The child within her that blamed her father for the divorce. The teen that had missed him and craved his attention. The daughter that wished she’d had more time with him. She’d wept for them. Grieved with them. Comforted them. Then a new understanding had dawned with a quiet, reassuring voice in her mind. Her father made a commitment to the army to serve a greater good, not to abandon his family. He’d loved her, reached out to her. She had a choice in how to remember him. She’d realized the answers weren’t in boxes but in her heart. She’d decided to cherish the love and all the good memories she had of her father.
But even though she’d thought she’d made peace with the past, a sense of despair still remained. It left her off kilter. At work or during everyday tasks her mind kept wandering back to the cabin. She still hadn’t figured out why. Coming back definitely hadn’t been on the agenda, but then Jan had called about the buyer. Maybe selling the cabin was the final step to moving on.
A pang of sadness brought a thought, illusive and quick. It swept in and slipped away. That was happening a lot lately.
Coffee. That would energize her. She retrieved the packs of instant along with packets of creamer and sugar from her purse. She’d traveled light this time around. An overnight bag, nothing to prepare or cook. Hotels and restaurants all the way this trip.
She found a mug in the cabinet. The kitchen ended up getting the short end when it came to packing. Wanting to leave, she’d left the basics behind. The Realtor could probably pack them up if the new owner didn’t want them.
She carried her cup to the deck. Rays of sun peeked over the trees. Light humidity saturated the air. The perfect day for outside fun. Hopefully, the interested buyers had kids who’d love hanging out in the loft. Now was also the best time for spending hours at the pond and discovering new adventures on the trails. Just like she had.
Tires crunched on gravel out front. As she went inside and set her mug on the counter, a knock echoed. She opened the door and her heart sped up.
Tall, clean cut, intense hazel eyes, just her type…and probably taken. He wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. Not like that meant anything these days. “Ms. Blake.”
She took his outstretched hand. Tingles zapped into her palm. They radiated into her arm, a magnetic binding force. She didn’t want to let go. The overwhelming urge to lunge up and wrap her arms around him made her fidget in place.
He’d think she was nuts, if he didn’t already. His expectant expression cued her into him waiting for a response.
“Please, call me Lauren.” As she took a step back, her sneaker bottom squeaked on the wood. Why hadn’t she put on something more sophisticated than jeans and a blouse?
“I’m Reid.”
The deep hum of his voice stroked over her like a soothing balm. The urge to jump on him grew stronger.
“Jan had to go back to her office for a document. I hope you don’t mind. I came on ahead.” He released her hand.
“No. Not at all. I’ll show you around.”
A clean woodsy scent came with him through the door. His jeans molded to his fantastic, hard-looking butt. Which he caught her practically drooling over.
Heat flushed into her cheeks.
He smiled. “Where do we start?”
Anywhere that allowed her to keep enjoying the view of him. “It’s a simple layout. I’m so rude. Would you like coffee? It’s not fresh brewed. It’s instant.” Pretty obvious since the coffeepot sat clean and empty on the counter. “I have to heat up water in the microwave and mix in a packet.”
Could she sound any dumber?
“That would be great.” He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms. The dark fabric of his polo curved to hard chest muscle.
Damn. Naked he was probably absofrikenlutely magnificent. She took down another mug and heated water in the microwave. A few more random, naked imaginings of him and her fantasies could boil water. The chime sounded. She retrieved the mug and, without a second thought, she stirred in coffee and the contents of one sugar packet. Lauren caught her mistake before she handed it back to him. “Sorry. I should have asked how you take it.”
He slipped the cup from her hand and took a sip.
The tingly sensations lingered where his fingers had brushed hers.
“It’s perfect.”
“Good.” She rubbed her hand on the leg of her jeans. “Well, as you can see the kitchen has all the basic appliances. All of the furnishings you see come with the living room and bedroom.
“Is the fireplace in working order?” He stroked the light-colored stones.
“Yes.” A vision flared up. Her lying in front of a fire and him drizzling melted chocolate on her bare breasts. “And there are already logs stacked outside.” She hurried past him and out the French doors. It was as if someone had turned the temp up on an oven. It had been perfect a minute ago. Where was a breeze when she needed one? She plucked her blouse away from her chest and fanned for air. An image rolled in of him shirtless and chopping wood. With every strike, his abs tightened. The muscles on his back rippled. Well. At least she imagined they would.
He inspected the grill. “I bet you enjoyed barbecues with your friends.”
Her instincts screamed yes, but in reality no. “I wish I had.” Specks of charring on the grill grates…she hadn’t noticed that before.