Page 31 of Capture The Moment

“What about Daisy?”

“Daisy too, if she doesn’t mind bunking with Hunter.”

Harper sighed, realizing that it was the most practical solution. She prayed that Finn was wrong about how long it might take to get the furnace fixed. She could handle one night, but if it dragged out any further, she’d look for an alternative. She told herself it was because she didn’t want to put him out, but there was another reason too. Given the way she’d been feeling lately, staying under the same roof with Finn for an entire weekend would be like flirting with danger.

“Ok,” she finally said.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, and she waited for some teasing remark, but instead, he said, “I’ll plow the driveway while you pack,” and then he turned and walked out of the room.

An hour later, Harper was sipping a cup of hot chocolate on Finn’s leather couch with Daisy curled up beside her. Finn and Hunter were sitting opposite of them on his leather recliner, where Hunter eyed Daisy hopefully. The beagle had already tried to get Daisy to play with him, going as far as bringing her a ball and dropping it at her feet, but she wasn’t having any of it. She’d simply turned up her nose, hopped up on the couch, and made herself at home.

“Now, isn’t this better than sitting inside an ice box?” Finn asked before taking another sip of hot chocolate.

“Much,” she admitted.

It had been a while since she’d been at his house, and she casually looked around as they sipped their drinks companionably. The room was filled with masculine, sturdy furniture, a big screen TV, and a slew of outdoor magazines that were scattered on the end tables. There were two framed pictures on the fireplace mantel: one of Finn and his brothers proudly holding up fish on their lines and one of his parents smiling sweetly at each other. The house lacked decorations, but it seemed fitting for the man who owned it. Straightforward, unfussy, and simple.

“I suppose you know someone I can call about the furnace tomorrow,” she said.

“I know a few guys, but like I said, don’t get your hopes up. I’m sure you’re not the only one in this predicament.”

Nodding, she said, “Well, don’t worry about me getting in your way. I have a photo shoot tomorrow, and I’ll be gone most of the afternoon.”

“Can’t you reschedule it?”

“Why?”

“Because the roads might not be plowed.”

“Isn’t that what my four-wheel drive is for?”

“Yes, but if you don’t have to go out, I wouldn’t.”

“What about you? Won’t you be going out?”

“Well, yeah. But I have to if I want to make any money.”

“Same here,” she said, arching her eyebrows at him.

She and Blake had acquired a decent nest egg; however, it wasn’t enough for her to sit back and do nothing. Besides, she loved her job, and it helped keep her sane.

“Where’s the photo shoot at? Maybe I could drop you off and pick you up after.”

“It’s in Clarkston, but that’s not necessary. I’ll be fine,” she said.

Surprisingly, he didn’t argue. Instead, he stood up and asked, “Refill?”

“No thanks. I think Daisy and I are ready for bed. It’s been a long day.” She stood too and followed Finn into the kitchen, where he rinsed out their cups and put them into the dishwasher. That was another thing she’d noticed about his house. It was no slovenly bachelor pad. Even though it was an older home, everything was neat and organized.

“I’ll be gone when you wake up tomorrow. Help yourself to anything in the fridge.”

“I will. Just leave me some names and numbers of who to call about the furnace.”

Finn shook his head. “I’ll take care of it.”

“Finn,” she protested.

“You’ll probably get faster service if I call.”