AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rhys:It’s quite a bit.
Me:See you soon.
Rhys:Be careful.
CH 10 - #home
Rhys
Song: “Say You Do” by Dierks Bentley
I SAW RILEY in her silver Camaro, slowly coming up the dirt road that led to my house. I kept looking out my living room window, watching her, until she parked beside my truck in the driveway. Then I walked over to my front door and pressed my forehead against it. I was nervous, but not about talking to Riley. It was seeing her in person again that was affecting me. She was so damn beautiful.
When she knocked on my door, I took a deep breath. Seconds later, I was met with Riley’s smile. It warmed me to my core.
“Hi,” I said.
“Hi. Thanks for not minding me coming over.”
“It’s no problem. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” Riley glanced up and down the front porch. “You redid all of this. I also noticed the new metal roof. What you’ve done is amazing.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve always liked this house because it’s on stilts. You can see everything around you so much better whenever you’re up higher.”
“That’s what I prefer—a great view. Come on in. I’ll show you what else I’ve done around here.”
I stepped aside and motioned for Riley to enter my home. As she walked past me, I caught the scent of her perfume. It was the one I’d given to her on our last Christmas together: Love Story. I couldn’t believe she still wore it.
“Wow!” she said, glancing around. “I really like the open living room, dining room, and kitchen. And the hardwood floor is gorgeous.”
“I redid it throughout because the old one was pretty rough.”
“Was that rustic trim work and moulding already in here?” she asked, pointing at the wall closest to us.
“No, I added it.”
“Rhys, I am blown away by all of this. You’ve turned into a Superman carpenter. You’ve always been good at woodwork, but this is like major.”
I shrugged. “Most folks get better at doing what they consistently work at. My work on this place has been consistent since I bought it.”
“It’s going to be your shining star B&B.”
“That’s my plan. Let me show you the kitchen.”
As soon as we entered it, Riley held her arm out toward me. It was covered in goosebumps. “You definitely have a ghost living with you. I feel it all over,” she said.
“I knew you would. You’ve always been sensitive to energies.”
“Just like you. Can you tell if your ghost is a man or a woman?”
“I get the impression that it’s a woman.”
“Why?”
“Because if I happen to leave something out instead of putting it back where it belongs, the ghost will hide it so that I have to search for it later. Also, if I don’t clean up after myself like a pro in the kitchen or wherever, the ghost will make a mess like a mother or bossy big sister would do, trying to teach me a lesson.”
