Page 14 of Jameson’s Salvation

“Did you do the restoration in here?” Jameson asked.

“Yeah. I wanted to open it up. The house was built in 1909. It was just the kitchen and this room downstairs and the two bedrooms upstairs. The original outhouse is still out back. Back then every room had a door so you could close it off to keep the heat where you needed it.” Jameson thought about the kitchen and had noticed there was a fireplace in there, as well as one in the dining room. “In the thirties, they put in a bathroom upstairs. It was crazy small. And in the forties, they built an addition that almost doubled the size of the house. But anyway, with everything closed off it was stuffy and dark. Thankfully the wall I wanted to remove wasn’t load-bearing, so it was a cinch to demo.”

Just as Jameson had thought, Kennedy was remarkable.

“You did a great job.”

“Thanks.” Her gaze slid away again and Jameson couldn’t help but smile.

“Seems you’re the one that has issues with praise,” he noted.

“Maybe I’m just not used to it.”

How in the hell was that possible? The woman was astonishingly capable and obviously talented.

“What’s that mean?”

There was another sigh and she looked over at him and shook her head. “That’s for another conversation.”

“Is that your nice way of saying it’s none of my business?”

“Pretty much.”

Jameson chuckled and a strange feeling hit his chest. One he’d never felt, therefore couldn’t place, but it felt so damn good he didn’t try and stop it.

“Would you like dessert, a tour of the house, or neither and you can take me back to get my truck from your house?”

“Are your keys in your truck?”

That was something Jameson had learned in the last few months he’d lived in Kent County. Everyone left their keys in their car and most didn’t lock their doors. It was beyond weird and something Jameson didn’t think he’d ever get used to.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll have the guys bring your truck over.”

“Why would you bother them when you have to go home and I can drive myself back?”

“It’s not a bother, and even if it was, you’re dead on your feet from workin’ all day. You don’t need to be going out again, not even to drive your truck home.”

“I don’t like favors, Jameson.” She pinned him with a stare and it was cute how she’d narrowed her eyes and thought she could get him to back down.

Jameson was contemplating how to explain himself without Kennedy thinking he was more of an asshole than he was sure he’d already made himself out to be. Which was something else new. He couldn’t remember a time he cared what someone else thought. He didn’t guard his words or his reactions, but he found he cared what she thought.

And Jameson thought that just because a woman could do anything didn’t mean she should have to, or that while he was around, he’d allow her to.

“It’s not a favor when it’s offered.”

“Feels the same.”

“It might, but it’s vastly different. You didn’t ask me to do anything. I offered. And I did so because I don’t want you out driving this late after you’ve worked your ass off all day.”

“It’s barely nine o’clock.”

“What time did you get up this mornin’?” he asked.

“Five, same as always.”

“That means it’s late and it will be later if you go pick up your truck after you give me a tour of your house. Holden and Weston can bring your car over. Their lazy asses didn’t get up until seven.”