He’s upbeat, and I wish I could share his positivity, but he’s not the one without a working kitchen and no food delivery service. And how the hell will I make coffee? I’ll have to drag the damn machine to another room. Plus, every minute he spends in the cabin is less time I’m working on my novel. I scowl and step back to give him space as he makes his way around the kitchen.
“Oh, dear.”
I tense. That can’t be good. “What?”
“Looks like the fridge is on the fritz too.” He’s staring into the open refrigerator, at the darkened shelves. He chuckles. “Lucky there’s not much to spoil.”
I peer over his shoulder at the carton of eggs, block of cheese, and milk. “Yes, well, some of us don’t have time to cook,” I snap.And Mark did most of the cooking.I refuse to acknowledge the pang of sadness at the reminder of how much my life has changed. Losing Mark nearly broke me and sometimes I think it’s a miracle I can even function at all. Although, from my behavior, I’m hardly a polite member of society.
He closes the fridge and turns to me, mouth opening, then closing, as if he’s changed his mind about saying something. His expression clouds and I feel guilty for snapping, but then his gaze clears and he nods. “I don’t much cook either. When I lost Maureen, I’d’ve starved if it wasn’t for the constant supply of casseroles from the folks in town.”
Now it’s my turn to stand there with my mouth open. Is he reading me so easily or is it just a coincidence?
I finally say the words, the same ones I’ve heard countless times over the last two years. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“I ’preciate that.” He smiles, then the moment passes, and he gets back to business.
I trail after him as he moves to check the rest of the cabin, flicking lights on and off. “Looks like everythin’s working back here, and it’s just the kitchen. I’ll get onto the electrician.”
“Okay.” It’s not ideal, but it’ll have to do. I follow him back to the front door. “Thanks.”
“Not a problem. That’s what I’m here for. Plus, we gotta look out for each other out here,” Shawn says, his friendly grin back in place. “Well, you just holler if you need anythin’ else.”
I’m relieved as I watch him descend the porch steps with his toolbox and head around the side of the cabin. I know he means well, and he’s just looking out for me, but solitude suits me so much better these days than spending time with people.
Thedaydragsonwith little progress on my novel. I shove up from the desk in frustration and push open the window to let the afternoon breeze flow into the room. It’s cool, but hopefully the fresh air will clear my head. Then, needing a change, I pick up one of the notebooks I bought during my last visit into town and cross to the sofa. The urge to work on my romance story is strong. There’s joy in creating complex and broken characters and giving them the happy ending I never experienced. I settle back into the cushions, notebook on my lap. As the afternoon passes, I lose myself in my writing, inspired by the romantic storyline and the world of my characters.
A knock at the door startles me back to reality.
For a moment, I’m tempted to ignore it, but Shawn knows I’m home and my Jeep’s still parked outside. I sigh, put down my notebook, and head to the door, flexing my chilled fingers as I do so.
“Shaw—”
It’s not Shawn. It’s Felix. Felix, who I dreamt about last night with his mop of wavy blond hair and warm brown eyes.
“Hey there,” he says, flashing a megawatt smile. “Sorry to bother you, but Uncle Shawn asked me to drop this off.” He holds up an electrical cord.
“Uncle Shawn?”
“Yep. He’s the caretaker.” His brows draw together. “He was here earlier today. He said you’re having electrical troubles.”
“Electrical troubles? Oh, right. Of course. I just wasn’t expecting you.”
Felix chuckles. “I’m sure you weren’t.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know he was your uncle. But you didn’t have to do this. I could have come to the main house and picked it up.”
“It’s no trouble. That’s what neighbors are for.”
“Neighbor? You live with your uncle?”
He shakes his head, indicating to the right. “I’m in the next cabin.”
“The next cabin?”
Amusement is clear on Felix’s face. “Are you going to echo everything I say?”
God, I’m an idiot.What is it about him that has me flustered? My stomach is in knots as he stands there with a grin on his face. I can’t believe that Felix is staying in the cabin next door. The one person I’m trying to get out of my head and he’s living a stone’s throw away. I ignore his question and hold out my hand. “Thanks for the cord.”
