Organically Yours: Sanctuary, Book Five by Abbie Zanders (love letters to the dead txt) 📕

Verbally, he wasn’t saying anything, and yet her body seemed to think that look said a lot. Warmth began to pool in her core and radiate outward. No man had been able to make her feel like that with just a look.

He smiled, a slow, sexy smile that kicked that inner simmer up a notch or ten. She discreetly shifted in her seat to alleviate some of the building pressure.

“Too much too soon?” she prompted in an attempt to lighten the mood.

He blinked, and the intensity lessened considerably. The heat was still there, but it was now banked.

“No,” he replied. “In fact, I feel the same way.”

Relief flooded through her along with the thrill of hearing that he thought she was worth the inevitable stink her brothers would raise. Not many men were willing to go up against Rick, Gunther, and Kiefer—and especially not for her.

Her brothers might not be the only opposition either. Tension was rarely one-sided, and while everyone at Sanctuary had been outwardly friendly and welcoming, she’d detected a low-key wariness, too. They might be okay with her coming up for consultations and coffee, but getting personally involved with one of them could push a few boundaries and make things more complicated for everyone.

“Is this”—she waved her hand back and forth between the two of them—“going to cause you problems?”

He hesitated slightly before shaking his head. “Not me, no.”

“But Sanctuary?”

“It’s nothing we haven’t dealt with before,” he said, most likely referring to prior experiences with Sam, Sandy, and Kate. “And nothing that would make me think that this isn’t a good idea. But it could make things difficult for you, and that’s what bothers me.”

That warmth she’d felt earlier blossomed again. When was the last time someone had been genuinely concerned about her? Not the farm, not the bottom line, not the effect it would have on them, but on her?

“I can handle it. And like I said, I think it’s worth seeing where it goes.”

His smile alone made taking the chance worthwhile. “Fair enough.”

“You do raise a good point, however,” she told him. Thoughts of what she would have to deal with once word got out didn’t fill her with the warm and fuzzies. She was already battling her brothers on multiple fronts—pushing for newer, earth-friendlier techniques and equipment; pricier but healthier alternatives; staff issues. Getting involved with Doc would make those pale in comparison.

“Perhaps we can do our getting to know each other here at Sanctuary and away from prying eyes. At least at first.”

He considered that and then nodded. “All right. Are we limited to Sunday afternoons?”

“That works best for me,” she told him. “Everyone already knows I’m not available then because that’s when I spend time with my grandmother.”

“You don’t think she’ll mind?” Doc asked with a frown.

Tina laughed. “No. She has a secret beau she’s been seeing while I’ve been coming up here. We’ve been covering for each other.”

He grinned knowingly. “Mr. O’Farrell.”

“How did you know that?”

“Because he told me. I go down to see him every week with care packages from Kate, and a few weeks ago, he asked me to drive him around town and get stuff because he had a hot date with a classy lady.”

“You didn’t say anything!”

“He swore me to secrecy. He did tell me that his new lady friend had a cute granddaughter and offered to put in a good word for me. Even suggested a double date.” Doc winked.

“I’m not sure I’m ready for that,” she said on a laugh. “I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that my eighty-something grandmother is getting more than I am.”

Doc choked on his drink. “Now, that’s TMI.”

“Sorry.” She wasn’t sorry. “But how do you think I feel? When I pick her up and take her back to my place for tea and bourbon, she’s glowing. I mean, I’m happy for her but a little jealous, too.”

There was that look again. Intensity mixed with hunger, simmering just beneath the surface. As if he was leashing his baser instincts.

The thought thrilled her. Perhaps one of these days, she’d be glowing at teatime too—and not because of the shot of bourbon. Her body heated instantly, totally on board with that plan.

“Anyway,” she said, clearing her throat and pulling her thoughts back to the present, “what do you think about doing it up old school? We could start with good old-fashioned phone calls in the evening?” That way, she might actually be able to concentrate on his words and stop fantasizing about those eyes gazing into hers as he slid into her body ...

“That’ll work.”

By the time they finished dinner, Tina was even more convinced she wanted to know more about the fascinating man sitting across from her. They’d kept the conversation light and not delved into deep details, which was probably good for a first “date.”

Among other things, she’d discovered they shared a mutual love for the outdoors, eating healthy—most of the time—and gripping mystery thrillers. He seemed fascinated by local history too—something which she knew a lot about.

All too soon, her phone vibrated with a message from Lottie. When she saw the time, Tina couldn’t believe the afternoon had gone so quickly and offered her apologies.

“I’m sorry. I’ve got to go pick up my grandmother.”

He helped her with her jacket and then donned a flannel shirt before walking her back to her truck.

“I had a good time today,” she told him as he opened her door.

“I did, too.”

“Same time next week?”

“I’ll be here.”

“And you’ll call?” she asked, hoping she didn’t sound too anxious.

He smiled. “I’ll definitely call. You can always call me, too.”

She could. But since she was the one driving up to see him, she wanted him to take the lead on phone calls. It felt more equitable if each of them was making an effort. She told him as much. Again, he seemed perfectly okay with that.

“Have a safe drive, Tina.”

“I will, thanks.”

As Tina drove away, she looked back in the