile was wet. She hit her head on the bottom shelf in the closet, knocked it clear off the wall.” Trent added, “The shelf, not her head.” He shook his head. “But she mentioned something on the trip here about the door being unlocked and hearing a sound. She doesn’t remember anything else.”

Trey walked towards the receptionist.

“She’s in room five,” Trent called after him.

He swung past the woman behind the desk and made his way down the hallway.

The clinic wasn’t large, but big enough for the town’s basic medical needs. Surgeries and X-rays were in a separate building across the parking lot.

When he got to the door, he could hear Dylan talking to Tony, answering his questions.

“I thought I heard something, but… I’m not sure. It could have been…” She stopped talking when she noticed him in the doorway. “Trey?”

“How are you feeling?” he asked, moving towards her.

“Like I hit my head on a thick wood shelf,” she tried to joke. She was pale and lying on the gurney. Thick sheets covered her, but he could see the dried blood on her clothes.

He moved over and noticed the white bandage on the back of her head. “Heard you got a few stitches?”

“Three.” She nodded, and he could see the pain in her eyes.

“Did they give you something for the pain?” he asked.

“Yes, I took something a few minutes ago.”

“Ms. McCaw, if you think of anything else, give me a call,” Tony broke in.

“Have you checked out the office to see if anything’s out of place?” Trey turned to Tony.

“Dale and Mike are over there now. I hope you feel better.” Tony tipped his hat before walking out, leaving them alone.

When Dylan patted the side of the bed next to her, he sat down, and she took his hands into hers.

“I’m okay.” She met his eyes. “You look scared to death.” She smiled. “It’s a bump on the head.”

“It could have been worse, I should have been there.” His mind had run through a million different scenarios while he waited for his mother and on the trip into town.

“I’m okay,” she repeated. “I didn’t mean to scare everyone.”

He sighed. “What happened?”

He listened to her story of how she arrived back to the office and found the front door open. After that, she didn’t remember everything. She thought she’d heard a noise, but she couldn’t remember if it was from an office or the supply room. She had woken in a pool of blood when she’d heard Trent’s voice.

“It’s my fault, I must have forgotten to lock up. I know I forgot to set the alarm, your uncle… he made me nervous.”

“Carl? He was there?” He asked. Then upon seeing her look, he jumped in. “Hey.” He squeezed her hand. “It’s not your fault. We shouldn’t have to always punch in the alarm code.”

“Are they going to keep me here overnight?” she asked him.

“I don’t think so.” He glanced towards the door, wanting to talk to the doctor himself. “I’ll go check.”

Less than five minutes later, he walked back into her room. “You’re all set to go home. They want someone to keep an eye on you tonight. Addy has agreed to stay with you, if it’s okay with you?”

“Sure.” She sat up, then groaned when she noticed her shirt, which was covered in dried blood.

“I’ll buy you a new one,” he promised, helping her up.

After checking her out of the clinic, he helped her into Addy’s Jeep and climbed into the back seat.

“You’re coming too?” she asked.

“I’m sticking by your side. There is plenty of room at your place. Besides, I promised to cook dinner for you.” He smiled.

“Oh, are you going to make your spaghetti?” Addy asked, sounding excited.

“Third wheel,” he tossed to Addy, who only smiled back at him. “I’ll make the garlic bread.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Of course, I can have Trent pick up a pie or cake on his way over…”

Trey groaned as his date night turned into yet another family dinner.

Dylan glanced back at him with a smile, “We can postpone our dinner until next week, when we’re both feeling better.”

“Promise?” he asked, feeling a little better that she understood. Her smile was her answer.

As far as dinners went, he couldn’t complain much. He realized after sitting down with Trent and Addy that he hadn’t enjoyed time with just the two of them, outside of the presence of the rest of his family, since they’d gotten married.

Seeing the pair together was simply amazing. He’d grown up with Addy in some of his classes. She’d been the silent nerdy type, much like he imagined Dylan had been. The pair of them got along wonderfully. They chatted over the spaghetti dinner about classes, and which ones Dylan was going to take next.

He had to admit, he was feeling a little undereducated after listening to the pair of them talk. Maybe he should take a few classes himself. After all, running his father’s business wasn’t what he’d imagined doing growing up. But with the direction they were taking McGowan Enterprises, it wouldn’t hurt him to sign up for a few online classes.

They sat around the living room and ate chocolate cake with raspberry sorbet, one of his brother’s favorites.

Trent and Addy were snuggled together on the sofa, while Dylan was leaning back in the recliner, close to the fireplace. Trent had brought over Dopey to stay the night, and his own dog, Happy, was curled up to its sibling next to the fire.

“So,” Addy finally said once Trey had cleared all the dessert dishes, “who do you think it was?”

The room was silent.

“It could have been Darla. After all, it’s all around town what you said to her at the Moose,” Trent pointed out.

“She doesn’t have a key to the office. How did she get in?” Addy asked.

“Carl,” Dylan said softly.

“What?” Everyone turned towards her.

Her eyes scanned his. “He stopped by before I locked up for lunch.”

“What did he want?” Trent asked.

Dylan shook her head slightly. “Nothing, he… just made a comment about my job title. I ushered him out, locked up and…”

“You’re sure you locked up?” Trent asked.

“Yes, I locked both locks. I did forget to set the alarm, but I remember locking up.”

“Did you test the door after?” his brother asked.

Dylan frowned. “No, why?”

Trent sighed. “The only thing our dear uncle taught us was how to open a locked door.”

“How?” Dylan frowned.

“You don’t,” Trey answered, his eyes turning to hers. “You waltz in before they lock up, when the door is unlocked, and slide a piece of duct tape over the holes. That way when someone locks it, the bolts won’t engage.”

“It’s an old trick. One I thought our locks were impervious to.” Trent stood up and pulled out his cell phone and stepped into the kitchen.

“I…” She looked at him. “I should have checked.”

He shook his head and moved over to her. “You didn’t know. He showed us a few other tricks—how to break into cars, figure out the code to our father’s safe, those kinds of things.” He sighed. “Great influence,” he added sarcastically.

“Tyler’s heading back down there to check. He was sure he tested the door once he locked up, and he set the alarm, but he’ll look for tape marks on the doorjamb.”

They all sat around in silence until Trent’s phone rang a few minutes later.

“Okay, thanks.” He hung up.

“Well?” Trey asked.

“No sign of tape, but he’s down there putting in a new camera. The front door one didn’t catch anything, there was a gap.”

“Gap?” Trey asked. “What gap? I installed those cameras myself.”

“The wind must have turned it so that it was pointed at the parking lot, instead of the door.”

“Bull…” He glanced towards the ladies. “Sorry,”

“I think I’m going to head up and take a bath.” Dylan rose from the chair.

“Are you feeling okay?” he asked, worried.

“Yes, I think it will help relax me some.” She glanced around. “Thank you, everyone, for everything.”

Trent nodded. “I’d better get going myself. I’ve got an early morning.” He leaned in and kissed Addy. “See you in the morning.”

“Night.” Addy held onto Trent a little. “Call me,” she told him.

“I will.” Trent smiled wickedly at his wife.

“Eww.” He rolled his eyes. “Phone sex hints.”

Addy chuckled. “You’re just jealous.” She pushed him and walked with Trent towards the back door.

He turned to Dylan. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She smiled. “If you’re waiting for me to ask you to come take a bath with me…” She paused and moved closer to him. “You’re out of luck tonight, buddy,” she added as she strolled by him.

“Shot down, he crashes and burns,” Addy joked as she walked back into the room. “You can help me do the dishes.” She turned to him as he watched Dylan disappear up the stairs.

This was not how he’d planned the night ending, but still, he enjoyed his sister-in-law’s company as they cleaned up.

He wasn’t looking forward to sleeping on the sofa, but Addy was taking the guest room. Still, it was a comfort knowing he was there, if she needed him. Plus, he wanted to keep a close eye on her. He was pretty sure someone had moved the front door camera and had attacked her. Which pissed him off.

Thoughts of installing more cameras crossed his mind as he lay there in the dark, listening to Dopey snore at his feet.

He heard a floor board creak and jumped up, only to see Dylan standing at the base of the stairs.

“Sorry, I needed some water to take these.” She held up the bottle of pills she’d gotten from the clinic. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t.” He moved into the kitchen with her, grabbed a glass, and filled it for her. “Feeling any better?”

“Much.” She swallowed the pills. “I’m sorry for scaring everyone.”

“You didn’t.” He nodded out the window towards the garage. “I haven’t seen your brother yet.”

“He… I talked to him earlier. I told him not to worry.”

“Doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have checked in on you.”

He noticed her frown and placed his hands on her shoulders lightly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

She shook her head. “No, you’re right.” She sighed. “Things are… strained between us. They have been since… for a while.” She glanced out the window and he wondered if he could ruin the night any further.