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Blake caught Everly’s eye as she was admiring his build and winked at her. Her face heated, and she turned away, grinning. “Thanks for helping me today.”
“Always. Although I have severe mixed feelings about you leaving.”
She looked back up at him, and her smile fell slightly. “Me too.” They’d grown together in ways she couldn’t have imagined since she moved in here, and she wanted more of this casual, yet thrilling existence so close to Blake.
Her chest ached. This was the home she’d been searching for all this time. It was here with Blake.
He pushed his fingers through his tousled hair. “I'm going to get a quick shower. Meet me back downstairs in twenty?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
Blake kissed her forehead and headed up the stairs.
Everly pushed the stray hairs from her ponytail back and surveyed the boxes lined against the living room wall. Her physical existence was reduced to a few boxes.
Throwing the tape dispensers and markers into a box, she headed upstairs and changed into pajamas. With plenty of time left before Blake finished his shower, she grabbed her laptop and headed downstairs.
The living room was quiet, and Everly settled into her favorite spot on the couch. She would miss working here. Everything about the routine she’d made here would change soon. She’d have to work sitting on the bed at the main house. There were so many things she would miss when she moved tomorrow.
Everly opened up the manuscript she’d been working on. Not someone else’s project she was hired to edit. It was her own book—one she was growing more confident in every day.
A few minutes later, Blake strolled into the living room, and Everly closed her laptop.
Blake plopped down in the seat beside her, resting his arm over the back of the couch. “What are you working on?”
Panic squeezed her chest, but the ache eased as quickly as it had appeared. This was Blake, and if he’d promised her honesty, she should give him the same.
“I thought a lot about what you said about writing. I’m still not sure it’s my spiritual gift, since no one has ever read anything I’ve written, but I want my writing to glorify God. I looked at some of my old documents and realized most of it could be put together to make a devotional. I’ve been writing these segments for years. They’re just my thoughts and things I’ve learned. They just needed to be cleaned up.”
Blake sat up straighter and turned to face her. “Are you serious? That’s amazing.”
Everly rolled her eyes and smiled. “I don’t know about amazing.”
“I haven’t read any of your stuff, but I can say with confidence that it’s great. You’re intelligent, you study God’s Word, and you’ve been writing for years. I know you’re good at this.”
“But you just said you haven’t read anything I’ve written. You can’t say it’s good.”
“Then let me read it. If you want to,” he added quickly.
Everly hesitated. Blake had asked before, and she’d quickly let him know she didn’t want to share her writing. But he was so supportive, and a tiny part of her wanted to hear what someone else thought of her words. “Okay. I’ll send you one chapter of this devotional I’m working on.”
Blake pumped his fist in the air. “Yes!”
“I’m also working on a love story. Should I send that one to you too?” she asked jokingly.
“Yes. I want the love story for sure.”
Everly bumped her shoulder against his and laughed. “I don’t think you’re the kind of reader who would like a love story.”
“Why not? I love love. It’s the best.”
Warmth filled Everly’s chest. Hearing Blake talk about love was the stuff of dreams.
Blake lifted his hand to her jaw, tracing his fingers up and down the sensitive skin before gently lifting her chin to look up at him.
“Everly, I’m so proud of you. I can’t look at you without being reminded of your kindness and bravery. You’re a wonderful woman, and I love you.”
Everly gasped, but the air stilled in her lungs. Blake loved her.
