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I won’t boil the pasta or put the bread in the oven until she’s done with the bath so everything is fresh, so, for now, it looks like things are on autopilot. Just when I’ve loaded the last dirty dish into the dishwasher, I hear a crash from above and take off at a sprint through the house and up the stairs. I push through the bathroom door without even thinking about it and stop dead in my tracks as I take in the scene before me.
“Holy shit.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
SUMMER
This bath is exactly what I didn’t know I needed. After remembering how miserable I was in Missoula, I’ve made a conscious effort to be grateful for my little flower shop in my sweet town, because I am thankful to be here. I’ve never been happier in my life, so it seems silly to complain about being successful while doing something I love. I enjoy the weddings and the hustle and bustle of the summer, working with brides on their visions. I only get one or two bridezillas a year, and that’s not so bad at all.
But man, it’s tough on the body. I’m on the go from before dawn until sundown, and I’m starting to feel it. But we only have a couple more months to go of the crazy season.
This hot bath, with the salts that Chase added, soothes my sore joints and muscles, and I lean back against the end of the giant claw-foot tub and close my eyes.
I could conceivably fall asleep in here.
“Music.” My eyes pop open, and I reach for my phone. I had set it on the floor next to me in case I needed it. After finding my favorite playlist and turning up the volume, I put it back on the floor before I resume lounging in what I’ve decided to call the deep end of this magnificent pool. Chase’s house is big, and from what I’ve seen of it, it’s pretty. Well kept.
And totally not Chase. I don’t know why I know that, I just do.
I’m lying here, totally zoned out, when all of a sudden, there’s a loud crash, and glass shatters everywhere.
My heart’s in my throat as I rear up and discover that a mirror fell off the wall and broke, scattering glass all over the place.
I’m just reaching down for my phone when the door bursts open, and Chase rushes in, then stops short, taking in the scene with frantic eyes.
“Holy shit.”
I squeak and plunge back into the water. “Keep Lily out of here.”
He turns and speaks to the dog. “No, girl, you stay in the hall. You stay.” Chase steps inside and closes the door behind him. “Are you okay?”
“I think so. Gave me a heart attack, but I’m okay. You’re barefoot, Chase. Don’t walk in here.”
With his face set in grim lines, he surveys the scene, and then his gaze finds mine. Those eyes flicker down to my nakedness that is not at all concealed by the water, and there’s not much I can do to cover myself.
“You’re staying in there,” he informs me, “while I clean this up. Give me just ten minutes.”
He doesn’t wait for an answer before he hurries out again, and I can hear him talking to Lily as he rushes down the hallway.
I’m not thrilled that this is how he saw me naked for the first time. Talk about not being the least bit romantic or sexy, but at least I’m clean. I smirk and shake my head. Is that the best I can come up with? I’m clean?
The door opens once more, and Chase returns with shoes on and a broom, dustpan, and vacuum in tow.
“I barricaded Lily in the mudroom with a cushion from the couch to lie on and a bowl of water,” he informs me. “She’s not thrilled about it, but I wanted to make sure that she doesn’t hurt her feet.”
“Thank you, that’s perfect. I’m sorry your mirror broke.”
“It’s not your fault,” he says with a frown as he gets to work sweeping the glass. “It looks like the landlord hung that thing in the drywall, not a stud. It was only a matter of time before it came down. I’m just sorry that it happened when you were in the tub. I guess my plan for making you relax just landed all over my floor.”
He glances my way again and then drops the broom.
“What? What’s wrong?” I cover my breasts with my arm, but he’s not looking down there. His eyebrows are drawn together in a frown as he gently takes my chin in his fingers and examines my face.
“You have a cut on your cheek,” he murmurs, looking closely. He grabs a tissue and dabs at it, pulling back with only a little blood. “It’s not bleeding anymore. Does it hurt?”
“I didn’t even know it was there.”
“I don’t want you sitting in glass-filled water. Stand up, sugar.”
