Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
She smiled, a flash of pearly white teeth appearing. “Since you’re in your uniform and standing here looking as if you would rather be asking anyone else, I assumed you got called in and need me to keep an eye on Miller.”
I blinked. “You got that from my uniform?”
“That, and you have a bag of dog food in your hand.”
I looked down. “Oh, right.”
She took the bag. “No problem, Thorne.”
“Jesse.”
She grinned. “I’ll look after Miller. Why don’t you just bring him here?”
I scrubbed the back of my neck. “He needs a pill twice a day.”
“Okay.”
“Barney—”
She cut me off. “They got on fine today. If things get tense, I’ll take him to your place. But he won’t get lonely here.”
She had a point. And he had certainly liked her.
“Okay. I’ll get his stuff.”
I hurried home and got some toys and his favorite bed, plus his blanket he liked to sleep with and the meds. I stopped and got some cheese from the fridge. When I returned with Miller, he walked in, looking comfortable and at ease. He headed straight for the old sofa and curled up in the corner.
“Sorry, Lou looked after him sometimes. He’s making himself at home.”
“Good.”
I gave her instructions, explaining the cheese, and wrote my cell number and the vet’s information on a piece of paper. And I gave her a spare key. “In case,” I instructed. “He has an appointment, but it’s on my next day off. But if he looks or acts oddly, call them. And me.”
“Of course.” She laid her hand on my arm. “I’ll take good care of him, Jesse.”
It was the first time she’d said my name without being corrected. I liked how it sounded coming from her mouth.
“Thanks.” I paused. “In the garage are some totes. They were things that belonged to Lou. She had asked me to pack them up and keep them for a while. I think they should belong to you now.”
“Things?”
“Some kitchen stuff, knickknacks, some personal items that she had at the home. Sims sent those over, and I added them to the totes. The one marked kitchen has her old coffeemaker. You could use it until you buy a new one.”
“Great.”
“It’s on the lower shelf. The rest are higher. I’ll get them down later.”
“Okay.” She smiled. “See you in a few days.”
“Call if you need me.” I had no idea why I said it like that. “If Miller needs me, I mean.”
She grinned. “Of course.”
I hesitated, unsure. I had the strangest desire to bend down and press a kiss to her cheek. Say something else. Instead, I turned and left, hurrying out the back door before I did something incredibly stupid.
I stumbled a little as she called out to me. “Have a good day, dear. We’ll be here when you get back.”
I shouldn’t have liked the idea so much.
But I did.
Chapter Five
CASEY
Isat back, looking around my new space. I had accomplished a lot in the past three days. The cupboards were painted in the kitchen, the doors rehung and open to dry completely. The color and the new handles made the cabinets look great. I had oiled the countertop, and it gleamed in the sunshine coming in the window. I had cleaned the small table and bought two new chairs. It currently housed the old coffeemaker, which had been a lifesaver, saving me a trip a few times a day to the local coffee shop.
The old sofa was still in place. I had spent time between coats of paint cutting foam for new cushions so it wasn’t so saggy. I bought a simple desk that I built and put in the corner, and I was going to set up my workstation later. A new rug and chair were coming tomorrow, along with a bed. I found a couple of lamps at a cute thrift store, as well as a dresser I planned on painting for my clothes. The rest, I would buy as needed.
I looked at the entry hall, cocking my head and studying it. Instead of a built-in closet, there was an old armoire. Beautiful, solid wood. Intricate carving. Heavy as hell. It was situated facing the living room, but it wasn’t centered in the doorway or on the wall. It looked awkward, and I had to sidle past it every time I came in or went out. I wondered if I could move it. I added that task to the list in my head for another day.
I had washed the windows and hung new curtains in the living room, the glass sparkling. I loved the stained-glass inserts in the bay window at the front and remembered it from my time living here.
So many memories swirled in my head as I was unpacking the totes. Lou’s tablecloths she used to embroider. Her salt and pepper collection she always loved. The cast-iron frypan she cooked so many meals in. I had only been able to bring two totes inside and unpack them, but I was grateful she had kept all these things.