She laughed against my finger, sending tingles down my spine."Okay."
I pulled my finger away."Now let's get you some caffeine."
It might have been because I was the one who pulled her from that fire or my promise to her brother, but I felt protective of her.I wanted to ensure that everything was safe for her to return and operate her business as usual.
When we got our drinks, I asked, "Do you want to go for a walk?"
She nodded."That sounds nice."
We walked down the sidewalk toward the town's center where a decorated tree always stood.
"So much has changed in the last few weeks, but I think I'm going to be okay," Reina said.
I placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against me."You're going to be more than okay."
She was going to be stronger and more resilient from this experience and build her business in ways she couldn't have anticipated before the fire.She would look back on this time as a catalyst for her future.I just wondered if I would have a place in her life once the construction was completed.
She'd dive into her business, more focused than ever, and wouldn't have time to think about the man who helped her rebuild.I'd be a brief stop in the storm.Was it crazy to hope for something more?
Chapter13
Reina
I'd felt shaky ever since I caught the whiff of smoke outside my bakery.I shouldn't have stepped inside.The memories of that night flooded my brain, and I couldn't shut them off.I felt the panic of that night come back to me.
But Morgan had immediately come to my side to reassure me, to remind me that I'd survived the fire.And it was all because of him.
He'd gotten me out of there and into fresh air.The caffeine and sugar from my latte helped settle me, and the walk through town grounded me.
The site of the decorated Christmas tree reminded me that I opened my bakery here because I thought it was the best place to run my business.I believed in the town and bringing the magic of Christmas to everyone year-round.I couldn't give up now.
Morgan would ensure that the bakery was brought up to code and that it was firesafe.
Something else had become clear when I saw the damage; I wasn't sure I'd be able to stay in that apartment again.Even if everything was updated, there were fire alarms and a fire ladder, I wasn't sure I'd be able to sleep.
It was so convenient to live above the shop.How could I justify living somewhere else?My lease included the apartment.If I got another place, it would be an added expense.One I hadn't planned for.
I hadn't shared that particular fear with Morgan.He'd already done enough for me.He wasn't supposed to be supporting me through this entire process.He was Tom's friend and my contractor.I didn't want him to feel like he had to protect me or watch out for me.
We sat at the square to finish our drinks, and then Morgan walked me back to town hall.I had more work to do, and I needed to clear my head after visiting the bakery.I thought I could handle seeing it again, but I was wrong.
I still needed to clear out my apartment and wash everything.I just didn't think I could go up there.I assumed my memories would be stronger there, and I wasn't ready to face those yet.I'd have to clean it soon but not now.Not while everything was so fresh in my mind.
I hoped that Morgan didn't tell Tom or my parents how I'd freaked out.I didn't want them to worry.
It wasn't right to lean on Morgan because he was the man who saved me.I should stand on my own two feet.
I baked for the rest of the afternoon, fulfilling several catering orders and desserts for Mistletoe Inn.Jill cleaned up and left at some point, but I'd barely noticed.I was determined to snuff out the shock and fear from seeing the damage to the bakery.
By the time I cleaned up the kitchen and delivered the evening's desserts to the inn, I felt marginally better.
It had been a scary experience.But I needed to move past it if I was ever going to live and work in that building again.I couldn't move somewhere else.I was under contract to be at that location.I was petrified that I wouldn't be able to make it work.
Eve drove me home, and Morgan's truck was already in the driveway.I was surprised he was home so early.
Inside, I smelled dinner cooking.I walked into the kitchen."You didn't have to cook dinner."
Morgan shrugged as he transferred steaming strips of chicken to a serving dish."Tomorrow, the cleaning company is coming.We can't do any more work until they're finished."
