I nearly swooned. I would have struggled all the way in the house with those bags, and he acted like they weighed nothing. “That’s everything.” I reached up and pushed the button to let the door release and we both stepped back.
“I’m Jacob Parkerson,” he said. “I emailed yesterday about the apartment you have for rent.”
Oh my gosh, what will the neighbors say if I rent to him?
I looked around for a car, but didn’t see one. “Where’s your vehicle?”
“I walked from a buddy’s house over off Elm,” Jacob said.
“That’s like two miles away,” I said, unable to keep the awe out of my voice.
He threw back his head and laughed. “I’m recently released from the Army, ma’am. Two miles is a cakewalk.”
That explains the short haircut and rock-hard body. And the ma’am part.
I suddenly realized he was standing there holding the heavy bags and again I felt my face flush. “Come on inside. I’m sorry to keep you standing here holding all those bags.”
He said nothing as he followed me up the walkway to the front door. I hoped like heck he couldn’t see my hand shaking as I crammed the key in the lock and swung the door open.
Unfortunately, I’d forgotten about Thor and letting a stranger into the house. The massive, gray Great Dane was standing at attention.
“Down, Thor.” I reached out and ran my hand across Thor’s back as I motioned the stranger to follow me into the kitchen.
“Great name for a beautiful dog.”
I laughed and reached for a couple of the bags, setting them on the kitchen counter. “My son is a huge Marvel Comics fan.”
“Now that I don’t have bags hanging off me, let me introduce myself properly.” He stuck out his well-toned arm. “Jacob Parkerson. Nice to meet you.”
I grasped his hand in mine and felt a flutter in my stomach—okay, it was a little lower than my stomach, I admit.
“Monica Swanson.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Monica.” He dropped my hand and looked around the modern kitchen. “Nice home.”
“Thank you.”
“This is an impressive stash of bottled paint here.” He chuckled and gestured to the cluster of plastic bags now huddled on the counter.
“I teach a painting class to adults at those wine and painting parties that are popular right now.”
He smiled sheepishly. “Sorry. I’m not really up on current wine painting trends. But Iamlooking for a place to stay.”
I laughed self-consciously. “Then you came to the right place.”
“Is your son at school?” Jacob asked.
I was instantly on guard. “How do you know about my son?”
He pointed to the dog. “You said Thor was your son’s dog.”
I barely refrained from smacking my palm to my forehead. I needed to get a grip. “Oh, yeah. Sorry. I just got a little paranoid there for a minute. Something my mom and her friends said last night about men who answer ads in…” I trailed off. “Never mind.”
His hazel eyes twinkled. “I’m intrigued. What did your mom and her friends say about men who answer ads?”
I felt the blush spread over my face like wildfire. No way was I telling him about our ravaging conversation. “Nothing.” I cleared my throat. “Anyway, my son is in college now. He’s twenty and goes to Portland State. Does your family live in Trinity Falls?”
Jacob shook his head. “No. Although they do live in Oregon still.”
