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“Let me just put this coffee in a to-go cup and we can head out. It’s only a couple blocks away.” Steam billowed from the cup as he poured the bitter brew. The caffeine needed to pull double duty this morning—give him a jolt of energy and hopefully calm the anxiousness churning his gut.
Probably not possible but worth a try.
With the lid firmly in place, he pressed his lips together and turned back to Laura. “Let’s go.”
She met him at the door, which he pushed open for her then locked up behind them. The morning sun was already hot and blinding. He balled his fist at his side as he walked beside Laura. The floral scent of her perfume floated on the subtle breeze.
How was it possible she could smell so damn good? A wave of nostalgia slammed against him, messing with his head. She’d always picked flowers as a kid, passing them out to everyone she met throughout her day. He’d always shoved them in his pockets, only to find them hours later crumbled and broken.
He couldn’t help but compare the flowers he’d once ignored and discarded to the woman Laura had become. Not because she wasn’t strong and brave and incredible, but because she’dtrusted her heart to a man who didn’t deserve it—who’d tried to break her.
Just like he’d done with her sweet offerings of dandelions and lilacs.
“Have you ever been to the food pantry before?” he asked, needing to focus on the present instead of the past.
Laura stumbled over her feet.
He gripped her elbow to stabilize her and immediately regretted his actions. The feel of her soft skin sent a jolt of electricity through his veins. The side of her body brushed against his as she found her footing, and he bit back a groan before releasing her and taking a step away.
“Sorry,” she said. “I’m always such a klutz.”
Unable to speak from his suddenly dry mouth, he grunted a reply.
They reached the corner and turned away from the town square. The pantry was located close to downtown Pine Valley, but not in the middle of the mom-and-pop shops and tree-lined sidewalks. The standalone structure used to be a single-family home until it’d been turned into a community staple. A place for those down on their luck to get what they needed to help them.
“I’ve never been inside.” Laura finally answered his question. “But I’ve always admired the outside. Wondered what it was like to live in such a beautiful Victorian home years ago when the town was first started. If those walls could talk, I’m sure there’d be tons of stories to be told.”
He stared at her, admiring the wistful way she spoke about the gem of a structure he’d also loved. But the touch of sadness in her eyes twisted his gut. He wished he could comfort her. Could hold her in his arms and tell her everything would work out. But he didn’t know that was true.
Not for her, and not for himself.
He stopped in front of the three-story house. White scalloped edging trimmed the roof and windows, setting off the buttercream and green siding. Bay windows combined with the wraparound porch and stunning turret told of another time, another era. “Some stories aren’t meant to be retold.”
The heat of her curious gaze bored into his cheek, but he kept his focus fixed ahead.
“I suppose you’re right.”
The crack in her voice turned him toward her. Her gaze stayed on his face, but the look in her eyes told him her mind was somewhere else.
Well, hell. He was off to a great start. He blew out a long breath, needing to get things back on track. “But new stories are always waiting to be discovered, and that’s why I’m here. To help this place find a new tale to tell. New life, new meaning, new purpose. Or at least to add to the purpose it’s always had.”
Laura opened her mouth, but the front door burst open and an older woman with snow-white hair and glasses swept onto the porch, her smile wide and inviting. “Good morning.”
Cade lifted a hand in greeting. “Morning, Mrs. Collins. I’m Cade Sulley with Mountaintop Construction.”
Chuckling, she waved a hand through the air. “I’ve known who you are since you were knee-high to a grasshopper. And Laura Metcalf, so good to see you my dear. Please, come in.”
He followed Laura up the old steps and walked inside. It was time to focus on work and block out all the other bullshit. This was an important job, and he couldn’t let his mind wander.
Or let Laura Metcalf distract him any more than she already had.
The bright lightof the computer blurred Laura’s eyes. She rubbed them, but the motion did nothing to take away the strain. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d sat and stared at a screen for so many hours.
Probably never.
Even in high school, she’d skated by on the bare minimum effort. Half-assing assignments and skipping class to spend time with Isaac. He’d guilted her into stepping away from her comfort zone. Convinced her that she’d do things her heart told her was wrong if she truly loved him.
She’d been so young and desperate for love and affection. His scraps of kindness had lured her into a false sense of security until she’d been trapped, the thought of escape as much of a fantasy as the man she was chained to.
