Page 7 of Ashes to Ink

He just shook his head, smiling. “You never know. In caseyou have time between tea and Julia and having a life, you may want to decoratea four-bedroom house with way too much space and white walls.”

Abby’s eyes widened as she led him into the kitchen. “Fourbedrooms? Just for you?”

“Yeah, it’s ridiculous. I got the house because there wassome damage from the last forest fire. The people foreclosed on it before itwas even in the middle of that. So I got it at a steal because no one wanted todeal with it. I didn’t mind doing the rebuilding because I liked the place andthe views. But it’s a little too big for me. I probably should just sell it andget something smaller. But I can’t quite say goodbye to it.”

Abby shook her head as she started melting some chocolateand peppermint bark right into a pan and pulled out the milk. He’d never seensomeone actually make hot cocoa that way outside of a movie. His stomachrumbled, and he knew he would have to eat something when he got home.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll make it your place. Or you’ll sell itif you find that you want to. Or maybe you can rent it out to a family that needsit.”

“Maybe. I just don’t know yet. But the house works for me.”

Abby poured out their hot cocoas and handed him a mug.

He could scent the peppermint and chocolate, and he lickedhis lips in anticipation. But he didn’t take a sip, knowing it would be toohot. “When my parents passed, they left me some money, and I didn’t want tojust look at it and not have anything to show for what they worked so hard for.I used most of it for investments, but when I saw this place, I had to have it.I donated a lot of the money, but the house? The house is mine, I guess.”

“I’m sorry about your parents.”

Abby reached out and gripped his arm, giving it a squeeze.He looked down at where she touched him, wondering what it meant. Wondering whyhe wanted that touch so much. He knew he should leave, knew he’d alreadyoverstayed his welcome. But he couldn’t go. Not yet.

“They passed a few years ago. The big house may seem like awaste, but it spoke to me. And even though I need to do better about makingsure it feels like a home, I think your place is giving me ideas.”

She smiled. “Really? It’s a two bedroom, but it feels like aone and a half bedroom. Julia has the little half-bedroom that I think used tobe an office for someone. I don’t know why they made a house this small in thisneighborhood, but I think they wanted a little bit of everybody here. Which isgood in the long run, but they didn’t really think the layout of the housethrough well. I don’t mind it. It’s a good starter home for us. Once thebusiness has been up and running for a couple more years, and I feel a littlemore stable and in the black, I think we’ll move. Julia’s going to need somespace. She’s so tiny right now, it’s okay, but soon, we’re going to be walkingall over each other.”

“Maybe, but the place still suits you guys pretty well rightnow.”

“Thank you. I love it.” They both took sips of their hotchocolates, and he had to hold back an audible moan. He did close his eyesthough, and when she let out a soft laugh, he had a feeling she knew exactlywhat he was thinking.

Well, maybe not exactly since he was thinking about morethan the cocoa. He was imagining kissing those lips of hers.

And that’s when he knew he had to go.

“This tastes amazing. Thank you.”

“Thank you for being there. And thank you for staying. Andjust…for staying. I know I probably could have handled it on my own, but I’mlearning to lean on others, and maybe realizing I don’t have to handleeverything myself.”

They continued drinking their hot cocoa in the kitchen, noteven sitting down. He had a feeling if he planned to stay longer, they would havemoved into her small living room to talk. But standing in the kitchen feltsafer. Safer from what, he didn’t know, but just…safer.

He put his empty mug in the sink, filling it up with waterto soak. Abby had said she would wash it herself since they weren’t dishwashersafe. He didn’t understand why things weren’t dishwasher safe, but then again,he wasn’t going to question it. He’d just had the best peppermint hot cocoa ofhis life, and with a beautiful woman at that.

He couldn’t really complain.

Abby walked him out after explaining to him that she wasgoing to call the Montgomerys and ask for a ride inthe morning. It was probably for the best. He didn’t work the morning shift, soit wouldn’t make sense for him to help out.

But he would have if she’d asked.

And that worried him.

Because he already knew that he wanted to get to know Abbybetter. And that wasn’t good for anyone.

Especially her.

“Thank you for being there, Ryan,” she whispered, looking upat him with those big eyes of hers.

He nodded, stuffing his hands into his pockets so hewouldn’t reach out and touch her. “I’d say anytime, but I don’t really meananytime.”

She smiled again, and he said goodbye, knowing that thingswould get awkward if he stayed any longer.

By the time he got home, he was exhausted and starving. Hecould heat up some leftovers from the fridge but knew he should probably cooksomething since he wanted those leftovers for lunch the next day. He was waytoo tired for that, though.