Chapter 5
Chapter Five
CASEY
I sat back, looking around my new space.
I had accomplished a lot in the past three days.
The cupboards were painted in the kitchen, the doors rehung and open to dry completely.
The color and the new handles made the cabinets look great.
I had oiled the countertop, and it gleamed in the sunshine coming in the window.
I had cleaned the small table and bought two new chairs.
It currently housed the old coffeemaker, which had been a lifesaver, saving me a trip a few times a day to the local coffee shop.
The old sofa was still in place. I had spent time between coats of paint cutting foam for new cushions so it wasn’t so saggy.
I bought a simple desk that I built and put in the corner, and I was going to set up my workstation later.
A new rug and chair were coming tomorrow, along with a bed.
I found a couple of lamps at a cute thrift store, as well as a dresser I planned on painting for my clothes. The rest, I would buy as needed.
I looked at the entry hall, cocking my head and studying it.
Instead of a built-in closet, there was an old armoire.
Beautiful, solid wood. Intricate carving.
Heavy as hell. It was situated facing the living room, but it wasn’t centered in the doorway or on the wall.
It looked awkward, and I had to sidle past it every time I came in or went out.
I wondered if I could move it. I added that task to the list in my head for another day.
I had washed the windows and hung new curtains in the living room, the glass sparkling. I loved the stained-glass inserts in the bay window at the front and remembered it from my time living here.
So many memories swirled in my head as I was unpacking the totes.
Lou’s tablecloths she used to embroider.
Her salt and pepper collection she always loved.
The cast-iron frypan she cooked so many meals in.
I had only been able to bring two totes inside and unpack them, but I was grateful she had kept all these things.
I was so glad I had found her before she died. Even though I hadn’t been able to see her, the fact that we had reconnected and I got to talk to her so often had been a blessing.
This apartment was a blessing.
Despite the growling, ill-tempered, sexy-as-hell landlord who came with it.
When I had told Lou of my idea of opening my own business and that I planned to return to Ontario, she had begged me to come to Covington and take the apartment.
“I can’t live on my own anymore,” she told me. “It’s empty, and I asked Jesse to keep it open for you.”
“For me?”
“I could tell you were thinking of moving. I hoped it would be here. Please. I’d love to have you home again.” Her voice dropped. “I’ve missed you all these years.”
I thought about it for a couple of days and decided to accept her offer. I called to tell her, and she seemed happy about it. “Now, don’t let Jesse scare you off,” she advised me. “He’s a loner. A bit of a grump, but he has a heart of gold underneath the bluster. He’s been very good to me.”
I laughed. I was used to grumpy men in my industry. Besides, since he was my landlord, I doubted we’d have much to do with each other. I said that to Lou, who only smiled on our video chat.
“I hope you become friends. Or more,” she added softly.
“What?”
She shook her head. “I have to go now. I’ll have my lawyer send you all the information. When will you be here?”
“A couple of months. I have to tie things up here.”
“I look forward to it.”
But she died unexpectedly before I could get here. At first, I was unsure about returning, but I remembered Covington fondly. It had felt like home more than any other place I’d lived. I got in touch with Sims and checked to make sure I could still have the apartment, and he assured me I could.
So there I was.
When I arrived, I had expected to find that Mr. Thorne had left me a key in the mailbox as I requested.
When I couldn’t find a key, I walked around, then studied the window in the kitchen, remembering it was over the sink.
I also recalled a few times Lou or my mom had slipped inside that window and opened a door when a key was left behind.
The latch never did work properly. I saw the ladder and decided to do the same thing.
I could wait inside until the gentleman in question came home.
I hadn’t expected the window to be so heavy. Or to have it fall on me. And I certainly didn’t expect the counter and sink to be gone and that I would have nothing to find purchase on to push myself in or out.
And when Thorne showed up, I certainly didn’t expect him. He was larger-than-life.
Tall, at least six foot three, he towered over me.
He had sandy-colored hair, cut short, with a slight curl to it.
His hazel eyes were set under straight, heavy eyebrows, and he was fairly clean-shaven.
His face seemed to be set in a permanent scowl, but somehow he carried it off.
He was thick and muscled. His voice was low and raspy.
He growled a lot under his breath. Grunted some responses more than speaking them.
But the rare times he smiled, it was a gift from heaven.
He was the sexiest man I had ever met.
And I had the feeling he disliked me. Which was a shame, because I quite liked him.
He was blustery and grumpy. Dismissive at times.
Yet I saw something in his eyes. Something softer.
And although he acted as if he didn’t care—he did.
He was concerned I was hurt and wanted to help.
I saw the way he was with Miller. Gentle and warm.
Lou had spoken so highly of him and how he cared for her.
His outer crust was used to keep people at a distance.
He’d been hurt and that was his way of preventing people from getting too familiar.
I had the strangest need to help him move past his pain—but I wondered if he would ever allow me to get that close.
I had covertly watched him as he and Mark installed the upper cabinets.
The way his muscles flexed and strained under the short sleeves of his T-shirt.
It was old and faded, the Batman logo holey and torn in places.
But it fit him well, showing off his muscles.
His forearms were incredible, displaying a strength and flexibility I found fascinating.
I liked the casual way he took control, deciding how the project should be handled.
Issuing instructions without being obnoxious.
He worked well with Mark, and it was obvious they had done many projects together.
I tried to help, but every time, Jesse shooed me away like a pesky fly.
I also noticed how indignant he got if Mark talked to me too long.
He snapped at him a few times, but Mark only laughed, clearly used to his demeanor.
His list of rules was amusing since he was obviously making them up as he went along.
His rent demand was way less than I expected.
Having lived in BC, where the rents were astronomical, I was pleased to know my budget would be easier to stick to until my business got up and running.
I glanced over at the boxes containing my computers and screens. I needed to get set up and running. I already had potential clients and meetings planned next week, so I had to be ready.
I sighed, running my hand over Miller’s head. His tail thumped, and I carefully inspected his bandage. He seemed to be healing well, which I was grateful for. I didn’t want anything happening to him while Jesse was working. I had a feeling this dog meant more to him than anything or anyone.
It sort of gave me a warm feeling that he had left him to my care.
Except, I knew he didn’t have many other choices.
Beside Miller, Barney stretched, purring and giving a meow before burrowing back into Miller’s side. The two had become inseparable. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen when Jesse came home and Miller went back next door.
Maybe he’d allow sleepovers.
The thought of it made me laugh. I could only imagine the look on his face if I asked him that. He’d scowl even deeper than normal and inform me no. Not offer an explanation or an excuse. Just no.
I sighed as I wondered what or who had hurt him so deeply.
I had a feeling he would never tell me.
Except I wanted to know and, for some reason, wanted to help him get over it.
See that smile more often. Hear his laugh.
And maybe, just maybe, get him to touch me again. The incredible rush I had felt when he tended to my back was insane. The sensation of his fingers on my skin was electric. His unexpected gentleness had made my breath catch in my throat.
I’d had the strangest feeling he’d wanted to kiss me before Mark had interrupted us. Then again before he left for the station. Or I mused, maybe I had wanted to kiss him. See if his mouth was sweeter than the words he used it for.
I suspected I’d be pleasantly surprised.
But realistically, I would probably never know.
But a girl could hope.
A text came in a while later from him. He had checked in every day, his words sparse.
How’s Miller?
I followed his lead and kept my replies short as well.
Fine. No problem.
Today was no different.
Miller okay?
This time, I took a picture of him and Barney asleep together and sent it with a quick response.
I think fine is an understatement. He’s very much at home.
Normally, that was the extent of our conversation. But he surprised me today.
Lucky dog.
He’s great.
I appreciate you doing this.
He was almost chatty.
No problem. That is what friends are for.
Friends is taking it a little far, KC.
I started to laugh. There was the grump. But he was also teasing me by using KC.
Good tenants, then.
Tenants usually pay rent.
I decided he must be in a teasing mood.
I put first and last on your table. My debt is paid.
Thanks.