She jumped when someone tapped on the driver’s window.
“Are you going to sit inside your truck all day?” Zac asked. “We’d appreciate having another pair of hands to help move everything inside.”
With a decisive nod, Katie grabbed her bag and the box of muffins she’d made this morning. It was time to tell Peter when she was going to Los Angeles for the meeting. And if she planned on staying there.
CHAPTER18
The front door opened behind Peter. Zac had left a few minutes ago to bring some boxes inside, so he assumed it was him. “You can leave the boxes beside the closet in the hall,” he said as he walked upstairs with two suitcases in his hands.
“I don’t have your towels and sheets,” Zac said. “But I do have a box that smells like cinnamon and lemon.”
What on earth was Zac talking about? Peter turned around. “I don’t have anything…” His voice dropped to a whisper. Katie stood in the entryway. Her red curls were pushed under a black wooly hat and she looked pale and drawn. Two words he never thought he’d use to describe her.
“I baked fresh muffins this morning,” Katie said with a shy smile. “I thought you might enjoy them after you’ve moved everything inside.”
A longing that went deeper than anything he’d ever known blocked Peter’s throat. With more effort than Katie would ever realize, he opened his mouth to speak. “Thanks.”
Zac looked at Peter as if he was waiting for him to say something else. What could he say that hadn’t been said? Katie was leaving. Not out of necessity or because she had some life-threatening reason to move. She wanted to work from Los Angeles. And after her six-month residency was over, she’d probably stay.
Zac left the muffins on the hall table. “If you’d like to join us for coffee, Katie, we shouldn’t be too much longer.”
Peter’s gaze shot to his friend. How could be invite her to stay when he knew they hadn’t spoken to each other for three days? With a lift to his chin, Zac sent him a look that told him to grow up. So much for their friendship.
The silence inside the house was deafening.
“I’ll bring the other boxes inside.” Zac’s voice broke the tension sneaking up Peter’s spine. “Remember to plug in the coffeepot. I’ll have a hot drink, too.”
After he disappeared outside, Katie lifted her gaze to where Peter stood on the stairs. “Penny told me you were moving in today. How’s it going?”
“It’s taking a lot less time than I thought.” After leaving the suitcases on the landing, he walked downstairs. The longing that had overwhelmed him receded to a dull ache. “I only had a few suitcases and some boxes to move. Most of the things I sent from New York haven’t arrived.”
“You should have called me. I could have helped.”
That would have opened a wound that was already raw. “Barbara said you’re busy at the inn. I didn’t want to bother you.”
“It would have been all right. Four of our guests left yesterday and another six people arrived this morning. Everyone’s going out for dinner, so I don’t need to bake anything until tomorrow.” She looked around the entryway and frowned. “This looks different.”
“The owners put a lot of their smaller ornaments and furniture into storage. Without the extra pieces, it makes everything look a lot bigger.”
“And less cluttered.” Katie’s gaze settled on two stacked boxes. He’d bought the cookware sets from her parents at the general store. “Are they pots and pans or is there something else inside?”
“They’re pots and pans.” When she lifted her eyebrows, a smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “I prefer to use my own kitchen things when I’m staying somewhere for a few months.”
“I can understand that. I’d hate to bake with someone else’s things, too. I’m glad you’re staying in Sapphire Bay. I thought you might have changed your mind after...after everything that’s happened.” She picked up one of the boxes. “I’ll take this into the kitchen.”
“Be careful. It’s heavier than it looks.”
Katie rebalanced the box in her arms. “It’s all right. I’ve carried heavier ones.”
Peter picked up the other box and followed her into the hallway. “I’ve enjoyed living here, so I’ll stay. If anything, it will be good for my senior team to get used to me not being in the office all the time. What have you been doing?”
“I’ve written another chapter in my book, scheduled some Facebook ads, and bought Charlie a birthday present. He’ll be ten years old next week.”
Stepping around her, he held open the kitchen door. “He doesn’t look that old.”
“He gets pampered more than the average dog.” Carefully, she slid the heavy box onto the kitchen counter. “I still can’t believe you’ll be living here.”
“Neither can I. I’m grateful you recommended me to your friend.”
