Chapter Twenty-One
Lily could still feel the lingering impression of last night’s kiss on her lips. She wanted more. She would find a way to be alone with Col, even if she had to be obvious about it. Something about him made her feel brazen and bold.
She was fizzing with anticipation as she strode through Simon’s front door, only to come crashing back to earth when she saw the look on his face.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call you in time to cancel,” Simon pushed his lock of hair back. She followed him from the foyer into the living room. Miller was there too. No Col. “It’s been a bit hectic the last hour. We found out that there’s a search going for a hiker that’s been reported missing.”
“Oh, that’s terrible!” Lily thought of the dogs she had heard, and hoped that the hiker would be found safe. It was really sweet of Simon to be involved, let alone concerned.
“The boys are out looking for him,” Simon said.
Miller added, “I’ve been talking with my buddies on the force and rangers from the nearby parks. The hiker’s not been registered at any of those parks, so it could be that he’s wandered off around here.”
“It’s great that the five are out looking for him,” Lily said. “Do they have special skill or training for these types of searches?” Miller and Simon exchanged looks, and she was reminded that she really didn’t know all that much about their backgrounds. Especially Col’s.
“I’m sorry—you don’t have to tell me if this is part of the information that has to remain confidential.”
“They’re, uh, they have unique skill sets.” Simon said.
Miller quickly added. “Plus they’re a lot more familiar with these territories than most of the people who are in the search parties, if not all.”
Lily nodded. That made sense.
And not knowing about Col’s background in detail was a much needed layer of insulation between them, to whatever was taking shape. It kept them from getting closer, more in the area of a temporary fling and less of a chance that it could be something permanent.
If only she could believe that.
“I really don’t want you to feel like you have to turn around and leave,” Simon said. “Would you like to stay for a little while? I can make you something to eat.”
She looked at his face, and thought of how he really did open his home, and his life to her. How this had all started because she had wanted to help him, that day he looked in need of rescue at the Staff Caff. The answer was easy.
“Of course,” she answered.
“I’ll go rustle up some food for you,” Miller offered. That gave Lily an idea.
“Actually, would you mind terribly if I used your kitchen?” She giggled at the surprise in their eyes. Simon and Miller exchanged quizzical looks.
“Of course you can!” Simon said. “I didn’t make it clear before, but you’re more than welcome to make yourself at home.”
“Awesome!” Lily said, all the possibilities going through her mind.
“Let me know what you need, if we don’t have it already in the pantry,” Miller said. “It’s pretty well stocked though, on a regular basis.”
“I don’t even ask how he does it,” Simon smiled.
“Yeah, that’s on a need to know basis,” Miller replied, with mock seriousness.
“Would you both join me, that is, if you’re free?”
Simon’s surprise and delight at being asked showed, and Miller’s eyes twinkled. “Of course!” They both answered, and followed Lily into the kitchen.
About ninety minutes later, they were pulling sheets of golden brown chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. Simon had industrial equipment that Lily had only dreamed of, and based on his clumsy but endearing attempts to follow her instructions, he had never used them before. And true to Miller’s word, the pantry had almost everything that Lily could possibly have wanted.
They had even baked a sheet of shortbread cookies, already cooling, and almond crackle cookies, made with specialty flour that she had always wanted to try. She had always loved baking, and this was a golden opportunity to indulge in a way that she never thought she would be able to.
Lily made enough to bring back to her kids at the Staff Childcare Center later, but she kept envisioning Col’s reaction when he would bite into what Miller had assured her would be his very first chocolate chip cookie, let alone freshly baked.
He had laughed when Lily proclaimed it positively criminal.
