3. Chapter Three #2
The cabin was pretty much as I envisioned. Two-story wood structure with a sloping roof and a view of Big Butte Lake. Despite living near Foggy Basin, I’d never been here before.
I parked my SUV next to Soren’s and cut the engine.
For a moment, I just sat and tried to remember to breathe.
He’s just a guy. I’m doing this because of the kittens.
Nothing bad is going to happen. Right? Because I’d already endured a lifetime of hurt.
Spending a little time around a man I wanted, but couldn’t have, couldn’t possibly be that difficult.
The man himself came out of the cabin and waved.
I waved back, unbuckled my seatbelt, and exited the SUV. “Uh, hey.”
“Glad you made it. I worried because some maps programs don’t always get the turnoff correct. I should’ve sent you more precise—”
I held up my hand. “Everything was perfect.”
“Great. Let’s get the kittens, and you, inside.
I’ve created a space for the box in the family room, but there’s also an outlet near the bed in your room—if you want to keep them there.
I’m thinking family room, though, so it’s easier for us to share the—” He only halted his rambling because Tibby pushed past him and made a beeline for me.
I dropped to my haunches and opened my arms. And caught her when she threw herself into them. “Hey, girl.” I stuck my face in her ruff. “Thanks for having us.”
She licked my cheek—as if she understood how stressed I was and was saying glad you chose to come here.
“Tibby.” Soren—with just a tinge of exasperation.
Slowly, I rose.
He grinned. “When she’s got her therapy vest on, she’s a perfect angel. The rest of the time, she sort of does her own thing.”
“I didn’t mind the enthusiastic welcome.”
Soren cocked his head. “I apologize if I didn’t make it clear that I’m really glad you made it and have chosen to trust me.
Let’s get you inside and fed. Noah will be here in about twenty minutes.
I’m going to tuck Tibby into another room for the time being while we settle the kittens.
” With that, he headed toward my back hatch. “Pop it and I’ll grab your suitcase?”
I hit the button on the remote. “Uh, thanks.”
“No worries. Grab the kittens, and once I’ve got Tibby secured, you can come in.” He hefted my suitcase and headed into the house.
Tibby gave me one final look.
I smiled. “All good. I’m staying.”
As if understanding, she nodded and followed Soren into the house.
I grabbed my knapsack and then unbuckled the carrier. I was trying to figure out how to lift it as well as the box when Soren reappeared.
“Give me something to carry.” He held out his arms.
After a moment’s hesitation, I handed him the empty box. “Thanks.”
“No worries. You’ve got everything else?”
I nodded.
“Perfect. Follow me.” He waited, although, until I’d removed the carrier and locked the SUV. Then he headed toward the cabin. “Now, I made spaghetti. I cooked the meatballs separately since I didn’t think to ask you if you have any dietary restrictions.”
“None. Thank you for asking.” My breath caught as we stepped into the cabin. I immediately walked straight over to the wall of windows—two stories and all glass. The sun created sparkles on the lake that dazzled. I let out a breath. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Yeah. This place is worth every penny I paid for it.” He chuckled.
I was curious how much that had been—but didn’t dare ask.
“How do you get any work done? I’d want to sit all day on the back deck and stare at the lake.” I spotted a small beach as well as a dock that extended pretty far out. “Is that a motorboat?”
“Yep. I don’t use it as often as I should. I prefer not to go out alone. Safety, you know?”
“I get that.”
“As for getting work done?” He pointed to a door to the left. “My office has the same view. Sometimes it does get distracting. Other times, I’m so damn busy, the entire day will pass and I won’t have seen a thing.”
I couldn’t imagine that. But then I didn’t entirely understand what Soren did. Something with computers. Something about cybersecurity. Way beyond my knowledge or comprehension.
He pointed to a door on the right. “That’s the primary bedroom.
Again with the stunning view. I keep my blinds open at night just to watch the moonlight on the lake.
Then I close them because I really don’t want the morning light.
I tend to be a night owl—even though that doesn’t always work with my schedule. ”
“Ah. I’m a morning person. I like to do my workout before I head to the store.
My mom always said that the early bird got the worm, and I’ve sort of stuck with that.
Plus, having to open the store every day means I have to be on top of things.
” I scratched my jaw. “And having a kid in school meant always being on top of the morning routine.”
Soren’s eyes widened. “You have a kid? Oh God, Sam. I never considered that. Did you leave them with a friend or relative? We should head back to your—”
I held up my hand. “Quinta’s away at university.”
He squinted. “Okay—you’re going to have to explain that to me. Because unless you had her when you were like, ten…?”
“Nah.” I drew in a deep breath. I can do this.
“Quinta’s my niece. My brother- and sister-in-law were her parents.
There was a crash—” I swallowed. “I was nineteen and with them. Along with my parents. Quinta was home with a babysitter. Head-on crash with a huge pickup truck. Everyone died…except me.”
Soren’s face took on that expression I was so familiar with. Pity. Or maybe just empathy—with the sad eyes and the down-turned mouth. “That has to have been rough.”
“Yeah. I was in rehab for a while. Quinta was in foster care, so I had an incentive to recover as quickly as I could. As soon as I could, I took custody of her. I was, like, nineteen. She was nine.” I scratched my jaw again.
“I’m not going to lie and say we had it easy.
We didn’t. We were both mired in grief and scared shitless. Oh, sorry.”
He waved me off. “I’ve said a whole lot worse. Look, how about you put the carrier on the table? There’s an outlet where we can plug in the heating pad. Then we’ll eat, and Noah will be here in no time.”
I blinked. Appreciative. I was grateful. He just acted like losing my family wasn’t a big deal. No…he chose not to dwell on it. For that, I could be thankful.
“Heating pad and then food—I can get into that.”
“Perfect. I’ll put your bag in the bedroom upstairs.
” He pointed to one of the two staircases—one next to the primary bedroom door and one next to his office door.
As my gaze followed them, I spotted several doors on the second level.
“Bedroom, bathroom, and another bedroom. Everything you need is ready for you. Back in a flash.” He headed up the set of stairs next to his den and disappeared into what I assumed was one of the spare bedrooms.
I did some quick calculations in my mind. Yep. That room would have the same stunning view. I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. Yeah. Except Soren was a flesh-and-blood man, and I had weeks ahead of me where I’d need to deny the sexual attraction.
Easy-peasy.
Or not.