AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Troy walked over to peek through the old towel she held open for him.
“The one with the white and hint of blue is Salt, and the yellow green is Pepper. They’re much more active in the morning.”
She fumbled on the last sentence, wondering if she had just invited him to stay, but Troy didn’t seem to have noticed her slipup. Instead he smiled and turned slowly around the room, taking in her mix of furniture and style.
Seeing him there looking at all of her things, with Popsicle rubbing his leg, made her breath catch.
“When did you move in?”
“After Grandma died. Five years ago. I was born here, but after the fire, the memories were too strong and Grandma wanted to go elsewhere. That’s why we wouldn’t have met in school or around town.”
Troy nodded. “I had wondered about that.”
“When she passed, I felt like this was the right move. I didn’t know a soul here, but my parents and siblings are buried here.”
“Your Grandma?”
“She’s here too. Her family had a plot and that’s how it went.”
“Do you go visit?”
“From time to time. Grandma made me promise not to go too much as she got older. She wanted me to know life is for the living.” Megan paused and picked up her tea before sitting down on the coach. It had been her Grandma’s and was comfortable, neutral, and good quality. She patted the chenille fabric next to her, and Troy joined her, his thigh touching hers.
“Do you come back often?” she asked.
“It’s hard when I don’t live here, but my dad would’ve had a lot in common with your Grandma. He says the same thing.”
“I wonder if our families knew each other,” Megan said, and smiled at the thought.
“I’ll ask. What was her name?”
“Matilda Mae White. Went by Mrs. Tillie Mae”
Troy picked up a cookie and dipped it, while Popsicle and Lincoln stared at them from the floor.
“I’m not used to kissing a beautiful woman while being stared at by a small panther and a medium-sized tiger.”
Megan broke into a nervous laugh. “You’re very sweet.”
“You’re very beautiful.”
He pushed a lock of red hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear before planting a tender kiss under her ear, which sent a wave of heat over her. With her fair skin, it probably showed too. Damn genetics.
“I like seeing you here. Seeing all of your things and animals. I’m just missing the turtle now.”
“Leo’s in the bathroom. He’s not any trouble.”
“I don’t know a lot about turtles.”
“Actually, me neither. I’m learning as I go. He belonged to a science teacher who needed to rehome him. Apparently they get huge, and he outgrew the tank at the school. He’s a pretty new addition.”
“You’re going to be a great vet. Dad told me how good you were with Levi.”
His hand slid across her shoulders to rest behind her on the top of the couch, while he sipped his tea in the other hand. He propped one ankle across his knee and was the picture of relaxation. Seeing him sprawled out on the couch was a picture in a dream. As he shifted, his weight moved the couch more, and her whole body melted into his side.
“I’ve always loved animals.”
“You don’t sound happy.”
