“True.” Liked waking up to you. Feels lonely here sometimes—most of the time.“Didn’t stop you from hogging the blankets,” I add with a chuckle.
Her jaw hits the floor, face flushing. “Really? Did I do that?”
I nod. “Thankfully, I was on the fire side.”
“I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
A strange sting hits the back of my eyes. Too old and too wise to mince words. “At forty, it’s a good problem to have.”
A mischievous grin captures her mouth.
“What’s that smile for?”
“Just reflecting on our age difference.”
I cock my head. “How old are you, Dahlia?”
“Twenty-five.”
I nod.
“That a problem?” she asks.
“Not for me.” I arch an eyebrow.
“Not for me, either.”
I grunt, relieved. Don’t even know why.
She meets me at the table where I set two plates piled with golden eggs, greens, and thick slabs of homemade bread drenched in butter.
Her stomach rumbles. “Oh my God, sorry,” she apologizes.
“When’s the last time you ate?” I ask, sitting opposite her.
“Can’t remember apart from the Mexican Hot Chocolate.”
“Not enough,” I scold. “Dive in. Eat as much as you want. Can make more if needed. Warm up on your coffee?”
“Yes, please.” She bites her lip, regarding me for a long moment. “You’re a kind man, Denver, and a good one.”
I shrug. “Don’t let that get around. Apart from you … don’t want guests.”
“So, I passed the sniff test?” she asks.
“Bear likes you.” I let the thought trail off. Don’t need to get sentimental.
After eating, we head down to the Wheeler cabin, Bear carting tools. Dahlia keeps eyeing the dog, laughing under her breath. Something funny about his utility, I guess.
I poke around inside, hit by the scent of iron and mud. “Place is a wreck. Be a while before you can stay here again.” I wheel back around. “Not that you should’ve stayed here before. Place needs demolishing.”
Her bottom lip trembles as she squares her shoulders, eyes me defiantly. “It just needs a little TLC.”
A deep, booming laughter escapes my lips. Twice in one day she’s made me laugh. “A lot of TLC. Do they make that much TLC?”
She lifts her chin defiantly. “Never shied away from a fixer-upper.”
My chest warms. Don’t want her to now, either.
