Page 46 of Summer Ever After

Chapter Sixteen

Aaron had insisted on taking at least a week off to help Beth acclimate after the fire, even though he was positive he was going to be under foot while she tried to adjust.

The first morning in his house, Aaron woke before the sun, restless from a night of half-sleep. Knowing that Beth was a few doors down made sleeping difficult. He’d brewed coffee, scrambled some eggs, and set out toast before he even realized he was moving on autopilot. By the time Beth padded into the kitchen in a pair of her new sweatpants, her hair still damp from the shower, he had a plate waiting for her at the table.

She blinked at him, like she wasn’t sure whether to sit. “You don’t have to wait on me. You know, make me breakfast and⁠—”

“I was on autopilot,” he cut in gently, setting down a mug, “before my coffee kicked in.” He shrugged. “Eat what you can. I can make something else if this doesn’t work.”

She gave the faintest smile, one corner of her mouth lifting, then lowered herself carefully into the chair. He sat across from her, eating his own food and pretending he wasn’t cataloging every forkful she managed. When she pushed the plate back, half finished, he dumped the rest of her eggs onto his plate and finished every bite while she watched him.

When he was done, he whisked the dishes away without comment and cleaned up while she looked out the window, sipping her second cup of coffee.

“You’re not a morning person,” she said when he was done.

“I am, just… not a functioning one.”

She chuckled, setting her cup down. “That makes no sense.”

“Exactly,” he said, sliding into the chair across from her again. “So, what’s on your agenda today? Aside from hopefully doing absolutely nothing.”

Beth tilted her head, thinking. “I was going to call my insurance company. They said they’d update me about my apartment, and I still haven’t heard anything. Beyond that…” She trailed off, lifting one shoulder. “I guess I’ll see what the day throws at me.”

Before Aaron could answer, her phone buzzed on the table. She flinched before realizing the caller ID read Insurance Claims. “I guess they heard me.” She gave him a look, half nervous, half resigned, before answering.

“Hello? Yes, this is Beth.”

Aaron stayed quiet, sipping his coffee while she listened, her expression shifting from neutral to tense, then finally to a kind of weary acceptance.

“Yes, I understand. Okay. Thank you for letting me know.” She ended the call and set her phone down carefully, like it might shatter in her hands.

“Well?” he asked softly.

“They’re still assessing the damage. Said it could be weeks before they can make an estimate. They said they have to wait to get the official word from the police on how the fire started.” She rubbed her forehead. “It’s almost as if they think I set it on fire myself.”

Aaron reached across the table, taking her hand. “It’s a process. Don’t worry about it today, since you can’t do anything more. You’ve been through hell. You don’t need to be worrying about anything right now except healing and resting.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. “It just feels like my life is… gone.”

“You still have a wonderful job and friends,” he said firmly. “You’re not on your own. You haven’t been since you stepped foot in River Camps.”

“You’re right.” Beth’s throat worked as she swallowed, and she gave a small nod. “I guess I could use a day to recover. To just breathe.” She glanced around. “What do you do on your days off around here?”

He laughed. “Chores. The animals need feeding, cleaning up after, and exercise.”

“This place must take a lot of work to keep up.”

He shrugged. “It’s worth it.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What were you talking to Aiden about?” He tilted his head in question. “Something about a dresser?” she hinted, and he smiled.

“I have a workshop out in the barn where I restore old furniture. There’s one dresser that is giving me difficulties.”

“How many pieces have you done?” She leaned on the table, resting her chin in her hand.

“A couple dozen.” He motioned to the hutch along the back wall and then the small case that held his mother’s dishes. “These were my first. They were my mother’s and just needed some love.”

Beth’s gaze softened as she studied the pieces, then drifted back to him. “I wouldn’t have guessed you’d be good with that kind of detail work.”