Sophie had worked hard on this little apartment. She’d repainted the one bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room herself. The floors were a light-colored hardwood, softened by a few thoughtfully placed rugs. She’d kept the furniture sparse to keep the feeling of wide-open space, even if her actual square footage was limited.
It was her cozy haven. One that currently had a man banging around in her tiny kitchen.
Sophie eyed Brandon’s broad back as he moved around her stove and counter space like they were his. “You have classes to teach, dogs to train.”
People to see, things to do. He’d built the equivalent of a small ecosystem on the acres of land he’d bought four years ago when he’d returned from deployment. It was a haven, in Sophie’s mind. And it was unsettling to see him anywhere but there.
Instead, he was here. And this might be the first time he’d been here for longer than a few minutes. She didn’t plan to ever admit to him how happy it made her.
Lyn and Elisa had been true to their word. They’d settled her on her couch and retrieved cookies from her kitchen plus tea spiked with bourbon. They’d taken up Brandon’s offer to move around furniture to make it easier for Sophie to be comfortable. So she’d nibbled on a cookie, wide-eyed, as she watched him heft her solid wood breakfast table and move it within easy reach of her couch. Then Lyn and Elisa had brought the chairs over and sat with her for a quick chat.
In the end, they hadn’t gotten around to talking about her career again. Brandon hovering nearby hadn’t helped. She’d been distracted and pondering if there was some other heavy piece of furniture she could get him to move around for her. Besides, Lyn and Elisa each had to get back to Hope’s Crossing Kennels and their respective responsibilities.
“You have nothing but cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and sweet rolls here.” Brandon’s observation was delivered in a neutral tone, over his shoulder. “I figure you’ve got at least one neighbor who’ll show up with a casserole or their special lasagna. Until then, I figured I’d make a couple of easy-to-heat-up meals for you.”
“It might’ve been easier to pick up a few frozen dinners.” She fussed with the blanket he’d draped over her lap. It was one of several she had in easy reach, because she liked to make a nest for herself when she curled up to read. This place was where she could enjoy her quiet evenings without troubling anyone else.
“Picking up fresh stuff cost about the same, and it’ll be healthier for you.” He chopped vegetables while chicken breasts baked in her oven. Muscles twitched and rippled across his shoulders and back with the precise movements. She wondered if he could look any hotter. She leaned over to catch a glimpse of his rear around the edge of her newly relocated breakfast table.
“What are you making?” It did smell really good. Or maybe she was getting her appetite back.
“Simple, easy-to-spice-up dishes.” Brandon was practical that way. His cooking was always straightforward, incorporating just a few ingredients, and comforting. He also handled a knife with flare. “Mostly chicken paired with veggies. I’m keeping it lean because I figure you’re going to be snacking on all your baked sweets.”
Her cheeks heated. Come to think of it, he’d been dropping comments ever since the hospital, reminders of how well he knew her and the people around her. Her neighbors were likely to bring dishes of easy-bake carbs, too. “You’re probably right.”
He lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “Seasoning is light because I don’t know if your stomach might still get queasy with the pain meds. Just salt, pepper, and garlic.”
She bit her lip as a warm happiness continued to spread through her chest. He was always considerate, but this was a whole new level of thoughtful care. “I’ve got a jar of pesto in the fridge if I want to change it up.”
She also had a variety of hot sauces and soy-based stuff.
“There’s also a big container of kimchi in your fridge in case you really want a pop of flavor.” Definite amusement in that statement.
She sighed. “Mom left it for me to make sure I didn’t run out while she was gone.”
There were containers of various other Korean dishes on the same shelf in her refrigerator, too. Her mom was an amazing cook, actually. Sophie just didn’t eat Korean for every meal.
“The amount of food in there is enough to feed you awhile.” Brandon started setting up small plastic containers in rows. “But it’ll take some effort to pull all those containers out and set up a plate of what you want. Plus, those are served at all different temperatures. You’d end up on your feet for twenty minutes heating everything the way it should be served. That’s a lot of effort. So the ones I’m putting together are an easy two or three minutes in the microwave and ready to eat.”