Free Butterfly Cove by Christina Skye

is giving Duffy a good run. Walker has been distracted with this plumbing work, and I just don’t have time to run Duffy the way I should.”
    Olivia didn’t answer. She was too distracted by the sight of Rafe pulling on his T-shirt and sweater as Duffy charged up the slope, then raced back toward the water.
    Something about the sight of Rafe and the racing dog looked exuberant and primal. Every movement held raw energy, which for some reason made Olivia aware of how long it had been since she’d been involved with a man.
    She was fascinated by the way Duffy and Rafe charged in mad circles, lost in the pure joy of movement. She smiled at Rafe’s bark of laughter drifting on the wind.
    “Earth to Mars. Are you here?”
    Olivia looked up, surprised to see Jilly smoothing a white linen cloth over the table. “I’ve been asking what you want to drink. That is, if you can tear yourself away from watching Rafe.”
    Olivia flushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. And iced tea would be fine.”
    Jilly glanced back and waved to Rafe. “Keep him entertained, will you? I’ll have lunch out here in a minute. Walker should be down by then.”
    Rafe trotted up the front steps with Duffy close behind. He toweled Duffy off and let him inside and then sat down on the railing, one leg dangling. He looked tired but relaxed.
    “Duffy was in dog heaven down there.”
    “He’s got way too much energy. I doubt I could have kept up with him much longer. I’m glad Jilly has a great dog like that.” He cocked his head, sniffing the air. “Is that what I think it is?”
    Olivia smiled. “Cowboy chili. Jilly’s special Southwest recipe. Pull up a chair. She’s bringing the food out here so we can eat on the porch, since it’s so sunny today.” Olivia started to stand up. “I should go help her.”
    “Forget it. Stay right there and keep on doing whatever you were doing.” Rafe leaned over Olivia’s shoulder. “Are you designing clothes now? Sweaters? I thought you were an architect. Did you change careers while I was gone?”
    No, she had just lost one career. Olivia swept the papers up and turned them over. “I was just...doodling. I’m still an architect. I just happen to be an unemployed one right now.” Olivia frowned. She hadn’t meant to tell anyone about that yet.
    “Sorry to hear it. You’ll bounce back.”
    Olivia didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t manage small talk with Rafe, and every important topic made her uncomfortable. She cleared her throat. “Walker is working upstairs. He should be down any minute, and then we can eat.”
    Rafe frowned, brushing sand off his feet. “Is this hard for you, Livie? Do I make you uncomfortable? If so, I’ll leave.”
    “Uncomfortable? Me? What makes you think I’m uncomfortable? That’s ridiculous,” she sputtered.
    Rafe slipped on his old sneakers. “Right now your leg is banging up and down, and you keep opening and closing your hands. You’re definitely uncomfortable and I’d like to know why.”
    “I’m fine. Jilly invited you and that’s that. Go help her with the food. Bring me the napkins and silverware while you’re at it.”
    But Rafe didn’t move. His eyes lingered on her face. “Are you sure, Livie? Because I didn’t come back here to pick up where we left off. I want you to know that. There’s no point in opening old wounds.”
    Olivia looked up and felt how intensely he watched her, as if she was the only thing that mattered at that moment. She fell down into the darkness of his eyes, into the cold strength of his face. But the joy was gone. It was a stranger’s face now.
    “That’s just the way I want it, too. After all this time, who could remember the things we said to each other anyway?” Olivia gave a shrug, ignoring the pain that bit into her shoulder.
    It was nothing close to the cold regret that settled over her heart.
    “You’re sure about that?”
    “Absolutely. Now—go and help Jilly, will you?”
    There