Two Wrong Turns (Love Sync Mates Season Two #9)

Chapter 5

Barrett

There was nothing quite as wonderful as a warm bed and some comfy pillows. It’s literally heaven in my humble opinion.

And I was living the best life.

My body was wrapped up in the fluffiest comforter I’d ever seen. It was both soft and warm, the ultimate combo. The pillows surrounding me were also perfect. Some were soft and others were a touch firmer. It created a variety of options, each with their own purpose.

I couldn’t recall having a better night of sleep.

Which was odd since I’d been alternating naps in my car with single nights in hotels. This wasn’t the type of sleep situation I’d find in those.

The thought had my eyes popping open. I had to blink a few times to focus, but then my surroundings became crystal clear.

A massive bed, a dresser with a large mirror, two nightstands, and matching lamps hanging on the walls above the stands. It was just about the coziest sight ever. Problem was, it didn’t seem familiar.

I went over the day before to see if I could sus out what happened.

The first thing I remembered was arguing with my GPS. After that, I recalled winding up in the diner and how the sheriff found me. He’d been a bit grumpy and defensive, though I could imagine it was mostly the small-town way of things. I didn’t hold it against him.

He’d offered me a place to stay for the night. That I did remember.

After that, it’s a blur. I remembered pulling up to his house and telling him how creepy it looked in the dark of night. I wondered if it was just as bad in the daylight hours.

Only one way to know.

I sat up in bed, stretching my body. Thanks to the wonderful night of sleep, I’m free of the normal aches and pains I’ve been waking up with for months. Even my old bed back in the city wasn’t this good.

Looking down, I noticed I was in a pair of boxers and a baggy shirt. I figured it was enough to cover me while I ventured into the house. There was some light slipping through the drapes on one wall, telling me it had to be daytime. I didn’t see my phone, so I couldn’t tell the exact time.

Out in the hall, I followed the sound of soft music until I reached the living room and kitchen area. It was a big open space with a wall of windows on one side facing the forest. My fingers itched to draw the scene. It would make an amazing piece.

While that view called to the artist in me, it was also the sight of Nolan shirtless and cooking that had my mouth watering. As I watched him, he hummed along to the music and plated up a giant stack of pancakes from the griddle sitting across his stovetop.

I crept closer, my stomach’s empty state guiding me. He turned his head when I was only about halfway there.

“Barrett! You’re awake.” His voice sounded excited, even though he wore a scowl.

“Yeah, I am. Any chance you’re up to sharing some of that?”

When I pointed to the pancakes, he shook his head. My heart dropped at the reply.

“I’m not sharing this. It’s yours. So is that.”

He pointed to the table, which I’d somehow missed when I came in. The space was covered in more food than I could consume in a week.

Fresh fruit. Pancakes and waffles. Sausage. Bacon. Eggs done multiple ways. And even some type of casserole.

“There’s no way I’ll be able to eat all this alone. I would love to try a bit of everything though.”

Nolan’s frown gave way to a slight upturn of his lips. It wasn’t quite a full smile, yet I felt the full force of it as if it were.

“Have a seat. I’ll bring this over too. I’ll help you eat some of it.”

“I don’t mind at all. I’m not lying when I say I can’t possibly eat it all. You have to help me.” I put a bit of a command to my words. He doesn’t seem bothered at the forceful tone. If anything, I’d guess he was amused by my boldness.

As I took my seat, he shut down whatever else he had going in the kitchen and brought over the plate of pancakes. It was then I noticed that some were plain and the ones he had were chocolate chip. Same with the waffles. I couldn’t hide the way I licked my lips or the way I eagerly lifted my empty plate to fill it.

Nolan didn’t call me out for it. Instead, he took his own plate, then began following me to add his own items. He waited to grab something only after I had taken what I wanted. Like he needed me to have first dibs.

It was such a strange situation to find myself in. The sheriff of the town, a man far too attractive for my own good, had offered me a place to stay and fed me. He’d fed me twice, actually, if we counted the time in the diner.

Neither of us spoke as we ate. I had my own reasons for holding back, and I was sure Nolan was counting down the minutes until he could leave. Then again, maybe he was nervous about leaving a stranger in his home.

“I can leave today if you need me to,” I blurted after finishing the last bite of waffle on my plate.

“Why would I need you to leave?”

“Because you don’t know me. It’s understandable if you don’t know how to feel about me being here when you’re not.”

His eyes swept over me, the look both evaluating and full of — something. I wanted it to mean more, like maybe he was interested in me in some way. It was more likely annoyance or something. There was no chance he wanted me like that.

“You’re free to be here as long as you need. And you have access to everything in my home. Nothing is off limits.”

I bit my lip, a question on the tip of my tongue. Technically, this wouldn’t be his home that I’d be using. Just the view.

“Do you mind if I set up my paints and do a bit of work? The view from the back is really gorgeous. I’d like to try to capture it.”

“Have at it. I will be gone most of the day. I’ll make dinner when I’m back. You can eat anything here for lunch or head into town for food at the diner again. You’re not a prisoner, Barrett. This is your home now too.”

His words were both a bother and a comfort. How could a place I’d never been already feel like home? And why did he look unhappy about the entire thing? He kept saying I could stay, even when his face made me feel like I should be packing it up and hitting the road.

But first, I had to paint this view. There was no getting away from it.

I’d been captivated by its natural beauty. I couldn’t leave without attempting to get it on the canvas.

Nolan left to get ready for work as I went out to my car to get my supplies. It took some digging around and shuffling of bags, but eventually I found a big enough canvas and my collection of paints. I dragged them inside, setting them up on the back porch on top of a drop cloth.

Protecting my area was key when I worked. I often got too caught up in a piece to pay attention to what was happening around me. More than once I’d found the room had as much paint on the floor as I’d put on the canvas.

And don’t get me started on my clothing. I would be a mess.

“I’ll see you later,” Nolan called from the back door right as I was placing my easel where I thought it would work best.

“Have a good day. I’ll see you tonight.”

The domestic words slipped free before I could help it. I wasn’t sure why it felt so natural to wish him well when we barely knew one another.

Nolan didn’t say anything else. He closed the back door and made his way to his truck. Thanks to the silence in the area, I heard every little move he made. The way he closed and locked the front door. The way his feet crunched over the gravel drive. The sound of his truck door shutting and the way his tires echoed his departure.

Left alone, I focused on letting my creative side come out. It had been far too long since I gave myself full freedom to create without worry.

If the bear showed up today, I’d simply work him in. He would fit the location, and he might even make it better. I wouldn’t know until the piece was complete.

Once I had everything in place, I went to change into something I could get as dirty as needed. Another baggy shirt went on, as did the paint-splattered leggings I wore when I worked. Something about the tight fabric gave me a sense of focus I couldn’t explain.

Art can be a tactile experience sometimes. The body and mind are connected in ways we still don’t quite understand.

Dressed and ready, I faced the canvas with my pencil in hand. It was time to create.

Hours later, I was hungry and sore. The sun had begun to drop, as had my mood.

I’d forgotten to eat lunch along the way, my creative flow deep enough that my basic needs weren’t a priority.

Looking over the painting before me, I felt a sense of pride at what I’d created. It had to be my best work yet. The color, the realism. It felt like I’d brought the forest to life.

But there was no bear in sight. I froze at the reality.

Where had it gone? Why hadn’t I added it to this piece like the others? Was there something special about this place?

I didn’t believe in magic and all that stuff, yet this place held a certain energy about it. And the fact that it broke the rut I’d been in gave it more power.

The sound of a door behind me drew my attention. I spun to find Nolan behind me, his eyes wide as he took in the painting.

“You did this?”

I nodded.

“Today? While I was gone?”

“Yeah. It’s a bit of a blur, but that tends to happen. I didn’t even remember to eat,” I joked.

Nolan growled at my admission. It reminded me of the sounds he made at the diner. It was more animalistic than human, though I still liked the sound no matter the basis.

“I can put it away if you hate it. I’ll find somewhere else to work if I’m a bother.”

My words broke whatever spell had come over him. Nolan pressed forward until he was far closer than strangers should stand.

“No,” he said firmly.

“No?”

“You’ll work here. You can paint all you want. I was just — I was shocked. I’ve never seen art this beautiful. You’re extremely talented, Barrett. I’m honored you chose to portray this land.”

“Thank you. I’m thankful I got the chance to see it.”

We were close enough that I see the way his expression shifted at my words. Heat filled his gaze as his eyes flickered down to my lips.

Did he want to kiss me? Did I want to kiss him? There was no reason I shouldn’t. At least none that mattered at this moment.

He liked my art. He wanted me to keep making more. He’s given me a place to rest and space to do as I please.

How could I not be attracted to that?

Nolan dragged me from my thoughts with his arm wrapping around my waist. The grip was firm, unyielding. I sank into him, hands landing on his chest for balance.

“Tell me I shouldn’t,” he whispered.

I shook my head. “I can’t.”