Chapter Nine

Dominic’s broad smile greeted Tara when she pulled the door open. Her childlike look of delighted surprise tugged at him in earnest. It took all his reserve to refrain from taking her in his arms and holding her close. Firelight curls hung in disarray around her face and her flushed cheeks accentuated the blue in her oval eyes. They were so rich and deep he could see his reflection in them.

She was acutely aware of her appearance. Not anticipating company, she dedicated her day to fixing the crack in the wall in the bathroom that Brandon had reported. It wasn’t going as well as she’d hoped.  She was actually standing back debating about the prospect of calling in a professional when she heard Dominic’s knock on the door. Dennis had suggested it several times and this was a time where she was sorry she hadn’t listened.

“Did I interrupt something?” he questioned after surveying her boldly.

“I’m making the