He produced a wet-nap from his pocket. “You know the drill, Mouse. Hands up.”
Giggling, she held out her fingers, and he gently wiped the sticky icing from them. He tapped the end of her nose. “You go play, and I’ll watch as I talk to Mommy, okay?”
She flung her arms around his neck, squeezing him. “I’m so glad you’re here! I missed you!” She scampered off.
He sat back, finally opening his own coffee and sipping. He was quiet for a few moments, then stretched his arms casually along the back of the bench.
“You look tired,” he observed. “You feeling okay, Livvy?”
“I’m good, Van. No need to worry about me.”
“But I do.” I felt his fingers tangle in my hair, rubbing the strands.
“I miss you,” he murmured. “Both of you.”
My breath caught, but I wasn’t sure what to say.
“Any chance you might miss me?” he asked, his voice tense. “I know it’s only been a week, but it feels like longer to me.”
I glanced at his profile. He was watching Sammy, his jaw tight, the strain around his eyes evident. The need to ease his pain stirred within me.
“Yeah,” I sighed. “We both do.”
He exhaled long and hard. “That’s good to hear.”
“I’m not ready yet, Van.”
He leaned forward, his elbows braced on his knees. “I know. I told you I would wait.”
Sammy called to him and he stood. “I’m not giving up, Liv.”
Then before I could say anything, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “And I’m not going anywhere. You let me know when you’re ready to move forward.”
Then he hurried toward Sammy and played with her. My heart swelled watching them together—the gentle giant and my daughter.
I thought about my fears. Although he had overreacted with Vicky, his anger hadn’t been directed at me. It was born out of worry and fear of what she would say or do, not something I had done. He had apologized, more than once, and shown me nothing but patience and care every day.
And I did miss him. I missed everything about him. Especially his touch and the way he looked at me.
I ran a hand over my head, weary and confused. Was I ready to move forward? Could I trust him? Could I trust myself?
The low rumble of his laughter caught my attention. He was on the ground, Sammy lifted high on his feet as he supported her with his hands. She was laughing with him, her trust in him absolute.
Their antics made me chuckle.
Van made me happy.
Were we more attached than I realized, as I had thought earlier?
I thought perhaps I had my answer.
* * *
Van
Tuesday morning, the sky was overcast and gray. It matched my mood. I hadn’t slept much lately, and the early call I’d had made me tense. I wasn’t sure how Liv was going to react. I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle the day. I had kept my promise as best I could. But the daily phone calls to Liv were all I had, and she hadn’t asked me to stop. I sensed a growing closeness happening between us, and I hoped I wasn’t wrong.
I pulled up to the curb and climbed out of the truck. Liv was waiting, looking over my shoulder toward the cab.
“I thought you were picking up Bentley?” she asked, confused. “More Braxton Hicks with Emmy?”
“He called me about five a.m. Her water broke and she started having contractions—the real kind—and they’re on their way to the hospital.”
“Oh!”
“I asked him if he wanted us to handle it today, and he said he’d be grateful. He didn’t want more time to pass, and he wasn’t sure when he’d be able to make the time over the next while. I told him it wasn’t a problem.” I eyed her speculatively. “Is it a problem, Liv? Should I call Bentley and tell him we need to reschedule?”
She straightened her shoulders. “No, it’s fine. Mom is taking Sammy after day care, and they’re having a sleepover, so my day is free. If we put it off, there could be an issue since my mom is going to Florida to see her sister next week, and I would have to make other arrangements for Sammy.”
“Well then, I guess it’s just us.”
“Right.”
She shifted on her feet, obviously feeling as uncomfortable as I was at the moment. I didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize the subtle changes in our relationship.
I opened the door, offering her my hand. “Let’s go, Liv. I need coffee and a breakfast sandwich for the road.”
She began to scramble up into the cab when I noticed the bandage around her ankle. I stilled her actions. “What happened?”
She grimaced self-consciously. “I slipped off the bottom rung of the ladder yesterday. It’s nothing.”
Without asking, I slid my arm around her waist and lifted her into the truck. I didn’t want her to hurt herself trying to climb in with a bad ankle. I grabbed the seat belt and buckled her in. I didn’t fail to notice the way her hands gripped my biceps, or the way they lingered on my body.
“Okay?” I asked, my voice gruff even to my own ears.
Her hands dropped to her lap. “Oh, um, yes. Thanks.”
I stepped back, even though everything in me wanted to lift her face and kiss her. Even though all I wanted to do was to pull her into my arms and hold her until she told me she was wrong and didn’t need any time. That we could move on together.
But I didn’t know if she was ready, and I didn’t want to push. She was still on guard and might always be. I had probably blown my chance with her because of my temper. It didn’t come out very often, but when it did, it wasn’t pretty.
I crossed the front of the truck and climbed into the driver’s seat, holding in my sigh.
It was going to be a long day.
* * *
We finally found the overgrown road leading to the secluded cabin. I carefully maneuvered the truck up the steep, beaten track that once passed as a driveway. The ruts and broken limbs made the hill bumpy and treacherous. It was badly planned, filled with twists and turns, making it difficult to navigate. Even in low gear, the truck slid on the overgrowth, and the low-hanging branches slapped against the sides of the cab. Liv held on to the handle with a death grip. She was already pale, and I could see this part of the drive was making her nervous. Without taking my hands off the wheel, I spoke.
“It’s okay, Liv. It’s solid, just neglected. Nothing is going to happen to you when you’re with me. I’ve got you.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw her deep exhale.
“I know,” she whispered.
I wished she believed those words.
We hit the top of the hill, and each of us was grateful. I pulled close to the cabin and slammed the truck into park. Liv turned slightly in her seat.
“How bad is it going to be going down?”
“It’s going to be fine. The truck is more than capable of getting us down safely.”
She peeked out of the window. “Even if it’s raining?”
I opened the door and crossed to her side of the truck. I lifted her down and carefully set her on the uneven ground. “Even if it’s raining.” I paused and held out my hand. “It’s slippery. I think you should hold on to me.”
I kept my face impassive as she threaded her fingers through mine. Simply the feel of her small hand tucked into mine made my heart beat faster. She stepped closer, and her foot caught on the wet undergrowth, causing her to stumble. She lurched forward, barreling into my chest, and instantly, I wrapped my arm around her waist, steadying her. For a moment, I felt her in the safety of my embrace. Warm. Small. Perfect.
Then she stepped back, her eyes downcast as she mumbled an apology.
“Not a problem, Liv,” I assured her, shutting the door, disappointment making my voice low. “Watch your step, though. It’s hazardous underfoot.” I shortened my stride to stay beside her. The ground was treacherous beneath our feet, and though she had accepted my hand, I wasn’t sure sh
e would allow me to carry her. We rounded the corner, and both of us stopped and stared.
“Oh, wow,” Liv breathed as we walked toward the front of the property.
Below us, the Niagara River wound its way through a maze of curves and angles. Huge expanses of trees lined the banks. Sunlight peeked through the clouds, the muted light glinting off the water, a vast span of blue and green swirling with the waves that rolled and broke on the surface. Boats made their way down the channel. A few cottages dotted the landscape, but they were so far away, it was as if you were set high above the world, looking down. The scenery was spectacular.
“A million-dollar view,” I mused.
“It’s breathtaking.”
I glanced down at her. The diffused light caught her hair, casting a glow around her face. Her golden eyes were wide and awed.
“Yes,” I agreed. “It’s breathtaking.”
She glanced up, her eyes meeting mine. They widened, the emotions she fought to hide from me blatant. The want she denied. The need. The fear. I saw it all. I wanted to fix it all. Calm her fears, take away the want and fulfill every need she had. I pivoted on my heel, turning toward her. I opened my mouth to speak, but she backed away, breaking our gaze. She turned and limped away.
“We should check out the cabin.”
I followed her, tapping down my impatience. She was running again.
This time, however, she could only go so far.
I noticed the way her hand shook as she fumbled with the keys. The heavy door creaked in protest as it swung inward. Without thinking, I went ahead of her, unsure as to what condition the cabin would be inside. I didn’t want her falling in a hole or coming face-to-face with a raccoon who had made a nest inside the abandoned cabin.
“Wait here,” I stated firmly. I held my flashlight high, pleased to see everything intact. I crossed the room and pushed back the heavy material covering the windows, allowing the light to fill the room. I turned around, my gaze sweeping the space. Liv shut the door, moving forward, her eyes scanning, taking in the same things I was seeing.
“Great bones,” I murmured.
“Yes.”
“Want to explore?”
Her excitement was evident. “Yes!”
For the next while, we were simply coworkers. We went through the cabin, each of us looking from a different angle yet on the same page. It was a simple layout. A large main room with a kitchen/eat-in area to one side. Two good-sized bedrooms and a shared bath. I was pleased to see the structure was solid, well-built, and sturdy. It was in desperate need of repairs and refurbishing, but I had every confidence Liv would make it spectacular. I already had ideas on improvements. Leaving Liv to think, I scoped the outside, noting the large space around the cabin. I had a feeling Liv would want to do some expansion, and there was plenty of room. I drew in long, calming lungfuls of the fresh air, studying the rapidly darkening sky, all evidence of sunlight now gone. In the distance, I could hear the rumble of thunder, and I knew the rain Liv worried about was going to happen soon.
Returning to the interior, I noticed there was some furniture in the cabin, and I lifted one of the heavy dustcovers, surprised to see a chaise lounge in deep blue leather hidden underneath. I tossed the cover on the floor and sat, watching Liv. She had her sketch pad out, her hand flying over the page as she walked around. Even given the frustration I was feeling, I enjoyed watching her work—creating something new from the old.
She paused in front of the dirty windows. “Could these be removed?”
“Yeah. I was thinking of sliding glass doors to make the most of the view.”
She spoke eagerly. “Yes. A huge flagstone patio with a fire pit.”
“What vibe are you going with? Does Bentley want modern or traditional?”
She flashed me a grin. “He gets both. Traditional with all the modern requirements hidden. I want to add to the rustic feel. Reclaimed wood floors. A cool texture to the walls. Skylights to add more sun. A huge hearth over the fireplace.”
“I was thinking about adding logs to the outside.”
“Yes! A log cabin in the woods. It’s the right setting.”
“Tell me your plans.”
“We gut it. Blow out the front and make it the focal point.” She indicated the left side. “Can you expand that wall? Make a sunroom off the kitchen for a dining area?”
I knew it.
“I think so. We’ll need planning approval, but as long as we’re sympathetic to the land, we should get it.”
“We can upgrade everything and make it a retreat.”
“What about the bedrooms?”
“They’re a good size. Maybe we can add to the perimeter of the whole place?”
“It’s all on a slab, so it can be done. We can get Jordan to check the building codes. There’s enough space, so I think it can easily be accomplished. What about outside? You want to add to that?”
She tilted her head in thought. “A patio and fire pit, maybe a gazebo closer to the edge of the property?” She set down her sketchbook. “I want to go and see what kind of slope or edge there is to deal with.”
I stood, following her. Outside, the wind had picked up, and Liv eyed the sky with trepidation. “We need to hurry so we can get out of here.”
I walked beside her again, carefully finding my way toward the front of the property. Close to the edge, I stopped, peering over the steep embankment. “This will have to be addressed. Huge risk factor of falling,” I observed, kicking at what was left of a safety rail.
“What could we do?”
“Some rock work and a reinforced steel wall.”
“Would it detract from the view?”
“No, we’d incorporate it the right way. Make it aesthetically pleasing, but safe.” I indicated a flat spot behind us to the left. “You could do your gazebo there. Awesome view.”
She nodded, walking toward the spot. She turned in circles, looking around the property. “Not a place for kids.”
“Not long term. More an adult getaway sanctuary. A place to recharge. Although, you could add a small pool and a play area to the right, far away from this ledge. It would be a nice way to cool off for everyone in the summer and appeal to a family for short-term stays if Bent decides to use this place as a rental property.”
“And the driveway?”
I laughed. “If we’re going to do some redesigning of the cabin, we can redesign the driveway. Make it an easier journey up. It’ll be the most expensive part, by the time we have the plans completed, get permission, and remove some trees. We’ll have to plant more to replace them, but it can be done, I’m sure. I’ll get Jordan on it with an engineer.”
She sighed. “I love it.”
“What if we went up?” I asked. “Add a loft—a retreat for the adults. One large room with a private bath. The stairs could go up the back wall off the living area.”
“Oh,” she breathed. “That would be amazing. Huge windows so you wake up to the view every day.”
“We’ll have to check code and the structure, but I think from what I’ve seen, it could work.”
“I can imagine waking up here every day,” she said dreamily. “It would be spectacular.”
I resisted telling her waking up beside her would be fucking spectacular. Instead, I cleared my throat.
“I hope Bentley is prepared for the expense.”
She crossed her arms, her expression wistful. “I hope so too. He already had an offer to buy it as is, but he wanted to keep and develop it.” She eyed the cabin. “It’s hidden, but the potential is huge.”
I studied her. “I agree. So much potential. It would be a shame to let something so amazing slip through our fingers.”
I wasn’t only talking about the cabin. She met my gaze, her eyes widening as she took in my stare. She knew I was referring to more than the wooden structure behind us.
“A smart person once told me that with time and effort, what was broken can be mended,” I stated. “If a person is wil
ling to put in the time, you can create something beautiful—and lasting.”
Her mouth opened, but no words came out. A large crack of thunder made us jump. The skies suddenly opened, and the rain beat down hard, soaking us in seconds. Another clap of thunder made me move fast. I lunged, scooping her up and running for the cabin. She clung to my biceps, not fighting me, a fact I was grateful for.
In the cabin, I set her on her feet, shutting the door behind me. Streams of water hit the floor, and I pushed the wet hair off my forehead.
“I think we’re stuck for a while.”
She sighed. “I think you’re right.”
“Stay here.” I hurried to the back of the cabin and rushed out to my truck, grabbing my workout bag. Once back inside, I dug around and handed Liv one of the towels I always carried with me. “At least this will help a little.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
I toweled off my hair as I peered out the window. The wind was picking up, the trees bending under the force. The rain was teeming, the holes in the roof now evident as the drips began hitting the floor. I pushed the lounger I had been sitting on earlier to a spot which was hole-free.
“At least we can sit,” I said, glancing up, not expecting the image that met my eyes.
Frozen, I stared across the dilapidated cabin. Liv had pulled off the oversized shirt she was wearing, leaving her in a tank top. It clung to her like a second skin, showing every curve she kept hidden. She was unconsciously sexy, her creamy shoulders glistening, and her nipples stiff and straining against the thin material covering them.
My cock hardened.
When she lifted her eyes to mine, our gazes locked. She tugged at the material uselessly, pulling at it with frantic fingers to loosen it from her wet, slick skin. It hid nothing from my view. Her expression was tormented. She twisted her hands repeatedly. I knew I should turn around. Say something.
Vested Interest Box Set Books 4-7 Page 36
