Page 18 of My Favorite Hero

“Of course.” She laid her hand on my arm. “I’ll take good care of him, Jesse.”

It was the first time she’d said my name without being corrected. I liked how it sounded coming from her mouth.

“Thanks.” I paused. “In the garage are some totes. They were things that belonged to Lou. She had asked me to pack them up and keep them for a while. I think they should belong to you now.”

“Things?”

“Some kitchen stuff, knickknacks, some personal items that she had at the home. Sims sent those over, and I added them to the totes. The one marked kitchen has her old coffeemaker. You could use it until you buy a new one.”

“Great.”

“It’s on the lower shelf. The rest are higher. I’ll get them down later.”

“Okay.” She smiled. “See you in a few days.”

“Call if you need me.” I had no idea why I said it like that. “If Miller needs me, I mean.”

She grinned. “Of course.”

I hesitated, unsure. I had the strangest desire to bend down and press a kiss to her cheek. Say something else. Instead, I turned and left, hurrying out the back door before I did something incredibly stupid.

I stumbled a little as she called out to me. “Have a good day, dear. We’ll be here when you get back.”

I shouldn’t have liked the idea so much.

But I did.

Chapter Five

CASEY

Isat back, looking around my new space. I had accomplished a lot in the past three days. The cupboards were painted in the kitchen, the doors rehung and open to dry completely. The color and the new handles made the cabinets look great. I had oiled the countertop, and it gleamed in the sunshine coming in the window. I had cleaned the small table and bought two new chairs. It currently housed the old coffeemaker, which had been a lifesaver, saving me a trip a few times a day to the local coffee shop.

The old sofa was still in place. I had spent time between coats of paint cutting foam for new cushions so it wasn’t so saggy. I bought a simple desk that I built and put in the corner, and I was going to set up my workstation later. A new rug and chair were coming tomorrow, along with a bed. I found a couple of lamps at a cute thrift store, as well as a dresser I planned on painting for my clothes. The rest, I would buy as needed.

I looked at the entry hall, cocking my head and studying it. Instead of a built-in closet, there was an old armoire. Beautiful, solid wood. Intricate carving. Heavy as hell. It was situated facing the living room, but it wasn’t centered in the doorway or on the wall. It looked awkward, and I had to sidle past it every time I came in or went out. I wondered if I could move it. I added that task to the list in my head for another day.

I had washed the windows and hung new curtains in the living room, the glass sparkling. I loved the stained-glass inserts in the bay window at the front and remembered it from my time living here.

So many memories swirled in my head as I was unpacking the totes. Lou’s tablecloths she used to embroider. Her salt and pepper collection she always loved. The cast-iron frypan she cooked so many meals in. I had only been able to bring two totes inside and unpack them, but I was grateful she had kept all these things.

I was so glad I had found her before she died. Even though I hadn’t been able to see her, the fact that we had reconnected and I got to talk to her so often had been a blessing.

This apartment was a blessing.

Despite the growling, ill-tempered, sexy-as-hell landlord who came with it.

When I had told Lou of my idea of opening my own business and that I planned to return to Ontario, she had begged me to come to Covington and take the apartment.

“I can’t live on my own anymore,” she told me. “It’s empty, and I asked Jesse to keep it open for you.”

“For me?”

“I could tell you were thinking of moving. I hoped it would be here. Please. I’d love to have you home again.” Her voice dropped. “I’ve missed you all these years.”

I thought about it for a couple of days and decided to accept her offer. I called to tell her, and she seemed happy about it. “Now, don’t let Jesse scare you off,” she advised me. “He’s a loner. A bit of a grump, but he has a heart of gold underneath the bluster. He’s been very good to me.”

I laughed. I was used to grumpy men in my industry. Besides, since he was my landlord, I doubted we’d have much to do with each other. I said that to Lou, who only smiled on our video chat.