He blushed. “Pace had his friend Noah Cooper help make a website and all that stuff. I wanted to invite you.”
I nodded.
“It’ll feature some of my art.” He took a bracing breath and shuddered. “And some other locals have already expressed interest. Do you remember Lu Billings? She paints watercolor landscapes?” I nodded a smile, having recalled the pretty blonde who often popped up around town. “Anyway, should be good. Lord knows we can get those tourists to pay just about anything if we price it high enough.”
“This is amazing. Good for you,” I said, meaning it.
“You think you’ll make it?”
“I’m supposed to go back to Chicago. Dad said there was a temp job at the library where he volunteers.”
He nodded and took another step backward. “Also, I have these.”
He handed me several slips of paper with printed information. It took me a second to realize what I was looking at. “Rental agreements?” I asked, even more confused.
“If you need a place to stay. There’s one from Ruth’s place, though she will probably put you to work. There’s one for the apartment above the Confectionery and a few others. I wanted you to have options. I wanted you to know that you are wanted and welcome but also have autonomy. You are missed all the time, everywhere. But you have options, no matter what you decide. These will stay open through the New Year.” He held my gaze longer, something behind his eyes that made me want to reach for him.
“Oh. Wow, thank you.” I stared at the options laid out before me. He understood the need to protect myself, he didn’t try tocontrol my future and I appreciated that more than he knew.
Yet there was one missing. A small hole in my heart pinched tight.
“Then there’s Little Cabin.” He handed me another sheet.
I bit back a small smile as I read the last sheet. “A list of rules?”
“You’re always welcome at the Little Cabin, but I wanted to make some new rules. But it’s there. You will always have a place to stay if you want it.”
My eyes tried to read the new list, but he put his hand over it. “You can read it later.”
“Thank you, Levi.”
“Whatever you decide, just let the others know if you can, sooner than later with the holidays.”
“Of course.”
I kissed Ripley goodbye and hesitated before leaning forward to hug Levi.
He shuddered a breath before wrapping me in the safety of him. I felt him inhale a deep breath in the crook of my neck, a small tremor in his body as he held me tight. We both held on too long, neither ready to let go. How could one pair of arms feel so much like a home I never had?
And just like that, he was gone, and I wasn’t ready for it to be the end. I wasn’t sure where we would go from here. I didn’t have a plan.
But I had a list of rules, and that was a start.
Chapter 33
The Listing - updated
Little Cabin- For Rent
Single-bedroom guest home available in the Colorado Rockies. Ten miles north of downtown Cozy Creek, Colorado.(My replies below in bold—Claire)
Serious inquiries only.(I’m very serious.)
This is my land. If you can’t follow these rules, don’t bother applying.(I’m already getting a little turned on.)
- This guesthouse is on my property, but it is completely private and separate from my home. That being said, I will probably pass your window often to make sure you have fed yourself, that you have a fire going, and that you aren’t working too hard. I will tell you that I’m checking the property, but in reality, Iwill be worrying about you.(Perfect. I will pretend not to notice and secretly try to look cute. I might forget to do everything just so you’ll be forced to come help me.)
- One tenant only. This home has one full-size bed. One kitchen area. One bathroom. One extra photography room that can be converted to your office or whatever you need it to be.(I bet two people could fit in that bed easily. This theory will need to be tested.)
