I opened the door, something settling inside me to see her standing on my porch, bundled up in her puffy jacket, jeans, and boots."Come inside where it's warm."
She stepped across the entryway, taking off her gloves."This place is great.I love it."
I chuckled."You haven't even seen it."
She paused."I fell in love with your porch."
I wanted her to fall in love with me, but the porch was a good start.I took her coat, hanging it one of the hooks by the door.
She sat down to pull off her boots.
"I didn't get dinner started yet.I was hoping we could make it together."
Her face softened."That sounds nice."
I rubbed my hands together, feeling a little nervous to have her see my space.Would she think it was lacking, or would she like it?"Do you want to see the house or cook dinner first?"
She smiled."The house, of course."
I gestured around us."This is the foyer."
Natasha held her hands out in front of her."This staircase is picture-perfect.I can see garland running to the top with lights wrapped around the banister.And a tree right here."
"In the front of the house?I was thinking of putting it in the living room."
"This would be a second tree.I would only do it for guests, or if you had kids though."Then she shook her head."Sorry, I'm thinking like an inn owner.Every nook and cranny needs something to highlight the season."
"I don't get many guests here.We usually go to my parents or Lincoln's place, now that he's with Penny.No one wants to come to the bachelor house that needs a ton of work."
Natasha tipped her head to the side as she walked into the formal living room."I think it has character.The woodwork is gorgeous."She ran a finger over the shiny surface of my grandmother's baby grand piano."Do you still play?"
I was one of the only boys who'd stuck with practicing piano, along with Aspen.It was something our grandmother started, and I kept doing it to have that connection with her.I wasn't just a rough-and-tumble boy; I could play music with my fingers."Aspen doesn't have a place for it, so I have it for now."
A crease appeared between her brows."You're planning to give it to her?"
I shrugged."She might want it if she has kids."
"What ifyouhave kids?"Natasha asked.
"I haven't thought that far ahead.It seems like Aspen should have it since she's the only girl."
Natasha gave me a slightly confused look before moving around the room."It's the perfect space to play, especially with the fireplace.Does it work?"
"Yes.There are several in the house: this one, the family room, and my bedroom."
She sighed."Your home is utterly charming."
"You haven't seen the kitchen yet," I muttered, leading her into the family room that opened into the outdated space.
Chapter17
Natasha
As charming as the house was, my brain had snagged on the fact that Ford was storing his grandmother's baby grand piano for his sister.I remembered that he had a close relationship with his grandmother too.Had she given it to just one of them or both?
I didn't want to push too hard tonight.I was supposed to help a friend decorate their tree.It wasn't a rehashing of everything I'd missed when I was gone, even if I was dying to know more about him.
It was weird to have known someone so well and now have to play catch-up.What did I miss, and what pieces shaped the man that Ford was now?
