Chapter 21
Now that summer was ending, he had plans. He knew she would protest, and he would let her have her house hunting fun, but the apartment above his shop was nearly finished. Soon, it would be begging for someone to move in. He’d planned to rent it out himself, or use it for hired help—if he ever decided to take anyone on. But if Blythe wasn’t going to be living at Silo Springs, he sure as hell wasn’t going to let her live in town or anywhere else that he couldn’t keep an eye on her. Things might’ve settled down with her ex—no more texts or roses. But that didn’t mean he was going to let her go off without someone to watch her back and offer protection, just in case. He and Chris had plotted their plan on the side. Both agreed, it was important to let her have her way…within reason.
He pulled up to the porch at Silo Springs and rolled down the window of his red pickup. He turned up the volume and let an 80’s banger waft through the air, toward the woman who was standing next to the wooden pillar, waiting for him. His hat was on backwards, his aviator shades giving him a real classic look. His hand was resting on the steering wheel, opposite elbow hanging out his window.
“Are you Miss Harper?” He tilted his sunglasses down. “I heard she needed a cowboy to ride…I mean, drive her into town.”
He knew he wore a stupid grin on his face, and Blythe laughed out loud. “I’ve quit trying to guess which naughty joke you’re going to come up with next.”
He hopped out and jogged up the steps. Blythe squealed as he lifted her up and over his shoulder, giving her a nice little pat on the ass as he carried her to the open truck door. Blythe didn’t try to ride shotgun anymore, not since he insisted the bench seat meant she rode next to him. He placed her inside, and she slid over just enough to give him room.
“Where to, sugar? You said you had a few walk-throughs set. Anyone I know?”
He put the truck in gear, placed his arm on the back of the seat, and looked over his shoulder, making sure he didn’t back into anything on their way out. They drove around town, met up with the Taylor’s, the Huffman’s, and the Lewis families. They walked through the apartment above the Taylor’s garage, a shed the Huffman’s had turned into a living space, and the Lewis family had a basement apartment that used to belong to their oldest son—who’d moved out of the state a few months back.
Blythe was gracious and told each of them she’d get back with an answer as soon as possible, thanking them for their offers. When they got back to the truck, Justin turned the key in the ignition and grabbed the stick shift to put it in gear.
“So, which one did you like the best?” Blythe looked at him, indecision in her eyes.
“Well, the basement apartment was the cheapest, but…I guess I like the space above Mr. Taylor’s garage the best.”
Justin could tell she wasn’t excited about any of the potential prospects. It was time to shoot his shot.
“I know a place that wasn’t on your list. Want to go check it out?” He gave her a side smile and winked.
Her eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded her head.
Justin took a few back roads and an alternate route to throw her off. When they drove under the horseshoe arch and the dirt road leading to his house, she shot him a look, clearly unimpressed.
“Okay, this is your place, Justin Forge. I can’t move in with you. That’s not making my own way.” Her arms were folded across her chest, annoyance burning in her eyes as she looked him up and down, still sitting in the cab of his truck.
“I knew you’d say that. But you know what they say about assuming…” His blue eyes sparked as he teased her.
“Tread lightly, cowboy.” She quirked an eyebrow, and a soft smile spread on her lips. He opened the door, pulling her out with him.
“Follow me.”
Justin took her around to the back. Behind his gorgeous custom home stood a medium-sized building—not as big as the barn he had out in the distance, but it looked similar in style.
“My shop!” He walked out in front of her, stretching his arms wide, clearly proud of what he’d built.
“You want me to live in your shop?” Her chin dropped, eyes wide in disbelief.
“Yes! I mean, no.” He let out a breathy laugh. “I mean, there is a room I’ve been designing above the shop. See the window up there? It’s not quite finished, but it will only take me a few more weeks in-between work to get it done. In the meantime, I have the spare bedroom. You could sleep there, and I’d have this place ready in no time. Come on, let me show it to you.”
He was being careful. He needed her close—and her finding a job and an apartment in town where he wouldn’t be around just wasn’t going to fly. He was trying to lead her in a direction that would be safest for her and everyone involved . But he didn’t need her to sniff him out and realize what he was doing. What he and Chris were doing. She’d be mad as hell, that’s for damn sure.
BLYTHE
She smiled as Justin took her hand and practically dragged her up the metal staircase on one side of the building. It led up to a door that opened into a one room living space. There was a small kitchenette, a main room with plenty of space for a couch and chair—and there was a wall, perfect for a television set up. Walking further inside, she could see there was a set of double accordion style doors.
“There will be a washer and dryer set up behind there…” Justin motioned toward the doors as he continued walking her toward the back. There was a small hallway leading to the laundry, and off to the left there was the bedroom, and a bathroom to the right.
“I know it’s not fancy, but it’s new, it’s comfy and you’ll be the only person to ever live here—which is nice, as far as cleanliness goes…” He chuckled and pointed to the wooden floor beneath their feet. “I’ll put some rugs in here, too. You can pick them out, whatever you like.”
Blythe’s heart sped up. She was immediately taken back to Chicago, building a home with Max. He’d given her the same line, told her she could pick whatever she wanted—but really, it was what he wanted disguised as things she “picked out” with his approval. She dead-panned Justin, her eyes narrowing in on his. It was like she could see through him. She knew, without a doubt, he meant what he said. He couldn’t care less what style of rug she put in there. He wanted her to love it and feel at home—that was all she needed.
“I’ll take it.” She clapped her hands together and smiled ear to ear. “But I’m paying rent. I’m not going to mooch off of you. I’m going to be looking for a part-time job in town, and I’ll be able to afford the going rate, I’m sure. I just need?—”
“That's the thing,” Justin drawled. “I was hoping, maybe, you’d be open to sort of an exchange. I need someone to keep books for me. I have so much to do already, and being my own secretary is rough. Would you be willing to help me in exchange for a place to stay? I’d pay you, too, it would be part of the gig. Working for me is flexible, and I need someone bad.”
She scrunched her nose up as she mulled over his proposal in her head. It would be convenient. And it would be nice to have the flexibility to make her own schedule. Still, it felt like he was throwing her a bone. She didn’t necessarily like the way that felt, but Justin’s apartment was freaking nice. It was cozy, and it was out there, far away from town, where he was. Every other place she looked at that day was on some stranger’s property, and it was hard to find a reason to say no to Justin.
“Okay.” She looked up at him from under her lashes, wearing a sheepish smile on her lips.
She squealed as he scooped her up and spun her around, kissing her square on the mouth, tucking one side of her hair behind her ear.
She was wearing her hair down in waves, with a pastel pink dress that hit just above her knees. It had small straps going over her shoulders, exposing the freckles that were covering them. Her breath caught as Justin pressed his lips to one shoulder before he dotted gentle kisses all the way down her arm until he reached her hand. He hooked his fingers under hers and placed one last kiss on the smooth porcelain skin there.
“Thank you, sugar,” he whispered.
She could’ve sworn she heard a sigh of relief escape him, too.