“A little more.”
He laughed. He couldn’t help himself. She was truly enjoying this moment. He moved the knife again.
“Perfect.”
He put her slice on the plate and slid it toward her. She took a bite and an expression came over her face he hadn’t seen before. It was pure, unadulterated bliss. “Oh, this is heavenly. Even better than Sweet Somethings. What does she do to make it taste so good?”
He was enjoying her pleasure at such a simple thing as cake. “Mama says she bakes with love.”
“Yes, I can see that.” She took another bite.
He watched her while he ate his own cake and marveled at the change that had come over her since the first day they’d met. She seemed more relaxed now, no longer stiff and holding herself back. She was happy, too, if the expression on her face was any indication. She’d mentioned that she liked the woman she was becoming. He had to admit he liked the changes in her, too.
Warmth filled his heart and so did determination. He’d do anything in his power to keep that smile from disappearing.
He finished his cake and his glass of milk, then just looked at her. She was scraping the last bit of frosting from her plate, her fork making a scratching noise, then she slipped the fork into her mouth. The sight made him smile.
“Are you finished?”
She let out another sigh, obviously disappointed the cake was gone, then simply nodded.
“I should show you around the house, so you’ll know where everything is. I just plain forgot earlier.” He rose from his seat, put their dishes in the sink for the morning, then held out his hand. Sheridan slipped her hand in his and stood. “We’ll start here.” He began opening drawers and cabinet doors, revealing dishes and glasses and silverware then moved to the other side of the stove. Duke stood up, his sleep disturbed but still happy, perhaps thinking he might get a treat, and shook, his ears slapping against the sides of his head. He poked at Sheridan’s free hand with his nose.
“I’m sorry, boy. I don’t have anything for you.”
“Yes, you do. Believe it or not, Mama bakes special things just for him.” He let go of her hand and reached for a cookie jar in the shape of a rooster on a shelf above where the dog slept. Heremoved the rooster’s ceramic head and showed her. “You can give him one.”
She reached into the jar and extracted a treat, then laughed softly in surprise as she turned it around. “It’s shaped like a Christmas tree.”
“It is. There are other shapes, too. Snowmen and hearts. Bells, too.”
She handed the treat to the dog, who took it gently in his mouth then settled himself on his blankets once more.
Wyatt put the cookie jar back on the shelf then directed her attention to another cabinet filled with pots and pans and all sorts of baking tins.
“Your mother is right. This is a big kitchen. Bigger than the one at Josie’s.”
He laughed. “That’s one of the reasons she and Royce spend so much time here.” He reached for her hand to lead her out of the room, leaving Duke happily munching on his special ‘cookie’.
“I don’t have gas like they do in town, but I do have some creature comforts,” he said, as he led her past another staircase leading up to the second floor, then into the formal dining room and beyond. “The guest room is through that door. That’s where my mother and Royce stay when they’re here. And the powder room is here.” He opened a door to reveal a porcelain sink, commode, and a large, six-foot tall cabinet.
She took a step closer to the cabinet, her head tilting to the side as she studied it before she inhaled sharply. “Is this a Mosley Folding bathtub?”
“It is.”
“I’ve heard of them, but I’ve never seen one.” She turned wide eyes toward him. “I can’t wait to bathe in it.”
“And bathe in it you shall, but not tonight. It’s much too late. Do you think you’ll be able to sleep now?”
She nodded. “After you finish showing me the rest of the house.”
As they passed through the parlor, he directed her attention to the piano against the wall. “I hope you’ll play while you’re here.”
“I will.” She tilted her head and glanced at the door beside the piano. “What’s behind that door?”
“My office, but you won’t want to go in there.” He chuckled even as his face heated. “I’m ashamed to say it’s a complete and absolute mess.”
She laughed softly. “Warning taken.”
