"Hmm? A throwback as in catch-and-release?" he teased. "Like a walleye?"

"No, silly." She gave his arm a squeeze. "As in you're a gentleman. You open doors for me, help me with my coat, put yourself between me and the curb. It's really sweet. I want you to know how much I appreciate the effort."

His chest swelled at her praise. "My grandparents' influence. Speaking of opening doors, here we are." He reached ahead of her to open the door to the bar and grill.

Haley scanned the interior. "It's so s.p.a.cious inside, and I love all those windows. I'll bet there's a great view of Mears Park when it's light out."

"Wyatt's here. I don't see my sister, but I'm sure she'll show up in a few minutes." Sam led her to the high-top table where Wyatt waited.

"Hi, Wyatt," Haley said as she slipped out of her parka and draped it over one of the chairs. "It's good to see you again."

"Good to see you too, Haley. How was hockey?"

"Hockey was great." She took a seat. "The kids were cute, and it was fun to watch Sam in coach mode."

"Where's Jo?" Sam asked as he settled into the chair next to Haley's.

"She should be here any minute. I just got a text from her."

The same waitress who'd given him the I'm-interested-in-you vibe several times in the past few months approached their table, making eye contact with him. Sam tensed. What if she gave him the same vibe in front of Haley? Before the waitress got to them, he leaned close to Haley and put his arm around her shoulders. "What do you feel like tonight? The burgers are good."

Haley shot him a what-just-happened look. "I don't know. I haven't even picked up the menu yet."

"Can I get you something from the bar?" The waitress asked, her expression nothing more than friendly.

Just in case, Sam ran his hand up and down Haley's arm. "I'll have a Michelob in a bottle, and start a tab for the two of us," he told her, nodding toward Haley. "What would you like, Haley?"

"Do you have hard cider?" she asked, glancing at their waitress.

The blonde launched into a list of the hard ciders they carried, and Sam heaved a quiet sigh of relief. Wyatt studied him for a second before ordering a beer for Josey and another for himself.

"Jo's here." Wyatt jutted his chin toward the door.

Josey wended her way through the bar and grill toward them. Her face was flushed from the cold, and her eyes were bright with curiosity. "You must be Haley. I've heard a lot about you."

"And you must be Josey." Haley smiled. "I've heard a lot about you, too. You're installing my dishwasher, disposal and kitchen sink tomorrow."

"I am." Jo shrugged out of her jacket and sat at the empty spot at their table. "And I'm connecting the gas to your new stove."

"I ordered your beer, Jo," Wyatt told her.

"Thanks." She picked up one of the menus. "I am starving, and it's been a long day. I'm ready for a beer and food."

"I told Haley about the tater tots. Do you want to share a couple of orders? Maybe one with the buffalo sauce and another with ranch?"

"Sure." Josey peered at Haley over her menu. "Have you been here before?"

"No, but I've heard about The Bulldog. Didn't somebody drive through the front windows last year?"

"Yeah." Wyatt chuckled. "Just so you know, none of us had anything to do with that."

Sam checked the menu, which he pretty much knew by heart. "We should play darts after we eat. Me and Haley against you two."

"Are you sure you want me on your team, Sam?" Haley asked. "You don't know if I'm any good at darts or not."

"I noticed the dartboard hanging on your wall in the bas.e.m.e.nt when I was bringing up some of your building supplies." He returned her look. "I have confidence in you."

"Hmm." Haley studied her menu, but not before he caught the pleased expression his words elicited.

The waitress came back with their drinks, and they placed their orders. Conversation flowed easily between Haley, his sister and Wyatt, who had gotten over his shyness around her. Sam settled back in his chair, content to observe the interaction between her and his siblings. Haley fit in. She was easy to be with, pretty, smart, funny. Plus, he wanted her in the worst way. Maybe Wyatt was right. Maybe it was time he gave commitment a try.

Gulp. Did he really want commitment? When his parents died, he'd lost the two people most important to him in the entire world. Did he really want to set himself up for the possibility of another painful loss?

Haley laughed at something Wyatt said, and Sam's heart tumbled. The air left his lungs in a whoosh and he couldn't tear his eyes from her. Dammit. His heart had stopped buying what his head had been selling weeks ago-the minute he'd laid eyes on Haley Helen Cooper.

It was nearly eleven when he, Haley and his siblings finally left The bulldog. They stopped on the sidewalk. A light snow had begun to fall, dusting everything in sparkling white.

"This was so much fun," Haley said, a happy grin lighting her features. "I guess I'll be seeing all of you again tomorrow."

"Right," Wyatt said. "Tomorrow is the kitchen install. I'll bet you're eager to have a kitchen again."

"You have no idea." Haley laughed. "I feel like a seven-year-old on Christmas morning."

"Well, I should get you home so you get a good night's sleep," Sam said before turning to his sister. "Where are you parked, Jo?"

"In the same ramp as Wyatt. He'll walk me to my truck."

"OK. Good night. See you tomorrow." Sam steered Haley toward his SUV.

"Night," Wyatt called, moving off in the opposite direction, with Josey beside him.

Sam's mind jumped ahead to good-night kisses with Haley. Would she invite him inside? His blood rushed at the possibility. He drew her close to his side. "So, you had a good time tonight?"

"I did." She peered up at him. "Thank you, Sam. Dinner and darts, a Pee Wee hockey scrimmage . . . tater tots. Who could ask for more?"

"Good." A snowflake landed on her cheek, and he brushed it away. He wanted to kiss her so badly. He couldn't remember ever wanting a woman the way he wanted Haley. When they reached his SUV, he drew out his debit card and paid for the parking before helping her into the pa.s.senger seat. "Brrr. Cold tonight," he murmured once he was behind the wheel. "It's supposed to be a nice weekend though."

"Hmm-mm." She rested her head back against the seat.

He started his SUV and pulled onto the city street. "Do you have any plans for Sunday morning?"

She turned his way, a dreamy half smile drawing his attention to her kissable mouth. "No, why?"

"Would you like to go snowmobiling with me?" he asked. "We can take the Lake Elmo Park Trail. It's close."

"Oh." She sat up. "I've never been snowmobiling. Don't I need a helmet?"

"I have an extra. Do you have snow pants?"

"Of course I have snow pants. I'm Minnesotan, born and bred."

"What do you say? I'll pick you up early, and we can go out for breakfast first."

"Sounds like a lot of fun, but . . . Do you think this is a good idea, Sam?"

"I think it's a great idea. You agreed to spend time in my world. Snowmobiling, hockey, hanging out with Wyatt and Jo, this is what I do."

"I know, but . . ." A crease formed between her eyebrows.

"But what?"

"You don't get involved." She shrugged and peered out her window. "If we spend a lot of time together, won't things get complicated? Aren't you worried that I'll want more. I mean-"

"More?" He snorted. "With me? The handsiest handyman in the Twin Cities?"

"No. Not that guy." She shifted in her seat. "More with the man who opens doors for me. The man who removes my slivers and kisses away the hurt." She glanced at him for a second. "More with the hockey coach, affectionate brother and excellent carpenter. The you I've gotten to know is completely at odds with what I believed about you after that stupid radio show."

He had to swallow a few times before he could respond. "I see what you mean, and I did say I don't do involved." Seeing himself through her eyes did a number on his head. And his heart. Taking a risk suddenly seemed . . . worth it where she was concerned. "How about we take things one day at a time? I enjoy snowmobiling, and I'd love to share that experience with you. We're friends, aren't we?"

"Friends whose kisses are downright combustible. I don't know, Sam."

So she did feel what he felt. His groin tightened and his blood rushed. "We're adults, Haley. We can-"

"Have strings-free casual s.e.x?" She shook her head. "See, that's what I'm trying to tell you. You don't do involved and I don't do casual. Things are bound to-"

"I wasn't going to suggest strings-free casual s.e.x, Ms. Cooper. What I was going to say is that we are both mature, responsible adults well able to control ourselves." He tossed her a wry look. "Right?"

"Oh. Sorry."

"See? This is exactly why I challenged you to spend time with me, and obviously I have not yet proven to you that I am not the total horndog you believe me to be. Hence, snowmobiling on Sunday."

"You win." She chuckled. "I'd love to try snowmobiling."

Sam pulled into her driveway. Now that he'd convinced her they could control themselves in a mature, adult manner, how receptive would she be to making out with him on her living room couch? Not very, he guessed. Talk about painting himself into a corner. He shut off the engine. "I'll walk you to your door."

"You don't have to." She fished her keys out of her pocket.

"Yes, I do." He got out of his SUV and hurried around to her side. Opening her door, he held out his hand for her. "Grandma Maggie would give me an ear-beating if I didn't, and somehow she'd know. She's witchy about stuff like this."

"I think I'd like Grandma Maggie." She took his hand and climbed out.

He led her toward her front door. "I know she'd like you, Haley." He spoke the truth. His entire family would like her. She was a genuinely nice person. Now that he'd ruined any chance of making out with her, he wasn't sure how to end the evening. He stood behind her while she fit her key in the lock.

"I had an amazing time tonight, Sam. Thanks for including me." She turned to smile up at him.

"Thanks for joining me." Sam placed his hands on her shoulders and pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Good night, Ms. Cooper."

"Good night, Mr. Haney." She opened her door and disappeared inside.

Sam strode back to his SUV, adjusting the tightness in the inseam of his jeans. Once again he wondered what it was about Haley that had him jumping through hoops and trying so hard to prove he was . . . what? Dateable? What did that even mean, and why did he want to be dateable? "Control is highly overrated," he muttered.

Chapter Eleven.

Haley's alarm buzzed, and she reached out to turn it off before sliding out of her warm cozy bed. Yawning, she stood and stretched. "Better get moving." Her cabinets and appliances were going to be delivered between eight and eleven. Sam and his sister would arrive at noon. She had an hour to bathe, dress and have a toasted bagel before the window of possible delivery opened. "Coffee first."

She padded into the dining room and pushed the Start b.u.t.ton on her coffeemaker. Thank goodness she'd had the foresight to set it up last night. Last night. A bittersweet smile broke free. No doubt about it, she could fall hard for Sam. She shook her head and sighed. Why had she agreed to go snowmobiling with him?

While she waited for the coffee to brew, she got her old work clothes ready to go for today's kitchen install. Signing up on one of those online dating services suddenly sounded like a really good idea. She needed the distraction. In fact, once she had her coffee, she'd go check out a few sites.

A steaming mug in hand, Haley headed for her office and took a seat at the desk. She sipped her coffee and brought her computer to life. May as well check her e-mail, although at this point, she no longer expected an answer from Michael. She hit the e-mail icon, and her lungs seized. "Oh, G.o.d." He'd responded.

Staring at her laptop screen, she wasn't sure whether or not she wanted to know what his reasons for leaving were anymore. She didn't need new wounds. Haley took a fortifying gulp of coffee and forced herself to click on the e-mail.

Hi Haley, Good to hear you're doing well. I know I owe you an explanation. I'm sorry I handled things so poorly, but the closer our wedding got, the more I realized marriage wasn't what I wanted. We started dating so young, and neither of us really ever played the field or spread our wings. It's not that I didn't love you anymore, but it was the way a friend loves a friend. Our relationship was more habit for me than anything else. I didn't feel any pa.s.sion, and I realized I wasn't ready to settle down. I wanted adventure, to travel and have as many life experiences as I could before taking on the responsibilities of marriage and family. To be honest, I also wanted to date other women. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for ending things the way I did, but it was for the best. I hope we can be friends again one day. I wish you all the best, Haley.

Your Friend, Michael It took going through his letter twice before Michael's words. .h.i.t home. "Adventure? After all the years we were best friends you couldn't talk to me about what you wanted? You just . . . left? Of all the immature, self-centered, stupid . . ." Her hands formed fists in her lap. She was better off without him and his skinny, flat b.u.t.t.

She blinked back the angry tears and stormed to her bathroom. A nice hot bath, that's what she needed, a good soak to calm her nerves. She started the water to fill the tub, her hand resting on the very place where she'd sat next to Sam while he removed her sliver-the place where they'd shared their first kiss.

What would Sam have to say about Michael's response? She could hardly wait to tell him. Another hot tear slid down her cheek. When had Sam become her go-to guy?

Sam surveyed the newly installed maple cabinets and white granite countertops with flecks of black and gold. Haley had done a fantastic job on the design, and he looked forward to seeing the finished product. She'd chosen a turquoise paint for the walls and black accent pieces. Josey and Haley were moving the new gas stove into place. "You done with everything?" he asked.

"Yep. Everything's been tested, and it's all good to go." Josey gathered her tools and tossed them into their wooden crate.

"Thanks, you two. Everything looks wonderful," Haley said, her hands stuffed into her front pockets.

"Would you mind taking this load to the van, Jo?" Sam asked, putting his drill on top of the pile of tools. "I need to wrap up a few things here before we go."

He'd waited all afternoon to have a minute alone with Haley. Something was bothering her, and that bothered him. She'd been quiet and withdrawn throughout the installation of her kitchen cabinets and counters. Not like her at all, and he missed the sledgehammer-wielding superhero. He needed to find out what had put a damper on her enthusiasm.

"Yeah, sure." Josey slipped into her jacket, eyeing him intently before taking up the crate full of tools. "I'll wait for you in the van. I have a phone call to make, anyway."

"Thanks. I'll be out in a few." The second the door closed, Sam turned to Haley. "Tell me what's bothering you?"

"I'm OK. Really." She brushed some debris off the new granite countertop. "It's just that I heard back from Michael this morning, and it's been on my mind."

Her gaze rose to his, and the hurt he glimpsed in her pretty brown eyes went straight through him to pierce his heart. "What did he have to say for himself?"

"You can read it for yourself if you want." She shrugged.

What he wanted was to haul her into his arms. She needed comfort, and more than anything, he wanted to be the one to make everything in her world all better. He should probably think about that before he got in any deeper than he already was, but this was Haley. Seeing her so dejected scrambled his insides. "Josey drove me here today. Can you give me a ride home? We can read the stupid e-mail together, and then maybe go out for pizza somewhere where we can talk."