Page 86 of Then Came You

She gave him a brief wave, and then he hurried off to his truck while she stood and watched him leave.

He smiled softly as he drove away, thinking about how many people loved Gillian. Savannah and Lauren were fiercely protective of her, as was Stella. Then there was his sister, who’d been singing Gillian’s praises ever since she’d come over and interrupted their breakfast that day. He hadn’t met Gillian’s family yet, but he knew they were supportive of her too. Now he wondered if he’d ever get the chance to meet them.

A few minutes later, he pulled onto his street. As if his adrenaline hadn’t already been pumping, it shot up a notch when his house came into view. Gillian’s car was in the driveway, and it was parked off to one side, where she usually parked. It made him feel better that she hadn’t parked haphazardly like someone who wanted to make a quick getaway. He breathed a sigh of relief as he hopped out of the truck, and then he jogged up to the front door.

Even though it was his house, he tentatively turned the knob and found that the door was unlocked. Under ordinary circumstances, he might have scolded her about not locking it since she was there alone, but these weren’t ordinary circumstances.

The minute he stepped inside, his senses were assailed by a multitude of things. First, the dogs rushed into the living room to greet him, tails thumping, mouths open, and noses sniffing his pant legs, looking for treats. The only treats he had were leftover Tootsie Rolls from the festival, and he shook his head in apology.

“Sorry, boys. These aren’t for you.”

They gave up and then trotted back into the kitchen, where he figured Gillian must have been. Enticing aromas of homemade cooking filled the air, and he was trying to guess what she was making when she came around the corner wearing an apron over her clothes and wielding a wooden spoon.

They stared at each other for a few beats while Sam tried to read her expression.

“You’re home early,” she finally said.

“So are you.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I live here.”

She laughed. “I know, but I didn’t expect you for at least another hour.”

“Should I leave and come back later?”

She laughed again, and he took a step forward.

“I was trying to surprise you.”

“You are. You did.” Another step.

“I made chili.”

“So, that’s what I smell.”

“Mm-hmm. I thought it might warm you up after being outside all day.”

“It was a nice thought. Thank you.” Two more steps.

“Sam?”

“Gillian?”

He stopped right in front of her, within reach yet still not touching. “You first.”

“Why did you leave early?”

“I needed to see you. I was worried about you.”

“That’s very sweet, but as you can see, I’m fine.”

He shook his head. “But you weren’t earlier.”

“You’re right. I wasn’t.”

His eyes went wide at her admission. He’d been afraid she was going to try and hide her emotions again.