Then again, he’d seen that plenty of times. Women often cut themselves off from the world, from any sort of future with anyone, after an abusive relationship.
Not that he could blame her.
If he’d cozied up to a tiger who then bit the hell out of him, he’d be reluctant to invite another into his home, no matter how much it swore it was different.
He walked through the small space, peeked into the main bathroom and the kitchen. He checked the back yard, which had a large patio and one hell of a view.
Voices from outside told him that Connor and Trent had arrived.
Inside her bedroom, he checked the connected bathroom. The décor was much like the rest of the house—understated and comfortable. She had a large black comforter thrown on her bed, a sign that she made it in the morning but wasn’t fussy about it being perfect. Lastly, a door that had to lead to a closet and the last place he hadn’t checked.
Sure, with Spike around, there was little chance anyone could have snuck in, but Garrison preferred caution to regret.
He pulled open the door, finding a closet full of down to earth and functional clothing. Ballet flats, sneakers, jeans, tank tops, fuzzy sweaters and sundresses.
And there, hanging on the inside of the door, something that made him freeze.
It can’t be…
The fact that Spike didn’t bite any of the men put Sunny out a bit. Sure, she wasn’t afraid of them, but she would have preferred he at least show alittlemore distrust.
Instead, the second Connor had come inside, Spike had walked over, plopped his butt on the man’s shoe and waited for pets.
Traitor.
Trent chuckled at the display before Sunny waved them both inside.
“As you can see, everything is fine here. I appreciate your help, and I agree that caution is warranted, but I don’t need a babysitter.”
“It isn’t babysitting,” Trent responded, his gaze moving around the room as if surveying for danger. “It’s called being smart and careful.”
“I know, which is why I allowed you here.”
Which isn’t something I ever do.
Having men in her home was odd. Having anyone in her home felt strange, but even more so with men.
The times she’d dated, when she’d tried to see if she still had any lust in her left, she’d always gone to the men’s homes. The thought of allowing one into her private space had chafed. It felt like tainting her own haven. This washers, and if the relationship went bad—which was a real risk—she didn’t want the memories of this place ruined.
Yet…while she was uneasy with Connor and Trent there, she wasn’t afraid.
“Tea?”
Both men answered with a yes, so she went to the small, open kitchen and grabbed four glasses—no doubt Garrison would want one as well. The pitcher of tea sat in the fridge door, and after adding ice, she filled all the glasses, then moved them to the small, four-seat kitchen table. “What do you do for a living?”
“When not saving damsels in distress, you mean?” Trent asked, a playful grin on his lips.
“Something like that.”
Connor rolled his eyes at his friend. “I’m a livestock vet, Trent works in construction and Garrison owns a security store in town.”
Sunny stole a glance at Connor before taking a sip of her tea to hide the reaction. Yeah, livestock vet made sense. It explained the muscles, the way he moved. He dealt with huge animals all day long—a man like that had to be steady. It also might have been why Spike liked him.
“How did you meet?” she asked.
Trent answered her this time. “We have a few hobbies in common. Met a good twelve years ago, back when we were young, and we’ve stuck together since then.”
Sunny narrowed her eyes, but not at them. Instead, she stared at the floor, feeling safter doing that. “And you just help us out for fun?”