“Thank you.” Blue lifted Lizzie from the truck.
Lizzie had never been the type of woman who felt like she needed taking care of, but being with Blue, having him lift her to and from the truck, watching his eyes dart around them, like he was always making sure she was safe, felt good and made her feel special. She’d put so much energy into hiding part of her life for so many years that she’d forgotten what it felt like not to feel so alone. And she hadn’t even realized she’d been lonely, but Blue touched a part of her that made her see how lonely she’d been. Every minute they spent together brought them closer, magnifying the reasons they were meant to be together.
“I can’t believe you bought a lighthouse. This is so different from your cabin.”
“I know. But as I said, it spoke to me. The inside still isn’t quite finished.” He unlocked the cottage door and moved aside for Lizzie to walk in.
She slipped off her sandals and stepped onto the shiny hardwood floors. The wide foyer opened to a dining room to the right and a great room straight ahead. A stone fireplace graced the center of the back wall, flanked by two glass doors that led to a deck. Lizzie walked through the living room, taking in the decorative moldings and dark cherry mantel over the fireplace. A stone surround led up to the cathedral ceiling. A railing overlooked the living room from the second floor. Knowing Blue’s capable hands had brought this place to life, she felt him all around her.
“This is gorgeous. Did you take out the second floor above this room, or was it like this?”
Blue came to her side, pride beaming in his eyes. “I removed the second floor here and kept two bedrooms on the other side.”
“This a work of art,” Lizzie said as they passed through an archway into the kitchen, where she admired the custom-built cabinetry. Blue never flaunted his talents. He was as modest as he was generous, and those traits only added to his allure. “I love how you used the muted greens and earth tones. I can just imagine how beautiful it would be with the bay window open and the breeze coming off the water while you’re cooking.” She sighed. “Heaven.”
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her cheek. “I’m glad you like it. You’re the first to see it, you know.”
“I am?” She turned to face him. “I’m honored that you’d share it with me.”
“I want to share so much more with you, Lizzie.”
A thrill rushed through her at the thought of sharing her life with Blue, but that thrill was chased by a nagging voice reminding her of the parts of her life she couldn’t share. It had become the constant push-pull she’d worried it would, and now she had to figure out how to deal with it.
“When the house is done, we’ll throw open the windows and cook something wonderful. Come on, I’ll show you the upstairs and then the lighthouse.”
They followed the hardwood stairs up to the second-floor hall overlooking the living room, which led to two bedrooms, complete with full baths.
“I just finished the hardwood floors. I’m working on the closets and moldings next.”
“It amazes me how much you can do, and you have such great vision.” She thought about the incredible job he was doing in her kitchen, which brought her mind back to the basement kitchen and to her webcast. For a second she wondered if she really could share her secrets with Blue. If he might be able to overlook what she did. She walked to the window and gazed out over the water, deciding to leave that thought unanswered for a little longer. “This is just lovely. I can see why you were so drawn to it.”
“Wait until you see the lighthouse.”
A few minutes later they stood at the bottom of the circular iron staircase in the lighthouse. The steps had molded iron risers with intricate designs, the type that they could see straight through. Lizzie’s heart beat so fast she felt like she might hyperventilate.
“I’m not great with open staircases like this.” She hated how weak she sounded. She’d forgotten the panic that filled her at open staircases. There was no reason for it that she’d ever been able to put her finger on, but the fear was very real, clutching at her chest and squeezing her lungs.
“It’s okay. We don’t have to go up.” Blue reached for her hand, and she stood stock-still.
“I want to. I really want to.”
“Okay, then let’s do this.” He moved to the side with the railing and wrapped one arm firmly around her from behind. His other hand pressed to her belly. She felt secure, safe. “I’ve got you. Are you afraid of heights?”
“No. There’s just something about these types of stairs that freak me out. I haven’t been in many places like this. Otherwise I would have warned you.”