Chapter 31
Jess
Iwas standing on the porch when the car came up the drive. Jenn had texted, giving me a heads-up, while the girls and I were feeding the chickens. I left them to finish up while I jogged back to the house.
My heart fluttered as I caught a glimpse of his car coming up the drive. I’d missed him. More than I’d expected. More than I thought I could miss someone.
Especially a man I wasn’t even dating.
But over the last several weeks, Brian had become a fixture in my life, and although my days here were busy, I’d thought about him constantly.
When he stepped out of his car, his suit wrinkled and a look of exhaustion on his face, my heart ached. Even like this, he was handsome.
His expression morphed into something more bashful as he caught sight of me.
“Get over here,” I said, opening my arms.
He obeyed without hesitation, and when he got close, I threw my arms around his neck.
“I missed you,” he said into my hair.
His warmth enveloped me, bringing with it a peace I didn’t realize I needed. “Did you drive all night?”
He backed away and nodded, running his hand through his hair, which was sticking up on one side of his head. “How did you know I was coming?”
“You caused a stir in town. Not many racing green Audis up here.”
“It’s not even six.”
“Farm town.” I smirked. “Also, my sister texted me. She owns the coffee shop.”
“Ah. I knew she looked familiar.”
I looked down at my phone screen and read the message she sent. “She said ‘a lovesick dude in a five-thousand-dollar suit just came in asking for Munchkins. I assume he belongs to you?’”
He smiled. “Do I? Belong to you?”
The sincerity, the uncertainty, in his voice made my stomach drop.
“Let’s get you inside.” I grasped his arm. “You look exhausted. You didn’t have to drive all night, you know. You could have called.”
“I wanted to see your pretty face.” He caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers. “And I wanted to touch you.”
My knees wobbled. This was so strange and awkward but maybe the most romantic moment of my life.
Blushing, I looked away, only to spot Josh and Jasper with their arms resting on a nearby fence, spying on us.
“We have an audience,” I declared, nodding toward them.
Brian waved at them, though he never took his eyes off me.
“I brought Munchkin Monday donuts,” he rasped. His voice was thick, his words slow. “They are not Munchkins. The kid at the store was very offended when I asked. Which makes sense.” He frowned. “They are not holes. But they have holes? Wait, I’m confused. Anyway, I bought a few dozen.”
He stumbled toward the car and opened the passenger seat. “Delicious,” I said, following him. “But let’s get you inside. Do you want to take a nap or a shower?”
“I don’t want to impose.” He clutched the donut box to his chest. “There’s an inn nearby. Lo made a reservation.”
“You’re staying here,” I said firmly.
“You can send me home.” His eyelids were heavy and his feet dragged in the gravel as I guided him to the porch. “I know I’m interrupting. But I was going crazy without you.”
God, could this be any more adorable?
“I want you here. With us,” I said.
A slow smile spread across his face.
“But,” I hedged, “you need to sleep for a little bit.”
The smile turned a little wicked. “Will you nap with me?”
The warmth that had settled into me when we first touched burned hotter. “Only if you promise to behave.”
“I don’t think I have a choice. Your brothers look pissed.” He peered over my shoulder at them. They’d now left their post at the fence and were wandering this way.
“Don’t mind them. The town text chain has been blowing up. They’re just curious.”
I led him into the house, and when my brothers followed, I made introductions. By the curiosity in Jasper’s eyes and the look of concern Josh wore, it was obvious they had questions, but I left them to stew in them, and eat donuts, while I took Brian up to my old bedroom.
Josh had upgraded the space significantly since I’d lived here.
Rather than a twin, a queen-size bed sat centered on one side of the room.
The sky-blue quilt brightened the space, complementing the board-and-batten walls perfectly.
Above, a wooden ceiling fan circled lazily, and the floors that had once creaked terribly were mostly silent.
He’d even found photos I’d taken in high school, when I was certain I wanted to be a professional photographer, and had framed them and used them to create a gallery wall. It was technically home, though with all the changes, I felt like a guest.
“I want to hear all about Vermont.” Brian dropped heavily onto the bed, head tipped back, his bloodshot eyes on me.
“Later,” I said, giving him a gentle shove. “Take a nap first. I’ll show you all the sights as soon as you’ve rested.”
I gestured for his phone and plugged it in on the nightstand. Before I could back away, he snaked a long arm out, looping it around my waist, and pulled me onto the bed. When I was flush against him, he sighed.
“Five minutes,” he whispered into my ear as the comfort of his body relaxed me and his scent flooded my senses. “I’ve been dreaming about this.”
He was asleep, breathing softly into my neck, minutes later.
I was still in shock that he was here. But as he held me, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to savor the relief of having him close.
I’d missed him more than I could have imagined. And every day, no matter how hard I tried, I found little enjoyment. Because I knew without a doubt that every activity would be so much better if he were here with me.
We had a lot to talk about, especially after his spontaneous all-night road trip. But for now, I let myself relax.