It had been awkward in the car and then in the waiting area. Isabelle spoke to no one, only stayed slumped in her chair. Reego stayed glued to Brenna's side. Mac had never seen anyone earn his affection so quickly. The break had been good for him too, two weeks of simply being a dog had been nice for them both. They'd have one day to get things settled back in before they were back out on patrol.

Despite several hours of fitful sleep the night before, as soon as Reego was settled in his kennel they were both sacked out. Mac woke once with his head bent at an uncomfortable angle. When he straightened and stretched he saw that Brenna too was asleep across the aisle from him but had been smart enough to purchase a small travel pillow. She was leaned against the window with her feet and legs across the other two seats and her crutches lay on the ground beside her.

Her long dark hair bunched up against the pillow and created a poof behind her and her long dark ashes lay softly against her cheeks. She was beautiful.

He'd kicked himself all night for his brash words. He didn't know what has possessed him to lay it out for her in that instant. He'd planned on the slow measured approach in hopes that they could become friends and she would slowly come to think of him as something more but Isabelle's tirade had spurred an urgency in him.

He didn't buy into any belief that Brenna strung guys along or that her reticence was some sort of act. Nothing about her seemed artful or dishonest. However, he did see a wounded woman who was scared to move forward into anything like a relationship. The conversation in the library had confirmed that she held some unwarranted guilt and skewed sense of loyalty. Those would be hurdles they'd both have to clear.

Mac had the strong sense that she felt a connection too. He'd caught her looking at him under her lashes or observing him from a distance and the warmth she emanated when they spoke or spent time together gave him further reason to believe it wasn't all on his side. However, the bravery, was all on his side. He was certain she'd happily become his friendship but continue to deny her feelings or shut them away because she believed she'd be betraying her husband's memory. He wasn't willing to allow that.

He didn't want to be friend zoned. He wanted to hold her and kiss those soft peach lips and make those dark green eyes sparkle with happiness whenever possible. He had no idea who the Mark was that Isabelle had compared him to, he'd heard the name before from Pete, but it wasn't hard to deduce it was some guy who'd failed to catch her. Her face had remained impassive at the mention of the other man so whoever it was didn't seem to maintain a hold on her heart.

When he'd seen her sitting there with the sun on her face and her hands wrapped delicately around her mug he knew he was likely to do something stupid and when she'd told him about her failed ride he'd simply jumped. True, it wasn't a date by any means but she trusted him enough to let him help her and be alone with him. That was a good start.

He'd drifted back off with a smile on his face and awoken only when the tone sounded to signal their descent and for them to refasten their seatbelts.

Brenna was already sitting upright in her own seat with her belt fastened and her pillow stowed away. Reego made a low whining sound and yawned loudly in his attempt to wake up.

After the plane landed they waited patiently until everyone else had already disembarked. Brenna had been allowed to leave first due to her injury. They'd agreed to meet at the baggage claim. Mac let Reego free and collapsed his cage. He grabbed his carryon and the cage and called Reego to heel before they walked off.

Brenna had already snagged her bag and was reaching to grab the handle of Mac's when he found her. She balanced precariously on her good foot and leaned far forward against the weight of the big bag. He sprinted the last few steps to assist her before she fell over.

"Wow, they were really on it. Usually it takes forever for the baggage to show up."

"Ya. You only had the one bag right?" She smiled up at him and he could just imagine palming her face and kissing her upturned face.

"Yep. Just one. I'm a guy remember?" She rolled her eyes.

The gang minus Isabelle had a round of hugs and promises to get together soon before dispersing their separate ways.

"Ok. How do you feel about waiting here with the bags while I go get my truck?" Mac turned to her after Derek and Tammi finally departed.

"That would probably be the easiest. I'll be fine."

He pulled the bags over to a seating area beside the loading area and she settled in to wait as he walked to the parking garage. Reego trotted along beside him with ears perked and tongue lolling.

He silently thanked the powers that be that he'd washed and vacuumed his pickup before he left. Reego hopped into the backseat and lay down. He swung the big black Dodge around to the loading area and put it in park.

Brenna had seen him pull up and was already standing.

"Just go get in the truck. I'll take care of the bags. Don't worry." She looked as if she'd considered arguing but decided not to. Instead she passed through the sliding doors as Mac towed the two large suitcases on wheels out to the truck.

It took a bit of leverage to get herself hauled into the tall vehicle and her crutches stored in the back with Reego but she managed it before Mac had gotten both bags stowed and made his way back to the driver's seat.

"So where to now?"

"Take the freeway to exit 12 then Fancher to county road 223. It'll be a right onto the county road and 5 miles from there. I'll point it out." She settled into the soft leather bucket seat and watched the city pass her by. The day was beginning to wane when they finally pulled onto the gravel county road.

"This is a really nice secluded area out here. How much land do you have?"

"This is me here on the right. Stay to the right, the driveway loops around. It's a 5 acre parcel." She beamed with obvious pride and love. "This is my old farmhouse surrounded by tall unruly grass and that is my awesome peach tree." She pointed to a small orchard to the east of the house. The first tree he saw was indeed loaded down with large yellow and blush fruit.

"Those look delicious." He pulled to a stop in front of a large covered wraparound porch.

"You're welcome to as many of them as you'd like. I'll have way too many as usual. Those and plums, but they are really good." She popped the door and began to get out. Mac got out and started to get her bag as she hopped up the steps and unlocked her front door.

He met her on her porch with her bag and stood awkwardly before her. Unsure of where to go from there, he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"I'm sure you are anxious to get home and get Reego settled," she smiled and giggled. "And to throw away all the science experiments."

"Ya. I'd better do that. Call me if you need anything ok?"

She nodded. Mac turned to head down the stairs but stopped and turned back. "How bout Reego and I stop by after work day after tomorrow and get your grass taken care of?" He could see the wheels turning and that she was about to thank him but decline his offer. "I can pick some peaches after and maybe you could turn some into a pie? I love peach pie and I haven't had one in ages."

He hoped the trade would be enough to assuage her pride and allow her to allow him to help her.

She thought for a moment longer before replying. "Ok but you have to let me feed you dinner too. Especially if you're going to be coming to do work after a long day of work."

"Deal." He stuck his hand out and she placed her small one in his. They shook twice and he reluctantly released her hand and continued on down the stairs. "We'll see you around six then."

He climbed into the truck feeling almost giddy and waved at her still standing on the porch as he pulled around the drive and headed back out to the road.

It was a big place; he spotted several garden beds at the rear of the house in addition to the orchard as he was leaving. He'd try to get whatever she needed done when he came over. He had no doubt she was capable of handling things when she wasn't injured but that foot was sure to put a damper on things for her.

It struck him as funny that all of a sudden he was thinking handyman thoughts. He lived in an apartment specifically because he didn't have time to maintain a real home and yet here he wanted to come and work on someone else's home. Of course he wanted to impress her and show her he could take care of her.

He drove the rest of the way home deep in thought. He liked that she'd upped the ante and suggested dinner. It was a big step on her part. If she had a good time and it went well she might say yes when he asked her out on a proper date.

Wherever she was willing to go, he'd meet her there.