I chuckled. “I said it sounds like fun.”
Mary wasn’t listening. “It’s really for me too, you know. Grams deserves time with the grandchildren, especially the ones I’ve chosen, don’t you think.”
It wasn’t a question but I answered anyway. “You bet. You’re right, of course. Take my children for a sleepover. Get them all hopped up on sugar. It’ll be great.”
She made noise that was somewhere between disbelief and amusement. “Excellent. I’m on my way. Get the children packed and sufficiently excited for Grams’ time. Sean’s making pizza dough, and the kids can help put them together, choosing their own toppings.”
“They’ll love that.”
Forty-five minutes later, my squealing excited children were talking Mary’s ear off as we loaded them into her car. I’d been prepared to move the booster seats, but to my surprise, Mary already had appropriate ones installed. I really shouldn’t have been surprised though. Of course she would have them. Because she really had adopted my kids as extra grandchildren.
I watched them drive away and then, when the car turned past the motel and disappeared, my gaze slid toward Oak’s cabin. I couldn’t quite see it from where I was, but I knew he was home. Not only because it was one of his rare weekends off, and I heard his car drive by, but I knew he was watching Salem this weekend for Charlie and Teague’s trip to Lake Placid.
Marlie and Tristan had been all sorts of put out that Salem was staying with Oak instead of us while Uncle Charlie was gone. But that arrangement had been in place before we decided to up and move across the country. Besides, Salem hadn’t quite grown out of his “get into everything” phase yet. And there was far less to get into in the cabin.
I’d seen the inside at Thanksgiving, but not since. I had to wonder how much Oak had changed it to suit himself. I bet it was awash in color and light. I just couldn’t picture him in a dim and monotone home. He was brightness and joy.
Fuck.
I scrubbed my hands over my face, and then before I could talk myself out of it, I trudged toward the cabins. Even though it was barely five, it was already dark, but the path to both the cabins and the motel was well worn. Besides, I’d made sure it was cleared of snow and well salted just that afternoon. A brisk wind kicked up causing me to huddle down into my jacket, but I didn’t have to worry about tripping.
As I made my way around the bend, the softly glowing cabin came into view. The other seven and the fire pit in the middle were dark and a bit spooky looking. But not Oak’s cabin. The windows were lit up and the enticing sight had me picking up my pace. Before I knew it, I was at the door.
I had to steel myself before I knocked. Gave myself a stern talking to. I was just here to check in with him and make sure he was okay with everything. I’d kissed him and ran, which was a shitty thing to do. Although I was sure he understood, I had to make sure he was all right. And once I did, we could put this all behind us and move on with our lives.
I knocked. Waited. Less than a minute later, the door cracked open, just enough for me to see Oak’s face. Which showed the surprise he felt at seeing me here.
“Law. Hi.” His voice was soft, hesitant, and I tried to smile. “What are you—no you can’t go outside, you silly cat.”
Salem was trying to make a break for it, but Oak’s quick footwork pushed him back far enough. Considering how dark it was, plus how cold it was, it made sense for him to keep Salem inside.
“Hi. Do you have a few minutes? I’d like to talk.”
It took Oak several seconds to answer, but then he gave a nod, bent down to swoop the cat into his arms, and stepped back. I stomped my feet to get any extra snow off my boots before entering the cabin and shutting the door behind me. Then Ishrugged off my coat and hung it on the peg before toeing off my books. I didn’t want to track snow and mud into his home.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Oak called from the other side of the space, where the kitchenette was. “There’s water and, oh, cherry Pepsi if you’re like your brother.”
I chuckled. “Water’s fine. Thanks.”
While he was taking care of that, I looked around, smiling to myself as I realized I was right. There was color everywhere, from the red retro-looking lamp, to the throw blankets, to the rugs. It was warm and cozy inside, and I felt myself relaxing a touch. My attention caught on a tiny bright blue door near the bathroom, and I crossed the room to study it.
“What’s this?” I asked softly when I heard him approach. I turned to him to take my glass and noticed the blush that stained his cheeks. I’d never considered that was a particular turn on for me, but on him, it was utterly delectable.
Dammit. I had to keep my thoughts in order and my wits about me. None of that tonight.
Oak cleared his throat. “It’s a fairy door.” At my blank look, he shook his head and smiled slightly. “You know. So fairies can move between our world and theirs.”
I grinned. “Is that so?”
Oak averted his gaze and stepped back a few feet. “Usually you see them in gardens, but since I don’t have a garden for my collection…” He sighed and wouldn’t look at me. “I just like them.”
“Nothing wrong with that. They’re pretty.” Oak must have heard the sincerity in my tone, because he jerked his gaze up to mine and after a second or two, smiled. The way it lit up his face was going to by my undoing and I needed to keep us on the right track. “Can we sit?”
Oak’s smile fell, and he nodded instead of answering. I waited for him to get comfortable on the sofa before I sat on the otherend. Not that the furniture was that big, because even though I did my best to keep distance between us, there was still only a few inches separating us.
I took a sip of water before I set the glass down on the coffee table. “I thought we should talk about what happened between us the other day.”
He grabbed one of the throw pillows and set it on his lap, wrapping his arms around it as though he was using it as a shield. Even though I wanted to poke, I waited for him to speak. Technically, he could refuse the conversation and kick me out, so I wanted to see where his head was at.
