Chapter 7
7
JAMES
T he air is particularly crisp as I slowly drive around Old Hemlock Valley. It’s busier than usual for a Thursday morning: with Christmas only days away, more people are taking time off work to catch up on shopping and visiting.
I’m not surprised my date with Holly was interrupted last night. Things were going too smoothly. I have no idea how the universe knows to balance itself, but it always seems like a run of good luck is quickly followed by a dash or two of bad, awkward, or downright ridiculous.
Last night’s call fell into the “ridiculous” category and would have been considered a waste of resources by big city police officers. For me, it was one of the many little moments that make the townspeople feel safe here.
It turned out the attempted burglary that I bravely thwarted was just some branches being blown against Mrs. McKinley’s basement window. But with her husband away visiting his brother she was alone, and obviously on edge. I removed the branches, did my usual sweep of the house checking all the windows and locks, and assured her that all was clear.
She thanked me profusely. There may have been a homemade lasagna involved in the thanking process, but that is cop-townsperson information and highly classified.
I park in front of City Hall, waving to everyone on my way into the office. Corina, who runs an amazing coffee shop on the next block, is grabbing a box of the latest tourism brochures to replenish the pile that she always keeps next to her register. “Hey, James.”
“Hey. How’s the coffee game?”
She grins. “Great. Everyone’s home for the holidays, so business is booming.” Then she laughs. “Plus I’m gearing up for the Austins coming back in a day or two. When they’re in town, they are super regular customers.”
I can feel my face practically falling to my boots. “Coming back? I thought they were gone for several more months.”
She shrugs, setting the box on the counter. “Dunno about that. I just happened to hear one of their cousins reading a text from them to a friend this morning.” Corina’s eyebrow lifts. “Wait, is that a problem? I thought you liked the Austins. Everybody likes the Austins.”
“Oh, I like them just fine. Wonderful people. it just means that their house-sitter is…” I hold up my hands. “It just means I have to take care of something extra today.”
She flashes me a wink. “There’s a free coffee in it for you if you bring me down another of these boxes in about two weeks. Everyone’s been grabbing these new flyers.”
“Dreaming of the spring birds already,” I chuckle. “Will do, Corina.”
As soon as she’s gone, I hurry into my office and quickly deal with the drifts of paperwork that have piled up. Then I sit perfectly still at my desk, staring at the small gray smudge on the opposite wall that’s just off-center. It’s my usual thinking spot.
Why hasn’t Holly told me about this? If the Austins are coming home so soon, they must have contacted her by now.
There aren’t many options for short-term lodging in Old Hemlock Valley. Riggs, a local pilot, often rents out his incredible house to students or people staying there for several months. The Austins travel now and then, giving their place to a house-sitter as long as it’s a friend of a friend, someone they can trust. The only other option is the inn, which is reasonably priced, but would get expensive after a while.
Would Holly stay with me?
The decision to invite her is obviously simple. It’s already precisely what I want, to have her with me as much as possible. Every second, every touch. I’ll never get enough of my beautiful girl. Having her live in my space… It would instantly become our space.
The spot on the wall practically vibrates from the intensity of my gaze as I continue staring. Why hasn’t she called me? She must know that I’d help her. Do anything for her.
Unless… Could I possibly be overstepping? My gigantic wave of feelings for her has been immediate and intense. It’s clear that she feels something for me, but it might take a while for her to get to my level and insisting that she live with me immediately might not be for the best. I’ll have to broach the topic very carefully.
Hey – I just heard through the proverbial grapevine that the Austins are coming back. Can I help?
It takes about half an hour for her to reply. She’s probably up to her elbows in flour and frosting.
Holly: Actually, it would be amazing if you could give me a ride to the inn after work this afternoon with my stuff. I’ve just made a reservation.
Sure. No problem.
When I arrive a few hours later, Holly seems like she’s in good spirits. “It’s going to be more expensive than I expected,” she says as we drive downtown after locking up the house and squirreling the key away again. “But since I have some savings and got a job so quickly – thanks to you – I should be fine until I find an apartment.”
I don’t want to ruin her fabulous mood by pointing out it sometimes takes a long time to find an apartment here.
“The photos of the inn online look charming,” she says brightly. Then we turn the corner, and her smile falters.
The inn truly is beautiful, but the street in front of it is packed with cars and trucks. A whole load of guys in their early twenties are walking around from room to room on the wraparound balcony, calling to each other.
“It’s the holidays,” I say gently. “A lot of university dudes come home and don’t want to stay with their parents, or the house is too packed with the entire family there. The inn turns into a bit of a party zone.”
“Oh.” I hate how shaky her voice is.
Reaching out, I take her hand. “Holly, you must realize you’re more than welcome to stay with me. I have a guest room – plain, but it’s warm and clean and safe. I even have a smaller pickup truck you can use. It runs fine, as long as you’re not in a hurry.”
My heart sinks as she hesitates, even though she has every reason to. I try to smile as gently and warmly as possible. “Having you stay with me was my first thought, to be honest.”
Her bottom lip wobbles. “How could I ever pay you back, though?”
I blink dramatically. “By cooking with me, naturally.” She brightens slightly. “I’ve never had a roommate,” I confess. “I think it’ll be good for me. And you know my cousin Maggie, so if I’m anything other than the perfect roomie, you can call her to have my mother yell at me.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
She smiles sweetly, squeezing my hand. “Then maybe we should hit the grocery store so that your new roommate can shop for dinner?”
Leaning closer, we strain the seatbelts but manage a quick kiss. I can almost taste her nervousness, mixed with sweetness. Mixed with the way I’m sure that she wants me, just as much as I want her.
Releasing her, I sit up straight and put the truck into gear, ignoring the guys out front who clearly saw everything and are wolf whistling at us.
“Grocery store. Someone to help cook dinner. It’s shaping up to be a pretty good Thursday.”
Although we’re both making light of the situation, it feels like a huge step. One that I don’t actually know Holly is ready for.
I’m going to have to do everything in my power to take my time with her, even though the thought is rock solid in my mind, and there’s a feeling in my gut, rapidly spreading lower.
We want each other. Badly.
If we’re together every moment that we aren’t working, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to hold out.
More to the point, I’m positive Holly doesn’t want me to.