“Great.”
Cole moved away from where Maeve chose to sit at the island so he could rummage through the frig for things he could make.
“Cole, will you talk to the inspector for me?”
“I’ll go to the meeting with you, don’t worry. We’ll go over everything he might say to you so you know how best to answer him.”
Cole was clanging pots and pans in the kitchen while Maeve went over and got comfortable on the couch and wake up her cell to call Chloe.
“Dang it, my phone is dead, would you mind if I used yours?”
“Sure, it’s on the coffee table. There’s a charger next to the chair too if you want to see if it fits your phone.”
For the next fifteen minutes, Maeve explained in detail the how’s and why’s of the shop fire and that there was no need for her to go to the shop right now because they weren’t legally supposed to be in it until the inspection had been and that Maeve would call Chloe when it was time to meet with the fire inspector. Then she plugged in her phone to charge so she’d get that call she was expecting.
Cole served their dinner right at the coffee table so they could be comfortable.
“Did you get Chloe all up to date?”
“I did, she was freaked out. She wanted to go see for herself, but I told her they had it all locked up and roped off or whatever they do and that I’d call her when the inspector sets up a meeting for us.”
“Yeah, really, that’s best for now. You don’t want to disturb anything in there before the big guy goes in to check things out. Here, now eat. I know it doesn’t compare to what you make but its food.”
“Are you kidding? This looks fantastic. Burgers are one of my favorites and it’s so much better because I didn’t have to make it.”
“Waddaya know…a girl after my own heart.” In the couple days, he’d had the pleasure of knowing Maeve, he was positive her cheeks had never been more red.
After dinner was done and plates had been carried to the kitchen, Cole found a comedy on the movie channel and settled in beside her on the couch. They’d gone over some questions that might come up tomorrow about the fire and Cole had givenher some ideas how she should answer them. Finally, the movie had distracted them enough they both stopped talking for a while.
“Don’t let me fall asleep, okay?” Maeve couldn’t help but yawn as she said it.
“Okay, sure.”
She was exhausted so he had no intention of keeping her awake. Cole knew she was out cold when she snuggled down into the crook of his arm after he laid it along the top of the couch. Tomorrow would be a long day and she needed some rest. It was too late for her to walk home so he’d let her sleep.
His worry then went immediately to the what if? What if that fire was set on purpose? Did someone have it out for her or Chloe?
He couldn’t protect Chloe but with Maeve sleeping on his couch, at least he could keep an eye on her. Cole could have offered her his bed during dinner but if he’d given her the option, she would have made a point to go home.
If he moved now, he’d wake her for sure, so he clicked the television off, grabbed the blanket hanging over the back of the couch and gently covered them. He’d take one night, even if she wouldn’t remember it.
Chapter8
Maeve woke in the early hours of the morning wondering for a minute or two where she was. It didn’t feel like her couch; hers wasn’t as comfortable. Of course, as she looked over her shoulder, she decided hers didn’t normally have a man on it either.
Oh my god! I can’t believe he let me fall asleep here. I’m such a harlot.
She almost laughed out loud but feared she’d wake him up. It was completely dark outside and there was no way to tell what time it was.
Maybe I could just enjoy this for a little while longer.
Maeve snuggled in a little closer to his chest. Cole never woke but shifted closer and wrapped his arm tighter around her waist. She couldn’t remember when they’d both converted to lying down. It didn’t matter now but she remembered seeing a clock on his DVD player, however in her current position, it was out of sight. Her free hand rested atop his chest where she could feel his steady heartbeat and apparently that was all the comfort she needed.
The next time she opened her eyes it was to the sound of the morning news playing on the television and fresh coffee in the air.
How did he get off the couch without waking me?
“Good morning beautiful.” Cole slipped in beside her as she sat upright, pushing the blanket away from her legs, taking the mug of coffee he offered.
