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Her footsteps shuffled behind him as they headed down the stairs and into the studio. He didn’t release her hand until they entered the room. At first, neither one of them moved. He’d been in here to board up the window, but beyond that, it didn’t look like anything had been touched.
This space was far more organized and cleaner than the rest of the house. It was as if his grandfather hadn’t been willing to disturb his wife’s sanctuary.
Mike released her hand, heading farther into the space to go through some of the larger canvases propped up against one wall. He pulled out one of a little boy holding the reins of a large gray horse. His eyes dragged across the room to her.
“I mean it. Pick out a few. I know she would have wanted you to have them.”
Rose swallowed hard and nodded. “Okay. I will.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
There were so many reasons Mike needed to keep his distance from Rose.
She was Ethan’s sister, but that wasn’t the biggest reason nor the most important one.
Mike simply wasn’t good for her. Rose had been raised to lead a good life. She deserved someone better than he was. If she found out he’d stolen from the hardware store to get this place fixed up, she wouldn’t be nearly so willing to help him out.
If all of that wasn’t bad enough, she still thought he was going to keep the house. Just because he didn’t want a developer to come in and tear down his childhood home didn’t mean he could operate the ranch all on his own. Owning a place like this was too much responsibility. He knew better than to believe he wouldn’t run it into the ground.
And the second he went bankrupt, the developers would circle like vultures ready to pick at what was left.
Over the last week, Rose had put together a plan for the event while Mike had worked to get the rest of the main floor prepared for visitors. Rose wanted to showcase the art where it had been created, and as much as he hated the idea, he couldn’t refuse her.
Whether he liked it or not, he did trust her. But it was more than that. His attraction to her had only continued to grow with each passing day they spent together. He’d shared things with her he hadn’t told anyone.
Unfortunately, with the extra time he’d spent on the main level, he hadn’t gotten any further in his own room, which meant he was still bumming it at Ethan’s place. He sat in his truck out in front of the house after working late replacing the window in the studio.
Mike grimaced as he went over what had led to him stealing the pane of glass. His head hit the back of his seat and he shut his eyes tight, but it wouldn’t get rid of that nagging feeling he had. It was just one more thing. It was necessary.
And yet he felt sick to his stomach.
He told himself that he would come clean and pay for the window after he got some money from this art sale. His chest tightened painfully, and he raked his hands through his hair.
Rose would never approve.
Why hadn’t he just asked someone to loan him some money? The voice that continued to make excuses for his bad behavior wouldn’t let him forget that the folks around here didn’t like him much. They still held grudges for the stuff he’d stolen when he was a teenager—and with good reason. Apparently, he couldn’t keep his hands to himself.
Well, that was going to end tonight.
No more theft. No more breaking rules just because it was for a good cause.
Even as he insisted he was going to do better, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stick to it. But then the front porch light turned on and the door opened, drawing his focus. Rose wandered out onto the porch with her phone to her ear. Her laughter could be heard even with the door shut.
Mike watched her and all his desolate thoughts seemed to fade away. She was the bright spot in his otherwise dreary world. Her phone call ended and she headed for the door, then stopped when she realized he was there. She gave him a little wave. There was no way she could see his face from this distance and in the dark no less, but he waved back anyway.
She moved to the edge of the porch and leaned against the railing, clearly waiting for him. The angel on his shoulder urged him to go to her, to tell her how grateful he was for her, to tell her that he was developing feelings for her. And how he couldn’t forget the kiss they’d shared.
But that voice of doubt mocked him. He’d never be good enough for her, not with his past. She’d never love a guy like him.
Rose beckoned for him to come in, and against his better judgment, he climbed out of the truck. Her smile could blast away all those seeds of doubt if he’d let it. She was the kind of girl who could leave him speechless with one look. Rose made him want to be better for no other reason than to see that smile every time she saw him.
“Hey,” she murmured. “What were you doing out there? You missed supper.”
“I didn’t think anyone would miss me.” Mike moved beside her and leaned against the railing as well. His shoulder brushed against hers, wreaking havoc with his heart.
“I did.”
She said it under her breath, and he wasn’t sure she’d even uttered the phrase. He glanced at her sharply, but she was staring out into the darkness.
