By the next day, Kelsie was determined to take Francesca’s advice and not worry about things. If Masoud was interested, she could date him without worrying about why he was there in town. And if he wasn’t interested…well, she’d be disappointed, but not crushed.

That evening, as she was closing up the clinic, she heard Leila bark a couple of times and knew that Masoud was back. Since Francesca was outside, Kelsie ran upstairs quickly to change out of her scrubs. When a knock sounded on her front door, she knew that Francesca had sent him upstairs.

She opened the door and was surprised to see Masoud standing there, both dogs right behind him, a large paper bag in one hand, giving off a very familiar and absolutely mouthwatering scent.

“Delivery for a Miss Kelsie,” Masoud announced.

Kelsie laughed and leaned against the doorway, arms folded across her chest. She tried to look serious, but she couldn’t stop the smile tugging on her lips. “Riiiight. No place in this town delivers.”

“What about the diner in Silver City?”

Kelsie’s eyebrows shot up. “My favorite restaurant.”

Masoud grinned. “You might have mentioned that on your tour the other day.”

Biting into her lip in pleasure, Kelsie stepped back so Masoud could enter. The dogs were already pushing past him, headed straight to the water bowls in the kitchen.

“How was your trip?” Kelsie asked, taking the bag from Masoud and setting it on the table. She wanted to embrace him, to wrap her arms around his chest and inhale long and deep, but she wasn’t sure where things stood with them.

“More traveling than anything else, but it was good. It was nice to see my mother.”

Kelsie was turned away from him, and his voice had come so close to her that goosebumps rose on her neck. Turning slowly around, she saw him standing only a couple steps away.

Immediately, Kelsie’s heart started hammering away. Had Masoud spent his trip away thinking about her as much as she’d been thinking about him? Or was that just wishful thinking on her part? He had, after all, pulled back before they’d gotten a chance to share their first kiss.

“Thank you for watching my girl,” Masoud continued, his voice silky.

Kelsie smiled at the sweet pet name for Leila. “It was really no trouble at all. Your girl has amazing manners.”

Masoud grinned. “You don’t say?”

“Oh, yeah. She seems to know Cowboy is in charge around here. Everywhere he went, she stayed right by his side. When anything was out of place, she looked to Cowboy to see what she could do. You’ve got yourself a great herd dog in the making.”

Kelsie began unpacking the food as she talked, eager to keep her hands busy. Seeing Masoud after a short respite had done nothing to dampen her attraction to him. In fact, it seemed to have only made it grow.

Pulling two plates from the cupboard, she remembered what Francesca had said about having fun with Masoud. She supposed she could do that, whether Masoud was interested in pure friendship or something more romantic.

But did she want that?

Kelsie was thirty-three years old. She’d never put a clock on her life, always thinking that she’d meet the right man someday and they’d get married and maybe have kids. Until then, she was right where she needed to be, focusing on what was important: her practice.

But Masoud made her think about that imagined future. And darn it if he didn’t make her want it.

As much as she wanted to come right out and ask him if he was into her, she held back. The two of them had only recently met. She had no business trying to pull answers out of him.

“Did I miss anything exciting while I was gone?” he asked.

“Only if you call old Mrs. McGreggor leaving her glasses at home and plowing down Aidie Johnson’s front fence exciting.”

Masoud laughed at that, and Kelsie turned from the cupboard to find him politely standing next to the table. Always the gentleman, he was likely waiting to be invited to sit down.

“Make yourself at home,” Kelsie told him. “Please.”

He nodded, but instead of pulling his own chair out, came around the table and pulled one out for her. Again, the close proximity made her temperature climb.

“Thank you,” she told him, looking away so he wouldn’t see her blush.

Masoud took his chair across from her. Both dogs had settled on the cool tile under the table and were intermittently sighing in exhaustion.

“Happy dogs,” Masoud commented.

Kelsie nodded, spooning mac and cheese and green beans onto her plate. “I told you. Farm dog in the making.”

“It will be hard...” Masoud hesitated and lowered his face so Kelsie couldn’t see his eyes.

Kelsie’s breathing froze. What had he been about to say? Clearly, whatever it was on his mind, it caused him pain.

“What will be hard?” she asked.

“To leave her the next time I go on a trip,” Masoud answered, looking back up. “That is, if you’re willing to watch her again.”

“It would be my pleasure.” Kelsie had to force herself to smile. As much as she liked having Masoud back, something still didn’t feel right.

“Thank you,” he said. “If there’s any way I can repay you, let me know.”

Kelsie waved her hand, dismissing the offer. “Hey. What are neighbors for?”

He cocked his head. “What are neighbors for?”

For a second, she felt confused, and then she began laughing. “You don’t have that expression where you’re from?”

“We have what I think is a similar one,” Masoud said. “‘A man is only as strong as those around him.’”

“I think that’s close.” Kelsie took a bite of the sliced turkey and closed her eyes in bliss. “Mmm. Yum.”

“The waitress there said this was your favorite.”

“Carla?”

Masoud’s gaze drifted thoughtfully to the ceiling as he cut his food. “Perhaps? I didn’t catch her name. I must say, you seem to be very popular in this entire county.”

“It’s because I’m the only vet.”

Mason’s firm gaze sent a tingle up Kelsie’s back. “I am sure you are an amazing vet, Kelsie, but it is more than that.”

Kelsie took a hurried sip of water in order to hide her smile. “Like what?” she prompted.

“It’s your heart. The way you address people. I saw it when you were introducing me to everyone in Rancho Cordero. You talk to everyone like they’re important.”

Kelsie laughed. “They are.”

“But not everyone thinks that way,” Masoud said, his face remaining serious.

“And what about you? What do you think? Is everyone of equal worth?”

Kelsie held her breath, knowing Masoud’s answer would make or break whatever kind of relationship was growing between them. How did someone of royal blood, someone who had been catered to his whole life, see all the “commoners”?

And, if he thought them lesser, could Kelsie really blame him for that? Masoud had grown up in a completely different way than she had. Surely, a lot of their beliefs differed.

“Everyone is equal,” Masoud answered. “We all come into the world in the same way, and we all leave it in much the same manner. Birth. Death. Joy. Pain. No one is immune to the human condition. It is important to honor others with this in mind.” He shrugged like it was a no-brainer.

Kelsie grinned. “That’s what I hoped you would say.”

Masoud arched an eyebrow—a move that was incredibly sexy. “You thought, perhaps, that I would say otherwise?”

Kelsie gave her answer some thought. “Not everyone sees others as their equals.”

Masoud nodded. “Trust me, I know.”

Kelsie sat up straighter and lightly slapped her hand on the table. “Wow, where are my manners? I didn’t even ask about your mother’s birthday.”

“You asked how my trip was.”

“Yeah, but I don’t think I asked how she specifically is. Was she happy to see you?”

“Very,” Masoud said, and Kelsie could tell by the look in his eyes that he had been happy to see his mother as well.

“What does she think of you coming to live all the way out here?”

Masoud tilted his head. “She worries about me. She wants to make sure I am happy.”

“She sounds like a good mom.”

“The best.”

Kelsie swallowed and looked down. She didn’t want to think about her own mother, with whom she hadn’t spoken since that last email.

If I am ever a mother, Kelsie promised herself, I’m going to give my kids everything they need. I’ll make it my job to ensure they’re loved and supported.

“Kelsie...”

There he went again, noting her change in mood immediately. How was he so perceptive?

“It’s fine,” she said. “My mom and I aren’t the closest, but you know what? Her absence did give me something. It taught me how to be independent. How to care for myself.”

“Even with your dad around?”

“Especially with him around. I loved him so much, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t a burden to him.”

Masoud looked sad, and, before she knew she was doing it, Kelsie reached across the table and set her hand on his wrist.

“My life’s journey has made me who I am,” she said. “It would be silly to regret any of it.”

“You’re a strong woman, Kelsie.”

She grinned. “Out here, you have to be. You can’t be fighting off wolves and coyotes with no backbone.”

On the kitchen counter, her phone buzzed.

“Do you need to get that?” Masoud asked.

“It’s fine. I’m sure it’s not important.”

“I know this is not the perfect segue from talking about something so serious as strength and resiliency,” Masoud began, “but this macaroni and cheese is extraordinary.”

Kelsie laughed. “I know. I have to stop myself from going and picking it up like, four days a week.”

Her phone started buzzing again, and Kelsie frowned. “Maybe I should check it. It could be Francesca.”

Instead of it being the person she most expected to hear from, it ended up being the person she least needed to.

Where are you? Spencer’s text said. Let’s relive the good days and take a six-pack up the water tower.

Disgust filled Kelsie. Had Spencer fallen down and hit his head? He didn’t seem to remember the exchange at her front door at all.

Instead of texting back, telling him to leave her alone, Kelsie put the phone on silent and set it back on the counter. Telling Spencer to buzz off likely wouldn’t do any good. He would only try to draw her into more conversation, and she wasn’t interested in that. She had a guest over, a man who she wanted to give one-hundred percent of her attention to.

“Is everything all right?” Masoud asked. “You look troubled.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s fine.” Kelsie took her seat, debating whether or not to mention the text. She didn’t want it to seem like she was trying to make Masoud jealous, though, so she decided against bringing it up.

They finished up dinner, and Masoud mentioned he had a bottle of red next door he wanted to open up.

“I’ve been waiting for a special occasion,” he said.

“Is this one?” Kelsie asked. They both went to pick up his plate, and their fingers brushed. A current jumped through Kelsie, and she swallowed hard.

“I think so,” Masoud answered.

He didn’t offer any further explanation, instead going out the door. Leila lifted her head in interest, probably wondering where her human was going, but making no move to follow him.

Kelsie took advantage of the minute alone and dashed into the bathroom, where she ran a quick comb through her hair and made sure there was nothing in her teeth. She didn’t know what was happening between her and Masoud—maybe she had been put in the friend zone without knowing it, but just in case things did go to a romantic place, she wanted to be ready.

She was just finishing up rinsing the dishes and setting them in the sink when he arrived back with the bottle of red in hand.

“Let me help you with those,” he said, nodding at the dishes.

“Nope.” Kelsie stepped between him and the sink. “You brought dinner over. I do the dishes.”

“You watched my dog.”

“How about we stop keeping score and enjoy this wine?” Kelsie said, taking the bottle from him.

Masoud grinned. “I can’t argue with that.”

Grabbing the bottle opener from the counter, Kelsie deftly removed the cork and filled two wine glasses with a flourish.

“Impressive,” Masoud commented.

“I have my skills.” She held her glass up and they clinked them together before drinking.

“So tell me.” Masoud set his wine glass on the counter and eyed her. “What are other hidden talents do you have?”

Kelsie laughed into her wine. “Um, I know how to tie nearly every knot known to man.”

“That is very impressive.”

“I know how to drive a stick shift,” she went on. “Then again, I guess everyone around here does.”

“I’ll have to catch a ride with you sometime.” As he said that, Masoud pulled his pant leg up and kicked his leg out, pretending to hitch a ride by waving his foot around. It was the first time Kelsie had ever seen a silly side of him, and she had to put her wine glass down so she wouldn’t drop it from laughing.

“It works better if you’re Claudette Colbert,” she said.

“Clark Gable could have gotten a ride, if he’d has his chance.”

Kelsie stared. “You know that movie?”

Masoud nodded. “It’s one of the most famous movies of all time. And one of the best.”

“Yeah, I totally agree, but...”

“But what?”

“I just...” Kelsie shrugged. “If you mentioned It Happened One Night, or any movie made before 1980 to anyone around here, they would probably be like, huh?”

“I love black and white movies. They’re my favorite kind.”

“Mine, too.”

Mason’s eyes sparkled. “What’s your favorite?”

“Oh, man.” Kelsie tapped her fingers against the counter as she thought about it. “I don’t know. It’s either Some Like It Hot or The Palm Beach Story.”

“I’ve never seen that last one,” he said.

“Really? Wow, it’s amazing. I have it, if you ever want to watch it.”

Masoud picked up his wine glass. “How about now?”

“Now?” Kelsie didn’t know what time it was, and she didn’t want to look at the clock. It would probably be wise to go to bed soon, since there was sure to be the usual slew of clients in the morning, but right then she wanted to forget about the future. There was a cute guy over at her house, and she wanted to watch a movie and laugh with him on the couch. Who cared if she ever slept again? “Let’s do it,” she told him.

The dogs followed them into the living room, where Kelsie found the DVD right away. Popping the disc in, she settled onto the couch. There was a full seat between her and Masoud, and while she wanted to scoot closer to him, she stayed where she was.

They’d brought the wine bottle with, and as the film started, they finished their first glasses and poured second ones.

“She’s probably my favorite actress,” Kelsie said, nodding at Claudette.

“What do you like about her?”

“I guess it’s the mix of vulnerability and strength she has. Like, she has this demeanor that says she’s not afraid to show who she is.”

“That in itself is strong,” Masoud said.

“Exactly.”

They fell into silence, sipping their wine as they watched the movie. Every once in a while, they’d glance at each other, sharing a laugh, and a warmth would fill Kelsie’s chest.

Is this what it would be like to have a guy around on the regular? Could it really be this easy and comfortable?

Kelsie really wanted to believe the answer was yes.

As the film progressed, they both got more comfortable on the couch, Kelsie curling her legs up and Masoud stretching his out. The dogs relaxed between the couch and the coffee table, their heads on their paws.

“More?” Masoud asked, holding up the wine bottle.

Kelsie nodded, and he poured her the last drops. Sometime during the second glass, she’d ended up half on the cushion between them, and Masoud had done the same.

Instead of moving away, though, Kelsie stayed right where she was. The alcohol was making her feel brave, and it was nice and cozy next to Masoud. With his arm draped casually over the couch behind her, she felt safe and warm.

Kelsie cleared her throat. “By the way, I forgot to compliment you on your excellent taste in wine.”

“I’m glad you like it.” His voice was soft, and even though Kelsie couldn’t make out his eyes in the dark room, she felt their gaze on her.

She swallowed, her heart beating fast. Masoud’s gaze was almost as strong as a touch of a hand, and she wanted to sit there and have him look at her until the end of time.

Kelsie looked up at him, tracing the lines of his face in the television’s flickering light. Slowly, he reached up and cupped her chin. His thumb swept over her chin, brushing the slightest bit against her bottom lip.

Kelsie sucked in a breath, gasping softly. She heard Masoud swallow. He made a move toward the coffee table, and her stomach sank. This was going to be just like the last time.

Instead, though, he set his wine glass down on the table, put both hands on her face, and pressed his lips to hers.

This time, when Kelsie gasped, she was taking air straight from Masoud’s body. His mouth moved tenderly across hers, each sweep focused and firm.

Kelsie’s wine glass shook in her hand, and Masoud set it down on the coffee table for her before resuming the kiss. As it deepened, their tongues beginning to dance, Kelsie wrapped her arms around his neck. Her head spun, every part of her becoming lighter.

At the sound of loud music, they stopped kissing and looked over at the TV.

“You missed the ending,” Kelsie said softly.

Masoud didn’t take his arm away from her waist. “We’ll have to watch it again, though I can’t promise that the next time will be any different than this one was.”

A thrill went through Kelsie. “I have no problem with that whatsoever.”

Masoud chuckled and ran his hand up and down her arm. “Good. Now, it appears I have kept you up late enough. We both have work tomorrow, and I would hate to be the reason you’re tired in the morning.”

I would love for you to be the reason.

The words were on Kelsie’s tongue, but she wasn’t bold enough to release them, so she only nodded and showed him to the door.

“Come on, Leila,” Masoud called.

With a yawn, the dog stood up and padded over to his side.

Leaning down, Masoud gave Kelsie one more kiss.

“Good night,” he gently said.

“Good night,” she whispered back.

Kelsie stood in the open doorway, listening to the man and dog’s footsteps going down the stairs. When they hit the grass, she closed and locked the door, and sighed happily.

“Well, Cowboy, what do you think of that?”

A snore answered her. The dog had long ago fallen asleep.

Pressing her fingertips to her tender lips, Kelsie went into her bedroom where she changed into her pajamas. She hadn’t wanted Masoud to go. In fact, she’d wanted him to stay so much it had caused her physical pain.

He was a gentleman, though, through and through. It was a characteristic that made her only like him more.

But why the sudden change of heart, Kelsie wondered, as she pulled the covers back and climbed into bed. When they’d almost kissed the first time, Masoud drew back.

Had that been because he felt it was too early, and he didn’t want to give Kelsie the wrong impression? He was from a different culture, and he was royalty, to boot. Perhaps taking things slow with women was the way he always did it.

As Cowboy joined Kelsie in bed and she snuggled further under the covers and drifted off to sleep, Kelsie told herself that was the only answer. The nudging in her gut that told her there was still some information missing was wrong.

It had to be.